“You shouldn’t touch that needle. We don’t know what’s inside,” Grace said to Noah.
“Someone grab a forensic kit from the infirmary,” Michael barked the order, appearing behind them. “Where’s the doctor?”
“It’s Sunday. The majority of the school staff aren’t here,” one of the students reminded Michael.
Grace saw more students gathering on the porch and talking among themselves.
“Were we attacked again?” Michael asked. “Did they come for the new professor?”
“They came for Grace,” Darren replied.
Michael frowned. “First, the angel crown prince, now they attack his niece. Someone is targeting the Celestials.”
“Your reasoning isn’t wrong on this one,” Noah said, joining Grace. He had covered his hand with his sleeve to hold the syringe and not tamper with the fingertips.
“We need to call the authorities,” Lori said from among the group of students.
“And call the headmaster,” Noah added. “Until we understand what’s going on, we are on high alert. No one lets anyone enter the premises. Not even delivery guys. Understood?” He faced the students and some of the teachers who had gathered outside.
Miss Steller—the Spells, Enchantments, and Telepathy teacher—pushed past the students and offered Noah a small plastic bag for him to store the syringe. “Is it broken?”
“No, it’s intact,” Noah replied to her question.
“Good. It might be dangerous to us, too. Once Dr. Chambery returns, he can analyze its contents.”
“We should form groups and scout the premises,” Mrs. Allain proposed. She was another teacher.
“That’s a good idea,” Michael said, coming closer.
“Michael and Mrs. Allain can form the teams. Grace needs to stay indoors. I’ll call the headmaster and see if he wants us to call the authorities before he arrives,” Noah said.
“If he’s still alive,” Michael added.
Grace punched his arm. “Stop with the negativity. Of course, Grandpa is alive.”
“Your uncle is dead. Someone just tried to kill you. The headmaster might be in danger.”
“I didn’t think about that,” Grace mumbled with a pensive expression. “Noah, we should call him asap.”
“The headmaster’s car is at the front gate,” a student announced, exiting the mansion.
“We should make sure it’s really the headmaster and not someone posing as him,” Noah recommended. “Did someone open the gate?”
The student nodded. “I didn’t know.”
Noah looked back, and everybody stared at the path that gave access to the front of the mansion.
A black car slowly drove to where they were.