"Nevaeh came to beg for her power back from Torian," I said.
"How?" Ms. Rhodes asked the guy.
He just canted his head. "She was under the impression jevadu can do that."
"Ok," Ms. Rhodes breathed, sounding relieved. "And then?"
"Then," Torian said, "mysisterdecided to give it back."
"No," Aspen broke in. "Nevaeh told us Harper had called her, talking about getting revenge on me."
"She said Harper and her mom put "it" here," I explained. "She didn't know what 'it' was, but Harper came to see if she could get back in, supposedly. I thought you'd know if that was true, because if it's not..."
"It is true," Ms. Rhodes said. "Ms. Valentina and her daughter came to petition for another chance. I did not offer one. Trying to kill students in my school is not something I'm likely to forgive or forget. So no, Harper Valentina will not be welcome at Silver Oaks again."
"When?" I pressed. "Because Nevaeh said that was when they brought 'it,' and that 'it' was going to make the Hunt get Aspen!"
Seeing a woman as powerful and confident as Ms. Rhodes pause in shock? It was not a comforting feeling. When her shoulders began toslump, her eyes flared, and her breath fell from her lips, I knew this was very, very bad.
"Which is why the Hunt has been here twice already this semester," Keir said. "Nevaeh's telling the truth, isn't she." It wasn't a question so much as him voicing what we'd all just realized. "I need that sword, Ms. Rhodes."
"It will be in the armory by morning," she assured him. "Bracken, I'm going to need the sentinels supplied for multiple attacks. Rain, your lesson plan is about to change. I'm sorry, but if there's any truth to this story, I would much rather have Silver Oaks prepared instead of mourning another loss."
"What about my sister!" Torian demanded.
"I will have the staff search for anything that might attract the Hunt."
He shoved to his feet. "That's impossible. The Hunt is given its mission by the Queen. No one can derail them!"
"But they can flag a sighting," she said with as much calm as she could. "The Hunt chases, but the people can signal when a criminal has been there. The problem is that all criminals in the area will be rounded up, which includes every fae on Earth!"
"Why would the Valentinas do that?" I asked. "Aren't they worried the Hunt will come after them?"
"They live just far enough away that our weather is not quite theirs," Ms. Rhodes explained. "So no. I also believe Ms. Valentina would see nothing wrong with 'making' a place for her daughter."
"So what calls the Hunt?" I asked, feeling a sudden panic growing in my chest.
Ms. Rhodes was supposed to say it wasn't possible. I knew Harper could lie. Hell, Nevaeh probably could as well, but Ms. Valentina couldn't. She was pure fae, so lies would be as hard for her as they were for my friends. But if Harper hadn't lied to Nevaeh, and Nevaeh hadn't lied to us, then this was real? It was happening?
"The list," I breathed.
"Fuck!" Torian snapped. "We need to know what that item is!"
"It will be a Summer token," Ms. Rhodes explained. "Typically, it's a sign of a house or loyalty, enchanted to signal a need for help."
"Which means it could be anything!" Torian growled.
"Where did the Valentinas go?" Bracken asked. "Ivy, this is important, because as out of line as he is, Torian's right. We cannot risk the student body like this."
"They were permitted inside the gates," Ms. Rhodes said, "and came straight to my office. Sadly, I cannot say they immediately left. No one complained, but they were not restricted. I had no reason to, Torian."
"Harper tried to kill us," he grumbled. "That's reason enough!"
"And you are nothing special here." She lifted a brow. "That is why you continue to attend, young man." She glanced at Keir, then kept going. "So please address me with the respect of my position, because Iwilldo something about this. I will have the entire staff help me find any enchanted items on the grounds."
"And until then?" I asked, grabbing Torian's arm and pulling him back beside his sister. "Ms. Rhodes, what are we supposed to do about the Hunt coming for Aspen? Because what I'm hearing is that they are. The Huntsman told Torian he wasn't on the list, but said Aspen was. He had hishandson her the first time. I mean the first this semester. Time before last." I groaned. "You know when I mean."
"When Fin was killed," Keir said blandly. "The day a student was lost because the storm came with no warning and not forecasted."
