Another murder occurred at the end of Elvie’s second month on the Island.

The day started innocently enough, as she munched her way through a salad of bright greens and spiced chicken. Rilla and Elvie had made a pilgrimage to Ash House to meet Flynn and have breakfast, which served the dual purpose of allowing them to escape the newly established restraints of Ms Williams. The soft-spoken new house attendant for Elder had a no-nonsense attitude towards Rilla and Elvie, and the restrictions on what they could and couldn’t do were beginning to pile up.

‘It’s not spicy, is it?’ Flynn posed the question from a bench on the far side of the table. He’d never been a fan of spiced food.

She chewed and swallowed, grunting with approval. ‘Nice flavour, though we’re spoiled for taste now Goodwin has arrived. A bit too much chilli – ‘

A red-faced, wild-eyed student breached the common room with a yell. ‘Has anyone heard? Has anyone heard?’ He was definitely loud enough for everyone to hear. ‘There’s been another death… Master Demelza is dead!’

Elvie wasn’t sure what to expect, but it wasn’t the chaos that ensued. While she sat with a stunned expression on her face, students ran around haplessly. Several girls burst into tears, and restless energy buzzed across the room. Master Demelza was a beloved teacher, and while Elvie had never taken a class with her, anyone past the first year would have.

‘That’s enough!’ A firm voice took control as Ghirstwen entered the room. Her raised pitch savaged the ears of students and ensured a lull descended. ‘Every student will find a seat and sit down. Yes, you – find a seat, and sit down.’

Elvie didn’t need to move, but several students joined her on her bench whom she hadn’t met before.

Ghirstwen stood in the centre of the dining area with her arms rapidly moving as she cast. The spell moved too fast for Elvie’s novice eyes to follow. Ghirstwen had access to Willow House, which she had never tried to draw upon. It wasn’t a perfect house for mind or emotional manipulation, but the effect was instantaneous. A warmth blossomed beneath her breastbone and spread outwards, sneaking across her body like tendrils of a plant growing up a wall. As they spread they found purchase, and further tendrils of warmth took root. Students were soothed into a state of comfort, a state where it was difficult to be terrified. The 1930s did not seem to have as much of an issue controlling your mind or body, but at the moment, Elvie was too blissfully warm to care.

Spell finished, Ghirstwen resumed talking. ‘There will be no more running, or crying, at this time. This poorly delivered news… I am sad to say that it is true. Master Demelza has passed away. However, the investigation has not yet begun, her body has not yet been laid to rest. You will not persist with your fear and terror because is the last thing Master Demelza would have ever wanted to see in her students.’ That point cut home for many.

‘As we speak, guards are taking posts across all Houses and also within the walls. You will return to your rooms where you will be safe, while an appropriate response is determined. If you board individually, you will pair with others so no person is alone. In times of difficulty, fear and terror is the greatest challenge to addressing the problem. Do not let your fear overcome you.’

‘Now, your lessons will continue as scheduled. You will board the bus as scheduled and continue your day, as scheduled. If you have a problem with anything I have said, I will be waiting in the lounge to talk to you individually. Am I clear?’

Nods swept across the room.

‘If you need to take the time to mourn, that is understandable. But if you can – continue your day as normal. It is continuing the normal which will help us come to terms with what has occurred.’ Ghirstwen departed as swiftly as she came.

Those sitting beside Elvie left as shock registered across her face. ‘Two magicians dead now? What’s going on?’

Flynn shrugged, appearing unaffected by the news. ‘You never know, they could all be natural. We just don’t know because we haven’t been told anything.’

‘It’s so sad.’ Rilla said, voice cracking. ‘She was always so nice.’

Elvie rubbed her shoulder consolingly. ‘It doesn’t seem very natural. I thought we’d be safe here.’

‘We will be – now they suspect something more,’ Flynn said. ‘After the first Master passed, nobody would have known if it was natural or not. But two? That raises some questions, especially as Master Demelza wasn’t old. My guess is there will be many visits from mages across the country who decide that this is a nice place to stay for a while. You wait and see.’ He tried his salad and winced at the taste.