chapter 96

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

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

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

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

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

He turns to the white board and writes “wwksf” 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, “no offense, Your Majesty.”

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

“Well, who has better handwriting?” Na