As Susan watched, Daisy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, all the haziness was gone, and in a firm, final tone, she said, “You missed the chance to join, I’m afraid. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late for my session.”

Daisy reached back into the room for a bag and slipped out to join Susan in the corridor before waving cheerily and walking off rapidly. Once she was out of sight, Susan eyed the door to Daisy’s room thoughtfully.

“Who have you been recruiting, Daisy Wooton . . . and why?”

As a result of her brush with Ptolemy P.I., Daisy had been so flustered that she’d practically run all the way to the House of Zoise and arrived half an hour early to the drop-in session. Someone Daisy had never seen before opened the door—Jasper’s older brother, judging by the family resemblance—and led her into the hall. He stuck his head into the lounge and called, “Jasper? El? One of your acolytes is here.”

It was strange, sitting in the kitchen with just Elise and Jasper, neither of whom was dressed for a session. Out of his billowing black robe, Jasper looked somewhat unremarkable, a typical boy next door. Still, the way he was standing by the sink, arms crossed and chin tipped back, gave him an air of authority.

Sitting in the chair that Elise had pulled out for her, hands warming on a standard brew of English Breakfast, Daisy did her best to get a grip.

“I think one of my friends is suspicious,” she said.

“Of what?” Elise said calmly.

“The Brethren.”

“We’re just a yoga club. There’s nothing to be suspicious about.” Elise forced out a breathless laugh that didn’t quite mask the look she shared with Jasper.

“Is this about what happened in the dining hall this morning?” Jasper stepped forward and took a seat next to Elise so that Daisy felt a lot like she might be in an interview. Jasper took his phone out of his pocket, setting it face up to play a video of Daisy calling the Brethren to arms. When the video finished, Daisy kept staring at the screen.

“The Zummoning isn’t something for someone of your level to attempt on their own.” Elise’s voice was gentle, and she patted Daisy’s hand consolingly. “We all make mistakes, Daisy.”

“And we all face the consequences,” Jasper added.

Daisy looked up in horror at Jasper. “What consequences?”

“Maybe it’s time you reconsidered your place within the group.”

“But I’ve been to every meeting and mastered all the moves—I’ve recruited new members! You can’t punish me for this!”

All the while, Jasper merely watched her, leaning casually back in his seat, still wearing his disarmingly baffled grin as if it was Daisy who was being unreasonable.