91Please respect copyright.PENANAe8yMx3CPsEMacy rose from her seat, Lucia flanking her like a shadow, and strode toward Professor Mole.
"She’s trying to get you in trouble, sir," Macy said, her voice eerily calm. "Just talking about that place is enough to get you banished."
Lucia let out a sharp snicker. "Shouldn't you just consider sending Miss Eilara over to Ignus? It’s the perfect solution!"
"I thought you said you were joking!" A girl with square glasses snapped, bolting upright. Her face was pale with fury. She shook her head, her light pink hair bouncing with every movement, and began to stalk toward Lucia. Behind her, another girl with a dark ponytail followed, looking like she was ready for a fight.
"ENOUGH!" Professor Mole’s voice thundered through the room.
The class froze. The Professor glared at Macy, Lucia, their "minions," and the two newcomers.
"Miss Moors, you are suspended from school for a week. Hand over your charms," he demanded. He waited for Eilara to nod before looking at the rest of the room. "As for everyone else: Ignus is a very serious place. Do not throw that term around so casually."
Lucia tossed her hair back with a sneer. "Doesn’t matter," she muttered, before stamping out of the room.
"Sorry," Kael whispered to Eilara as the tension began to bleed out of the air. "I’m so sorry. But I want you to know you won't be alone in that time."
Eilara gave a small, weary smile. "Thanks, Kael. I appreciate it. A lot."
Later that evening, Mary Beth was sulking at her desk, flipping irritably through her notebook.
"Are you okay?" Eilara asked. "Do you want to join us for dinner before we head back to the dorms?"
"I’ll be reviewing," Mary Beth grumbled without looking up. "Grab me a ham sandwich, though."
As they headed out, Zedvick gave them a quick wave and a smile, mentioning he was heading out to meet a friend. Eilara and Kael eventually settled at a heavy wooden table in the hall, picking at pork sandwiches while reviewing their potion recipes.
"Umm..." A soft voice interrupted them.
It was the girl with the pink curls who had defended Eilara in class. Standing next to her was her friend with the dark pink ponytail—which was currently so messy it looked like she’d been zapped by lightning.
"Can I... um, sit with you guys?"
"Sure!" Eilara said, glancing at Kael. He shrugged with a friendly grin.
As they set their trays down, Kael asked, "What are your names?"
"I’m Luna," the girl with the bouncy curls beamed. "And this is my cousin, Tamari!"
"Nice to meet you both," Eilara said. "I’m Eilara, and this is Kael. Thanks for saving me back there in class."
"You’re welcome!" Luna said, shaking Eilara’s hand enthusiastically.
That’s when Eilara noticed it: both Luna and Tamari were wearing heavy weaving gloves indoors. When Tamari caught her staring, she quickly hid her hands behind her back, her face flushing deep red.
"So, what were you guys... uh, talking about?" Tamari asked. Her voice was an octave higher than normal, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush.
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There’s definitely something going on, Eilara thought, staring into Tamari’s wide, light-purple eyes91Please respect copyright.PENANAc5zNOOkuHx


