Page 1 of With the Key in the Office

1

CENDI

A bright blueglow caught my eye as we stood in the courtyard talking in our pajamas. A glow that felt strange and mysterious. I racked my brains trying to think about anything that could explain it but came up empty. It came from Mr. Vanderflit's office, flickering and shifting even as I stared at it.

"Look," I pointed, and Jaylyn and Robbie turned to see the strange light shining beneath the door.

Jaylyn’s face scrunched up, some of her long, black hair falling over her face as she tilted her head further down. “What a peculiar light.”

“Should we just leave it alone or…?” I asked, uncertain.

"Let's check it out." Robbie’s piercing blue eyes were already filled with curiosity as he led the way, while we hurried after him.

I pushed the door open, and there it was, a ghost. But not just any ghost; this one looked exactly like me. My jaw dropped open, and I stared in shock. What was a ghost doing in the academy grounds looking like me?

Before I could say a word, it reached for an ancient-looking key on Mr. Vanderflit's desk. Suddenly, the room trembled, walls shuddering as if the castle itself was scared. Picture frames clattered to the ground, books tumbled off shelves, and an icy chill passed through me.

"Hey," Mr. Vanderflit burst into the room, red-faced and panting as he stared angrily at the ghost. "Don't touch that!"

But before he could reach it, the ghost vanished, and darkness swallowed the room whole. Mr. Vanderflit flicked on a light switch, and glowing sconces illuminated the room in a soft, dreamy light. A simple room with a sitting area, a fireplace, and important things scattered about the surface of his desk.

"What was that?" Jaylyn gasped, clutching her robe tight around her.

"Disaster," Mr. Vanderflit groaned, running his fingers through his fiery hair. "We need that key back." His words felt strained, more stressed than I was used to hearing from the man.

"Why is it so important?" Robbie asked, picking up a fallen book and setting it back on the shelf.

Mr. Vanderflit frowned deeply. "It's the only thing that can open a secret room beneath the castle. A door enchanted so no other key can turn its lock."

An important key. An enchanted door. And a lock that’s nearly impossible to pass. That sounded exactly like something you’d find at a magical academy.

"Why do you need to get into the room?" I asked, my head already conjuring up images of the many dangerous and wonderful things that might be behind that door.

He looked sad. "My friend, Freddie Gerrick, disappeared behind that door. We thought that key..." His voice trailed off, filled with regret.

My heart ached for him. His friend was lost behind that door? What a terrible feeling it must be to have come so close to freeing the person he cared about, only for a ghost to snatch that chance away.

"Can we get it back?" I offered, the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders.

"Only you can," Mr. Vanderflit said, locking eyes with me. "The ghost took your shape. You're connected now."

Connected? What the heck did that mean?

2

CENDI

By morning,the castle hummed with the scent of bad coffee and the sounds of worse rumors. Word travels fast at Rune Academy, especially when a look-alike apparition swans into your mentor’s office and steals a very important key. I tugged my cardigan tighter and tried to keep my stride normal, not “I-might-vomit-from-nerves” brisk, as I made my way to Vanderflit’s floor for the meeting he’d requested that I attend early this morning.

Two strangers were already outside his door, conferring with the headmaster and headmistress. Hunters.

Of course.

Hunters always seemed to appear at my lowest moments. Not there to lend a helping hand, but there to make things infinitely worse. They enjoyed pointing fingers and passing blame, rather than actually investigating to figure out what was really happening.

Jessie spotted me before anyone else did and intercepted me with a grim little smile that said this was going to be a long day. “Where are Robbie and Jaylynn?”

I shook my head. “Not a clue.” I would’ve thought that they’d beat me here.