Chapter Two: Escape

The guild masters had long ago given up on trying to prevent them from leaving their quarters at night. Nothing from spells to physical restraints could stop their escape when they wanted to leave. The compromise was twofold: no destruction, and back by breakfast.

Aidan met the twins in their usual spot in the courtyard by the statue of Osric the Elder.

“What are we doing?” Beca asked.

“There’s a book of invisibility spells in the library,” Aidan said. “It’s in the restricted section.”

“More detention if they catch us,” Bryn said.

“How many weeks of detention do we have?” Aidan said. “What’s one more day?”

“Master Ifan says true invisibility is impossible,” Beca said.

“Why is that?” he asked.

“Something about matter and the reflection of light,” she said. “Invisibility spells are more properly called camouflage spells. True invisibility cannot be achieved.”

“We are magicians,” Aidan said. “Everything we do seems impossible.”

He led the girls to the library, where Beca cast a spell that turned solid matter into gas, allowing them to pass through the wall like a door and avoid the ward that secured the entrance.

Aidan was obsessed with invisibility and knew every spell ever invented to mask one’s appearance from perception. He had created several spells of his own, and he was determined to discover true invisibility in spite of the pronouncement of every master in the guild that it couldn’t be done.

“Aidan,” Bryn said. “There are no books in the restricted section.”