Page 8 of With the Potion in the Courtyard

After lunch, we decided some fresh air might do us good. We head through the academy and decide to start out front. Then, Jessie said we might be able to walk around and see the greenhouse and meet Mrs. Willowbee. The thing is, I’m not sure I’m ready to do that. Not with Jaylyn missing and a finger being pointed in my direction.

Throwing open the castle doors, I breathe in the refreshing scents of nature. The sun is out, but it’s a little cool and breezy. The perfect day for a little walk.

"Hey, Cendi, Jessie." A familiar voice cut through the hum of the outdoors.

It was Robbie, standing near the entrance with his arms open wide. My heart did a somersault, and I quickened my pace, almost running to him. But I hesitated, unsure if embracing him was crossing an invisible line.

"Hey!" My greeting came out breathless.

"I missed you, uh, I mean, you guys," he said, his smile melting away any awkwardness.

My gaze ran over him from head to foot. Some part of me thought my imagination had pictured him to be more handsome than he actually was, but standing in front of him, I know I’m wrong. He’s tall, with a head of dark hair, and blue eyes that seem to piece right through my soul. He makes me nervous and happy all at the same time. And right now, he’s staring, waiting for my response…

"I, er,wemissed you too," I said, my cheeks heating up.

"Anything exciting happen while I was gone?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Unfortunately, yes, a lot has happened. Jaylyn's missing, everyone's giving us the cold shoulder, and we're knee-deep in riddles." I tried to keep it light, but the worry threaded through my words.

"Well, okay. I’m sorry to hear that," Robbie said, scratching the back of his neck. "But hey, life's neverdull around you, right?"

"Right," Jessie chimed in, and we all shared a laugh.

"Besides," he added. "I’m pretty good with riddles, so maybe I could help."

"That would be amazing," I told him honestly.

Last time the hunters were involved in my life, these two saved me. I couldn’t think of two better people to have at my side right now, when there’s a mystery afoot and my good name to clear.

CHAPTER FOUR

The next day,after lunch, Robbie and I walked down the hall together, like two high schoolers, heading for our next class. I kept catching him glancing in my direction as we moved, like he had something to say, but nothing came out. My heart fluttered in my chest, and I played with the straps on my backpack.

"So, we need to find the right opportunity to talk to Ms. Ingow when we can," I told him, trying to ignore whatever is being left unspoken between us.

"What for?" he asked.

"Ms. Ingow is the potions teacher, so if there’s anything useful we can learn from thebroken pieces of the potion bottle in the courtyard, she should be the one who can tell us about it."

"Think it’ll be that easy?" He lifted his brow.

I sigh. "Probably not, but we’re going to approach all of this with a good attitude and hope for the best."

We paused outside the classroom. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. After a minute, he said, "We should hurry, or we’ll be late."

"Late, right," I said, and headed through the door.

The atmosphere in the classroom was frigid when Robbie and I walked into Ms. Ingow's class. Heads turned, eyes narrowed, and whispers trailed off into a thick silence that hung over us like a storm cloud. Even Ms. Ingow, with her flower-crowned blond hair and usually warm demeanor, gave us a look sharp enough to cut through dragon scales.

"Take your seats," she ordered frostily.

We found a spot at the back of the classroom, the only table with two empty stools beckoning us to settle into the chilly atmosphere. Today's task was right on the blackboard.

Voice-Altering Potion.

Alicia glanced back at me.

"Should be fun, right?"