The whole letter made Lottie feel … icky, the kind of childish disgust usually reserved for bad smells and gross pranks. With shaking hands, Lottie turned the card to find a carefully drawn illustration depicting a golden stag wearing a crown. The image melted in the light, the ink disappearing and reappearing. And then it vanished completely, a shadow falling over the paper.

‘A curious alternative to invisible ink,’ a bird-like voice chirped from behind her.

Shoving everything inside the textbook, Lottie slammed it shut, turning so fast she nearly fell off her chair. ‘Binah!’ she gasped, clutching her chest as if her heart might jump out of it. ‘How many times have I told you not to sneak up like that?’

Binah wasn’t much taller than her, even with Lottie sitting down, but her black ringlets were carefully arranged in a topknot that gave the illusion of height.

‘My apologies,’ she said, removing her glasses to wipe them on the edge of her tank top. ‘You just seemed so engrossed; I was curious.’ A wry smile twitched at the corner of her mouth, and Lottie knew she’d seen more than she was supposed to.

Lottie let out a short breath and grabbed Binah’s arm, pulling her into the booth. ‘You can’t tell anyone, Binah. This is serious.’

‘My lips are sealed; this is just between me and the royal trio.’

Lottie squirmed awkwardly, an embarrassed blush creeping over her, giving her away.

‘Oh!’ Binah held her finger up, eyes going wide, and Lottie could practically see the light bulb turning on above her head. ‘They don’t know, and that’s why you were acting so strange during the meeting, because you do have more info.’

‘I’m not keeping it from them … I can’t – I-I have to keep it secret to protect everyone or –’ Before Lottie could stop herself, tears were pricking her eyes, threatening to spill over. If Binah knew then she’d be in danger, and she couldn’t put anyone else at risk.

‘Whoa, whoa, it’s OK!’ Binah’s voice was soothing like warm milk and honey, and she carefully placed a hand over Lottie’s. ‘Whatever this is, you shouldn’t be shouldering it on your own. Let me help.’

‘You don’t understand – he said if I told anyone about this, the school would be in danger, all of you would be in danger.’

‘Who said this?’

Lottie could feel Haru and Claude right behind her, their hands holding her back.

‘Lottie,’ Binah prompted, and when she looked up those dark brown eyes reminded her of the great oak tree in the Rose Wood, firm and sure, offering comfort to all who sought it. ‘I promise I’ll keep the secret safe. We can face this together.’

And, just like that, the curse was lifted.

‘Haru.’ She whispered his name, looking around to make sure no one was listening. ‘He’s part of Leviathan, and –’