Rose didn't know what was worse—surviving the Mirrorwood, or facing breakfast with the rest of Brimstone Academy after it.
Word had already spread. Fast. Students whispered as she passed in the hall, and not just about the glowing glyph still faintly etched on her wrist. Rumors bloomed like cursed flowers.
"She and Basil vanished for days."
"I heard she hexed him into a pocket realm just so they could kiss."
"I heard she murdered her reflection."
Rose tried to ignore it all, even when Nimbus drifted along beside her muttering, "They're not even trying to be subtle."
At least Basil was suffering, too. She spotted him at the far end of the dining hall, brooding over his tea like a handsome gargoyle. He hadn't spoken to her since they'd returned, not really. Just a muttered "thanks" and a lot of avoidant eye contact. Classic emotionally-repressed aristocrat behavior.
She stabbed her breakfast with a fork and muttered, "We save the school once and now I'm a scandal."
A familiar presence dropped into the seat across from her—Ciaran, looking far too amused for someone with a crow living in his hood.
"I heard you survived a realm of nightmares, faced your own evil twin, and came back glowing. Impressive," he said, stealing her toast.
"I didn't glow," she snapped. "That was magical residue."
"Romantic magical residue?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Rose threw a sausage at him.
Before Ciaran could retaliate with enchanted jam, a scroll dropped from the ceiling, spiraling into her lap.
She unrolled it and read aloud:
> Rose Thorne and Basil Thornridge, you are formally summoned to Headmistress Grimsbane's Office. Immediately. Wear boots.
"That can't be good," Ciaran muttered. "Anything involving Grimsbane and footwear usually ends with something exploding."
Rose stood. Nimbus zipped to her side like a worried balloon. "Let's get it over with."
She found Basil already waiting outside the office, hands folded, expression unreadable.
"Fancy seeing you again," she said, trying to sound casual.
He gave a polite nod. "Rose."
Ugh. Back to Rose again.
Before she could tease him, the doors creaked open on their own. They entered together.
Headmistress Grimsbane sat behind her obsidian desk, stroking her pet basilisk. She eyed them both like she was trying to decide which one to boil first.
"You've returned from the Mirrorwood alive. Not many do."
Rose swallowed. "We had help."
"And wit," Basil added quietly.
Grimsbane leaned forward. "You also triggered an ancient bond spell. Which means you're now magical anomalies—and potential assets."
Rose blinked. "Assets?"
"I'm assigning you both to the Arcane Field Unit. Special missions. You'll represent Brimstone. Together."
Basil and Rose turned to each other in disbelief.
"I don't do teams," Rose protested.
"Too bad," Grimsbane said, handing them two silver sigils. "You're a team now."
Outside the office, Rose groaned.
"This is going to be awful," she muttered.
Basil tucked the sigil into his coat. "Yes," he said dryly. "Utterly dreadful."
But his eyes lingered on her for just a second longer than necessary.
And Rose couldn't help but smile