Felicia rushed to complete all her homework during her free period. She was much too excited for her secret club; she didn't want to do or think about anything else this evening.

Once the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Felicia packed away her homework and headed straight to the magic room.

She arrived at the massive double doors and shook out her arms and shoulders, trying to loosen the nerves and excitement clinging to her. She lifted her hands to push the doors open, but they began to open for her automatically.

Felicia stared at the room in amazement. While it was the same classroom they had always used, it looked completely different. A dark purple hue filled the space, and one giant circular table sat in the center of the room, currently covered with a variety of sweets. Oriental lanterns floated above the table.

A few other students had already arrived. They were chatting with one another and eating sweets. Professor Fowlfeather stood at her desk, examining some kind of machine that produced bubbles on its own, filling the classroom's ceiling with artificial, glimmering stars as they popped.

Felicia stepped into the room, and the doors closed behind her. A few students turned to look at her, then returned to their activities. She walked up to the table and grabbed a small blue sweet and popped it into her mouth.

"Hey," an older male student greeted her. "You a freshman?"

"Oh, yes." she answered with a mouth full. She quickly chewed and swallowed. "I'm Felicia. Felicia Evergreen." She stuck out her hand for a handshake, then pulled it back when she realized it was smeared with blue frosting. She quickly tucked it behind her back.

"I'm Hugh Johnson of Barnsdale. Are you, by chance, Fergus' sister?"

Felicia rolled her eyes. "How'd you guess?"

"We're on the jousting team together! He's got quite the spunk for a freshman. He's done very well for the team so far."

"Oh yeah! I do recognize you! You look different without a helmet," Felicia joked.

Hugh laughed, and Felicia felt her ears go hot. What a laugh.

Hugh was slightly taller than her and had the kind of build made for jousting, broad-shouldered, solid in a way that felt steady rather than heavy. There was a power to him, but the kind that seemed warm and trustworthy. His dark brown hair was long and well-styled. In a word, Felicia would describe him as handsome.

"Well, thank you! Most people recognize me by my father, but never the helmet," he replied. "But maybe someday they will."

"Are you royal? Who's your father?"

"My father's best known as Little John. So no, I'm not royal in the slightest. At least, not yet." He winked at her and turned to grab a treat from the table.

Felicia's mouth suddenly felt very dry, and she strongly regretted not brushing her hair before coming. Her ears felt hot again. Could her ears turn red? Would he notice?

Luckily, before she could spiral any further, the professor raised her hands, summoning everyone around the table.

"Gather 'round, students! Gather 'round! Don't be shy!"

All the students lined up along the outside of the table, a few grabbing sweets as they went. Hugh stayed where he was, by her side. Felicia looked at the faces surrounding her. She didn't know anyone else there—except one person.

Vanity.

Felicia hadn't noticed her come in, probably thanks to Hugh. She wasn't sure if T had noticed her either.

"Welcome to the first Magic Enrichment class of the year! While this may be your first time in this class or your final year, I sincerely congratulate you all. Anyone can learn magic, but it takes innate skill to join my private class."

"Many people know the basics, and as you go through school, you will continue to learn them. But it takes deep, deep roots to grasp what we will do here. Magic can come from a line of magical genetics, or sometimes it weeds its way into those who are unsuspecting. Regardless, those with this gift must learn to expand it and control it."

"Today, we will discuss magical modifiers. That is, pieces outside of yourself that can enhance or aid your abilities."

Felicia nodded, knowing exactly what the professor meant. She remembered explaining the concept to T, before...

Professor Fowlfeather hovered a flat hand over the table, waved it in a circle, and all the treats vanished. In their place lay several magical objects: a staff, a gauntlet, a quill, an amulet, and a wand.

The professor first lifted the long staff. It resembled a moss-covered tree branch crowned with a golden crystal ball. She explained its magical properties, how one would wield it, and the enchantment woven into it: weather control. She then twirled it once and pointed it toward the ceiling. The purple glow shifted into pure summer sunlight. The students gasped in awe before she changed it back. The staff was passed to the student on her right and slowly made its way around the table.

She moved on to the other objects, explaining the gauntlet, the quill, and the amulet necklace—something that made Felicia think of Maris's seashell necklace.

Lastly, the professor held up the wand. It was silver, topped with a light purple star. Once she finished explaining its power and how a fairy had once wielded it, she passed it around. Felicia couldn't help but notice that T held it longer than anyone else.

"And remember, class," Professor Fowlfeather said once all the items were returned, "most everyday objects can be infused with magic. It's tricky, but possible—bags, weapons, clothing. That's what we'll discuss next week. If you wish to have something embellished, feel free to bring it in. Until next time, my dears!"

In one swift motion, she lifted her cloak, spun, and transformed into a black swan. The objects floated back into their display cases as she flew toward the back doors, which opened to let her pass.

The students poured out, buzzing with conversation about what items they'd bring and what properties they'd infuse.

Felicia started toward the exit when Hugh stepped beside her. "Hey, Felicia, are you free? Some friends and I are heading to the theater. Probably play games, eat some food. You in?"

Felicia blinked in surprise. She wanted to scream Absolutely yes!—but before she could answer, Vanity stepped in front of Hugh.

"Actually, I was hoping Felicia and I could talk."

Felicia glanced between hazel eyes and blue. As much as she wanted to connect with Hugh, she knew she owed it to T.

"Sorry, Hugh," Felicia said regretfully. "I do need to talk to T. Maybe next time?"

Hugh looked disappointed but nodded. "I understand. Friendships first. I'll see you next time?"

"Definitely."

Felicia smiled as Hugh waved and joined his friends outside. Once he was gone, T raised her hand, flicked her wrist, and the doors slammed shut.

"Whoa! How did you—" Felicia started, then stopped. T's expression was almost blank.

Silence filled the space as T moved along the far wall, lightly touching the artifacts as she passed. Felicia stayed near the center, tracking her movement.

"One month since we last spoke," T said.

"Yeah, I suppose. Listen, if this is about reaching out to Arthur, I'll admit I got busy. And you never really said anything, so I figured you didn't want my help. 'Cause if you did, you probably would've told me long ago."

T nodded. "I understand. I've been busy too. I'm in cheer now, and I've been studying."

"We can still help if you want. I started writing letters to my parents and to Arthur, but I kept starting over. If you help me, we can do it together."

"That's okay, Felicia. I have a different idea."

T stopped in front of a glass case resembling a breadbox. She lifted it and took out the silver wand. The same one Professor Fowlfeather had just discussed.

"T, that's not—put that back," Felicia said urgently.

T turned, twirling the wand without looking at Felicia.

Felicia stepped toward her. "Vanity, I don't know what you're thinking, but you shouldn't play with objects you don't understand. Please—let's just talk this out."

There was fear in Felicia's voice. What was T going to do?

T pointed the wand at Felicia, stopping her cold. Felicia raised her hands. "T. Please. Just listen to me."

"I don't think talking will solve much anymore. It's time for action."

With the wand still aimed, T moved to the front of the room and climbed onto the professor's desk. She pointed the wand at the ceiling, arm outstretched, drawing a circle like the hand of a clock.

She spoke loudly,
"Ashes to glitter, time do hear—
Take us back to yester-year!"

Pink lightning exploded from the wand, tearing into the ceiling before ricocheting down and slamming into the floor. The stone split open with a crack of magic as a roaring whirlpool of blue and pink energy ripped its way into existence, silver lightning snapping and lashing like living veins. The room shook. Desks skidded, papers flew through the air, and decorations spun violently as if caught in a raging storm.

The force wrenched Felicia forward. She hit the ground hard, fingers scraping uselessly against the stone floor as she fought the pull.

"Vanity!" she screamed, terror cracking her voice. "Stop! What did you do?!"

Vanity stepped down from the desk, wand still in hand down by her side, as though the world weren't collapsing around her. She strolled toward the churning void, calm and unshaken. Just before reaching it, she glanced over her shoulder down at Felicia, a sharp, satisfied smile curling her lips. Then, she jumped.

The floor swallowed her whole.

Felicia was dragged closer. Her boots slid in first, then vanished as the portal lapped at her ankles, her calves, her knees.

"Vanity!" she screamed again as the magic climbed her body. "Help me!"

The pull surged.

Her grip broke.

Felicia was ripped from the floor and devoured by the vortex.

The portal slammed shut with a thunderous crack.

Silence fell over the classroom as though nothing had happened at all.