The Breaker (The Secret of Spellshadow Manor #2)(53)

“Well, we’ll need to get somebody else to help, then,” insisted Alex.

“Why? We’re good with just us,” replied Jari, the anxiety clear in his voice.

“It’ll be safer with three,” explained Alex. “We need a third to help watch our backs.”

“Who can we trust?” asked Jari, his brow furrowed in thought.

Alex smiled as an idea came to him. “We could ask Ellabell. She knows some great, powerful shielding spells that could be good for defense if we need it.”

Glancing across at Natalie, Alex saw a flash of hurt pass across her wide eyes. He watched as she tried to muster a smile, but knew she was upset by the notion of someone taking her place. He couldn’t blame her; he had felt the same when they hadn’t wanted to spar with him. It wasn’t nice to feel left out.

“It is fine,” Natalie insisted. “I thought I was tired, but I am all ready to come with you. I can do it.” No matter what she said, her exhaustion was undeniable, Alex thought. Bravery would not cover the weariness sapping her strength.

“No, Natalie. You’re exhausted,” said Alex kindly, patting his friend on the shoulder. “We’ll tell you what we find as soon as we get back, okay?” he promised, though Natalie still looked crestfallen as the suggestion of Ellabell hung in the air.

“You had best come with me, then,” she murmured as she turned and walked with them toward her dorm room.

Ellabell seemed a little confused as to why there were two boys in her room as Natalie ushered them quickly in. It was getting closer to curfew, and Ellabell was holding her pajamas over the crook of her arm, as though she had just been about to get ready for bed. Her brown curls were tied up into a messy bun, though a few sprang loose about her face, and she seemed less than pleased. Alex hadn’t spoken properly with her since he had made his excuses and run from her dorm room, and she cast him a peculiar look as he stood against the wall, waiting for Natalie to explain.

At first, Ellabell didn’t seem to like the idea, shaking the curls on top of her head.

“That sounds pretty dangerous to me,” she said, holding her pajamas to her chest.

“Aren’t you curious?” asked Jari eagerly. Time was slipping away, and the longer it took to make Ellabell come around, the less time there would be to actually get going with the plan. “Don’t you want to know if the Head is really gone?”

“Does it really make a difference?” replied Ellabell, echoing Alex’s earlier sentiments.

“We need to check. It’s for Aamir’s sake,” explained Jari, his voice bordering on pleading.

“Professor Nagi?” said Ellabell, her face surprised.

Jari nodded. “Yes, it’s for Aamir. We’re trying to help him out.”

“Is he in danger?” Ellabell frowned, glancing at Alex, who had yet to say a word.

“He might be,” said Jari, his voice pinched with emotion.

“I would go with them, but I do not feel so well,” murmured Natalie, sitting wearily down on her bed. “I would be most grateful if you would help them out for me and make sure they are safe. I wish I could go with them, and I am sorry to ask such a big favor,” she sighed.

The sight of Natalie, so pale and sickly, seemed to affect Ellabell, chipping away at her aversion to such a dangerous scheme. Slowly, she put her pajamas down on the covers of her bed and folded her arms.

“Why do you need me?” she asked simply.

“We need a third to watch our backs,” said Alex, leveling his gaze in Ellabell’s direction. “I know how good you are with shielding spells, and I suggested you might be able to help us out because you’re one of the strongest, most knowledgeable students in this place and you’re more than capable of helping defend us if anything bad happens,” he explained softly, his mouth curving into an encouraging smile.

“You suggested me?” Ellabell frowned, pushing her spectacles back up to the bridge of her nose.

Alex nodded. “Plus, there are stacks of forbidden books you could always have a glance through while we’re there.” He shrugged casually, hoping the temptation of the rare tomes would seal the deal.

It felt as if an eternity had passed as they waited for Ellabell’s answer. Her face was etched with concern and there was a nervous energy about her, but Alex hoped she would say yes. He knew it was a lot to ask of her, but her skills would be invaluable if they got into any trouble behind the golden line.

“I’ll help,” she said hurriedly, as if deliberating any further would change her mind.

Alex grinned as the newly formed trio said their hushed goodbyes to Natalie, and he and Jari ushered Ellabell out the door. There was no more time to waste. It was already past curfew, and they had to get to the golden line without disturbing anyone or setting off any booby traps.

“Can you put a shield around yourself and Jari?” asked Alex in a whisper. “A strong one that can protect you both as well as possible?” he added, his eyes darting to the darkness at the end of the corridor.

Ellabell nodded, her eyes wide with fear as she began to conjure golden streams of light from beneath her hands. “You as well?”

Alex shook his head. “Just you two,” he insisted, hoping he was right about his anti-magic protecting him from any magical traps that might be in place throughout the corridors. The barrier to the girls’ dormitories didn’t work on him, and he was convinced none of the unseen curfew spells would either, should there be anything out there, hidden in the darkness of the hallways. It was a big risk to take, especially since the Head suspected something was amiss about Finder’s disappearance, but it was one Alex was willing to try. If he got caught, he knew it would be a catastrophe. He’d cross that bridge if he came to it.