t five o’clock Blue came to visit me fresh from the Twenty-Three Skidd match. At first she was reluctant to share any of the specifics, but on my insistence she eventually divulged how extraordinary it had been.

The Crusaders won with a final score of twenty-three to nineteen. As first alternate, Daniel had taken my place on the Seven Suns. Jason and Blue had apparently been absolutely dynamic, and with her assist he’d scored the winning goal. A horde of my classmates, I was told, carried her off the field on their shoulders.

It was everyone’s opinion that Lady Agnue and Lord Channing had made the right decision in not canceling the game. After the attack and the fire, the student bodies needed a morale boost and something to distract them from scarier prospects. I only wished I’d had that kind of distraction.

I ached with sadness as Blue spoke. I was happy for her and supported her 100 percent. But knowing that she would get to live out this dream while I had been forced to surrender mine was not something a girl could get over in an afternoon.

I think she picked up on that. The details soon ceased and we moved on to other, less emotionally searing topics.

At six o’clock one of the nurses brought me dinner—a piece of plain grilled chicken without the skin and a side of steamed cauliflower. Madame Alexanders had advised the infirmary staff only feed me gluten-free, dairy-free, fat-free foods (i.e., cardboard) for the next few days, as it was supposed to help the antidote on my shoulder work faster.

I didn’t know how much this diet was contributing to my recovery but felt certain that it wasn’t worth the sacrifice. Furthermore, I was annoyed that the infirmary staff kept bringing me pots of hot tea and didn’t seem to take my request for a substitute, like hot chocolate, seriously.

At seven o’clock Daniel returned and he and I quizzed each other on the masts, rigging, and architectural designs of the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook’s infamous pirate vessel. He and Jason had a similar midterm at Lord Channing’s and he was in as dire need of exam prep as I was.

I was thankful for this distraction as it provided a totally acceptable, non-awkward way for us to spend time together. Staring at Hook’s red-and-black boat in our textbooks was a lot more comfortable than staring at each other. The shift in our relationship had made things weird, but I could tell Daniel was also being sensitive about the Twenty-Three Skidd match today. He never brought it up, for which I was grateful.

Whenever there was a lull in conversation, I concentrated on the illustrations of the Jolly Roger’s enormous sails, bronze mast, and skull and crossbones flag. I still wasn’t used to Daniel and I being like this—shallow friends. Keeping our conversation from wandering was the only thing I could do to control the situation. If I didn’t, the anger and resentment I still felt toward him would prevent us from being productive.

Oddly, our friendship was a lot like my relationship with SJ at the moment. It was a mug that had fallen to the floor and broken its handle. It still worked and served a purpose, but you just couldn’t rely on it the way you used to.

I sighed to myself. I guess I would have to get used to broken things and shallow friendships.

In retrospect, maybe it shouldn’t have bothered me so much that I was being sent back to Midveil. I hadn’t returned to my kingdom over winter break because I wanted to be where I felt most at home, which used to be at Lady Agnue’s. As the saying went, “Home is where the heart is.” But after two of the people I was closest to in the world had pushed me away, it didn’t feel like my heart was here anymore. I had to go.

At eight o’clock the rest of our friends joined Daniel and me, and we touched base on our plan for finding Paige Tomkins. Now that I was leaving, Blue offered to take over my Toyland mapmaking. I felt bad about giving her extra work but I knew Blue loved fairytale history and research so much that the task was right up her alley. She promised that as soon as midterms were over, she would finish what I’d started.

The boys updated us on the progress of their Wonderland mapmaking after we gave them details about ours.

“It’s been a bit slow lately,” Jason said. “With midterms, library schedules have shifted. We’ve had to be even more careful to cover our tracks. It’s annoying, but doing this the right way is essential. If we get caught, it’s all over. Channing’s does not show mercy to guys who mess with the rules. A kid in our Bladesmith class got caught mixing Tungsten metal into his final project last semester and got sentenced to a full year of Gryphon hunting duty off campus.”

“Tungsten metal?”

“Our final projects were supposed to be made with a steel alloy mixture,” Daniel explained.

“Uh-huh. Sure,” I said, pretending to understand. “Anyway, I see your concern. Our library schedules have shifted slightly for midterms too, but our security measures aren’t as intense as yours. We just have a couple locks, burning dust, and hungry Guardgoyles to worry about. Didn’t you say your library has spike pits beneath the carpet and retractable shelves?”

“And a giant guard snake and ghost librarians,” Jason replied.

“I’d love to see that someday,” Blue commented, dreamy-eyed.

“Trust me, no you wouldn’t.”

“Back to the point,” I said. “Other than the usual obstacles, it seems we’re pretty much on track for our spring break deadline. We just have to keep working hard to be ready to leave on the day classes let out.”

“One problem,” Daniel pointed out. “You’re not going to be here. So by we, I take it you mean us.”

Oh. Right.

Like it’s not bad enough I’m being sent home like a toddler with a tummy ache. Now I have to look like a total jerk-wad leader for talking about work assignments that I’m not even going to be a part of.

“We don’t need Crisa to do this,” Blue interceded on my behalf. “She was only handling one Wonderland anyway. Her being gone won’t make a difference.”

“I agree,” said SJ. “We can do just fine without her.”

I tried not to take offense to the phrasing.

“Then it’s settled,” Jason announced. “Crisa, don’t worry. We’ll finish the maps and in five weeks when spring break arrives, we’ll come get you and embark on the mission. Just tell your parents we’re coming for a visit.”

“Right. I’ll just be waiting helplessly at home,” I said, a bit annoyed by my friends’ readiness to go on without me. Daniel clearly sensed my frustration, but was having none of it.

“Knight, stop complaining. You’re going home to your castle; not some prison in Alderon. It’s not the end of the world. Frankly, it’s probably for the best given that once you’re gone we can get our work done in peace without having to worry about whether or not someone’s trying to kill you.”

“Great,” I huffed. “So glad my expulsion could lighten your load.”

“Crisa, you’re being overdramatic,” Blue said. “You’re not being expelled. You’re taking a leave of absence.”

“There doesn’t seem to be much difference between taking a leave of absence and being sent home in shame,” I replied curtly. “But it’s fine. In five weeks, the four of you can come to Midveil and ‘get me.’ I’ll have extra place settings waiting for you at dinner. I warn you now, though, the dress code will be formal.”

I insisted that my friends leave me alone for the night.

My attempt at solace lasted twelve minutes before a whoosh of red sparkles assailed the infirmary. It crashed into the outside of the window closest to my cot and, realizing it couldn’t get through, started banging against it. Having an inkling about who this might be, I eased my way to the window and let her in.

The red, shimmering blur rushed inside, and I swiftly shut the window against the frigid air. Hovering in front of me, the sparkling blob expanded, thickened, and contorted until it formed the shape of a woman. Debbie materialized from the energy. She held her wand in one hand and looked a tad flustered, but she got over it when she saw my face. She zipped in for a quick hug.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. “I was so worried. The Godmother Supreme briefed us all on what happened, but she forbade any of us from coming here. She didn’t want me to see you.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because I wanted to see you.”

I couldn’t help but smile a little. Then I got serious again, all business. “Does Lenore know how the magic hunters got in?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“What about Tami? You said she’s good with In and Out Spells. Any chance she was involved?”

Debbie shook her head. “Tami can produce and control her own miniature versions of In and Out Spells. But only the Godmothers who originally cast the spell can lower it again. And with a spell this strong, they’d almost always have to work as a team. Only a few Godmothers out there might have the power to do something that grand on their own.”

I crossed my arms and huffed, frustrated and feeling a bit more vulnerable than usual.

“What is it?” Debbie asked.

“Death is getting closer,” I replied plainly. “This is the first close call that’s really hit home. SJ’s always been stressed out about me being almost killed but I’m not sure it’s really resonated until now. My story could very well end with me dying, couldn’t it?”

A knock suddenly came at the door, sending Debbie into a panic.

“I can’t let anyone know I was here,” she whispered hurriedly.

“Go,” I replied. “Thanks for coming by. And if I don’t see you again for a while . . .”

Another knock at the door.

“Just a second!” I called.

Debbie patted my head affectionately, a small, sad smile on her face. “No one is going to kill you, Crisa. I may not be the Author, but I know you’ll be all right.”

I didn’t say anything more. I just hoped her words would not fall on a universe of deaf ears. Debbie waved her wand and turned back into a red ball of energy. I opened the window to let her out, hopped back into bed, and picked up a book as a third knock came. I rolled my eyes and shouted “come in” to whoever was on the other side.

I had been so bombarded with stress today that the very sound of the infirmary doors groaning open again made me want to hurl a pillow at whoever came in. I was glad I restrained myself from doing so, for the girl who arrived was one person I actually wanted to see.

“Hey, you up?” Girtha asked as she stepped in.

“I was just studying,” I said, gesturing to the pile of textbooks beside me. The lavender one I currently held in my hand was particularly heavy and came from my elective for the semester—A Lady & Her Environment: A Creative Crafting Course. I was glad to put it down as Girtha approached.

Girtha shifted a bit as she stood before me. “I hope you don’t mind me coming by. I know you’ve been through a heap of trauma this weekend. Lady Agnue put my name on your approved list of visitors since I was the one who helped bring you in.”

“I don’t mind,” I said. “But as long as you’re not here to keep an eye on me too.”

“Please.” Girtha shrugged. She stomped over to the cot next to mine and sat down. “You’re the last person that needs someone to keep an eye on them.”

“The greater majority would disagree with you after what happened with the magic hunters.”

“Well I think it’s true especially because of what happened with the magic hunters,” Girtha argued. “You were in a rough situation. You were outnumbered and taken by surprise. But how many people could overcome the effects of a Poppy Potion, get shot in the shoulder, and win a knife fight against a hunter twice their size while half-drugged? Everyone has bad days, Crisa. If that’s what one of yours looks like, then I think it’s safe to say that if it was a fair fight you would’ve been beyond capable of taking care of yourself.”

A feeling of relief filled my body like a deep breath. “Thanks,” I said. “After the day I’ve had you don’t know how badly I needed to hear that. I owe you a massive thank you for your save though. I may be capable of taking care of myself ordinarily, but I needed help that night. And you provided it.”

“Forget about it,” Girtha said. “I saw you in trouble and I stepped in.”

“Girtha, you put yourself in harm’s way for me. Most people don’t do that. Friends do. I was lucky you were there.”

Girtha smiled. Then she smacked me in the leg playfully, the way Blue amiably punched me in the arm from time to time. The only difference was that Girtha’s fist was double the size and weight of Blue’s, so her smack ricocheted through my entire body.

A buzzing noise interrupted our moment of camaraderie. It was a familiar pitch and made me reach for my pocket out of instinct. Alas, my Mark Two wasn’t there. Girtha pulled my magic compact mirror out of her jacket pocket and handed it to me just as it stopped buzzing.

“When they were doing inspections of the grounds after the fire, I found this by the stables near where you passed out,” she explained. “I figured you must’ve dropped it, so I held on to it. I didn’t want Lady Agnue or one of the guards to take it while you were sleeping. It doesn’t exactly look like something our headmistress would approve of.”

“Thanks,” I said. “That was a good call. Lady Agnue is definitely not a fan of me having this. It’s a Mark Two magic compact mirror for communication. They should be coming out on the market soon. I’ll pick one up for you if I ever see them for sale when I’m back in Midveil.”

I paused as the reminder of Midveil sunk in like a mental anchor. I still couldn’t believe I was headed back there. I’d sent my letter to my family as Lady Agnue had instructed. Now I simmered in angst as I wondered what my parents would think when they read it. I wondered what my dad would think. Just imagining his reaction made my blood pressure go up.

“Yeah, I heard you were leaving school for a while,” Girtha said. “Bummer. But hey, look on the bright side. At least you get to see your family, right?”

“You don’t know my family,” I replied. “This school may pose a lot of challenges, but my family is a whole other minefield.”

“Tell me about it,” Girtha said. “My dad didn’t have the money to take care of three kids single-handedly when we were little. So—future protagonists or not—one summer he abandoned my siblings, Hansel and Gretel, but chose to keep me since I was a baby. After they killed that witch at the Valley of Edible Enchantments and came back rich and famous, Dad obviously welcomed my brother and sister home. Still, even after all these years there’s a weird, unspoken tension between the four of us over what went down. Makes family dinners pretty awkward.”

“Rough,” I commented. “I guess it’s a good thing the versions of Hansel & Gretel we’re taught in school don’t come with an epilogue.”

Abruptly my Mark Two began buzzing again.

“It’s been doing that every so often since yesterday. Whenever I open it a lady’s face appears, but instantly vanishes when she sees me,” Girtha said.

“Yeah, that’s my . . . friend. Liza. I guess she’s kind of paranoid about strangers considering that I’m one of only a few people she regularly talks to.”

The compact kept buzzing.

“I hate to cut our talk short, but if she’s been trying to call me since yesterday, I should probably answer this.”

“No worries,” Girtha replied as she moved for the door. “Rest up. And if I don’t see you before you leave, good luck with the homecoming. Try not to have too much fun while you’re away. I want my sparring partner to come back.”

I smiled. “Fight you later.”

“Fight you later,” Girtha agreed with a grin.

When she shut the door, I flipped open the compact. Liza’s freaked-out face filled the looking glass. Upon seeing that it was me answering the call, she let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Crisa, thank goodness,” she said. “I’ve been worried sick!”

“I know, sorry. I would have called sooner, but a lot has happened. I took a shot in the shoulder, got drugged with some Poppy Potion, and was almost killed by a few magic hunters. First off though, thank you for always taking my calls no matter how crazy the hour. You really saved us, Liza. If you hadn’t contacted Lenore and told her to lower the In and Out Spell around the school, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

“Crisa, that’s just it though,” Liza said earnestly. “I’ve been calling you nonstop because I failed. And since you never called me back, I didn’t know what happened with you and the school.”

“What do you mean you failed?”

“Lena never answered my call,” Liza explained. “I tried for hours, but was never able to reach her on her Mark Two. She must not have had it with her.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. She and a whole team of Fairy Godmothers showed up not two minutes after I spoke to you,” I protested. “How would Lenore have known to be at Lady Agnue’s if no one told her what was going on?”

“I don’t know,” Liza responded.

The wheels turned in my head.

Why had Lenore been so close to the campus? Why had she been so ready to lower the In and Out Spell on a chance Saturday at three o’clock in the morning? And how did the magic hunters even get into the school in the first place?

There was no way to break an In and Out Spell unless you fractured the enchantment the way my friends and I had last semester, which was not something a few hunters could do on a whim. The only way to get into this school other than that was by being a Shadow Guardian or if the In and Out Spell was lowered, and the hunters clearly weren’t Shadow Guardians or else they would’ve come after me earlier. Which meant that the spell had to have been lowered. But the only people who could do that were powerful Fairy Godmothers—specifically the team who’d enacted the spell in the first place.

Wait, no. That was wrong. Debbie just told me such Godmothers would almost always have to work as a team. But she said that a few Godmothers out there might have the power to drop the spell on their own. I didn’t have a list of all such women, but I did know of one.

Realization hit me like a large rock.

“Oh, I’m gonna waste her!” I said angrily, squeezing the compact so tight it nearly cracked.

“Waste who?” Liza asked.

“Your sister,” I responded. “Lenore’s the one who lowered the In and Out Spell and allowed the magic hunters to sneak onto campus. She must’ve done it alone earlier this week when we were all asleep so they could steal the Poppies, and again the night of the attack. That’s how she knew to come to the school when we were in trouble. It wasn’t luck she was nearby; she was already in the area to re-lower the spell once the hunters had me and needed to escape. She probably just called those other Godmothers to her aid after the fact to make it look less suspicious.”

“Crisa, I know my sister is . . . well, my sister. But do you really think she’d plot with magic hunters to try and have you killed?”

“Honestly? I do,” I replied. “She can’t send me to Alderon without proof of my Pure Magic. She can’t flat out eliminate me herself since the restrictions of Fairy Godmother magic won’t let her kill anyone. And she’s knows that she can’t threaten me into keeping my mouth shut forever. I’m a problem for her, a bump in her perfect little world order that she can’t smooth out. She’s been looking for a way to get rid of me and must’ve thought she finally found a creative way to do it without getting her hands dirty. Only she didn’t expect the grounds to catch fire and was forced to intervene and abandon her plans.”

“But would she truly stoop so low to try and keep order over the realm?” Liza asked, more sadness than doubt in her voice.

I raised my eyebrows. “I don’t know. How long has she had you trapped in the Indexlands writing protagonist books? A hundred and fifty years?”

“Point taken,” Liza sighed. “But what are you going to do, Crisa? Contrary to how you’re feeling, you cannot exactly ‘waste’ my sister.”

“Yes, I got that. I just need to think.”

“Well, think carefully. Whether or not Lena was responsible for this weekend’s events, she has been playing her hand with you with relative subtlety. I wouldn’t want you to do anything that might provoke her into changing that—into coming after you with no mercy.”

“Right,” I said. “Cuz no one’s ever done that before.”