“Then go and get them,” he said.

  She grumbled to herself. “Yeah, looks like I’m going to have to.”

  “They won’t mind,” Dana said.

  “Red Witch stuff, is it?” Trenton asked.

  “You know?” Dana asked.

  Trenton nodded. “I knew you were up to something, so there was no denying it.”

  “Sorry,” Katy said to Dana.

  “No, it’s fine. I don’t mind,” she replied before looking over at Trenton. “Big strapping guy like yourself, you might come in handy.”

  “Nice to know I’m of value.”

  Dana smirked.

  “Right, I’ll go get them,” Katy said with a sigh.

  “Good. Will you cheer up then?”

  Katy flipped him the bird as she stood, and Trenton laughed. “Promises, promises.”

  She winked at him and walked off across the room.

  They were downstairs, below the two dorm rooms they would be sleeping in tonight, in a large living space with lots of comfortable seating. It was some kind of communal area for people staying here, and it was lovely.

  She crossed the room, keeping her distance from Mikayla, and wandered over to Yuki. She leant in and smiled. “Hey.”

  Yuki looked away from Jasper, a wide grin on her face. “Hiya. What’s up?”

  “Can I talk to you, over there, with Dana and Felix?”

  “Oh, um, sure,” Yuki replied after a beat, clearly catching Katy’s meaning. “Sorry, Jasper, hopefully I won’t be too long. Keep my seat warm, yeah?”

  “Sure thing,” he replied and looked up at Katy with a smile. “Hi there. Have you had a good day?”

  “Yeah, it was great. Incredible, really. Amanda was super inspiring, right?”

  “Oh yeah. She’s seen some stuff. Really got me thinking about what I want to do.”

  “I know,” Katy nodded. “I think that was the point. Right, catch you later. I won’t keep Yuki long.”

  Shrugging, Jasper smiled. “No problem.”

  “Thanks,” Katy replied and set off across the room towards Felix while Yuki headed for Dana.

  As she approached, Josie spotted her, and Katy could almost see the storm cloud that settled over her. She frowned and pulled a face as Katy approached.

  “What do you want?” Josie asked.

  Choosing to take the high road, Katy smiled in as sweet a manner as she could manage. “I’d like to talk to my friend, please.”

  Josie’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  “Hey,” Felix said, his voice coming out a little more high-pitched and thin than normal. “What’s up?”

  “Sorry to interrupt, but have you got a moment? I’d like to talk to you and Yuki.”

  “It’s fine,” he answered and looked back at Josie, “you weren’t interrupting anything.”

  Katy couldn’t help the small curl of a smile that pulled at her mouth. She’d seen how Felix and Josie had been over the past couple of days. The way she seemed to insist that he follow her around, only to ignore him and give him the cold shoulder when he was with her. She was really stringing this punishment out for him, over something that felt quite trivial, to Katy at least.

  If she were in his shoes, she’d like to think she’d have hit a line by now and would have left her, but that was a choice that Felix had to come to on his own.

  “What?” Josie protested, looking at Felix. “Yes, she is interrupting. This is our time.”

  “Jo,” Felix replied, his tone slightly patronising. “You’ve barely said two words to me all night, so no, Katy isn’t interrupting anything. I’ll see you later, okay?” Felix stood up and smiled at Katy.

  It was a smile that said “thank you for rescuing me” and Katy returned it happily.

  Behind him, Josie’s mouth hung open for a beat, as she watched him stand up and turn his back to her. A moment later, she stood and practically scampered to his side. “I’m coming, too.”

  Felix seemed to deflate as Josie spoke. “No, you’re not. This is between me and my friends.”

  Katy hissed slightly, knowing that Josie wouldn’t like what that implied.

  “You’re saying I’m not your friend?”

  Felix sighed. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

  “That’s what you just said!”

  “I know what I said, but I just meant—”

  “You know what, screw you. Go and have a nice little chat with your girly friends, see if I care.”

  Katy couldn’t resist the open goal. “But, you clearly do care.”

  “Screw you,” Josie replied, before turning and storming out of the room.

  Katy and Felix watched her go. He turned and looked at her. “Do you think that’s it for us?”

  “I have no idea.” Katy shrugged. “That’s up to you, I guess.”

  With a sigh, Felix set off across the room towards Dana, Yuki, and Trenton. Katy walked with him and sat down where they’d assembled in the corner, away from anyone else.

  As Katy looked up at them and smiled, Yuki cleared her throat and glanced in Trenton’s direction.

  “Oh, yeah. Um, Trenton knows about the Red Witch. I told him today.”

  “Oh, you did?” Yuki asked.

  “Well, yeah… Sorry.”

  “I’d kind of guessed, anyway,” Trenton said, saving her. “I knew something was going on and had kind of put several things together, so there wasn’t any denying it when I asked Katy. Sorry.”

  “I don’t mind,” Dana said brightly.

  “It’s fine with me,” Felix said with a shrug. “Welcome aboard the crazy train.”

  “Thanks,” Trenton replied with a smile.

  “Fair enough,” Yuki said. “So, what’s up?”

  “I overheard something today, and I thought you should know about it,” Katy admitted.

  “Alright,” Felix replied.

  “When we were at Amanda’s house, I overheard Mr Spiros and Amanda talking. They were whispering, trying not to be overheard. Anyway, Mr Spiros seemed to have taken Amanda off to one side and was asking about the Lazarus Scroll. Where it was, who has it, that kind of thing. He said that Miss Hartman had asked him to find out, to make sure it was safe because the Red Witch wanted it.”

  “He admitted that the Red Witch wanted it?”

  “Yeah.” Katy nodded. “Amanda seemed to know about the Witch, and apparently has a theory about it, but she didn’t say anything more about what that might be. Also, she didn’t know where the scroll was. She said it has a mind of its own and will disappear and go wherever it wants.”

  “That’s messed up,” Trenton replied.

  “You think that’s messed up?” Felix asked. “Wait till you meet the Red Witch.”

  “Yeah, think I’ll pass,” Trenton replied.

  “Good instincts,” Felix said with a wink and a finger gun.

  “Do you think he was telling the truth?” Dana asked.

  “I don’t know. Someone had been in Tartarus and drawn that scroll all over the walls, that’s for sure. It could be Mr Spiros, and maybe he’s trying to find the Lazarus Scroll for the Red Witch.”

  “You’re quite set on him being the bad guy,” Trenton commented.

  “Ever since our encounter with her in Tartarus,” Dana explained, “I’ve met with him at least once a week. He’s been removing her Magic from my head, and trying to teach me ways of strengthening my mind.”

  “That’s good,” Trenton replied. “That’s what he should be doing.”

  “True,” Dana admitted. “But I’m fairly sure I’m free of her Magic by now, yet he keeps peeking into my mind when we meet. Frankly, it feels somewhat like a violation at this point, and I’m not sure I like it.”

  “Have you told him?” Trenton asked.

  “Well, no. But, surely he’d know if he’s reading my mind.”

  “Fair point,” Trenton replied.

  “I also overheard him and Miss Hartman talking a few weeks ago,” Katy added. “He said she was using the students as bait, but, he didn’t seem too outraged about it.”

  “Surely that shows her in a bad light.”

  “And him.”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  “So, what do we do with this information?” Yuki asked. “We’re nowhere near Tartarus.”

  “Tell the staff?” Trenton suggested.

  “And if they’re in on it, or working with the Red Witch?” Yuki asked.

  “We keep an eye out,” Katy said. “Look and listen for anything else suspicious.”

  “Have we linked anything to these Squires you told us about?” Felix asked.

  “No, nothing yet,” Katy answered.

  “Squires?” Trenton asked.

  “I was attacked when I was out with a friend during half-term. Three women accosted me in the ladies’ and wanted to know what had happened with the Red Witch. One of them referred to themselves as Squires.”

  “Shit,” Trenton replied. “Were you alright? I mean, you are now, but did they hurt you?”

  “No, I got out. One of them did have a knife, but they didn’t do anything to me. Just scared me.”

  Trenton nodded and smiled.

  “Alright, we’ll keep an eye out,” Yuki said.

  Katy nodded. “I don’t see what else we can do.”

  “Me neither,” Felix said, sitting back in his chair. “So, it’s London and the Arcanum tomorrow, then. That should be fun.”

  Arcanum

  Hauling her case out of the building, Katy walked over to where the students were waiting, ready for the last leg of their trip. Dana and Yuki followed her out and planted their suitcases down on the grass beside her.

  “That was a damn good breakfast,” Dana commented. “I’m not going to need to eat for a week.”

  “Yeah, it was great,” Katy agreed. “Nice to have a good old cooked English breakfast.”

  “I don’t know how you can eat that in the mornings. Give me pancakes and syrup any day,” Dana replied.

  “Eww, no,” Yuki replied. “Far too sweet.”

  “What was that thing you had?” Dana asked.

  “That thing, was Miso Soup, rice, and fish. Honestly, I was surprised. I don’t usually get that anywhere but back home.”

  “Well, given the Japanese style building and garden,” Katy replied, “I’m not.”

  “Hmm, fair point,” Yuki agreed. “Although, I didn’t take Amanda for a Japanese aficionado.”

  Katy caught sight of Felix and Trenton strolling out of the building with their cases, laughing and smiling as they came. Katy raised an eyebrow and turned to find Josie, but she wasn’t out yet.

  “Hey guys,” Katy greeted them as they approached. “Took your time.”

  “Yeah, and?” Trenton replied with a smile and a shrug.

  “We’re not late,” Felix added.

  “I suppose not,” Yuki agreed.

  “Where’s Josie?” Katy asked.

  “No idea,” Felix answered. “I didn’t see her again last night, and she didn’t sit with me at breakfast, so…”

  “Oh. You alright?”

  “Yeah,” he replied. “I’m fine.”

  He seemed quite happy. Maybe their relationship had run its course after all.

  Katy sighed and looked around, her gaze landing on Mr Spiros, Miss Hunt, and Amanda who were stood close together, talking quietly, if a little agitatedly. They didn’t seem happy about something. Katy narrowed her eyes and watched them, thinking back to breakfast.

  They’d been the same there too.

  Where was Mr Spencer?

  In fact, she’d not seen him all morning. Katy looked around once more, and then back at the teachers. Something was wrong, she felt sure of it. She turned to her friends.

  “Hey,” she hissed, gesturing for them to come closer. “What’s wrong with this picture?” She pointed at the staff, and they all looked over.

  “Mr Spencer’s not there,” Felix said after a moment.

  “Exactly. Have any of you seen him this morning?”

  “No.”

  “Nope.”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Me neither.”

  Katy nodded. “I don’t think anyone has. Look at them. They’re not happy about something.”

  “So, where is he?” Yuki asked.

  “No idea,” Katy replied.

  “He shouldn’t just leave, should he?” Trenton asked. “That’s really bad.”

  “Did he leave, or was he pushed?” Dana asked, meaning filling her voice.

  Katy looked over at her as her mind raced with thoughts and possibilities as she remembered the brief interaction between Mr Spiros and Mr Spencer yesterday at Amanda’s house. “Oh, shit. I just remembered. After I listened in on Mr Spiros’ conversation with Amanda, I saw Mr Spencer ask him what their chat was all about. Mr Spiros did not seem happy at being asked about it. He gave Mr Spencer some serious stink eye.”

  “You think he offed Mr Spencer?” Trenton asked.

  “I don’t know, but there wasn’t much love lost between them,” Katy replied. “If Mr Spencer suspected that Spiros was up to something…”

  “Then, he might want him out of the way,” Dana finished, as she looked over at the staff. “What’s he planning?”

  “I don’t know, but I don’t like it,” Katy answered.

  “Let’s not jump to any conclusions,” Trenton suggested in a moderating tone. “There could be a thousand reasons for this, all of them completely innocent. This doesn’t mean there’s a conspiracy.”

  “But look how they’re acting,” Katy pushed back. “Do they look calm and unconcerned to you?”

  Trenton sighed. “I guess not.”

  “Exactly.”

  Katy watched the staff for the next ten minutes as the other students joined them until everyone was accounted for, apart from Mr Spencer. But then Miss Hunt stepped forward.

  “Alright, everyone. I hope you’re ready for the next part of our trip, but before we leave, I think we should thank Amanda for hosting us.” A round of applause broke out. “Thank you.”

  “No, no, it was my pleasure,” Amanda said. “Thank you for coming, it was great to see you all again.”

  “Right, make sure you have everything,” Miss Hunt said as Mr Spiros worked his Magic.

  “Um, Miss?” One of the students had raised their hand. “Where’s Mr Spencer?”

  “Oh, err, he was called away on some urgent business. He’ll join us again shortly,” Miss Hunt replied. She was trying to look unconcerned, but Katy could see the worry showing through the cracks. Something wasn’t right. “Okay, it looks like the Portal is ready, so if you’d like to line up over here,” she instructed.

  Katy moved with the crowd, but watched Miss Hunt and Mr Spiros, doing her best to listen for any hint or clue as to what had really happened.

  Amanda stood near the Portal, and as they began to file through, led by Mr Spiros, she waved them goodbye, swapping pleasantries with several of the students as they went. Katy reached the Portal and stepped through. The rush of Magical travel was less of a shock this time, and she passed through the Portal with less issue, appearing in a room with a single door ahead of them. Mr Spiros stood beside it, ushering her classmates into another room beyond.

  “Should we be doing what he wants?” Dana asked, whispering in her ear.

  She knew what Dana meant. Did Mr Spiros mean them harm? Were they really heading to the Arcanum, or were they walking to their certain doom? She had no way to tell for sure. “What choice do we have?” Katy answered.

  Dana grumbled as they walked through into the next room. Katy felt the Magic as she passed through the doorway. It was another Portal, but this one was different. It shifted them over into the Aetheric, Katy surmised from her Aetheric Senses, rather than it being a physical teleportation from place to place.

  Both rooms were little more than plain white boxes, with a single black framed door linking them together. In the second room, there was no other way in or out, making Katy feel briefly cut off from the outside world.

  After another couple of moments, everyone was in the second room, including Miss Hunt and Mr Spiros, and the door back to the first room disappeared.

  A moment later, a deep voice spoke.

  “Please lower your Aegises.”

  Katy felt the Magic from the two teachers flare once, and then fade away to nothing.

  “Thank you,” the voice said. “You’re cleared to enter.”

  At that, a metal lift-like door appeared in the far wall framed in black. A moment later, there was a ping, and the doors slid open as the two teachers walked over to it.

  Katy followed her fellow students through the door, and out into a large room. Seats took up one end of the room, but there was still plenty of space to move. Ahead, several people stood waiting for them, one of which glowed in Katy’s Aetheric Senses, marking her as a Magus. The other two did not.

  She watched as Mr Spiros and Miss Hunt approached and greeted them with handshakes and smiles, before turning back to the class. But it was the Magus woman who’d been waiting for them who spoke in a clipped British accent.

  “Welcome to the Arcanum,” she said with a smile. She looked to be in her fifties maybe, with silvery-blonde hair and wore a skirted business suit, holding her hands behind her back. “I’m Monika Bauer, Head of the Department of Magic here with the Arcanum. This is Harry Fleming and Kristal Rivera,” she gestured to the two people stood beside her, who nodded and smiled at them. She had a very formal tone that Katy found a little dry.

  “We’re thrilled to bring you here today to show you a little about what we do and why we do it. As Novice Magi, we feel it’s important that you understand the role of the Arcanum and what we can and can’t do. So, if you’d like to leave your luggage over there by the wall, and find a seat, we’ll get started.

  Katy did as they were directed, and moved to find a seat.

  “Well, he got us here, at least,” Dana whispered to her as they moved.

  “Yeah, I guess. That’s better than nothing, I suppose.”

  “You’re still on his case?” Trenton asked, listening in.

  Katy smiled. “We’re like a dog with a bone.”