I swallowed my trepidation. “You’re right. I know he means well… It’s just…”
“I know it’s hard for you to let your walls down,” she interjected with a soft smile. “It’s hard for you to let people in.”
The thought of Casimir’s parting words in the infirmary had my stomach twisting into knots.
“I just wish you would let me in.”
I waiteduntil Gwen fell asleep Thursday evening to sneak into the common room with theBook of Erebostucked under my arm like a thief in the night. I took my usual perch on the seat by the window, dreading what I must now do to Casimir. It was a betrayal of the worst kind. An eerie sense of unease settled over me, my skin prickling as I opened the Book.
“Hello, sprite,” I whispered. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
I waited for several long moments before the Book deigned to reply. “Me thinks you ask too much of this deitè,” it crooned, rustling its pages threateningly.
I shivered, wondering if I would ever get used to hearing that creepy voice. “It’s in your best interest to hear me out,” I said. “My friend is planning to destroy your… vessel on Saturday night.”
Abruptly, the rustling stopped. “What’s this? Traitorous devil! Name the foe and I shall haunt him for the rest of his days.”
“I’m not going to tell you who it is.”
A pause, and then: “Oh,” the sprite hissed, “Of course, the little Arrow would thrill at the prospect of my ruin.”
“You’re wrong about that. In fact, I’ve taken a vow to ensure no one harms you.”
“You speak in jest. This sprite does not appreciate being patronized!”
“I swear to you, I speak the truth.”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“It’s complicated, but our enemies want you for a bloodmagic ritual.”
“Ourenemies?” the sprite sounded confused, and then—“Oh, but what a delicious predicament. As Trinculo says, ‘How came’st thou in this pickle?” It paused to snicker at its own cleverness.“But I see it clearly, now. You must betray your ally.”
I ground my teeth in irritation. “Yes. As you say, I am in a pickle. If you agree to help me—which I strongly suggest you do—I will do everything in my power to keep you—well, notalive, but intact.”
The sprite was silent for a moment as it mulled over my offer, and then—“Go on, girl, I’m listening…”
31
On Friday afternoon, Neha Iyer approached me outside the Tusk and handed me a note.
I looked up at her in surprise.
“I’m supposed to give you this,” she said, smiling shyly.
“Is it from Gwen?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No, but it’s from a friend.”
Baffled, I accepted the note and tore open the seal, watching Neha saunter off, her dark hair billowing in the breeze.
Don’t return to your dormitory under any circumstances tonight. Meet me at the loft. In case you’ve forgotten where it is, I’ve enclosed the address below.
—C
I read over the message once more, perplexed. Why wasn’t I allowed to visit my dormitory, and what the hell was going on?
When the sun hung low on the horizon, I trudged along the mile-long path to Casimir’s place, tugging my coat tightly around me as the frigid night descended. He swung open the door when I arrived, but remained standing over the threshold, blocking my entry.