Page 44 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

Dimitri’s smirk returned full force as he turned to go. “Of course. I’m sure your parents won’t mind waiting?—”

“Fine, I’ll be there,” I abruptly said. “Tell her, Dimitri.”

Dimitri paused, then slowly pivoted back. “Well, well. Look who’s decided to join the dance of death.” His ice-blue eyesglinted. “I knew you’d make the right choice, darling. Or is it the wrong one? It’s so hard to tell these days.”

He leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Word of advice? Watch your step. The high priestess takes not playing fair to a whole other level—she likes to rewrite the rulebook mid-game and then set it on fire. But hey, that’s what makes it fun, right?”

With a wink that was equal parts charming and warning, he added, “Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes. It’s going to be one hell of a party.”

Party wasn’t the word I would use—more like a nightmare, as inNightmare on Elm Street.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Dimitri strutted out of Café Du Monde, the bell above the door jingling softly as he left. The scent of powdered sugar hanging in the air contrasted sharply with the bitter taste of defeat in my mouth. My stomach churned as I imagined Dimitri running to tell the high priestess that I would bring her the Dragon Nexus.

The sad reality was that right now she had a royal flush, while I didn’t even have a pair of twos. My palms grew clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans, leaving damp streaks.

Kamaron’s voice was low and tense as he leaned in, worry lines etched deep into his forehead. “You’re not really going to give her the Nexus, are you?” His fingers drummed out an anxious rhythm on the table, the soft tapping eerily mimicking my racing heartbeat.

I sighed heavily, the weight of all the world pressing down on my shoulders. Leaning back in my chair, I heard the old wood creak in protest. The noise grated on my already frayed nerves. “She’s the high priestess, Kamaron,” I said quietly. I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. “If I don’t bring it, she’ll kill my parents. What would you do? What would any of you do?”

As the words flew out of my mouth, I could almost see my parents and the fear etched into their faces. The spectral image sent a shiver down my spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

Silence fell over us like a dark pall and the hustle-bustle of the café faded into the background, leaving only the sound of our shallow breathing. Kamaron’s coffee cup clinked against its saucer as he set it down, the sound jarring in the stillness. His shoulders slumped, mirroring the defeat we all felt.

Valentin drummed his fingers on the table. “If you’re going to take the Dragon Nexus to the high priestess, how do you plan to get it from the headmaster? Costin’s not going to just hand it over.”

Rose clasped his hand. “I can get it from him. Ethan will help me.”

Valentin stared into her green eyes, his own filled with concern. “Costin will consider that a huge betrayal.”

She gave him a weary smile. “Perhaps, but isn’t that what we’re all going to do?”

Finn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe we should let Jaxon and Peyton go to the bayou first, then we can follow.”

I shook my head vigorously as a knot of dread formed in my gut. “No, she’ll be expecting that,” I said, my voice low and tight. “Jaxon and I have to go alone.”

Finn slammed his hand on the table, causing the nearby glasses to rattle. “That’s as good as suicide,” he growled, his face flushing with anger. “She could kill both of you.” His eyes bored into mine, silently pleading.

My throat constricted, a lump forming in it as I struggled to maintain composure. “Finn, I’m not going to let my parents die,” I choked out, my voice cracking on the last word. Hot tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, fighting to hold them back.

Rose’s brow furrowed deeply as she brought her hand to her chin. Then her expression shifted, her eyes taking on a faraway look as the gears in her mind began to turn. “Once I obtain the Dragon Nexus,” she mused, “I’ll perform a tracking spell. Yes…” Her fingers twitched at her sides, as if she was already weaving intricate patterns of magic.

The tension in the restaurant was like a boiling kettle ready to bubble over. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, a frantic rhythm that matched the urgency of our situation. The scent of fear—like cold sweat and adrenaline—permeated the space around us, reminding us all of the danger we were about to face.

Valentin finally broke the silence. “Well, if we’re going to do this, then let’s do it now while the headmaster is away.”

Jaxon took my hand and led me out of the crowded restaurant. All I could think about was my parents and what the high priestess was doing to them. I knew how cruel and vengeful she was, how much she delighted in hurting people. My mind raced with terrifying visions, and I could almost hear their screams.

We returned to the headmaster’s quarters in record time, our lungs burning from the exertion. The familiar oak door loomed before us, its intricate carvings a blur to my panicked eyes.

Ethan opened the door immediately, almost as if he knew we were coming. His bald head gleamed in the light, and his usually impassive face was creased with worry. “Good afternoon,” he said, his eyes flicking over us. Then he frowned deeply. “What’s wrong?”

Rose clutched Ethan’s arm, her knuckles white and her face ashen. “Ethan,” she whispered, looking around furtively, “I must speak with you in private.” The urgency in her tone sent a fresh wave of dread through me even though I knew what was going on.

I couldn’t stand still. I paced back and forth across the polished wooden floor, each turn sharper than the last. The urge to act, to do something, burned through me like wildfire. I could feel the heat building beneath my skin and my dragon stirring restlessly. I was ready to burn this place to the ground if I didn’t get the Dragon Nexus.

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