Fifer continued to steer her gaze anywhere but at Thisbe. “I think we need a little time.”

Thisbe stabbed at her plate. “I knew it,” she muttered. “You’re totally backing out, aren’t you? You don’t care about anyone. You promised!”

“Thisbe,” Fifer said, her voice pleading now. “You’re the one who—”

“Come on, come on,” said Seth, trying to placate them. “Whenever you two fight, Seth loses.” It was true. In the past when Thisbe and Fifer couldn’t control their magic, Seth had taken a few unintended hits.

The twins sat in stony silence.

Clementi and Ibrahim exchanged a nervous glance. The two girls had rarely fought in their presence, so it was strange to witness it. Clementi spoke up hesitantly. “Thisbe, I was wondering if I could join you in your private session with Florence sometime so I could get some extra training. For when we go back.”

Thisbe shoved one last bite of food in her mouth and threw her napkin on her plate. She looked up. “Sure, I’d love that,” she said, chewing. She swallowed, and her shoulders relaxed slightly. “Today after Magical Warrior Training class.” She drained her drink, then glanced at Fifer and Seth and added in a sullen voice, “You’re all welcome to come, you know.”

Fifer’s face flushed. She picked up her conversation with Seth about the costume ball as if she hadn’t heard the invitation. Seth seemed to be really uncomfortable about it.

A shadow passed over Ibrahim’s face. “I’ll join you too, Thisbe,” he said. His angular jaw was set firm, his deep brown eyes troubled.

“Thanks,” said Thisbe. She was eager to spend more time in the company of these two new Unwanteds. They were both smart and creative and really good with magic. And they seemed steady in their support of Thisbe’s goal. Maybe they’d be her new favorite people, because Fifer and Seth definitely weren’t at the moment. She shoved her chair back and tapped her tray, making the plate and utensils fold up smaller and smaller until they disappeared with a pop. “Thanks,” Thisbe said again, feeling slightly better. “See you there.” At least she wasn’t going to have to do everything alone.

Impossible to Beat

Thisbe, Ibrahim, and Clementi spent part of each day thereafter with Florence, learning extra things like the adults in the advanced class were learning. Florence didn’t want Thisbe in the advanced class quite yet, until she’d mastered the nonfatal spells. Though that seemed odd, since Thisbe already knew more than one way to kill someone if she had to. Obviously, the girl was very talented. But Florence explained gently that she still made some of the other Artiméans nervous because of her reputation as the more dangerous and destructive of the magical twins. They were worried for their lives, though they meant no offense.