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“You and I have very different definitions of ‘amazing’,” she told him.

While Jordan was practically bouncing with anticipation, Alex was wishing time would rewind so she could find a way out of the mess she was currently in.

“I’m sure it won’t be so bad,” D.C. said, trying to sound encouraging. “If nothing else, you’re bound to learn heaps from Hunter.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Alex mumbled. The man was too mysterious for his own good.

“It’s time,” Jordan said, rising to his feet. “Are you ready?”

“Definitely not,” Alex answered, but she stood as well. It wasn’t like she had a choice. So much for her gift of willpower— what good was it to her now?

Together they left the food court and disappeared into the night. Almost literally, really, given how they blended into the dark with their black clothing.

“If I get stuck in some kind of thorny bush, do you promise to come back and find me at the end of the night?” Alex asked, tripping on her cape for the third time. “This thing is going to kill me.”

“It’s not that bad.” Jordan failed to hide the amusement in his tone. “You just have to learn how to ignore the swishing of the material.”

“Ignore the ‘swishing’?” she repeated. “That’syour advice?”

He chuckled and didn’t answer, but Alex found that walkingwaseasier when she didn’t focus on the cape as much.

“It’s still not very appropriate clothing for the forest,” she muttered to herself.

All too soon they reached their destination, where only two other people were already waiting.

“Hey, guys,” Pipsqueak said.

“Yo!” greeted Blink. “It’s a fine night to discover our inner stealth, am I right?”

“It sure is,” Jordan agreed, returning the offered fist-bump.

It was clear that both Pipsqueak and Blink were just as excited as Jordan to have made the cut for Hunter’s class. Alex seemed to be the only one with any reservations.

“Did anyone else get in?” she asked.

“Not that I’ve heard,” Pipsqueak answered. “But I didn’t know about you, either. I don’t remember seeing you at the tryouts.”

“It’s a long story,” Alex murmured, not wanting to explain.

Pipsqueak shrugged. “It’s cool you’re here. This is going to rock.”

Jordan, Blink and Pipsqueak struck up an excited conversation about what they hoped would happen, but as the minutes ticked by, Alex grew more and more anxious. They’d been told to show up by seven-thirty and it was now well after that, but no one had arrived yet, including Hunter. Given the name of the class, Alex wondered if they were about to receive a crash course in what was ahead for them.

“Guys, I think you should keep it down,” Alex said quietly, urging the others to settle.

None of them paid her any attention, but Jordan did turn to give her a reassuring smile. He must have just thought she was nervous—which shewas. But it was more than that.

A twig snapped and Alex whirled around, peering deeper into the forest. It was too dark for her to see much of anything, but her spidey-senses were on high alert, and she couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched.

She squinted into the shadows until something caught her eye; a stirring of movement accompanied by the sound of a bush rustling.

“Guys, seriously,” Alex whispered. “Shutup.”

The tone of her voice must have clued them in that she wasn’t playing around, and they immediately dropped their conversation.

“What is it?” Jordan asked, stepping closer to her.

“There’s something in there,” Alex said, pointing into the shadows.