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countercurse."
"You think she was told to do it by someone?" Daphne asks.
"I'm not sure. But she had no reason to hate me when we just started." Not only did she not know me, but Caspian wasn't here yet, and his attention seems to be one of the things that annoys her the most.
I swear, I never expected academy to be tough in this way.
Chapter Thirteen
The stench of incense hits me the moment we walk through the stone entrance of the library.
"Oh wow," Daphne whispers.
Oh wow is right. The whole place is lit by the flickering flames of the black candles Thomas brought the other day, giving the place an intimate feel at the same time as making the shadows dance and it feels a little too spooky for my tastes.
"You came," Thomas says, rushing over to me and looking like he wants to pull me into his arms. He stops just before he can, probably wary of the other two guys in the room.
All three of them are already in their togas, revealing a bit more chest than I'm entirely comfortable with. I hope they're not expecting me to concentrate during this ceremony, because that's only going to happen if I face Daphne.
"Of course I did. You're only doing this to help me." Even if I'm not completely okay with it, I owe it to all four of them to at least show up and go through with it.
"We are." He looks as if he wants to say more, but can't find the words. "There's a screen at the back there. And your togas are hanging up behind it."
"Thank you." I make my way over to the screen, Daphne right behind me. She's not as nervous as I am, though I suppose that does make sense.
Within minutes, both of us are wearing the silk togas. Thankfully, Thomas seems to have thought to find ones that are easy to wrap. I have to admit that, despite my reservations, the silk feels good on my skin. Not enough to relax me.
At least I'll look good while doing illegal magic.
"Alright, we're ready," I announce.
"There are a few things we need to do before we get started," Thomas says. "But once we do, Mona will stand in the middle of the circle." He points to a cross on the floor.
I gulp loudly. It all feels so real when the tools are sat right in front of me.
"Then we'll each take one of the compass points. If you feel like one of them is calling to you, then you should heed that," he tells the others.
They all nod, none of them seeming very worried about this. Which has the opposite effect on me. No wonder I feel jittery, I have the anxiety of five people at once inside me.
"There are words to this spell."
Ah, this point I knew. They all have to chant and raise their wands. It's all very cult like. Maybe that's what they are. A cult of Mona. Blessed be the kittens.
I feel the laughter about to explode before it does. It's almost like insanity rushes through me, and I collapse to the floor, laughing like a maniac.
"Mona, are you alright?" Daphne asks.
"I'm fine," I get out after a moment or two. "Just overwhelmed."
"We don't have to do this if you don't want to," Caspian says.
Each of their faces show the same emotions, though there's a little more reluctance in Thomas' features than in the rest of theirs. He doesn't want to stop because of his academic curiosity, but I believe he would because of how he feels about me. Not exactly the most reassuring place for me to be, but I'll take it.
"It's fine, I think." I'm still nervous, but no one's going to get hurt. We've all been over the spell and there's nothing that should cause injury.
"Alright. Daphne, will you pass the mead?" Thomas asks.
She nods and moves away from my side.
