“A ruckus, huh? They should have better security.” I do my best to shiver. “I heard the screaming around dinnertime. It was so frightening; I stayed in here and did homework.”

Mom’s brown eyes narrow. “I see. What kind of homework?”

“Very important…Homework.” I’m not exactly a wiz thinking on my feet, unless it involves killing something.

“Humph. The Ryders reported that someone broke into their botanical gardens last night too.”

“No way. That’s shocking!”

“You’re a terrible liar, Myla.”

I shoot her a grin and maybe it’s a bit too cocky. “Hey, I have my story and I’m sticking to it.”

“We’re going home. Now.”

My smile fades. I guess I knew it would end this way all along, but it’s still a bummer to leave early.

Mom grabs my little pile of things and walks out of the cottage. I slip into my sweats and follow her outside. Everyone’s awake and peeping their heads outside their windows or fancy tent-flaps. Lincoln stands in front of his cottage, leaning against the doorjamb. He wears a fitted white t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. My hands itch to touch his chest. Now.

Mom marches over to Betsy and revs her engine. I follow her to the car, feeling Lincoln’s eyes on me. I shoot him a glance as I slide into the front seat. He winks; I blush. Damn, yesterday was a lot of fun.

We drive past a long line of cottages. The Great Ladies stand outside them, each one wearing a long nightgown in her house’s color. If looks were needles, I’d be a pincushion right now.

I’m going home a day early, but that was worth it. Absolutely.

Mom taps the steering wheel with her nails. “If you’re well enough to cause trouble, you’re well enough to learn. I’m dropping you off at school.”

I open my mouth, ready to explain why I need to spend the afternoon recovering and watching TV. “Well, I…You have to understand, it…”

Mom purses her lips. “I can’t want to hear this.”

“You know what?” I lean back in my seat. “I’ve got nothing. Drop me off at school.”

Mom cracks the tiniest smile. “They shouldn’t have demons in a classroom anyway.”

“Does that mean I don’t have to go to school?”

“Nice try.”

I hit school sometime after lunch. Cissy spots me the second my sneakers hit the hallway. “It’s good to see you feeling better, sweetie.” She plants a quick kiss on my cheek.

“Thanks, Cissy.”

“So I thought you weren’t coming back to school until tomorrow. What happened?”