The day that followed was a blur, from Alistair’s contents morning exercise to his work at the Wraithen Archives—all of it flashing by as he remembered what he had done that morning, how he had started his day with the Card of Rumors.

[What rumor would you like to start? To start your rumor, use the phrase “I heard,” then, explain what the rumor is in as great of detail as you would like. Once you have finished, say the word “apple” to initiate the spell.]

We took a deep breath and read the script he had prepared: “I heard Professor Salem Lysander is actively working against the academy’s administration to channel funds to members of the Battledeck Board of Education in an effort to remove Provost Eldora Weaver. This is due to her recent inclusion of orphans in the Lumina Battledeck Academy’s student body. Professor Lysander has been transferred money by House Undergast to pay off members of the Board. He also has maintained profiles on them, and has plans for dealing with the head of the Board, Trismegistus Weaver, who is Provost Weaver’s father. Apple.”

The Card of Rumors buzzed in Alistair’s hand. He heard the words he had just said in whispers twisting all around his head, which soon formed into the golden letters of an ancient script that fizzled out of existence.

“I think that was it?” Alistair said as the card stopped buzzing.

[2/3 rumors remain.]

Ghost: Now, we wait. Do you need to come here to your mind to remember what the letter said exactly?

“No,” Alistair told Ghost as he ripped up the notes he’d written.

What he had read back in the office was clear, the correspondence with the Undergast family, the proof of transferred funds, and the profiles on several of the board members they would be able to sway. There was also discussion of dealing with Provost Weaver’s father, Trismegistus, who served as the director of the Board.

Upon discovering the information, Kanda had offered to connect Alistair with the girl who ran the campus newspaper, but he had decided to test the card first. This had struck her as curious, special because she didn’t know about the card, but the older girl didn’t press the subject at the time.

Now, as Alistair prepared to call it night in preparation for tomorrow’s fiery excursion, he wondered how long it would take for the rumor to take hold. No one had mentioned anything about it over the course of the day.

Squish? Ziggy looked up at Alistair, who sat at his deck with his bestiary. Noctarii was there as well, the shadow fae interested to learn of his evolutionary path.

Alistair started with Noctarii’s evolutionary path: “Unless you’re going to skip a stage, like Ziggy did, here’s what you can expect.” He tapped on the page.

Shadow Fae - Nightflutter Faeling - Duskshade Vanguard - Nethren

Noctarii grimaced. “I still think this graphic doesn’t look like me, or like any fae, for that matter. It is hard to take this seriously. Representation is important, not that a human would understand that. Noctarii Shadeveer, Darkwhisperer of Silent Haven, Keeper of the Veiled Crescent, Nightflutter Faeling does have a ring to it, though.”

Squish!

“That’s right, Ziggy. It’s a good title. And it would certainly be an upgrade from any fae we may encounter.”

“I was surprised we didn’t encounter any in the forest,” Alistair said.

“Don’t rule those fuckers out yet. They’ll be at the Firelands tomorrow.”

“Around the volcanoes?”

“Certainly. Fire fae are as hot-headed as you can imagine. Fiery little bastards, if you ask me.”

Squish!

“And they won’t show you respect?”

“As a shadow fae, hardly, but they might like the slime.”

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Ziggy squinted at the fae, as if he were checking to make sure that he wasn’t joking with him. Squish?

“Why would they like Ziggy?”

“Because fire fae worship a fireslime named Smol. Everyone knows that. I’m sure Ghost knows that.”

Ghost: I don’t know that, but let him think I do.

“So maybe we’ll get a pass. I don’t know. What’s a Nightflutter do.”

Alistair read the Nightflutter Faeling description aloud: “The next evolutionary step for a Shadow Fae provides a variety of benefits, from enhanced speed to stronger Shadow Bolts. It is also given a power known as Shadow Travel, which allows it to travel short distances within shadows, completely undetected.”

“Ooo, I like the sound of that.”

Ghost: Shadow Travel could be useful. Noctarii’s Shadow Bolts will likely remain useless, but we can test them on small animals.

Alistair: Why would we do that?

Ghost: So we can know how good they are. What we need Noctarii to do is move to the next evolutionary phase, Duskshade Vanguard.

Alistair read this description aloud: “The Duskshade Vanguard stage produces an ability known as Shadow Manipulation, which allows the fae to cast and use shadows as a distractionary measure. They have an ability known as Midnight Cloak, which allows them to enhance any shadow in the vicinity to their summoner.”

Ghost: That would allow us to move more like Senka.

Alistair closed the bestiary and yawned. “I think it’s about that time.”

Ghost: It is absolutely not that time. We still have sword training to do.

“Back to the Resonant Rooms?”

Ghost: No, I’ll spare you that because you were out late last night with Kanda. You should come here, to the harrowing depths of your mind. Kidding. Lie down, get comfortable, and let’s get our final training session over with.

Squish? Ziggy watched Alistair move to his bed.

“Sleep already?” Noctarii asked. “Boooo…”

“Training.”

“And you want me to stay here and keep an eye on things?”

“Yes,” Ghost told Noctarii, taking over. “You will watch over us when we rest now, acting as a determent in case Senka comes.”

Squish?

“You too, Ziggy.”

“So it is just me and the slime all night.” Noctarii slowly lowered onto Alistair’s table. “Whatever will we talk about?”

“You’ll figure it out.” The assassin relinquished control of Alistair’s body and he got comfortable.

Soon, Alistair was pulled through to the inner workings of his own mind, where he found Ghost standing there with two swords. Ghost tossed him one, drew his own blade, and dropped his sheath to the side.

Alistair brought his sword to the ready, nodded, and prepared to strike.

****

The portal opened up onto a great slab of stone, one that sat before the flowing lava of the Firelands. Alistair was able to make out mountains beyond, their peaks covered in smoke. He should have been sweating at this point but he wasn’t, his skin cool to the touch.

The enchantment that Professor Vale had cast on them created a barrier of moisture. It didn’t cook them, as Zola had raised her hand to suggest. Instead, the barrier constantly moved, keeping them comfortable in their new environment.

About the only thing annoying about their getups were the boots that they wore, which had thick soles made of a material Alistair had never encountered before. It was spongy, yet their professor, speaking through her hazegeist as always, had assured the group that it would protect their feet.

All of three of the Fledgling coteries were here, Alistair already catching a sneer from Laertes and the group of bullies that he ran with. The only person missing was Chane Brashlung, a fact that was starting to get to him.

“Has anyone seen Chane?” Alistair asked as nonchalantly as possible. Ghost immediately lit into him for even mentioning it, but he ignored the assassin.

Juno shrugged. “I haven’t. Zola?”

“No. Finnian?”

“Nope. But I heard about something from Arnez that’s fucking crazy.”

“Yeah?” Juno asked. “I love fucking crazy. Hit me with it. Give me all the crazy.”

“Arnez told me that Professor Lysander may be in trouble.”

“Why’s that?” Alistair whispered.

Ghost: Not too eager.

Finnian continued: “There’s been a pushback against the inclusion of orphans, and he’s been the one leading it. It goes all the way up to the Board.”

“How does Arnez know?” Zola asked.

“His dad is on the Board. There is a rumor going around that Lysander has been taking money to remove Provost Weaver. Arnez’s dad heard about it, and they’re going to look into it. Either way, Lysander is in some hot shit. Obviously, don’t tell Laertes and his shit-for-brains friends said any of this.”

Juno started to laugh. “That’s fucking awesome—”

A portal opened up behind them. Chane Brashlung stepped out. There was something off about him, his features softened to some degree, the boy looking more disheveled than he normally did, yet surprisingly put together. It was as if he had been refreshed in some way.

Lars, who had just joined Alistair and the others, shook his head. “You all should have seen him yesterday. Glad to see they took care of him at the Rest.”

“What happened?” Juno asked Lars.

“I’m his roommate, and I found Chane in his bathroom, beaten to within an inch of his life.” Lars waved at the other boy, who ignored him. “Whatever happened, he’s not saying nothing about it. Trust me, I tried. He didn’t want them to investigate it either. His pride is going to get the best of him.”

Chane Brashlung locked eyes with Alistair.

His fists tensed up, and he turned away.