As the poorly marked bottle of digitalis rests in the palm of her hand a light flickers in the recesses of her mind. It immediately goes dim, and cannot place any valid reason for her sudden overwhelming feeling of panic. She locks the small jar into the top drawer of her desk. She completes her grading, and closes the grade book.
Just as Ada situates herself in her chair the phone rings. She sighs as she lifts the receiver to her ear.
"Cackles Academy," she greets.
"Miss Cackles I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier today. I was out of line. I firmly understand your reservations."
"Is that why you are calling?"
"No. I am not going to grovel for a job that I never stood a chance at. I do ask that you hear me out on another matter."
"Mister Ravenfeather, there is nothing to discuss."
"You have to tell her. I am concerned what consequences may reek havoc on an unsuspecting party."
Ada furrows her brow, "I know a scheme when I hear one."
"I am begging you."
"This is precisely why you cannot be at the academy. It is far too great a risk."
"I am good. Why can't you believe that? I know that you have seen enough chaos and despair. I can see that you are trying to protect everyone involved. I know how deep everyone was sucked into the abyss."
"I do not break vows that I make."
"You are making a mistake. Some things are stronger than the binds of magic. You know this."
"I can empathize with your situation. I simply cannot take the chance that you are leading me astray. I will not place the well-being of my faculty, pupils, or the academy at risk."
The following day Ada must attend a meeting off campus. She asks Hecate to do a preliminary review of the new stack of candidates for vacant position. Hecate sits at Ada's desk, and reads through each candidate as she sips her tea. Each one is as bland, and boring as the next. Not a single thing sticks out about any of them, not even their names.
"Impossible," she signs as she neatly returns the stack to the surface of the desk.
Her mind wanders to a name that does stick in her mind. She opens the desk drawer searching for the CV of a young Mr. Ravenfeather. She finds herself unable to locate it. Ada materializes as she reorganizes the desk drawer.
"I hope that you had better luck than I did," Ada removes her hat.
"How could I have any luck with the most humdrum list of candidates ever offered in the history of the academy?"
"They all have plenty of relevant experience. I will happily agree to whomever you would like to choose."
Hecate furrows her brow as she vacates Ada's seat, "Remind me what was wrong with the first candidate?"
"Young, inexperienced. The list goes on."
"I was hoping to find his CV for comparison to the dull list that is currently available."
"You won't find it here. I tossed it."
"You have been entirely out of character since you interviewed Mr. Ravenfeather."
"It simply is not a good fit."
"Does he lack the appropriate qualification?"
"He lacks the ability to adhere to the Cackles way. Hecate, let this one go."
She pauses, "I desperately want to."
"I get the sense that I am not going to soon hear the end of this."
Hecate purses her lips, "I have no explanation why."
"You are desperate to stare into the abyss."
"What does the abyss have to do with Mr. Ravenfeather?"
"Only everything."
"Omission has never set well with me."
"It is for your own good, I assure you."
"Need I remind you that I am not a credulous pupil?"
"Hecate, I simply cannot answer this."
"And why is that?"
"I made a promise."
"To whom?"
She furrows her brow, "To an old friend. I do not break promises. I am begging you to let the sand slip through your hands on this one."
"I can't," Hecate answers obstinately as her pain scrawls itself across her face.
"How can I make you understand that you must let this one go? There will be dire consequences if you don't."
"Is that a threat?"
"That is the reality of the matter! You cannot refill a dam once it has broken Hecate!"
"I assume that Mr. Ravenfeather knows of this promise. I could simply ask him."
"You are being driven by a force that you must stop. Hecate you mustn't open Pandora's box. As your superior, and as your friend I am imploring you to derail this train before it leaves the station."
The shrill sound of a ringing phone interrupts their conversation. With a subtle nod Hecate evacuates the office.