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“Yes, but didn’t Avery also say it was getting really old?” Kaitlyn said. “Like wearing out, maybe? Do you think there are other, uh, Others from different species who are feeling attracted to each other but they’re just hiding it?”
“That’s a whole lot of Other business going on,” Avery said skeptically. “And to answer your question, I don’t know and I don’t care. All I’m worried about right now is Princess Latimer here getting caught doing the unthinkable.”
“Is it really that bad to break the Edict, though?” I protested. “I mean, really?”
Avery sighed. “Look, you weren’t raised in the magical world so you don’t understand. For most Others, being caught breaking the Edict is almost the worst thing you can do. I mean, it’s so socially unacceptable you might as well declare that you’re going to take up…I don’t know, serial murder or something awful like that.”
“That seems kind of extreme,” I said. “How can you equate killing people with loving someone of a different species or race?”
Avery shrugged. “I’m just telling you what the Council of Elders thinks about it.”
“Well, they’re older,” I said. “The older generation. But maybe things are changing—maybe they ought to change. Think about it—just a generation or two ago a lot of people hated mixed marriages and gay marriages now they’re much more common.”
“A lot of people still hate mixed couples—especially in the South,” Kaitlyn said in a low voice. “My parents used to get some pretty nasty looks and remarks from time to time, since my dad was white and my mom was black.”
“And you try telling my dear old dad that gay marriage is acceptable now,” Avery said dryly. “I’m sure he’d love to hear all about it.”
“My point is that just because a few people think something is wrong, doesn’t make it wrong,” I argued.
“A few people? You don’t understand,” Avery said. “You’re talking about breaking the Edict like it’s some kind of Civil Rights issue. I’m telling you, Megan—it would be tearing the fabric of Other society apart if everybody started doing what you and Griffin are doing.” He leaned forward. “And speaking of that, what exactly are you doing? I’ve heard Nocturnes are amazing. Strictly from other Nocturnes, of course,” he added quickly.
“It’s none of your business,” I said primly. And when the three of them groaned in disappointment, I added somewhat reluctantly, “Actually, not much. I’m underage, according to Griffin, and he refuses to do anything illegal.”
“Except for breaking the Edict,” Avery said dryly.
“You keep coming back to that,” I said, feeling exasperated. “But it’s not like Griffin and I are Blood-Bonded or anything. And anyway, what about the other things we were supposed to discuss today? What about the prophecy I heard Nancy and her mom talking about? Did you get a chance to do any digging on that?”
Avery shook his head.
“I meant to get over to my aunt’s house and look through her spell library but she had to leave for a weekend retreat with the rest of the Windermere Coven and my mom lost her spare key.”
“Great.” Emma sighed. “How are we ever going to find out what prophecy they were talking about then? Because I really think Megan needs to know!”
“I do too,” I said. “I want to know if that’s the reason my mom kept me out of the magical world and raised me as a Norm.”
Then, of course, I had to tell them all about my conversation with Aunt Dellie and everything she’d said about my mom. All three of them were wide-eyed when I had finished.
“Okay, now we definitely need to find out about that prophecy,” Kaitlyn said at last. “Is there another magical library somewhere we could look? Maybe someplace on campus?”
“There is one,” Avery said slowly. “But it’s in the South Tower in the Sisters’ dorm. They have an ancient grimoire that supposedly belonged to Corinne Latimer herself. If there were any pertinent prophecies to do with one of her descendants, I’d bet it would be there.”
“Great,” I said. “Let’s go!”
“Not so fast, Princess,” Avery said, frowning at me. “The only people who are allowed in the Sisters’ Spell Library are Sisters. Specifically those who live there.”
“Do you think we’d get in trouble if they caught us there?” I asked. “I mean, you’re a Sister and I technically am too. In fact, Nancy’s mom really wanted the headmistress to move me in there. She said it was the only way I would get a ‘proper magic education.’”
“I think we would get into trouble, yes,” Avery said. “But of course, that’s only if we get caught.” He brightened. “And I happen to know that this weekend is probably the best chance we’ll ever get to sneak into the South Tower. All the Sisters are away at the weekend retreat with the Windermere Coven. It’s kind of a magical field trip where they perform the Great Rite for the first time,” he added, by way of explanation. “So if we’re going to break in, now’s the time.”
