I turn and head back toward the academy. We need a plan, one that doesn’t just protect Rose but eliminates Jasmine permanently.
Rose’s bizarre taste in men might actually be helpful. Between all of us, we could have a chance against Jasmine.
And I’m not going to let her touch what’s mine.
Thirty-Six
Rose
I wake up with the events of last night replaying in my head over and over.
Hank croaks from the little terrarium I made for him, and I drag myself out of bed. “Morning. I hope one of us slept well.”
The frog looks at me, utterly unconcerned with the drama unfolding around him. Must be nice.
I head to the bathroom, hoping a long, hot shower will clear my head. Last night after Ash came back from the woods, he told us what Jasmine said, the way she talked about me like I was the cake at a fat guy’s birthday party.
They all wanted to hide me away, lock me in a room somewhere until they could deal with Jasmine. And I promptly told them where they could shove that idea. My magic is stronger now. I can fight back.
After my shower, I pull on jeans and a warm sweater, tie my hair back, and head to class. Immediately I notice that something is wrong.
As I round the corner, I catch a bit of the conversation between a couple of students stopped in front of me, and I slow my pace to listen.
“Harry said Thorne wasn’t the only one missing last night. Mickey and Kim were gone too. Didn’t come back to their rooms.”
“But they found Thorne,” a boy points out.
“Yeah, and not the others.” One of the girls looks around nervously. “And I heard that three of the Blood Moon coven members are gone, too.”
“What is the headmistress doing about it?”
“No clue. I tried to see her this morning, but that weird guy Ollie, who’s always hanging around now, said she’s going to be in her quarters all day and is not to be disturbed.”
They notice me then, and all conversation stops. I keep walking, pretending I didn’t hear anything, but holy shit.
I’m supposed to be heading to Charms and Talismans with Professor Solmanus, but a reckless idea comes to me. If Jasmine is picking off Blood Moon Coven members, there must be evidence somewhere. And if she’s holed up in her in rooms, her office would be empty.
It’s stupid. Beyond stupid.
I change direction, heading toward the administrative wing, and take the stairs two at a time to where the headmistress’s officeis located. A place I’ve unfortunately come to know well, thanks to the Wickersly sisters. The hallway is deserted, most faculty members either teaching or in their private quarters.
The door is locked, of course, but I press my palm against the wood, feeling for the magical wards. Complex, but nothing I can’t handle now. I close my eyes, let magic flow through me, and push.
Gold light spreads across the door, finding Jasmine’s wards. I feel them resist, then bend, then snap as my magic overwhelms them. The lock clicks. I slip inside quickly, shutting the door behind me.
Where to start? I move to the desk first, trying drawers. All locked. I use my magic again, this time more carefully. The center drawer slides open, revealing nothing but standard office supplies gathering dust. Guess Jasmine isn’t one for admin work. Strange for the headmistress of an academy, but nothing incriminating there.
I survey the room, looking for anything out of place. A large bookshelf dominates one wall, filled with books, along with all the other books stacked precariously all over the office. There’s really nothing here.
But then I notice a part of the wall behind her desk that doesn’t quite match the rest. I carefully run my fingers along the edge. There’s a faint seam, barely perceptible unless you’re looking for it. A hidden compartment. I place my hand against it, feeling for magical locks again. This time, the wards are stronger, more intricate.
I take a deep breath, accepting the power that flows more easily now, after all those training sessions with Ash. I invite it, anddirect it, unraveling Jasmine’s spellwork thread by thread until I feel the final one give.
The wall panel springs open.
The smell hits me first, and I gag, covering my mouth and nose with my sleeve as I peer inside. The compartment is small but deep, like a hidden closet. Shelves line the sides, holding various objects. I recognize a charm bracelet I’ve seen Mickey wearing. And a red moon pin that all the Blood Moon Coven members wear.
Personal items. Trophies.
