Chapter 64

Two days later, we had a secret meeting in the conference room at Aconitum Hall. Just Owen, me, Hannah, Ryan, and of course, Xiao, who stands by, guarding the door.

Hannah has us all set up, with whiteboards and different colored markers— “to stay organized!”—as well as notebooks, pens, highlighters, and all types of stuff we don’t need.

“You just wanted to take a trip to the office supply store,” I accused her.

“I can neither confirm nor deny,” she answers, contentedly stroking a pack of gel pens.

“While the abundance of stationary is impressive,” Owen begins, “Let’s start with what we know so far.”

The whiteboard reads and writes “weeks” in the upper left corner.

All of us, even Xiao, make alarmed noises at the chaotic shape of the letters.

“How about someone with better handwriting?” Ryan suggests, tacking on a hasty, Nono offense, Your Majesty.”

“He doesn’t get to take offense here,” I remind Ryan. “Remember, this is informal.”

“Well, who has better handwriting?” Owen demands, an