“I hope no one saw you.” There it was.
“Even if they did, I’m not going to get into trouble. I’m a dragon.”
“Wow, that was arrogant.” His words stung.
“It’s true. The professors at school let me do whatever I want.”
“Don’t let the fame go to your head there, princess.”
“What did you call me?” Simon had no way to know my friends teased me by calling me princess, but it still grated on my nerves.
“You’re acting like a spoiled brat.”
“Hey, that’s not fair. When everyone was making all over you because they thought you were the dragon, I didn’t see you turning any attention down.” Simon was silent. I probably hurt his feelings, but at that moment I didn’t really care.
“No, you’re right. I’m sorry. That’s wasn’t nice of me.” He scooted closer on the step and nudged me in the side with his elbow.
“Forgive me?” I pushed his elbow away.
“Of course, I do. You’ve been acting weird ever since this summer. Are you mad at me because I’m a dragon, instead of you?”
“No, Sophie. I’m not mad. I think I am jealous, in a way. I never really wanted to be the dragon, all the weight and responsibility of it. My new school is nice, but I feel separate from everyone, like they all know I’m not supposed to be there. I spent my whole life thinking being the dragon was inevitable. And now I just feel like I’m drifting. I don’t know what to do.”
“You have your whole life to decide what you want. Dad now thinks he has my whole life decided for me. It’s stifling. I’m not his puppet. I’m going to be a dragon on my own terms.” Simon chuckled.
“What?” I didn’t think this was very funny.
“I just don’t know how we all fooled ourselves for so long. You and Dad are so much alike. So finicky and stubborn. Neither of you are afraid of anything. You were always a dragon. I don’t know why it took us all so long to see it.”
It was almost dawn when Willa came back out of her mom’s apartment.
“Thank you, guys. For helping out. I hope neither of you get into any trouble.”
“Don’t worry, Willa. My school really doesn’t care if we sneak off campus. Do you need me to come and check on your mom any?”
“No. Thank you though, Simon. I’m afraid she won’t remember you and it’ll make it worse.”
“Willa, do you want to talk to someone? Do you need help with your mom?” Standing in the morning light Willa looked much older than sixteen. She carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. I hated to see her like that.
“No,” she said, her mouth set in a straight line. “Promise me you won’t talk to anyone. No one will help her; they will just try to shut her away.”
“It’s okay.” I laid my hand on her arm. “We promise. We’re not going to say anything. But we are here if you need us.”
“Let me walk you guys back to the Academy property. I know, I know, you’re the dragon. But let me fulfill my brotherly responsibilities this time, Soph.” I laughed and gave in. Besides, I didn’t want to separate from Simon just yet.
Once we got to the Academy grounds, he gave me a hug before Willa and I snuck back in. I comforted myself with the fact that in just a few weeks I would get to spend a whole month with him at home.
“Are you sure your mom will stay at the apartment this time, Willa?” I asked as we let ourselves back into our room.
“No, but I have a way to find her now, wherever she goes.” She lifted up her wrist and showed me her charm bracelet. Inside the locket of her bracelet was a lock of her mom’s blond hair.
“An essence spell. But Willa, those are—”
“Illegal, I know. But I don’t know what else to do, Sophie. You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“No, no Willa, of course not.” As we both went to our room to get ready for class, I couldn’t help but think about Chief Winston’s request. Would getting Willa’s mother somewhere safe really be that bad? As I stared at myself in the mirror in the bathroom, I shook my head. No. I would never betray her like that. The supernatural community was so fond of secrets, this is one I would have of my own.
Chapter Eleven
Animage Academy dismissed for the holidays for the whole month of December. The week between Thanksgiving and break was the least productive of the whole term. The night before the last day of term I spent in the clubhouse playing video games on the vintage console and TV someone had snuck in. I didn’t know how, but members of our group were experts at sneaking things onto campus. Video games were never more fun than when I knew they were forbidden.
It was almost 7 a.m. when we realized what time it was and scrambled to sneak back. I tried to sneak into my dorm, but when I got to the door, I could hear voices inside.
“Where have you been?” Gracie asked as I walked in. The room was heavy and I felt the hum of distress. Hudson and Willa were sitting on the couch. His arm was around her and her face was tear streaked. When she saw me, she jumped up off the couch.
“This is all your fault!”
“What are you talking about?” My sense of the distress in the room hummed even louder in my mind.
“My mother has been arrested, and it’s all your fault!” I looked at Gracie and Hudson for help, but they looked at me like I was a stranger.
“Willa, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t tell anyone about your mom.”
“It had to be you! They came and took my bracelet. They knew about the essence spell, and about us going to find her, and everything!”
“Willa, it wasn’t me.”
“You’re
