Fort looked down at the two roleplaying books that Rachel had donated, even if she hadn’t been happy about it. Unfortunately, they were the only thing even close to the size of an actual book of magic, and Sierra had said that would help with the spell to disguise them.

YOU STILL OWE ME FOR THOSE, NEW KID! Rachel yelled in his mind, and Fort winced, forgetting she could still hear him. THOSE ARE CLASSICS.

Sorry! he thought. So, like Jia said, I take the books to you, Rachel, two halls down on the right from here, in an unused kitchen.

A KITCHEN THAT SMELLS LIKE FEET FOR SOME REASON.

Fort immediately smelled exactly what she meant through Rachel’s nose. Everyone on the mental “call” groaned in disgust.

Thanks for that, Fort thought as the footsteps came closer. I should be there, like, thirty seconds after Jia hits them with the paralyze spell.

RIGHT, Rachel thought. AND THEN WHILE I’M BURNING THE BOOKS, WHICH IS THE LAST TIME I HOPE TO EVER SAY THAT, SIERRA IS GOING TO ERASE THEIR MEMORIES OF SEEING US AND ENCHANT THEM INTO THINKING MY INCREDIBLY PRECIOUS ROLEPLAYING BOOKS ARE THE BOOKS OF MAGIC.

IS “ENCHANT” THE RIGHT WORD? Sierra asked. CAN’T WE CALL IT SOMETHING COOLER, MAYBE MORE SPY-ISH? LIKE I’M MAGICALLY COVERT ACTIONING THEM INTO THINKING THEY’RE RECEIVING THE DROP WHICH WE’VE INTELLED INTO… HEY, YOU KNOW I CAN HEAR ALL OF YOUR JUDGMENT, RIGHT?

Shh, they’re just around the corner! Fort thought to the others, and he saw Jia tense up, her hands starting to glow a cold blue. Everyone ready?

READY, Jia said, shuddering with excitement.

READY, Rachel said.

READY, BUT IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO RETHINK THIS, Sierra said, and Fort let her feel his annoyance. OKAY, OKAY, FINE, YES, READY.

UM, FORT? Cyrus said in their heads. WE MIGHT HAVE A—

“Now!” Jia shouted, and leaped around the corner. Whatever Cyrus had been about to say would have to wait as Fort ran out behind her, ready for anything.

Dr. Opps’s eyes widened in shock as Jia hit him with her Paralyze spell, freezing his body in place. Before the two guards could make a move, she hit them as well, and they stopped dead in their tracks.

Only, none of them were carrying books.

Um, Cyrus? Fort thought, panic beginning to take over his mind. Where are the books of magic?!

THAT’S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY, Cyrus said, guilt coming in waves from his mind. SOMETHING CHANGED SINCE I LAST LOOKED, BUT I COULDN’T GET A SOLID VIEWING OF THE FUTURE BECAUSE THE BOOKS WERE TOO CLOSE TO EVERYTHING. I THINK… I THINK SOMEONE SURPRISED THEM AND TOOK THE BOOKS ALREADY.

You think?! Fort shouted in his head, unable to stop his frustration from boiling over