“Because I am.” I can’t imagine this skirt doing me much good if we have to run. Better to be prepared, which is why I have bloomers on underneath. My eyes scan the room for signs of anything amiss. The dwarf squad is patrolling and doing random bag checks. If Pete knows I’m not supposed to be here, he hasn’t said anything. A fairyographer is whipping up pictures. Headmistress Flora is watching the clock. Nothing seems out of the ordinary. Yet. “Have you seen Jax and Kayla?”
“Nope!” Ollie grabs Maxine’s hand, just as Gnome-More starts playing a dance number. “Might as well dance and keep an eye on things on the floor.”
Maxine turns to me and gives a silent squeal. “We won’t go far.”
I give her a small thumbs-up and watch them run down the stairs. A loud clap of thunder makes everyone freeze for a moment. It is nasty out. According to Miri, who gives us the weather every morning, “those who wear glass slippers instead of rain boots today are making more than just a fashion faux pas.”
“Look at you, thief!” Jax comes up behind me with Kayla and walks around me. “I never thought I’d see you in a dress.” He makes a face. “You stick out like a sore thumb in that thing.”
I huff. “Well, you look royal in your outfit, so good job there.” In a taupe silk jacket, cropped pants, and high socks, he looks like a prince, which I guess he is. “You look nice too, Kayla.”
“Thanks,” Kayla says in a small voice. Her shimmery dress is so pale blue it almost looks clear. Anna, a huge fashion fan, would definitely approve. Kayla keeps her eyes on the work boots that peer out from underneath my gown. “You too.”
A flash of lightning brightens Jax’s face. The rain is coming down so hard we can’t see much of anything outside. “See anything unusual yet?”
“Wolfington was pacing the floor a few minutes ago, but other than that, all seems normal,” I report. “Flora, Azalea, and Dahlia are talking to Happily Ever After Scrolls. Their reporters are stationed at every corner of the room. I haven’t seen any sign of Harlow or Jocelyn though.” And that makes me uneasy.
“Once the bait arrives, Gottie shouldn’t be long after,” Kayla says. “Or Harlow.”
By bait, she means royals.
“I left the stables unlocked like she asked.” Kayla’s wings flutter more rapidly when she’s stressed. “I still think we should have set up some magic there to stop her.”
“I doubt one of Ollie’s magic tricks could do that,” Jax says grimly. “We’re winging this thing.”
“I’ll double-cross her if I can,” Kayla says. “We know I’m good at that.”
Jax and I are quiet. Jax may be able to forgive Kayla for all she’s done—it is the royal way—but thieves don’t forget. I don’t trust her.
“Evening, students.” I freeze. Wolfington has somehow snuck up on us. He’s wearing a green velvet suit, and his long hair is tamed in a ponytail. His green eyes are unusually bright. “Miss Gillian, I’m surprised to see you here. How are you enjoying the ball?”
“I…” I look at Kayla and Jax who are momentarily stunned. How could I have missed him in the crowd? “I decided not to go home,” I blurt out. “I meant to go straight to the headmistress’s office to let her know, but then I got sidetracked getting ready for tonight.” I look down at my shoes. “I don’t feel ready for Enchantasia yet.”
Wolfington nods. “Quite understandable. We all have work we need to do before we return to our normal lives, don’t we?” I blink rapidly. Did he hear me talking to my parents? “Personally, I’m glad you’re staying, but if I were you, I’d stay out of Professor Harlow’s way tonight.” He takes a swig from the goblet in his hand. “She doesn’t handle change as well as the rest of us, and I’d hate for her to spoil the party.”
The three of us look at each other. “Yes, sir.”
He scratches his chin. I can see his hair sticking out of his shirt cuff below his wolf cuff links. “You and your friends seem to have been preparing for this evening a lot. All those late-night chats you’ve been having in the observatory.”
A bead of sweat forms on my brow. He’s on to us. Stay cool, Gilly. Deny, deny, deny. Wolfington doesn’t even give me a chance to do so.
“We just wanted to look our best, sir,” Jax says calmly. “We needed to help Gilly find a dress since she changed her mind about staying at the last minute.”
He eyes us all intently. “Well, you look wonderful. Enjoy your evening and do be careful,” Wolfington says and disappears into the crowd.
“Oh my God.” Kayla freaks. “What are we going to do?”
Suddenly Gnome-More stops playing and trumpets sound. A footman appears at the opposite staircase.“Hear ye! Hear ye!” he yells. “Presenting the Royal Court of Enchantasia—Princesses Ella, Snow, Rapunzel, and Rose!” The entire room seems to curtsy and bow at the same time.