“Everyone, this is Isaac Wolf. All the way from Prague.” She paused and then added, “Sent here by his parents, but not by MI-Six, at least that he knows of, unless perhaps his parents are agents or have some other connection.”

Subtle glances were exchanged among the crew.

Colin was there, surrounded by his dogs, who lay scattered across the floor watching Isaac. “’Lo, again,” Colin said.

“This is my sister, Kat. Kat Bateson.” Amelie pointed to an older girl with brown hair who nodded, watching Isaac carefully. “And that’s Leo Falstone.” Leo was also a bit older, black-haired, plump, with a slightly anxious gaze but wearing a friendly smile. He stood up to shake Isaac’s hand.

“You are the Leo who knew I was coming?” Isaac asked.

Leo shrugged. “It comes and goes, my little talent. But I saw you.” He smiled quickly, ducking his head. “Can’t quite control it yet. Have had some lucky breaks with it, though, and Miss Gumble thinks I’ll manage it before too long.” Leo nodded his head in the direction of an older woman. “Then she’s going to teach me how to make a doppelgänger. You know, a double of me. Which could be quite useful in a sticky spot.”

Doppelgänger. Isaac raised his eyebrows.

Miss Gumble was thin, kindly looking. She gave Isaac an appraising look.

“And that’s Mr. MacLarren,” Amelie said of a stout, older man. “Gumble and MacLarren are our teachers. Willow, Isaac’s hungry. Can you fetch some supper?”

Willow sighed audibly, then disappeared with a pop, reappearing seconds later with a plate of food that they set down before Isaac.

He dropped his pack and sat on the bench, staring at the plate. Pink stuff, green stuff, blue stuff. Very, very strange-looking stuff. He took a tentative bite. It tasted far better than it looked, with a rich texture and the flavor of beef stew. He ate with gusto.

“Well, Mr. Wolf,” said Miss Gumble. “Welcome to Rookskill. Can you share any clues as to why you might have been sent here?”

He swallowed a large mouthful, considering. What could he tell them? Exhaustion flooded him now that he’d had a bit to eat.

“Why don’t we start with this?” Gumble said. “What is your gift?”

Isaac looked from one of them to the next. “I am not sure how to explain.”

“Ye mean, laddie, ye nay ken the right words,” Mr. MacLarren said.

“Oh,” murmured Willow from overhead, “we’ve got one idea. Saw it, we did.”

Isaac said, “I never thought much about it. Except that I have these feelings. And then my parents wanted me to leave Prague, leave home, but it happened very fast, and no one said anything about, about magic . . .”

“Well,” said Gumble. She pulled herself upright, officiousness itself. “We’ll suss it out. No one arrives at Rookskill Castle without good reason.”