I scooted away, turned, and vomited. Eli stooped over me, holding my hair back from my face, his hands as gentle as my dad’s had been when I’d been sick as a kid.

“It’s all right,” he whispered, stroking my back.

By the time I finished, I heard the sound of more footsteps and someone calling my name. I looked up and saw Paul coming toward us down the main tunnel.

“Someone said they’d seen you…” The words died on his lips as he spotted Ankil’s body. He covered his nose and mouth to block out the stench. “What’s going on?”

Eli pointed at him. “Go get help.”

Paul hesitated a moment then took off at a run. I stayed where I was on the floor, not trusting my shaky legs to hold me up. Eli remained standing over me as if keeping guard. His eyes darted around the room, his body tense like he expected something to attack us.

When Paul finally returned, a bunch of people came with him, including Sheriff Brackenberry, Lady Elaine, and Mr. Marrow. I struggled to get up. Eli took me by the arm and helped me, still scanning the room. He didn’t let go as I swayed on my feet, but wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I leaned into his chest, grateful for the solid feel of him. I’d never felt more tired or sick in my whole life.

Across from us Lady Elaine knelt beside Ankil’s body then placed her hands on the charred skin of the arm with the missing hand. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she went into some kind of deep trance.

Paul came over and gave Eli a hard look before fixing his gaze on me. “Are you all right? I was worried when I couldn’t find you. Let me help.” He reached for my arm.

Eli pushed him off. “I’ve got her.”

Paul glowered, his hands curling into fists, but before he could do anything, Marrow and Brackenberry came over to us.

“What happened?” the sheriff asked. He was wearing a blue suit and pink waistcoat, his mask pushed up on top of his head.

“He was already on fire when we got here,” Eli said, his arm tightening around me. “We tried to put it out, but it was too late.”

I shook my head, unable to hold back tears. “It was my fault. I couldn’t do it.”

Paul wedged himself between me and Eli. From the corner of my eye I saw the dangerous look on Eli’s face. He raised one hand as if he meant to shove Paul off, but then he stepped back.

Paul slid his arm around me, and for a moment I wished it was still Eli, if only because he understood. He’d been there, too.

“It’s not your fault,” Paul said, kissing the top of my head.

Eli made a sound like a growl. “Of course it isn’t.”

“Did you see who did it?” asked Brackenberry.

Eli forced his arms to his sides, his muscles flexed and veins popping out. “No.”

Marrow looked between Eli and me, his expression stormy. “But why did you come down here? It’s too dangerous for students.”

Eli glanced at me, uncertain.

“I … uh…” My frantic mind searched for an explanation that didn’t involve my mother. I thought I’d been following her, but she couldn’t have done this. She wouldn’t.

“Dusty?” Marrow said.

I forced my eyes to his. “I … was following someone I thought looked suspicious, like maybe from a dream. Someone wearing one of those plague doctor masks.”

“I see,” said Brackenberry. He gazed around at the various tunnel openings. “They could be anywhere by now.”

“Can I take Dusty home, Mr. Marrow?” asked Paul. “She’s been through enough.”

Marrow glanced at the sheriff. “Is that all right with you?”

Brackenberry nodded, but he pointed at Eli. “As long as this one stays for a bit to answer questions.”

“Because that’s going to make such a difference,” Eli muttered.

“Come on,” Paul said, prodding me forward.

I let him guide me along without protest. I wanted nothing more than to get away from that terrible burnt smell clogging the corridor. I had a feeling a part of me might go on smelling it forever.

More people began to file into the corridor as we walked, several werewolf police and a couple of Magi Senators. I wondered what all of them were doing here. Magi and police didn’t normally attend high school dances. They must’ve suspected something would happen. Not that it had done any good.

My mother appeared in the corridor. I was afraid to look at her, but I couldn’t turn away. My eyes took in the sight of her outfit, the same suit and cape she’d been wearing before, the same mask now hung from her side. If she’d been down in this tunnel, if she’d been the one to murder Mr. Ankil, there was no evidence of it on her person that I could tell. But then, her magic wouldn’t leave evidence.

I pulled my gaze away from her, close to vomiting again.

“Are you all right, Destiny?” Moira stepped in front of us, blocking the way.

“I’m fine.”

Her brow furrowed. “You don’t look it. What have you been doing? What did I tell you about not getting involved in this? It’s dangerous.”

Oh yeah? What have you been doing, Mom?

“I’m sorry, Ms. Everhart,” said Paul, “but I’m supposed to get her back to her dorm.”

“The hell you are,” said Moira, her eyes sparkling with outrage. “You take her to the infirmary. Look at her feet. She can barely walk.”

A flush colored Paul’s cheeks, and we both glanced down. My feet were covered in filth and no small amount of blood. For a moment I worried that it wasn’t my blood but Mr. Ankil’s. Then I realized how sore the soles of my feet were and guessed I’d cut them on the rough floor.