“That’s a weird way to say, ‘Thank you, Alice, for coming to help with my hair at the last minute,’ ” Alice mutters. “Strange way to pronounce, ‘Thank you, Alice, for bringing me breakfast.’ ” She waltzes past me, filling the room with the intoxicating scents of grease, fried things, and bacon. She sets the bag down on the desk and starts poking at the tools I’d set out for us last night: a thin styling comb with a pointed end for making parts, a short glass jar of freshly mixed hair oil from Patricia’s home kitchen, a bit of gel, and a small pile of bands. She pulls her jet-black hair into a ponytail. “This’ll do.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks for bringing her past the inner ward,” I say to Greer. They’re leaning against the doorjamb, chuckling. It’s not just Pages who can’t enter the Lodge without an escort.

“Yeah, no problem.” They wrinkle their nose. “Actually, I come bearing some news you’re not really gonna like….”

I freeze. “Is it Nick? Did they—”

Greer stands up, waving their hands. “No, no. Sorry, nothing like that.” Greer follows my gaze to the small collection of weapons braced against the wall on the other side of the door, but they’re kind enough not to make a joke about it. It’s not like I’m the only one who has collected a few extra weapons in their rooms these days, just in case. Hell, the basement armory door that used to be locked all the time is left wide open twenty-four seven now—also just in case. “No, it’s about the, uh… lodging situation.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“Well.” Greer runs a hand over their dark blond hair, styled in a low bun for the ceremony. “You’re gonna wanna go ahead and pack up a couple of suitcases. Regent Cestra ordered all of us to vacate the Lodge and move into the compound at Pembray.”

“What?” I exclaim. “Why?”

They shrug. “Sorry, Bree. After what happened last night with the foxes, they want us in a more secure location. The Mageguard have barracks there, it’s out in the country, and…”

I groan. “Fine. I’ll pack.”

“I’m gonna catch a ride over with Pete. That new Merlin, Douglas? Said he’ll meet you downstairs when you’re ready.”

“Of course he did.”

Greer smirks, stepping back into the hallway and waving to Alice. “See you later, Chen.”

“That’s Vassal Chen to you!” Alice exclaims. She raises her arm and shakes her bracelet. “To the Line of Gawain!”

“All of that going on behind me,” I say to Greer, and gesture over my shoulder, “is William’s fault.”

“Mm-hm, but wasn’t it your cover story?” Greer winks, then salutes before they turn to walk away.