The Alchemists Academy: Stones to Ashes Book 1 by Kailin Gow

cannot go, because that would look like me letting her join a Quest, and you boys can’t just go wandering around the girls’ rooms unsupervised. I suppose Alana could go alone…”
    “Or,” Alana suggested, “I could just happen to invite my friends Spencer and Wirt to our room, and you, Ms. Lake, could be there as a chaperone.”
    Wirt liked that idea. Particularly the part where Alana referred to him as her friend.
    Ms. Lake made a thoughtful sound. “I suppose that might work. Come on then.”
    Another whirlwind fast trip followed, leaving the four of them on a landing that looked a lot like the one that led to Wirt and Spencer’s room. Alana led the way to one of the doors, pushing it open.
    It showed, as well. It was clearly a room of two halves. One half was, if not neat, then at least only normally messy, with schoolbooks mixed up with some modern-looking clothes and a few personal possessions. A leather-bound diary stood at one end of a bookshelf crammed with a mixture of new and ancient looking books, while a picture of two smiling parents sat by that half’s bed.
    The other half looked like it had been hit by a whirlwind. One that had previously stopped off at a dressmaker’s shop. Shoes lay scattered on the floor, while broadsheets promising such delights as “Beauty Meets the Beast: The Inside Scoop on Earl Billan’s Masked Ball” competed for space on the bed with more soft toys than Wirt had ever seen in one place. A small cabinet boasted a mirror, a makeup bag large enough that it should probably have been called a makeup sack, and yet more teddy bears.
    Priscilla sat on the edge of the bed, apparently unconcerned by the chaos around her. She looked up with a smile as they entered.
    “Does this mean I get to help?” she asked. Ms. Lake held up her hands.
    “Don’t ask me, Priscilla. Strictly speaking, I’m not even here.”
    Priscilla’s brow creased. “But you’re standing right there.”
    Alana sat on the bed, putting an arm around Priscilla’s shoulders and explaining the difference between what was really happening and what was officially happening quite slowly. Since it seemed to be taking a while, Wirt stepped over to the cabinet mirror, deciding that it would be better if they just take action. Spencer joined him.
    “So,” Wirt said, “do you have any idea how to work one of these things?”
    Spencer shook his head. The cabinet mirror’s stand was an ornate glittery confection of gold and silver. The oval of glass looked utterly plain compared to everything that surrounded it. “Priscilla,” Spencer asked, “how do we make your mirror work?”
    Priscilla looked to her roommate. “If they’re not really here, am I supposed to answer?”
    “Yes, Priscilla.”
    “ Priscilla .” Alana’s voice held a note that made it clear to Wirt exactly who would be giving the orders once the princess needed an advisor.
    “Oh. Um… you just say a rhyme. It has to start with “mirror, mirror” though. And it helps if it’s relevant to what you want.”
    Spencer looked to Wirt.
    “Are you any good with rhymes? I can’t think of anything.”
    Wirt tried to think. “How about “Mirror mirror… standing up, tell us where to find the cup”? Do you think that will work?”
    “Well,” the voice from the mirror sounded female, middle aged, and rather sharp. It matched the gray-haired, beak nosed head that appeared in it, “it is hardly Keats, but I suppose it will have to do. Now, are you sure you don’t want me to give you some fashion tips? You might not be the fairest of them all now, but I am sure I could soon have the girls throwing themselves at you. Just look at what I’ve done for the princess.”
    Wirt looked. Specifically, he looked at the mess of overblown, rather flowery dresses. “No, thanks. I just need to find a chalice that was stolen earlier today.”
    “Well, if you’re sure…” there was a pause, and the Head spun round once or twice. “Now that’s