“Well, yeah,” said Auger, “but it probably took her decades to even get the basics down.” Auger thought about it some more as Omen started to go red, and then he shrugged. “Although, to be honest, if anyone could do it, Omen, it’d be you. You’ve always been able to focus, you know? Better than I ever could.”

Omen tried not to look astonished as Auger turned back to Jenan. “What about you?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” Jenan said gruffly. “Ergokinetic, maybe. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of options. My father says I’m gifted.”

Auger nodded. “And he should know, right? As a Grand Mage and all, he should know.”

“Well, of course,” said Jenan, adopting the tone he always adopted when talking about how important his family was. “If there’s anyone who has the undisputed experience to spot a gifted sorcerer, it’s – excuse me.”

He took out his buzzing phone, and his eyes widened when he read the message.

Auger shot a quick glance at Omen. “Jenan? You OK there, buddy?”

“What?” Jenan mumbled, then blinked and pressed his phone into his chest, protecting the screen. “Yes. I’m fine. I have to go.”

He walked quickly out, barging into Omen without even meaning to. Now the room was empty save for the Darkly boys.

“What was that about?” Auger asked, keeping his voice low.

“Don’t know,” said Omen. “Did you see who it was from?”

Auger frowned. “Who what was from? I’m talking about Jenan coming over like he was about to rip your head off.”

“Oh,” said Omen. “I’m not sure. He doesn’t really like me.”

“I know that,” said Auger. “Everyone knows that. But any particular reason he’d want to rip your head off today?”

“It’s a Wednesday?”

“Actually, it’s Thursday.”

“Aw, man,” said Omen, grabbing his bag. “I’m missing maths again. I have to go.”

Auger laughed and waved him away, but, instead of turning right to go to maths class, Omen turned left, following Jenan as he hurried towards the dorms.

He managed to stay unseen – largely because Jenan seemed far too preoccupied to check behind him. He watched Jenan go into his room and sneaked towards the door as voices were raised inside. There was movement and Omen flattened himself against the wall, eyes wide, mouth open, nowhere to hide, as Jenan shoved his room-mate out into the corridor.

“I’m sick!” his room-mate complained, clad in his pyjamas. “The nurse told me to stay in bed!”

“I need privacy,” Jenan snapped, pushing him further away as Omen slid along the wall behind him, and slipped into the room. It was bigger than his own, even though it only had two beds. Omen dived to the floor, crawled under the first bed and waited.