Amelie chattered on. “Food’s pretty decent, when Lark’s not trying out new recipes. Unfortunately, she likes to try out new recipes.” Amelie tugged Isaac’s arm and began to march him across the front hall toward a dim light at the far end. “But tonight seems pretty regular.”

Isaac stopped. “Wait, please. Who are you?”

She stopped and faced him. She looked confused. Or maybe concerned. “Amelie—”

“No,” he interrupted. “Who are you . . . all?” And he waved his hand around to indicate the entire castle.

“Oh!” Amelie brightened. “Sorry. I guess they didn’t fill you in? What, did they just send you up here with no preparation?” She paused. “That’s very odd. No prep and no word to us. Rookskill was a school a couple of years ago. Well, sort of a school. Actually, a haunted castle pretending to be a school, with someone in charge who was not very nice.” She paused, chewing her lip and staring away for a minute. Then, “But between the war and then Lord Craig—it’s his castle—going off to America, and no money for places like this . . .” She sighed. “Anyway, now it’s where the special unit of MI-Six trains those of us who have exhibited gifts.”

“MI-Six?”

“You know. British foreign intelligence. They really didn’t fill you in? Stranger still. Who sent you? Someone must have seen that you have a skill and sent you, otherwise you wouldn’t know about this place.”

Isaac said, with a sigh, “It is a long story.” He didn’t know where to begin.

“Well, then.” Amelie led him on down the hall. “We’re the MI-Six Special Alternative Intelligence Unit. SAIU. Known only to a few. We’re children, but mostly because we’re still unspoiled, so our gifts are fresh and we can learn to use them the right way. They kind of let us do our own thing. Which means we don’t have full approval, if you know what I’m saying. Or much support.” She ran one finger along the edge of a dusty portrait. “But they leave us alone, too, except when they need information from us. Why, just the other day MacLarren gave them some information from Leo that helped them change their plans around some big operation in France next month.” She turned and looked at him. “But don’t tell.” She smiled.

Isaac thought there was no likelihood of that. “So, you, um, have gifts?”

“Well, you do, too. It’s why you’re here, right? Isn’t that why whoever sent you here? To help win the war by alternative means?”

“By . . .”

“Alternative means.” She seemed exasperated now, stopping and putting her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes narrowed with confusion. “To help win the war by using magic, of course.”

*   *   *