There was music playingsleepy, electronic musicbut not too loud. And somebody was burning incense.
There were plenty of people still thereall older than Cath, at least as old as Leviand they were mostly just talking. Two guys standing next to the stereo were sort of dancing, sort of just being silly, and they didnt seem to care that they were the only ones.
Cath stood as close as she could to Reagans back and tried not to be obvious about looking for Levi. (Inside her head, Cath was standing on tiptoe with her hand over her eyes, scanning the horizon for ships.)
Everybody there knew Reagan. Somebody handed them each a beer, and Cath took hers but didnt open it. It was Levis roommate. One of them. Almost everybody Cath met in the next few minutes was one of Levis roommates. She looked right through them.
Maybe Levi was in the bathroom.
Maybe hed already gone to bed. Maybe Cath could climb into his bed like Goldilocks, and if he woke up, shed just say later and run away. Goldilocks plus Cinderella.
Reagan had finished half a beer before she asked somebody, Wheres Levi?
The person, a guy with a beard and black Ray-Ban frames, looked around the living room. Kitchen, maybe?
Reagan nodded like she didnt care. Because she doesnt really, Cath thought.
Come on, she said to Cath. Lets go find him. And then, when theyd walked away from everyone else: Be cool.
The house had three big front rooms that were all connectedliving room, dining room, and sunroomand the kitchen was in the back, through a narrow doorway. Cath stuck close behind Reagan, so Reagan saw Levi before Cath was even through the door. Shit, Cath heard her whisper.
Cath stepped into the kitchen.
Levi was leaning back against the sink. (Levi. Always leaning.) He had a bottle of beer in one hand, the same hand he was pressing into a girls back.
The girl looked
older than Cath. Even with her eyes closed. Levis other hand was tangled in her long, blond hair, and he was kissing her with his mouth smiling and open. He made it look so easy.
Cath looked down immediately and walked out of the kitchen, walked straight through the house to the front door. She knew Reagan was right behind her because she could hear her muttering. Shit, shit, shit.
But I dont understand, Simon stammered, what is the Insidious Humdrum? Is he a man?
Perhaps. The Mage wiped the grit from his eyes and swept his wand out in front of them. Olly olly oxen free, he whispered. Simon braced himself, but nothing happened.
Perhaps hes a man, the Mage said, recovering his wry smile. Perhaps hes something else, something less, I should think.
Is he a magician? Like us?
No, the Mage said severely. Of that we can be certain. Heif indeed he is a he is the enemy of magic. He destroys magic; some think he eats it. He wipes the world clean of magic, wherever he can.
Youre too young to hear this, Simon. Eleven is too young. But it isnt fair to keep it from you any longer. The Insidious Humdrum is the greatest threat the World of Mages has ever faced. Hes powerful, hes pervasive. Fighting him is like fighting off sleep when youre long past the edge of exhaustion.
But fight him we must. You were recruited to Watford because we believe the Humdrum has taken a special interest in you. We want to protect you; I vow to do so with my life. But you must learn, Simon, as soon as possible, how best to protect yourself.
from chapter 23, Simon Snow and the Mages Heir, copyright © 2001 by Gemma T. Leslie
SEVENTEEN
They didnt talk in the car. And Cath didnt cry. She was grateful for that. She already felt like such a fool.
Because she was one.
What had she been thinkingthat Levi really liked her? How could she have believed that, especially after shed spent the last two days explaining to herself all the reasons he never would.
Maybe shed thought it was possible because Reagan thought it was possible, and Reagan wasnt anybodys fool.
When they got back to the dorms, Reagan stopped Cath from getting out of the car. Wait.
Cath sat, holding the passenger door open.
Im sorry, Reagan said. I really didnt expect that to happen.
I just want to pretend that it didnt, Cath said, feeling tears burning again in her eyes. I dont want to talk about thisand, I mean, I know hes your best friend, but I really dont want you to talk to him about tonight. Or about me. Ever. I already feel like such an ass.
Sure, Reagan said, whatever you want.
I want to pretend this didnt happen.
Okay.
* * *
Reagan was good at not talking about things.
She didnt mention Levi for the rest of the weekend. He called Cath Saturday morning, but she didnt pick up. A few seconds later, Reagans phone rang.
Dont ignore him on my account, Cath said. It never happened.
Hey, Reagan said into the phone. Yeah All right Just call me when youre downstairs. Cath is trying to study.
A half hour later, Reagans phone rang again, and she got up to leave. See ya, she said.
Cath nodded. Later.
Levi tried calling Cath again that weekend. Twice. And once he sent her a text that said, so they found the 5th hare, now what? will trade gingerbread lattes and pumkin bread for this information.