the anticipation is clear.

It’s time for our school to show some goodwill and cheer!

Don your finest threads.

Put on a beautiful mask.

The masquerade ball is here at last!

*While the royal court and esteemed kingdom leaders are invited to attend, this event is only open to royals. Students will be graded on proper attire, costume originality, dance choreography, and how they follow the rules set forth in the Royal Academy Rules. Any questions? Do not bother the fairy godmother! She’s too busy. Please see her assistant, Hazel Crooksen.

Chapter 13

Ride or Die Trying

“Everything is going to be great!” Prue tucks us into the pumpkin coach taking us to Royal Academy. “Just listen to your kobolds this time!”

“I’ll say,” Kira says, getting settled in my ear canal. “I thought we were toast last time.”

“And if we lose contact, don’t try to be a hero. Get out of there.” Prue wands her mini magic mirror in front of her. “I have no idea how long this connection will hold up. If you lose me, just remember: swap out one of the jewels in the largest mirror in Olivina’s office for this one, and I should be able to tap into the feed.” She pulls an ordinary-looking pink jewel from her witch’s cape. “Whatever you do, don’t lose this. It was extremely hard to create.”

I extend one gloved hand to take the jewel, then stash it safely in my pocket. Then I pull out the small compact Prue gave me earlier and open it to make sure it still works. My RA lady-in-waiting’s smiling face stares back at me. “Hi, Brynn. Are we still good?”

“Yes, miss!” Her sweet voice comes through loud and clear. She adjusts her white cap and looks around before speaking further. “Make sure you land in the meadow outside the pumpkin patch, and I’ll be there to let you all in through the kitchen. No one will be in there this evening.”

Prue truly is a genius. Not only did she make that carriage and create the jewel that should let us spy on Olivina, but her mini compact has allowed us to converse with Brynn inside Royal Academy all week. While Corden sewed, and the rest of us plotted, Prue and Brynn made sure we knew exactly what was going on inside the school. Thanks to Brynn, we’ve scored an official invitation for Princess Scarlet from the kingdom of Lancaster, who is considering transferring to Royal Academy. Brynn slipped the princess’s transfer papers and a dossier on Scarlet’s “highly promising pedigree” into Hazel Crooksen’s clipboard. Olivina was so excited at the prospect of her new student that she handwrote Scarlet’s invitation personally. We’ve been working really hard to have everything ready in time for tonight.

Raina has made the biggest comeback.

All week, she’s refused to sit down in front of the mirrors for fear she’ll be sucked back in. Instead, she’s been advising Corden on the latest RA fashion trends and even helped him sew the costumes.