I’m not sure what reactions I’m expecting from our table. Pru’s happy about the arrival of Ollie’s mom as interim head. Indeed, it feels like a small victory that Ransom has been replaced by someone I respect so highly. Ransom’s opposite, really. The Similars, however, seem intently focused on their food. Maude’s looking down at her plate. Ansel’s staring at his plum. It’s obvious why—because of how things were left between Jane and Levi, the last time Jane was at Darkwood and learned Levi had played a pivotal role in duping her and Booker out of their stock in Ward, Inc. As far as I know, Levi and Jane haven’t spoken since. I feel a longing to explain to her why Levi did what he did, why he was so conflicted about the task that Gravelle, his only family, had given him. But since Ollie’s return near the end of the school year, I haven’t mentioned Levi to Jane once. Not when Ollie, Jane, and I returned home to California, and not at all over the summer. It feels wrong to, like it would hurt her. It also feels like a betrayal of Levi, because he wouldn’t want me speaking on his behalf. So I haven’t.

The next thing I know, Harlowe has taken the mic from Principal Fleischer. “I have an announcement, y’all,” she says, her eyes flitting over the dining hall. “The Darkwood Academy Anti-Cloning Movement will be holding a new-members meeting tonight at eight o’clock. I assure you, you won’t want to miss it. See you tonight in the main house common room. Later,” she says, handing the mic back to Fleischer.

I shoot Maude a look. We both know Ransom granted DAAM a charter last year. But with him gone—can Jane revoke it? As interim head, will she have that kind of power? Maude stands up abruptly. “Excuse me,” she calls out. “I also have an announcement. Sorry to interrupt your meals once again, folks,” Maude says evenly. “But there’s one more meeting that members of the Nine need to know about. Midnight session, tonight. In the Tower Room of Cypress.” Maude scans the room, and I see her eyes land on Harlowe. “Oh, I almost forgot. The time.” Maude pauses for dramatic effect. “Eight o’clock.”

Harlowe stops talking. She whips her head around, staring daggers at Maude. I can barely hold back my smile.

“Harlowe will have to go to the midnight session instead of the DAAM meeting, right?” Pru asks, ripping off a piece of bagel. “Or she’ll forfeit her spot in the Nine?”