Her two cronies, the sturdy Glorian and skulking Nelly, stepped out from behind her on either side. Then a slight figure joined them.
Safina. Once Abigail’s friend and protégé.
“She always was a traitor,” Safina said.
“Safina, you don’t mean that,” Abigail said gently.
“Yes, I do.” The firstling’s eyes flashed. “You let Endera’s mother die.”
“I didn’t,” Abigail said. “I couldn’t stop it. You were there. You saw what happened.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Endera cut in, “because you won’t be here much longer. I’ve spoken to Madame Hestera. Told her what happened that night. How you forced my mother to do your work and wouldn’t let me save her.”
“I did not.” Abigail sputtered with outrage, but Hugo gripped her arm.
“What’s your point, Endera?” he asked. “If Madame Hestera were going to expel Abigail, she would have done so. Why don’t you just leave us alone?”
Endera folded her arms. “I wish I could, but Madame Hestera thought it would be a good idea for me to follow Abigail around. If I can prove she’s a traitor, she’s promised Abigail will never set foot inside the Tarkana Fortress again. And she will have her magic stripped from her.”
Abigail was speechless. Now that Melistra was gone, she had thought she was finally safe. But if Madame Hestera had it in for her, things would be even more difficult.
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
The cool voice came from the edge of the clearing. They all turned to stare as their former Awful Alchemy teacher, Madame Malaria, stepped into view. “Glorian, Nelly, Madame Vex would like some help cleaning the cobwebs from her classroom.” The two mumbled something and scurried away. “And you, young Safina.” The teacher put a gentle hand on the girl’s shoulder. “You are perhaps too hard on someone you once admired. Disappointment can turn a person sour, but perhaps it is yourself you are most disappointed in.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Safina huffed. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Surely you were the one who told Melistra where Robert Barconian was that night, which led to her taking him. Which led to Abigail coming to the tower. Which led to Melistra’s demise. Do not pretend to be innocent of that.”
Safina turned ashen.
Madame Malaria faced Endera. “My dear child, I am sure you grieve your mother, but to blame another witch-ling for Melistra’s blind need for power is shortsighted. What good is this vendetta of yours against a witchling who was once your friend?”
“She was never my friend,” Endera hissed.
Madame Malaria sighed. “Then perhaps that makes you a good witch, because a witch never trusts anyone. But they do have people they can count on when their goals are aligned.”
“Our goals will never be aligned,” Endera snapped. “All I want is for her to be gone.”
“Oh, pity me, here I thought you wanted revenge for your mother’s death,” Madame Malaria said dryly.
Endera gawked. “I do, but it’s the same thing, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” Madame Malaria arched one brow. “Did Abigail steal Odin’s Stone? I rather think you helped with that. Did she make your mother go to the fortress that night? No—Melistra arranged that herself. Did Abigail ask your mother to do the job Vertulious asked of her? No—your mother volunteered. So tell me, why do you blame her?”
“Because …” Endera looked fit to be tied. “If not for her, my mother would be alive.”
“So the fact she was born, which she had no control over, makes all of this her fault?”
“Yes.” But Endera looked uncertain, almost confused.
Madame Malaria patted her shoulder. “All I’m asking is that you look deeper into what it is you want—what it is this coven needs—and decide for yourself what the best course of action is.” She cupped Endera’s cheek. “I am truly sorry for the loss of your mother. Now leave us. I must speak with Abigail alone.”
Endera blinked, her eyes bright with unshed tears, then without even glancing at Abigail, she spun and left with Safina chasing her heels.
Hugo shifted on his feet, taking a step back. “I guess I should go too.”
The teacher snapped her fingers, halting him. “I heard what you said about finding an object to replace Odin’s Stone—one that could save the Orkadians. I think it’s brilliant.”
Abigail blinked in shock. “You do? I don’t understand.”
Her eyes darkened with worry. “Unchecked power can only lead to ruin. And with that horrid he-witch in control,” she shuddered, “I fear we will burn this world to the ground if we are not stopped. For that reason, I think this plan of yours is wise. And I know just the object you can choose. The hammer of Thor.”
Hugo choked.
Abigail’s jaw dropped open. “Um … that’s … I mean …”
“Not possible,” Hugo filled in. “Thor would never let his hammer go to help humans.”
Madame Malaria’s eyebrow went up. “Have you asked him?”
“No … but it’s … I mean … he’s Thor,” Hugo said. “And Mjolnir is the most powerful object the gods possess. I don’t see why he would give it up to help some humans defeat the witches.”
Madame Malaria smiled grimly. “It won’t be used to defeat us—just to remind my sisters and that he-witch they have much to lose if they pursue this foolish war. We need to restore that balance. Isn’t that what you said?”
Suddenly Hugo’s idea sounded brilliant. He preened. “Yes.”
“But if I go after Thor’s hammer, surely I’ll be kicked out of the coven for good,” Abigail said.
Madame Malaria fluttered a hand. “Oh, you won’t be going after the hammer. You’ll be going after Hugo to stop him. Tell Madame Hestera what you suspect. Convince her you’re the only one who can get close enough to derail his plans.”
“What if she doesn’t believe me?”
“She might not. But it will make her think twice about rushing into this war—and it might buy some time. She’ll be curious enough to send you along.”
They stared at the professor, who seemed to have lost her mind.
“This is not going to end well,” Abigail said with a sigh.
Madame Malaria shrugged. “No, but it might be our only hope of preventing a terrible outcome set in motion when you brought that vile man back. You must get Thor’s hammer and take it to the Orkadians—but be careful who you trust. If they use it against us, this will all have been for not.”
“How do we find Thor?” Hugo asked.
Her eyes gleamed. “Rumor is Thor is hunting wild boar in Jotunheim.”
“Jotunheim?” Hugo’s eyes grew wide. “But that’s the—”
“Realm of the giants, yes,” she said matter-of-factly.
“But how will we get there?” Abigail asked.
“Word is a certain sailor named Jasper can be hired to do journeys such as this.” Madame Malaria clapped her hands. “I must go. Trust in each other and you won’t go wrong.” The professor snapped her fingers and disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.