‘I’m sorry to interrupt,’ she said, without glancing at me. ‘But last week you were talking about the runes for seismic displacement and I wanted to ask if you could help me.’ She held up a piece of paper. I could tell straight away that she’d angled the first two strokes incorrectly. Given the rosy flush across her cheeks, I doubted that she really cared about the runes. This was all about getting the chance to talk to Winter.

His face relaxed and he smiled at her kindly. Huh. Maybe he had a nice side after all. I bet he didn’t tell her she needed to lose weight. ‘It’s quite simple really,’ he said. ‘Do you have a pen?’

She nodded eagerly and pulled one out. He took it and re-sketched the first rune then pointed to her version. ‘Do you see the difference?’

She cocked her head. ‘I do! Thank you so much! Would it be too much trouble to ask you…’ She looked at me mid-sentence and her voice faltered. ‘Ivy?’

I gave her a little wave. ‘Hi, Anthea.’

She swallowed and stared. ‘What are you doing here?’ She flicked a glance at Winter and her meaning was clear: what are you doing here with him?

‘Just a little misunderstanding,’ I said airily. ‘How have you been?’

She blinked several times. ‘Good. I’ve been good. I’m Practicus now. It won’t be long until I’m ready to think about moving up to Second Level.’

‘Fantastic.’ It was obvious from my tone of voice that my heart wasn’t in it.

She got the hint. ‘I should go.’

‘Wasn’t there something else?’ Winter asked.

She threw another nervous look towards me. ‘No, it’s alright. I can see you’re busy.’ Before he could respond, she all but sprinted away. I wondered who she’d tell first.

Winter was patently curious. ‘There’s definitely more to you than meets the eye, Ms Wilde.’

‘Call me Ivy, Adeptus Exemptus Winter,’ I said. I didn’t need to stand on ceremony the way he did.

‘Biggins recognised your name too,’ he continued, ignoring my pointed comment. ‘What’s your real story?’

I did my best to look blasé. ‘I was here as a Neophyte,’ I told him. ‘And then I wasn’t.’

‘Why not?’

I met his eyes. He didn’t seem to want to know the salacious details of the story, he was just vaguely curious. I shrugged. He’d find out soon enough without my help. ‘I was expelled from the Order.’ He stared. ‘For cheating.’ I paused. ‘And assault.’

Winter didn’t move a muscle.

‘But,’ I added, ‘I think the official reason was conduct unbecoming to an Order witch.’ I grinned and punched his arm. ‘So you’re really lucky having me as your new partner.’

Winter didn’t say anything. With luck, I’d done enough to avoid any further questioning on the matter. One could only hope.

Chapter Four

The remainder of our journey passed unimpeded. If I’d thought I’d feel nostalgic coming back here, I was surprised to find that it didn’t bother me at all. I liked my new life; I didn’t need the Order around me to feel fulfilled.