by E. M. Cooper
‘I’d love to.’
Marnie told him about meeting Lexi Spindlewood and described the election.
‘I can’t believe it,’ Seb said indignantly as they walked towards Gemini. ‘We just get away from the Arnolds and he follows us here.’
‘Maybe Theo will beat Mr Arnold,’ Marnie said.
‘He’d better.’
‘You should’ve seen the reactions of some of the wizards when Theo was nominated. It was hilarious. Snobs, all of them.’
‘And this witch you mentioned—,’ Seb began.
‘Lexi Spindlewood. She nominated Theo and I think she sat next to me deliberately.’
Seb stopped walking. ‘What do you mean?’
‘She asked me questions about Crabwinkle and could see I knew more. She admitted she was a psychic witch. I didn’t tell her what happened, but she said I needed to tell Theo what I knew.’ Marnie twisted a lock of her hair. ‘Do you think I should trust her?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘And Theo?’
Seb grinned. ‘Theo’s okay. He knew my mum—they were both from this world.’
‘Your mum’s a wizard from the Old World?’
‘Aye.’
‘You’re kidding? Why didn’t you tell me?’
Embarrassed, Seb shrugged. ‘I only found out when Theo tracked me down in Downfell. He wanted to help when he heard about my dad—that he had gone, um, missing.’
‘You didn’t mention that before ... about your dad, I mean.’
Seb didn’t look at her. ‘I know.’
Marnie waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. She knew something was bothering Seb but didn’t press him. She could read it in his expression and sudden nervousness. He would tell her when he was ready. She had lived long enough in an orphanage to know some kids had heavy secrets and over time she had learned to be a good listener.
‘What else do you know about Theo?’
Seb shrugged. ‘I dunno. His dad’s the head of the Repository of Knowledge, but they don’t get on very well.’
Marnie’s eyes popped. ‘Really? I saw the Repository. It’s next to the Imporium and holds all the ancient magic texts from this world and others. Theo’s dad must be important.’
They climbed stone steps lined either side by graceful ferns bobbing in sprays of fine mist.
Lissa met them outside the entrance to Gemini House and greeted them excitedly. ‘You came! I was beginning to wonder if you’d forgotten.’
‘Sorry, Lissa, the bus was late. It took ages to load in Wandermere because it was crammed with elves, witches and wizards on the way to Fanglewick.’
‘That’s okay, you’re here now. Did you like Wandermere?’
‘Yes, it was amazing.’
‘My mother took me there a few years ago on my first trip between the worlds. I loved it too.’
An archway led to an outdoor setting and double doors opened onto a common room similar to Andromeda except the cushioned sofas, curtains and banners on the walls were mainly yellow and white giving the room an airy feeling. Many elves sat reading textbooks at tables and on sofas.
‘It’s quiet here,’ Marnie whispered.
Several elves looked up and snatched curious glances before burying themselves in study again. They passed a few open rooms which were so neat and tidy, they looked empty.
‘It’s like a morgue, isn’t it?’ Lissa said after she had led them away down an empty corridor to her room. Inside, shoes, books and clothes covered the floor and her bed was unmade. ‘Excuse the mess. I woke late this morning.’
Two girls walking in the corridor outside Lissa’s room stopped. Marnie recognised them as Charlie’s elfin friends, Eudora and Callie.
‘What happened here?’ Eudora said in a high-pitched voice. ‘It’s a pigsty.’
‘How come you were placed in Gemini? You won’t last long here,’ Callie said. ‘We have standards, you know.’
‘So do we.’ Seb calmly reached out with his foot and pushed the door shut in their faces before turning to Lissa. ‘Do you like it here at Gemini House?’
Lissa forced a smile. ‘It’s wonderful. Gemini has the best reputation and academic standards. Some of the most brilliant scientists studied here and now work in the Font in Wandermere. You would’ve seen the Font today, Marnie. It’s the largest dome-shaped building next to the Imporium. My mother and I visited there.’
‘You sound like you’re reading from a catalogue. You don’t have to pretend for us,’ Marnie said.
Lissa’s face crumpled. ‘Is it that obvious?’ She was close to tears. ‘To be honest, I hate it here. It reminds me too much of Alveria ... everything too neat and ordered and people expecting too much.’
‘You don’t have to stay,’ said Seb putting his arm around her shoulder.
‘You don’t understand. I’m sloppy, untidy, distractible, unfocused ... I could go on.’
‘We all have our lists,’ Marnie said. ‘I’ve got impatient, impulsive and thick on mine ... shall I continue? How about you, Seb? What’s on your list?’
Seb grinned. ‘Sorry, I don’t have one—too perfect.’
Marnie picked up a cushion and threw it at him.
‘My mother and two sisters were in Gemini and topped all their classes. That was the only reason I was allowed to come to Fanglewick and sit the exam. I wasn’t the strongest student.’
‘Who cares?’ Seb said.
Marnie nodded. ‘He’s right. You got into Fanglewick and that’s all that matters.’
‘But you don’t know what it’s like to be the pink dodory in your family.’
Seb and Marnie burst into laughter.
‘What?’
‘On Earth, we call it being a black sheep ’cause they’re usually white,’ Seb said.
‘In Alveria, dodories are long necked birds and most are blue.’ Lissa grinned. ‘Okay, I’ll ask about moving to Andromeda.’ She opened a cardboard box on her bed and unwrapped some sweets in a paper parcel. ‘My mum can cook too—she can do everything just like my sisters. I love them to death, but it’s kind of annoying at times. She sends me packages like these. Here have one.’
‘What are they?’ Marnie asked taking a bite of what looked like Turkish delight sitting in a tiny paper cup. ‘I can’t taste anything.’
‘Switchers. Think of a flavour—any one you like.’
‘Oh.’ Marnie thought of chocolate and instantly her mouth flooded with a milky chocolate flavour. ‘Oh, it’s so good.’
‘You can change the taste by thinking of another flavour.’
Marnie thought of peppermint and then lemon and finally strawberry. ‘That’s amazing.’ As Lissa offered the switchers to Seb, Marnie noticed a pair of wooden carvings on Lissa’s desk. ‘They’re cute.’
‘Alveria’s king and queen—well not the actual ones,’ she said picking them up. ‘Collecting little statues is a thing in our world. Watch.’ Lissa held the pair and gave them a shake. She set them on the carpet and the pair strutted forward waving their hands as though waving at a crowd of their imaginary subjects. ‘I have a huge collection at home, including the royal children and their two dogs.’
‘How do you turn them off?’ Seb asked.
‘Pick them up.’
After Seb leapt forwards and grabbed the toys, they turned to wood. ‘I’d like to visit your world.’ He set them free again and wandered to the window.
‘I wish I could do magic,’ Marnie said wistfully. ‘Do you think ... would you be able to teach me some?’
Lissa’s eyes widened. ‘We can’t, Marnie. We’re not allowed.’
Seb shuffled his feet and turned to look out the window.
‘When we had our first lesson with Professor Silas, he said it was forbidden,’ Lissa said. ‘We had to swear never to show anyone what we’d learned. He said we’re never to teach feral magic.’
Marnie nodded. She knew now if she was planning on keeping up with her friends, she’d have to find a way to teach herself.
Later Marnie and Seb walked back together along the path to Andromeda House. ‘If you really want to learn magic,’ Seb said, ‘perhaps I could show you a few things—when the time’s right and we can find somewhere to do it safely.’
‘You’d do that for me?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘What if we were caught?’
Seb shrugged. ‘Not all rules are fair. Anyway, you’ll be a student here soon enough and you don’t want to get behind.’
* * *
CHAPTER 15
The spying glass
The following morning, Astra greeted Marnie when she arrived at the kitchen before breakfast.
‘Can you come with me, Marnie? The detective has finished with Professor Crabwinkle’s office. We need to clean it up.’
Dreading what might be revealed, Marnie followed her upstairs to the professor’s office which opened off the room where the exam committee had grilled her. The black owl fluttered to the other side of the room as they entered and perched on Crabwinkle’s chair with a forlorn expression.
‘Poor thing,’ said Astra gazing at the owl. ‘The professor has probably had it since she was a girl.’
‘Surely they don’t live that long?’
‘Bizzle was probably bred by the wizard in Wandermere, Mr Croak who provides the animals for Fanglewick students. The animals are special and usually last as long as their owner.’
Stunned by the mess of upturned furniture, scattered papers, cracked windows and burned carpet, Marnie tried not to think about what had happened to Professor Crabwinkle. As she examined the singed carpet, she realised with horror the burn mark was in the shape of a body.
‘Tsk, how dreadful.’ Astra looked around the room. ‘The carpet will have to go. There was obviously a struggle ... so sad.’
As Marnie sifted through the debris, a movement caught her eye. ‘What was that? I saw something move behind the desk.’ She laughed. ‘Oh, it’s just a little mirror.’
Astra lifted it from the wall. ‘This is no ordinary mirror. It’s a witchy device.’
She handed it to Marnie, who examined the tiny paintings of cauldrons and broomsticks on the back surface.
‘They’re rare and used to spy on people. The only reason I know about them was that before coming here many years ago, I worked for a witch who traded dark artefacts in Wandermere.’
‘It’s odd the Imporium detective didn’t find it.’
‘Perhaps he didn’t recognise it. Witches, wizards and elves use a common basic magic, but each species has its own peculiarities. They treasure and conceal their differences.’ Astra nodded at the device. ‘Push it in the middle. The device spins like a pinwheel and collapses on itself, so you can carry it in your pocket. It’s quite neat.’
Marnie played with the mirror, opening and closing it. ‘Do you know how it works?’
Astra shook her head. ‘We don’t dabble in dark magic. If it doesn’t offend or frighten you, take it and see if you can figure it out. Better that than have the spy return and recover it.’
She picked up a leather glove from Crabwinkle’s desk and pulled it on. ‘Bizzle, come to me.’
The owl fluffed its feathers and flew to Astra’s outstretched arm.
‘Poor thing, you must be starving.’ She stroked its head. ‘We’ll take care of you now.’
Silas burst through the doorway. ‘What are you two doing here?’
‘Professor Thigimus asked us to clean up,’ Astra said in a restrained tone.
Marnie noticed him snatch a look at the empty space where the mirror had been and twitch as though its absence bothered him.
‘Never mind, there’s been a change of plans. Leave the office and I’ll call you back later to clean up.’
‘As you wish, professor.’ Astra bowed slightly. ‘Come along, Marnie, we’ve lunch to prepare.’ When they were out of earshot, Astra spoke in low tones. ‘He’s a tortured soul that one.’
‘Silas?’
‘Both his parents are in the Morgansol prison—for life.’
‘Where’s that?’
‘If my geography’s correct, the same place as your London.’
‘What did they do?’
‘Who knows? Although many deserve it, people can go to prison here for strange reasons from the usual to the petty or bizarre. What I do know is even though Silas was a good student here at Fanglewick, he was blocked from the Imporium because of what his parents did.’
‘That doesn’t sound fair.’
‘Fair? You’re in the Old World now.’
‘How did he come to be at Fanglewick?’
‘He studied law at a university in Morgansol and was snatched up as a professor here. Don’t think he’s ever got over the Imporium folks’ rejection though. If you ask me, he’s better off.’
* * *
The weekend and Professor Crabwinkle’s memorial service passed without Marnie or Seb being able to get anywhere near Mage Mystilic. After another week, on a Sunday afternoon they joined Lissa for a walk over the fields to gain credit for Muriel Crawfoot’s class by taking photos of strange birds with large white wings and trailing rainbow tails. Once they were safely far enough away from anyone who could hear, they sat on a hill overlooking the school. Marnie reached into her pocket and brought out the mirror, which she idly flipped open and closed as Lissa continued to snap photos.
‘We have to tell you something, Lissa,’ Marnie began.
‘We’ve wanted to tell you for ages, but we weren’t sure it was safe,’ Seb added.
‘Finally. I thought you two were keeping some stupid secret from your meaningful looks. It’s been really annoying.’ Lissa sounded hurt. ‘I thought we were best friends.’
‘Of course we are,’ Marnie said.
‘I’m really sorry, Lissa, but there’s a good reason,’ Seb said.
‘It’s about Professor Crabwinkle. We’re almost certain we know who or what killed her,’ Marnie said.
Lissa lowered her camera slowly. ‘What? But how?’
Seb lay back and propped on his elbows. You remember how we spotted Charlie on the path to Fanglewick, the night Muriel Crawfoot took us kite flying?’
Lissa nodded.
‘We decided to follow him—into Fanglewick,’ Marnie said.
‘I don’t believe it. You’re both crazy.’
Marnie shrugged. ‘We saw Charlie summon a red creature using a scrying table and his wand.’
‘What sort of creature?’
‘Possibly a demon,’ Marnie said. ‘We ran just as the thing vaporised into a red mist and entered Jax.’
Lissa looked at them with a horrified expression. ‘Have you told the teachers?’
‘No. We need to get to Mage Mystilic without anyone knowing and before Charlie or Jax do any more damage.’
‘So far we know Charlie has Jax under his control given he summoned him,’ Seb said.
Lissa shook her head. ‘I wouldn’t be certain of that. I’ve heard summoned things can be smart and tricky.’
‘What is that thing?’ Seb nodded at the device Marnie was opening and closing.
She sighed. ‘I’m not sure. It looks like a mirror, but Astra seemed to think it was a witch’s spying device. She said they were rare.’ Marnie handed it to Seb.
He clicked it open and shut a few times. ‘I don’t see any buttons or dials. How does it work?’
‘No idea. It was hanging directly behind Crabwinkle’s desk when Astra and I were called in to clean the room.’
‘How horrible,’ Lissa said.
‘I’m glad it wasn’t me,’ Seb said.
‘You should’ve seen the awful mess.’ Marnie decided they didn’t need to hear all the gruesome details. ‘Silas interrupted us and seemed to notice the mirror was missing although he didn’t say anything.’
Marnie took the device back from Seb, flicked it open and gazed at her reflection. ‘I wish it could show us what happened to Professor Crabwinkle.’ The glass clouded over. ‘What
the ...? Quick, look at this.’
Seb and Lissa rushed to look over her shoulder.
‘The cloud’s clearing,’ Marnie said. ‘I can see Jax standing in front of Crabwinkle.’
‘Oh no, he’s threatening her with a chair!’ Lissa covered her mouth with her hand.
As they watched they saw Jax tossing more furniture, breaking the window and Crabwinkle using her wand to defend herself. When Jax hurled a broken vase at her, it slashed her wand arm. Blood spilled from the jagged wound. Crabwinkle rushed to the door and ran from the room with Jax in pursuit. As soon as they had left the room, the mirror clouded and then cleared again to show the reflections of Marnie, Lissa and Seb staring anxiously back at them.
‘Keep the device hidden,’ Seb said. ‘We have to tell Theo that Jax is Crabwinkle’s killer. You have the only proof. He must have chased or brought her back to the study.’
Marnie stared into the mirror. ‘Please show me Jax coming back to Professor Crabwinkle’s study.’
They all crowded around the mirror. It clouded again, but this time they saw Jax crouching with his back to the mirror. Apart from the back of his head and shoulders, the desk hid him. He leapt to his feet and jumped out of view just as flame and smoke erupted in front of the desk.
Marnie looked away, too horrified to speak about what they had seen.
‘I can help you get to Mage Mystilic if you tell me where he is,’ Lissa said with a determined look.
Marnie nodded. ‘Go on.’
Lissa stood and whistled several times in a high-pitched tone while searching the sky. She smiled as white feathers fluttered around them. ‘We elves have our secrets too, you know.’ A tiny humming bird settled and butted its head against Lissa’s outstretched finger. ‘They’re small and change colour to match their surrounds. All you need to do is write a note and I’ll attach it to its leg.’
‘Is it yours?’ asked Marnie fascinated with the bird.
Lissa nodded. ‘Wizards are given owls and witches, cats. We were given these when we were admitted to Fanglewick.’
‘But how will it find Mystilic?’ Marnie asked.
‘They’re highly intelligent. Give it an idea where the person is and it’ll flit around until it finds him. The more information you can give it, the quicker you’ll get your message to him.’