Accidentally Evil Read Free Page B

thump. They sit on the end of the row and keep their eyes straight ahead. They say nothing. It’s textbook Intimidation 101. But I know the truth about Kendall, and I know the truth about me. And all the glares and cold shoulders in the world can’t change the fact that I’m more powerful than she will ever be.
    My mind wanders as the headmistress takes the stage and introduces herself. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was the exact same speech she gave last year. Complete with sweeping arm motions and a booming, theatrical voice. Her makeup is dramatic, and she oozes authority. No one does scary witch better than Head­mistress Fallon.
    As she raises her arms, her wooden wand in one hand, the candle flame in front of her stretches, stretches, stretches until it’s nearly as tall as she is.
    â€œSo cool,” Ivy says under her breath.
    And it is. Way cool.
    The headmistress’s voice is solemn but loud.
    â€œDowling sisters, your powers proclaim,
    your right of lineage by Saffra’s name.
    A witch can give success in love,
    curse or bless through Saffra above.
    Speak to beasts and spirits alike,
    command the weather, cast out a blight.
    Read the heavens and stars of the night,
    divine the future and give good advice.
    Conjure treasure and bring fortune to bear,
    heal the sick and kill despair.
    This is your birthright to have and to share.
    Blessings, my sisters;
    may the spirits be fair.”
    She lowers her hands, and the flame of the candle lowers with them. The smug look on her face says she hasn’t grown tired of that little trick. A crowd-pleaser, my dad would call it.
    The thought of my dad drives a blade of sadness through me. I love Dowling, but I miss my family when I’m gone.
    The headmistress rambles on and on and on about how wonderful Dowling is and how this is going to be the best year in Dowling history.
    She stops abruptly, then clears her throat. “Well . . . I guess I’m rambling a bit. I do get excited at the beginning of the year.”
    My eyes shoot up, and I remember too late that the headmistress is clairaudient, which makes her one of the people who can hear my thoughts. I have to learn how to keep my thoughts hidden. I’ve tried—over and over—without success. It’s only a million times harder than it sounds.
    â€œBefore we dismiss, I’d like to introduce our dorm mothers.”
    The headmistress turns to the women behind her, and I swear I see her shake her head at the sight of Miss A. Lucky Seekers. It would almost be worth repeating my first year to have her again. Other than Miss A, I can hardly distinguish one dorm mother from the other, but I listen and watch anyway, waiting to see who we will get this year.
    The headmistress is down to the last two dorm moms: Miss A and a toothpick of a woman next to her that I­recognize from last year. “We’ve had a slight change in dorm mom assignments this year.”
    That gets our attention. Dowling doesn’t do change.
    â€œAt her insistence, Miss A will be moving upstairs to stay with this year’s Crafters.”
    I grab Ivy’s hand and slap my other hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.
    Miss A looks directly at me and winks.
    Thank you. I think the words as clearly and deliberately as possible. I hope Miss A heard me, but I can’t tell from looking at her face.
    â€œYou’re welcome.” The words are soft, but they aren’t Miss A’s. That’s when I realize the headmistress said it. I have to stop projecting my thoughts. Emergencies only.
    â€œDorm mothers,” the headmistress says, more loudly this time, intended for everyone to hear, not just me. “Please escort your girls to the dining room.”
    Zena and Kendall are the first to leave the room. They don’t have the same affection for Miss A that Ivy and I do. Zena is old-school. She likes her witches threatening. Heartless.
    Miss A has