Shift

TWELVE.2

The taxi ride back to Le Lieu was extremely uncomfortable.

Kayden, Blaze, and Lexi were shoved in the backseat this time; they had forced Helio up front next to the driver, hoping that separating him from Lexi would make things easier. But tension hung in the air like plumes of black, suffocating smog. The taxi driver seemed relieved when they all got out and filed into Le Lieu.

However, it was a wonder they could get inside at all; the front lobby was packed. Men in black suits were grinning and chatting with one another, filling in every possible open space.

"The meeting can't be over already," Blaze said, reaching into his pocket for the flier Lira Fallon had passed out the day before and accidentally elbowing an elderly man in a top hat. "The education meeting isn't supposed to end for another hour."

"Do you see Helio?" Lexi asked, standing on tiptoe and whipping her head back and forth. Her hair kept slapping Kayden's face, blinding her periodically.

"Lexi, can you please knock it off?" Kayden bit. She scanned the crowd as well, but not for Helio. "Celery!" she cried out when she spotted him, and the teacher's head snapped up. A moment later, he had woven his way next to them.

"Hello," he greeted, his face surprisingly chipper. He looked around for a moment. "Where's Helio?"

"Lost in the crowd. We'll find him later," Blaze said. A man trying to get out through the exit bumped into him roughly, and he winced.

"Want to talk outside?" Celery suggested, pointing towards the doors. "Not as bumpy."

"Actually, we wanted to go to the meeting," Kayden said. "But by the looks of things, I guess it's already over...?"

"Yes," Celery said grinning. "But with good news. Sir Mallard's, as well as all the other schools throughout, are to be reopened in just a few weeks!"

"Really?" Blaze asked, shocked. "How can they do that when magic is all screwed up? What about safety? What if something happens to someone else, like it did to Carlos?"

"It won't," Celery reassured. "Because after the meeting yesterday, someone reached out to the Congregation and showed them a spell book with working spells. No glitches whatsoever."

Kayden felt her heart sink. Blaze's eyes were hard as he looked at his teacher. "You mean A Progressive Book of Magic?"

Celery's eyes widened. "You've heard of it?" Then his face lit up in recognition. "I remember that book! That was the one you used back in my class! Well, apparently there's a second edition out. The Congregation and a whole team of spellcheckers are reviewing the spells thoroughly to make sure they're safe, but all the ones they've checked so far are working fine."

"We stopped by the publishing house today," Lexi said.

"Did you buy a copy?" Celery asked. "Apparently Walter Voyle is offering a discount to all the schools that need books."

"Celery," Kayden said, "if everyone switches over to the new book, they won't be able to undo our Bonding Oath."

"There should be a counter spell in the new book—"

"It won't work," said Blaze. His voice was solid. "Walter Voyle said so himself. Any spells cast before the shift can't be undone."

Celery hesitated for a moment, but then shook his head. "I'm sure the Congregation will address all of that once they've finished the book review. They're good people; they won't press on prematurely." When Blaze's expression didn't change, he tried a smile. "Try not to worry about it. Things are looking up right now. Besides, it's just a glowing symbol. Be thankful it isn't anything worse."