Chapter 6

The next few days passed in much the same way. Alastair met with Quicksilver first thing in the morning to set his daily agenda, then entertained any teachers with business to discuss—and as more of them arrived at campus, there were scant few who didn’t. Some just wanted to meet the new headmaster. Those were fine visits, and left Alastair feeling more at ease with his temporary situation. Others, however, had proposals, suggestions, or in some cases, complaints to make. All seemed to hope that a new person in charge meant their ideas would be heard with a fresh ear, though he kept reminding them that he was only filling in for a while.

By the end of each day, he was exhausted, but he tried to take dinner in the teachers’ kitchen each night so he could make himself as approachable as possible. Once term started, he might find himself unable to do so anymore. Luckily, he was already familiar with most of the teachers at Emberstone, but there were enough new faculty that he struggled to learn all of their names. Eloise and Alastair sat together most nights—when she wasn’t eating with Sebastian, he noted—and helped him out.

Amaryllis Shadow, head of Scrying, arrived on the last day before the faculty meeting.

Eloise elbowed Alastair in the side as she walked into the room. “She’s spectacular. You’ll like her. This is her second year, and she’s been great.”

Alastair appraised the woman. She didn’t have the appearance one would normally conjure at the thought of a Scrying teacher: someone eighty years old, long white hair, colorful robes, and silver bangles. Ms. Shadow was around his age, wore thin round glasses with gold rims over striking blue eyes, and wore her blonde hair in a long double braid. She dressed sharp, and surprisingly in-fashion. And was quite stunning to his eye.

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“Hm,” he said noncommittally.

“I’ll invite her over! There aren’t many others here around our age. We’re the ‘young sprites.’” She laughed. “Just her, me, Seb, and now you. The Rock brothers, I guess.”

The Rock brothers were twin Earth Magic specialists who mostly kept to themselves. They hadn’t yet come by his office, though he’d seen them gazing over at his table and clearly discussing him.

“You don’t have to—”

But Eloise was already flagging Ms. Shadow down. The newcomer acknowledged Eloise and sauntered over, giving Alastair a piercing look as she took a seat beside him. It was disconcerting, as if she was trying to Scry into his future.

“Interim Headmaster,” she said quietly, her voice smooth and alluring.

“Yes,” he said. “But you don’t have to call me that. Alastair should be just fine—”

“How old are you?” she asked, a bit of an edge to her tone.