“Dr. Waverly! New people!” Leo called out. Jaya turned to see a middle-aged woman with pale, fragile-looking skin turn to survey them from across the entrance hall. When she caught sight of the sisters, recognition flashed across her face and she began to hurry over. Leo waved and followed Rahul to the doors. “See you tomorrow in the dining hall!”

Isha turned to Jaya. “What was that about Grey Emerson going here?” she said, speaking quickly, before the headmistress was close enough to overhear. “Jaya… did you know about that? Because I’m pretty sure Appa and Amma don’t.” Isha was supposed to call her “Akka,” the honorific title bestowed upon elder sisters. But Jaya didn’t have time to argue that point.

She arranged her face into the most nonchalant expression she could. “Of course I didn’t know. And we probably shouldn’t tell Appa and Amma. I mean, what’s the point of worrying them? We’ll just keep out of his way and he’ll keep out of ours, okay? Remember, we’re supposed to lie low.” She was a rather good liar when she wanted to be, but still, her heart pounded. If Isha told their parents, she’d be utterly—

Never mind. The word that came to mind was too improper to mention.

Isha bit her lip, studying Jaya carefully. Finally, she nodded. Jaya breathed out a silent sigh of relief, thankful for Isha’s younger-sister-level trust in her.

“Okay,” Jaya said, putting an arm around Isha and squeezing her. “Besides, I won’t let it be a problem. I promise.”

Dr. Waverly’s heels echoed across the lavish Moroccan tiles as she made her way to them. “Princess Jaya and Princess Isha,” she said deferentially in a mid-Atlantic accent, bowing slightly. “I’m Dr. Christina Waverly, the headmistress here at St. Rosetta’s International Academy. We are honored to have you join us. I am so sorry we had no one waiting for you. I was informed that you wouldn’t be arriving until much later tonight.” She paused, her gaze lingering on the rose pendant, as most people’s did. “Oh my. What a beautiful piece of jewelry.”

Jaya smiled in her most gracious manner, channeling Amma. “Thank you so much. My father acquired it at a gold souk in Dubai.”

“He has exquisite taste.” Jaya could tell Dr. Waverly was trying her hardest not to stare at the rubies. The necklace’s strangely mesmerizing effect was what had enchanted Appa in the first place.

“Thank you,” Jaya said again. “Oh, and please call me Jaya and my sister Isha. We decided to take an earlier flight from Munich. You couldn’t have known.”

Dr. Waverly nodded, the double strand of pearls around her neck clattering together. She was clearly a jewelry aficionado herself. Folding her hands neatly against her navy skirt, she asked, “I trust your travels were uneventful?”