We spend the next hour asking questions and rehashing everything we’ve just learned. By the time the agents are done putting together all the known puzzle pieces—along with a good deal of speculation about the still-missing ones—the bagels are gone, the only fruit left is the universally-hated cantaloupe, and my head’s about to go nuclear from the overdose of keyed-up energy in the room.
“Let me get this straight,” I say. “The Magician wants to reclaim magick as his birthright, killing us all in the process. The government wants to kill us just for existing. A high-ranking APOA agent who’s now calling the shots at our Academy wants to strip us of our power and throw us to the wolves, despite the fact that he himself is a mage. And our traitorous headmistress is actually a double-agent working in the shadows to keep us all safe.”
“That… about sums it up,” Casey says, rising from her chair for the last time. She glances at her phone, then nods at Quintana, indicating their time with us is up. “Listen, guys. I know the news is grim right now. It may not feel like it, but the Academy—including the Red Sands community here—is the safest place for everyone. The magick will protect you, as much as anything can. I’m just asking you to give us a little more time and a little more trust before doing anything else.”
“That’s just it though,” Carly says. “If what you’re saying is true, then we need just as much protection from what’s happeninginsidethe Academy as we do out of it.”
“We’re picking the lesser of two evils,” Casey says.
“Always a good strategy, Case,” Baz says, flashing her a sarcastic thumbs-up.
Ignoring the dig, Casey turns back to Carly. “Carly, this may be difficult to process, but I need to tell you… Agent Quintana and I are taking custody of your mother.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” she asks.
“Janelle is being charged with aiding and abetting a fugitive, multiple counts of assault, attempted murder, fraud, and conspiracy to steal student magick, among other things. She’ll be questioned at length by APOA. Depending on the outcome, she’ll face either a trial or…”
“Or a death sentence.” Carly glances at Baz, a deep understanding passing between them. He comes to stand next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder while Casey continues.
“She left some things in the Red Sands house,” Casey says gently. “It’s not far from here. If you’d like, I can come back later and take you to—”
“I appreciate your kindness, Agent Appleton.” Carly flips her long raven hair, her smile brightening right along with her energy. “But I’ve already taken everything I need from Janelle Kirkpatrick.”
I glance at her, arching an eyebrow at the smug pleasure emanating from her every fiber.
She taps her lips, pretending to be deep in thought. “I should probably warn you—Janelle might look alittledifferent than you remember.”
Casey narrows her eyes. “How so?”
“The thing is… My mother knew how to siphon too. Not magick, but life essence.” Carly shrugs. “She always said I kept her young. She meant that literally.”
“Fucking bitch,” Baz mutters.
“It’s all good now. Mom and I cleared the air yesterday.” Carly smirks, waggling her brows. “Also, I totally spelled her ass.”
“Let me guess,” Baz says. “The little chat you had about boundaries?”
“It’s funny what happens when your daughter decides to take her youthful glow back,” she says, smoothing a hand over her shiny hair. “Really brings out the gray hair and crow’s feet. I left her down there with a mirror. I don’t think she’s too happy with me right now.”
“You are both awesome and terrifying,” I say.
“Yes, remember that next time you try to get on my bad side, Twink.”
Unsure what to say to that, Casey gestures for Quintana to head down to the basement. Before she follows him, she pulls me aside, her voice low and serious.
“Stevie, I just wanted you to know how sorry I am for my part in what happened at Breath and Blade. I know I hurt you, and you’re all still dealing with the repercussions of that night—especially Ani.”
I cross my arms over my chest and wait for her to continue, to insist it wasn’t her fault, to remind me that Phaines was in the driver’s seat, that she didn’t understand what was happening…
But she doesn’t.
“I understand trust has to be earned,” she says instead. “I promise I’ll do what I can to earn yours, no matter how long it takes.”
My respect for her goes up a few notches. Still not ready to invite her to the next Witch-’N-Bitch, but I no longer want to bury her up to the neck in the backyard and let the scorpions find her, so that’s progress.
None of us wants to see Janelle again, so we all head outside until the agents are finished transporting her out. Once the coast is clear, Doc calls the brotherhood into Ani’s room.
“I know we promised the agents we’d stay within the protective boundaries of the house,” he says as we gather around the bed, “but there’s one more errand we need to take care of first.”
