Chapter 26

VALERIA “What on earth…” I trail off, stepping back and letting go of the mop. I bump into Celeste, who doesn’t even notice. She’s too busy gaping at the trapdoor behind the painting. I admit, I did assume that maybe trapdoors like these are common in a magic school. But judging by the look on Celeste’s face, it turns out to be not that common. She’s the Head Girl, so if this is common knowledge, she would know. But she looks just as stunned as I am. I swallow hard. “Can you get me the ladder? I’ll put the painting back on top of the door.” It takes her a while to answer, but when she finally does, all her amazement is gone and now her usual cranky self is back in full force. “What? You want to put the painting back? I have to say, I didn’t know you’re such a pussy.” “You’re not considering going through that door,” I say in disbelief. She sneers. “Not considering. I already decided. Now get out of my way.” With that, she pushes me aside and takes the ladder herself. She climbs