“Well, we talked some. Then I…ah…woke up.”

The dean’s eyes narrowed. “But Alister did not return with you?”

Dancer shook his head. “When I opened my eyes, Han was slumped over the table. I waited for him to wake up. Everyone else was awake, except Micah Bayar and Master Gryphon. Fiona went to find you. Then Master Gryphon woke and came to help.”

Abelard reached toward Dancer’s amulet, and it brightened in response. She drew her hand back again. “Unlike Alister, you’ve not totally depleted your amulet. You were either smart enough to follow directions, or you never went there at all.”

She smiled a brittle smile. “Alister. I often work with exceptional students, even newlings. Plan to meet me in my office four weeks from today. I’ll see what I can find out about you in the meantime.” She walked to the podium and picked up the Kinley, riffling through it.

It was their signal to leave so she could have a solitary chat with Gryphon.

Bones, Han thought. What could the dean find out about him in a month? And what would she do with that information?

“Hayden, take Alister back to his room and see that he rests a while,” Gryphon said. “He’ll need to restore power to his amulet before class tomorrow. Don’t forget your pages. And may I suggest you both do the reading for next time,” he called after them as they walked toward the door.

As they crossed the grassy quad, Dancer kept one hand under Han’s elbow, steadying him. Han pulled free. “I’ll live,” he said.

“You’re cold as the Dyrnnewater, you know that, right?” Dancer said. “You’re always hotter than me, but there’s nothing there.” He shook his head in amazement.

“Was it real?” Han asked, scuffling through a pile of leaves. “Did we really meet on Old Woman Creek?”

Dancer nodded, looking sideways at him. “You said Cat was sweet on me.”

“And you said Fiona Bayar lusted after me.” Han raised an eyebrow.

“She does, Hunts Alone,” Dancer said, grinning. “Truly.”

“So Abelard wants to work with me and not you,” Han said. “I wonder what that’s about.”

“I’m a copperhead,” Dancer said. “That’s what it’s about.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m not exactly heartbroken.”

“If she teaches me anything useful, I’ll pass it along,” Han said. They walked in silence for a few paces. “Did you see anything else?” Han asked. “Before you closed the portal?”

Dancer shook his head. “Like what?”

“Somebody else showed up, just as you left. A blueblood wizard a little older than us. Called himself Crow. You didn’t see him?”

Dancer shrugged. “No. Was it someone from class?”

“I didn’t recognize him, but he had to have been from Mystwerk, anyway,” Han said. “He said he was faculty here.”