This was something Simon had learned about Baz in six years: He could turn from peevish to dangerous in half a heartbeat.
But Simon still hadnt learned not to rise to the bait. Rabbits! he blurted out. Im looking for rabbits.
Rabbits? Baz looked confused, caught mid-snarl.
Six white hares.
Why?
I dont know! Simon shouted. I just am. I got a letter. There are six white hares on school grounds, and they lead to something
To what?
I. Dont. Know. Something dangerous.
And I dont suppose, Baz said, leaning against the pole, resting his forehead on the wood, that you know who sent it.
No.
It could be a trap.
Theres only one way to find out. Simon wished he could stand and face Baz without tipping the boat; he hated the way Baz was talking down to him.
You really think that, Baz scoffed, dont you? You really think that the only way to sort out whether something is dangerous it to barrel right into it.
What else would you suggest?
You could ask your precious Mage, for starters. You could run it past your swotty friend. Her brain is so enormous, it pushes her ears out like a monkeysmaybe she could shed some light.
Simon yanked on Bazs cloak and made him lose his balance. Dont talk about Penelope like that.
The punt wobbled, and Baz recovered his cool stance. Have you talked to her? Have you talked to anyone?
No, Simon said.
Six hares, is it?
Yes.
How many have you found so far?
Four.
So youve got the one in the cathedral and the one on the drawbridge
You know about the hare on the drawbridge? Simon sat back, startled. That took me three weeks to find.
That doesnt surprise me, Baz said. Youre not very observant. Do you even know my first name? He started pushing them through the water againpushing them toward the dock, Simon hoped.
Its it begins with a T.
Its Tyrannus, Baz said. Honestly. So the cathedral, the drawbridge, and the nursery
Simon clambered to his feet, pulling himself up by Bazs cloak. The punt bobbed. The nursery?
Baz lowered an eyebrow. Of course.
This close, Simon could see the purple bruises under Bazs eyes, the web of dark blood vessels in his eyelids. Show me.
Baz shruggedpractically shudderedaway from Simon and out of the boat. Simon jerked forward and grabbed a post on the dock to keep the boat from floating away.
Come on, Baz said.
Cath realized that shed started doing Simon and Bazs voicesat least doing the version of their voices that she heard in her head. She glanced over at Levi to see if hed noticed. He was holding his cup with both hands against his chest and resting his chin on top, like it was keeping him warm. His eyes were open but unfocused. He looked like a little kid watching TV.
Cath turned back to her computer before he caught her watching him.
It took longer to put the boat away than it had to get it out, and by the time it was tied up, Simons hands were wet and freezing.
They hurried back into the fortress, side by side, both of them pushing
their fists into their pockets.
Baz was taller, but their strides matched exactly.
Simon wondered whether theyd ever walked like this before. In six yearssix years of always walking in the same directionhad they ever once fallen into step?
Here, Baz said, catching Simons arm and stopping at a closed door. Simon would have walked right past this door. He must have a thousand timesit was on the main floor, near the professors offices.
Baz tried the handle. It was locked. He pulled his wand out of his pocket and started murmuring. The door came open suddenly, almost as if the knob were reaching for Bazs pale hand.
How did you do that? Simon asked.
Baz just sneered and strode forward. Simon followed. The room was dark, but he could see that it was a place for children. There were toys and pillows, and train tracks that wound around the room in every direction.
What is this place?
Its the nursery, Baz said in a hushed voice. As if children might be sleeping in the room right now.
Why does Watford need a nursery?
It doesnt, Baz said. Not anymore. Its too dangerous here now for children. But this used to be the place where the faculty brought their children while they worked. And other magical children could come, too, if they wanted to get an early start on their development.
Did you come here?
Yes, from the time I was born.
Your parents must have thought you needed a lot of extra help.
My mother was the headmaster, you idiot.
Simon turned to look at Baz, but he couldnt quite see the other boys face in the dark. I didnt know that.
He could hear Baz roll his eyes. Shocking.
But Ive met your mother.
Youve met my stepmother, Baz said. He stood very still.
Simon matched his stillness. The last headmaster, he said, watching Bazs profile. Before the Mage came, the one who was killed by vampires.
Bazs head fell forward like it was weighted with stones. Come on. The hare is this way.
The next room was wide and round. Cribs lined the walls on each side, with small, low futons placed in a circle in the middle. At the far end was a huge fireplacehalf as tall as the high, curved ceiling. Baz whispered into his hand and sent a ball of fire blazing through the grate. He whispered again, twisting his hand in the air, and the blue flames turned orange and hot. The room came to life a bit around them.