When I got back to the gym, I was surprised to see Ryan there, kneeling next to Headmaster Dunn, who was trying to stand.

“You okay, Headmaster?” Ryan asked, easing a hand under the man’s elbow. “You seriously whacked your head on that podium.”

Ryan could annoy the ever-living heck out of me, but right now, I was so grateful, I could have cried. Somehow, he must’ve known I’d need him, and I smiled at him as I came to help him get Headmaster Dunn to his feet.

“It’s these gym floors,” I said. “Super slippy.”

But then Headmaster Dunn looked at me, his expression dark, his face nearly purple. “Gym floors?” he repeated. “You hit me, Miss Price.”

Panicked, I looked at Ryan, who was staring back at me, confused. He gave a tiny shake of his head, and I could smell the rose balm in the air. He’d used the mind-wipe stuff, so why wasn’t it working?

“Young lady, you are coming to my office right now,” he continued, shaking his head as though he couldn’t believe he was saying those words. I couldn’t believe he was saying those words.

I’d already told David to meet me at his car so we could get to Alexander’s and find out what the heck had happened. If I went with Headmaster Dunn now, I had a feeling I’d be in his office for a while. They’d have to call my parents. Oh God, or the police. Or my parents and the police. Honestly, what was the point of having someone who could do mind-wiping magic if the freaking mind-wiping magic didn’t work?

Two choices stared me right in the face. Either I stayed here and I dealt with this, or I took off for my car and got to David and Alexander. If I did that, maybe I could get some answers about why one of the trials involved nearly killing David, and why Ryan’s magic wasn’t working.

I took a deep breath and blurted out, “Headmaster, I’m sorry about all of this, and I promise there’s an explanation.” Behind him, Ryan was already shaking his head and mouthing my name. “But I... I have to go.”

And with that, I took off running.

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

WE TOOK David’s car out to Alexander’s and spent most of the drive in silence. I wondered if I should text my parents, but I figured the school had already called them. Later, I thought, turning my phone off. Whatever was happening, we’d get to the bottom of it, and soon this whole unpleasant morning would be wiped away, either by Ryan’s magic or by whatever Alexander could do.

“If this is a trial,” David said, lifting one hand so he could push his glasses up his nose, “why put me in danger? That seems counterproductive.”