“Astrid,” he whispered into my ear. “I…”

  But he never was able to finish his sentence because the door flew open and two figures filled the doorway, illuminated by the wavering flame in their gas lantern. I almost forgot where we were and what we were doing and why we were doing it. I withdrew my hands hastily and didn’t have to fake the blush that spread up my neck and spilled over my cheeks.

  I could feel their shocked stares boring into me for a protracted second as they fought to understand what they were seeing. When I risked a glance up, I found Professor Hecate mouthing like a land-bound fish, trying and failing to produce sound.

  Vivian’s shock faded quickly, replaced with an utterly punchable look of glee. In her mind, I’d just confirmed everything she’d ever suspected about me. I was a blood whore, one of those pathetic women who pimped themselves out to vampires for the pleasure of their bite or the taboo thrill of sleeping with the undead. The entire west wing would soon know about my ‘perversion’. It wasn’t anything she or the headmistress could have me expelled for, but it was going to make my life hell from this point on—well, more hell than it already was. Before, they’d only suspected. Now they had proof.

  “Depraysie!” Professor Hecate finally managed. “What in Tituba’s name are you doing?”

  Rook pulled me close again, wrapping what felt like a protective arm around me as he nuzzled my hair. The heat in my cheeks intensified because it felt cozy, familiar, and so good. I didn’t want Vivian to see how much I liked having a vampire this close to me, even if that was the point of this whole farce.

  “What does it look like, Hecate?” Rook murmured, feathering kisses over the line of my jaw. I gasped when he pulled my earlobe between his teeth. It was sharp, unexpected, and (though I hated to admit it,) really, really hot. “Mind closing the door? I’d like to get back to what we were doing.”

  My stomach did an elated somersault. And, tucked in so tight against him, I could feel that my fears had been unfounded. He hadn’t found me repulsive at all! Or at the very least, parts of him found me unobjectionable. If we hadn’t had an audience in the back of the closet and two witches to scandalize outside it, I had a feeling he’d have done more. A lot more. And a traitorous part of me was excited by the idea.

  “That’s ‘Professor Hecate’ to you, Mr. Thorne. And your girlfriend,” Professor Hecate spat the word like it was a curse. “Is out past curfew. You may be a night student, but for now she is still among the living. That means she must abide by day class rules. That’s a demerit, Depraysie. Go back to your room this instant, or I’ll add another.” Then she faced Rook again. “And you’re not supposed to be down here either. If you aren’t in the West Wing in the next ten minutes, it’ll be a demerit for you as well.”

  “Oh, no, a demerit, whatever shall I do?” Rook laughed. “I’d just hate to be kicked out of this fucking place.”

  “Your sarcasm isn’t appreciated, Chesley,” Professor Hecate hissed. “I’ll be reporting this to your father. If you think your life is unpleasant now, imagine what it will be like if you cross Headmistress Aurea. I assure, you, things can get much worse.”

  “Looks like we’ve been caught,” Rook said in faux disappointment as he faced me and gave me an amused smile. He released my waist and pressed a kiss to my burning cheek, which only made me blush harder. “Totally worth a demerit though. See you later… babe.”

  “Later,” I agreed, cursing the butterflies rioting in my stomach. Babe? He’d called me babe? What did that mean? Did it mean anything? Regardless, I liked the way the word sounded. And, furthermore, he hadn’t fought it when Hecate had called me his girlfriend. Did that mean anything?

  It was stupid to have this reaction. Rook was obviously acting, just playing his part. He’d be back to his asshole self the moment we were clear of these bitches. I watched him go, disappointment washing through me when he was swallowed by the darkness. It left me seemingly alone with two older witches, both of whom looked scandalized by my behavior. Vivian’s glee had dimmed a little when Rook had nipped my ear. Maybe she’d thought he’d actually bite me, and then she was probably worried they’d have a Blood Witch on their hands or something.

  Professor Hecate leaned forward, jabbing a finger at me. “This ends now, Depraysie, or there will be consequences.”

  I lifted my chin and met her eyes defiantly. “I read the Academy literature, Professor, but it’s been a month. Maybe you can refresh my memory. Where in the student handbook does it say that the staff can dictate who I date? Because I’m pretty sure that falls under my purview, not yours. I’m out of bounds and wandering after curfew, so that first demerit is warranted. But if you pile more on because you don’t like the fact I’m dating a vampire, I will take the case up to Headmaster Thorne. There’s a non-discrimination policy in this school, right?”

  I could sense the violent energy building in the air around her. There was a hex on the tip of her tongue meant for me. But in the end, she shoved the urge down and contented herself with a ferocious scowl.

  “End this now,” she said in a deadly whisper. “For your sake and his. If he turns you against your will, it’s a death sentence for him and catastrophe for the rest of us. Don’t start a blood war over a schoolgirl crush.”

  “It’s only war if it’s involuntary,” I pointed out.

  That wiped the smirk right off Vivian’s face. Even her shriveled black heart couldn’t rejoice at my words. The prospect that a witch would willingly become undead was unthinkable. In their minds, even Wanda hadn’t gone there voluntarily. She’d been coerced into turning by the machinations of a morally bankrupt vampire and his cronies and left with only two choices: turn or die. What I was suggesting just... well it wasn’t done. No witch would bare her throat willingly to a vampire. It was the ultimate act of submission, putting your life in the hands of another, knowing they could kill you but trusting they wouldn’t.

  “Out!” Professor Hecate half-shouted, jabbing her finger back the way I’d come. “We’ll be having an in-depth conversation about this travesty tomorrow morning. Until then, I suggest you go to bed. Maybe a little sleep will help you hear how insane you sound.”

  I turned obediently on one heel and marched in the direction she’d indicated, my head held high. I saw Vivian and Professor Hecate retreat down the opposite hall, muttering the whole way, no doubt about my degeneracy. A fierce sense of pride swelled in my chest. I’d done it. I’d kept them from working out what we were really there to do. I’d kept Morgana and Oleander hidden and safe, for now. We’d made progress toward our goal, and they were none the wiser. All I’d had to do was kiss Rook in front of a professor and my worst enemy.

  Rook was right. It was totally worth the demerits.

  ***

  “Well, that was distasteful,” Morgana said, falling into step beside me about two minutes later. “But it was spectacularly effective, so kudos to you, I guess. Vivian and Hecate were definitely too shocked to think it was anything more than you and Chesley making out. I couldn’t have done it. Wouldn’t have thought of it, really, and Hecate wouldn’t have bought it, anyway.”

  “Come on, Morgana,” Rook drawled, stepping out from behind one of the hallways’ many statues and surprising us all.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be gone?” Morgana asked.

  He chuckled. “Since when do I follow directions?”

  “Since never.” Morgana gave him a pointed look, lip curling in disgust. “If our stupid ancestors hadn’t slaughtered each other, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I’d be traveling the world, and you’d be tearing into the necks of vapid women in clubs across the nation.”

  “But we aren’t so what’s the point in wishing?” Rook demanded.

  “My point is: You need to be careful. If we can solve this whole mystery, we might be allowed free rein of the castle. They’d owe us that much.”

  “You’re assuming they aren’t involved,” Rook muttered darkly. “From the sounds of it, Aurea is hiding something.”

  “Maybe something that has nothing to do with the missing students,” Morgana said.

  Rook cocked his head to one side. “If it’s not the faerie crisis she’s hiding, then we have a lot more questions and no answers. And if it is the missing faeries, then we’re in deep shit because this extends way further than we thought it did. All this time, we’ve been assuming the Fae were being taken by an outside source, not being preyed on by our own people. How the hell are we going to free them if the Grimsbanes are behind this? We’re outnumbered, outgunned, and what’s worse? We can’t escape. If the Grimsbanes find out we’re onto them, we’re as good as dead. They can always slot more hostages into our place.”

  Morgana’s expression darkened as we turned a corner. “That might be preferable, at this point. Maybe precious Vivian will get a taste of what it’s like to be me.”

  “Um, hello? Is anyone going to address the enormous, sparkling faerie in the room, or is it just me?” Oleander asked, jogging to catch up with us.

  “What are you talking about?” Morgana snapped. “Talk sense, Ollie. You’re more gibberish than usual.”

  “What Astrid did back there,” Oleander pressed. “We weren’t anywhere near that closet, and then in a flash, we’re suddenly inside it? And only seconds before those witches could turn the corner and spot us!”

  “So?” Rook asked, shoving his hand into his pockets. He looked as confused as I felt. “You said she’s a powerful half-Fae. It was magic.”

  “It wasn’t just faerie magic,” Oleander insisted, eyes wide and a little frantic. “I couldn’t do something that huge. I’m just a sprite. In fact, no one in Blood Rose can do what Astrid just did.”

  I swallowed hard because I had an idea of what point he was about to make. The same one Professor Lavant had.

  “So? What are you saying?” Morgana asked.

  “It was Sidhe magic.”

  “What?” I started, shaking my head.

  He looked at me and nodded insistently. “Royal magic, Astrid. You sidestepped into faerie and then back again in less time than it took to breathe.”

  Morgana’s breath caught. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “Yeah,” Oleander answered, voice rising with excitement. “You were totally right. Bringing her here was exactly what we needed. If we hadn’t, we would have never known.”

  “It’s great that you understand each other,” Rook said, irritation seeping into his voice. “But could someone give the CliffsNotes for the magically illiterate?”

  “Um, I have to second Rook,” I said. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Even though I sort of did, but wanted to make sure I fully understood.

  We rounded the corner toward the kitchens. The light was better here. I could see the bounce in Oleander’s step. He hadn’t looked this anticipatory since he’d badmouthed Vivian on our first day. He was downright giddy; face alive with a joy I couldn’t understand.

  “God, you guys are dumb,” Oleander said as his attention settled on me. “You’re royal, Astrid.”

  “I can’t be a royal,” I protested, shaking my head. And yet, Professor Lavant had said the same thing. But they could still be mistaken. “Royal Fae… no, that’s a lot of power. If I were Sidhe, I would have started showing signs a lot earlier.”

  “Not necessarily,” Oleander said, waving a reproving finger at me. “The Sidhe, well, most faeries really, are very long-lived. We don’t reach young adulthood until fifty. I just turned fifty-six this year. Shasta got in early. She was only forty-five. You might have been working cantrips and glamours without meaning to over the years and you didn’t even notice. You might not have grown into your powers until now.” He paused to study me. “I mean, you look young for a witch. You’re probably what? Thirty?”

  I ducked my chin, unable to meet their eyes. I hadn’t realized until now just how much younger than everyone else I really was. I’d known Morgana had at least fifty years on me, and Rook had me by nine times that. And now I knew that Oleander was thirty-eight years older than I was.

  “Eighteen,” I mumbled.

  “What?” Oleander asked.

  “I’m eighteen,” I said, raising my voice so they could hear me. I still couldn’t look at them.

  “I know you look eighteen but what I’m asking,” he started.

  I shook my head. “No, I am eighteen.”

  There was a beat of silence, and then Morgana cackled. She elbowed Rook in the ribs. “You’re a cradle-robber! She’s practically an infant. At that age, she’s probably still a virgin. Did he steal your first kiss, Depraysie?”

  “What? No!” I railed, feeling my cheeks coloring. “Of course not! I had three boyfriends in high school. I’ve rounded most of the bases.” Most of which was a lie, but I was sticking to it.

  “But not all of them,” she sing-songed. She turned to Rook with a haughty smirk on her lips. “Oh, that’s hilarious. You’re like one of those schlock b-movie vampires preying on a delicate maiden. If she’d been wearing white, it’d be the perfect cliche.”

  “Will you give it a rest,” he grumbled.

  “He didn’t do anything that I haven’t done before,” I said defensively. “Now shut it before I hex you.”

  “Big talk from the infant,” she countered, still laughing. “I know curses that would literally make your hair curl. And fall off. Or catch on fire.”

  My hands balled into fists at my sides. My threat had been an empty one, but the more she needled me, the more I wanted to throw a bolt of force at the back of her head. I’d always been better at white magic than other witches. I’d never had the ill-will needed to seriously hurt someone, but Morgana’s attitude was beginning to seriously piss me off. I opened my mouth to curse her, but before I could gather any power, a hand slid into mine. I glanced up to find Rook standing next to me. He gave me a slight shake of the head.

  It’s not worth it, his eyes seemed to say.

  I relaxed a little. He was probably right. We didn’t need to fight. Not when we were getting close to what we were looking for.

  “I’m still in the dark about what she did, or how it’s relevant to our search,” Rook said, steering the conversation back on track as he released my hand and mine felt strangely cold.

  “Royal faeries are the only ones who can step in and out of our realm at will,” Oleander explained. “You have to get permission to come and go from a lord or lady from your court to travel. The shortcut I showed you was set up by a summer lord, and it’s essentially an open door for summer faeries. But only someone with that kind of power can establish a gateway. Astrid’s dad was a Sidhe Lord of Autumn. That means that, with training, she could open a gateway at will. That means she could get us out of the castle.”

  “Oh,” Rook said, face softening as the information sank in. “Oh. That’s...”

  “It’s exactly what we need,” Morgana said triumphantly, her smile broader than I’d ever seen it. “I told you we could use her help. When she masters this, we can slip out any time and go as far as the enchantment allows. We can travel to the towns outside campus. We can go as far away as we want, for once.” She looked specifically at Rook. “That’s more than we could have accomplished on our own and you know it. She’s as close to freedom as we’re ever going to get.”

  “I still don’t know how I did it,” I said, panicking as Rook turned his hopeful gaze on me. I didn’t want to let him down. Not when he looked like he wanted to kiss me again. “What if I can’t repeat it?”

  “You can,” Morgana said confidently. “Oleander will explain the theory. You can train at night after work.”

  “Okay,” I started as she faced Oleander.

  “Do you think she can master it before the Samhain party? It would be the perfect time to slip away.”

  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Rook’s. For the first time, he looked... open. Friendly. Hopeful. How could I say no to that hope in his eyes? If I could help him escape the castle for hours at a time, didn’t I owe it to him to try? Didn’t I owe the missing faeries even more than that?

  I nodded. “I’ll do it.”

  Morgana reached back to clap me on the back. “That’s the spirit, Depraysie.”

  “You did good, Astrid,” Rook said quietly, and there was a heated look in his eyes that made me want to collapse into a pile of witch goo on the floor. There wasn’t an audience to convince now. Which meant this kindness coming from him was genuine. And from the look in his eyes—the way they seemed to smolder and that smirk turning up the corners of his mouth… The way he was suddenly walking right beside me, so close… He wanted me!

  He shifted his gaze to Morgana. “We’ll have to make this convincing…”

  “Any ideas?” Morgana asked.

  Rook nodded. “I’m going to take Astrid to the dance—as my date. You take Oleander?”

  “If I must,” Morgana sighed. She offered a grudging hand to Oleander. “You and me, beanpole. Wear something nice. I can’t be seen with a shabby date.”

  “Erm... right.”

  Rook looked at me. “I guess I should have asked you first,” he said on a chuckle.

  “Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “Yes, I’ll go with you to the dance, I mean.”

  He smiled and I smiled and then felt all kinds of uncomfortable.

  We reached our doors, and Morgana let go of Oleander, walking away as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn’t seem enthused by the prospect. Rook stayed behind, and seemed like he wanted to talk to me—maybe like he was waiting for Oleander to leave? I wasn’t sure, but Rook seemed reluctant to let go.

  “Are you okay with this?” he asked when Oleander had disappeared into his room. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”