Hecate watches Ada fastidiously as she makes relevant announcements. From the cadence of her voice to her micro-expressions it is evident that something has gone awry. Hecate tries dismiss the sinking feeling as her superior dismisses the room.
"Miss Hardbroom, Miss Drill I will need you to stick around a moment longer."
The other faculty members file out of the room. The last one closes the door on their way into the hall.
"Is this about selection day preparations?" Dimity queries.
"Unfortunately I have egregious news that we must discuss. It has nothing to do with selection day."
Hecate remains oddly silent.
"Don't keep us waiting," Dimity insists.
"I have received a recent report that a ghastly crime has been committed."
"At Cackles?" Dimity questions.
"The crime did not occur her. It has been identified that there was a predator at the council's summer mixer."
Dimity shoots a look at Hecate.
Hecate tilts her head, "The mixer that we attended?"
"One in the same. Two faculty members from other academies have…" she trails off.
"What kind of predator are we referring to? Magical, mythical?" Dimity probes.
"The kind of predator that preys on unsuspecting victims."
"A thief?" Dimity proposes.
"An opportunist with a twisted sense of right and wrong. A thief of sorts, but not the kind who steals petty cash, or priceless trinkets. The council has launched an investigation."
"What matter are they investigating?" Hecate tries to gain clarity.
"A faculty member at Amethyst has fallen pregnant."
"The mixer is quite a social event, why was an investigation launched?" Dimity fails to comprehend.
"A faculty member from a yet to be named academy has also fallen pregnant. It would seem that neither party has any recollection of the event of conception. Both have been linked to the council mixer."
"Sounds like conjecture," Hecate suggests.
"I do not have every detail, but the council was confident that a crime had been committed. There is concern that something was mixed into an alcoholic agave beverage. Interviews are being conducted, and female faculty who attended, of a certain age are encouraged to see the nurse at their academy."
"This sounds like a plot from a ludicrous daytime television show."
"That may be, Dimity, but the council's recommendations remain. Though they are not mandatory they are highly encouraged."
"I am allergic to agave," Dimity points out, "And Hecate is allergic to fun, so I don't think you need to lend any concern in our direction."
"I do not appreciate the sentiment, Dimity, but I did not drink the agave as it reeked of Myristica fragrans."
Dimity furrows her brow, "You skipped out because of a dash of nutmeg?"
"You didn't notice how overwhelmingly pungent it was?" Hecate counters.
"Hecate, are you certain?" Ada furrows her brow.
"My sense of smell is as keen as a blood hound. I do not misinterpret ingredients in a potion."
"Or cocktails, apparently," Dimity jabs.
"Nutmeg does not belong in an agave cocktail."
"Dimity I wouldn't question her on this. Despite the stick in the mud façade Hecate typically wears I do recall a time when she used her knowledge of potions for something other than her cauldron. As you know she rarely backs down from a challenge. During her last year as a pupil Hecate won the first, and the last Cackle's Brew cup."
"Cackle's brew? Hecate what is she rambling about?"
"A friendly competition to see who could brew the best cocktail. Unfortunately after the competition several of us found ourselves prisoners of the academy nurse as we overcame the effects of alcohol poisoning."
"I am certain that the trophy is still in her possession," Ada adds.
"I didn't know you had it in you."
"Nutmeg does not belong in an agave cocktail. If left uncooked toxicity can be reached at a much lower level. The effects can linger for up to seventy two hours."
"Are you sure it wasn't the snickerdoodle cookies?" Dimity queries.
"They were three tables away," Hecate recalls.
"What would happen if someone overdosed on nutmeg?" Dimity allows her mind to wander right through her open mouth.
"Altered physical state, nausea, disturbances in memory."
"Hecate the council may want to discuss this with you. I will pass this along to them. Please see the nurse before the girls arrive for selection day."
Hecate scowls, "Certainly I do not qualify as a woman of a certain age."
"Based on the concrete age guidelines that the council provided, yes. The two of you are dismissed."
That evening Hecate is in the process of brushing her hair when there is a knock at her door. She sighs in frustration as she places the brush on her vanity.
"You may enter," she growls.
Dimity enters the room in her casual pajamas.
"This is all very far-fetched, isn't it?"
"I do not see how two individuals is enough to launch an investigation. The alcohol was top-shelf, high octane, and the attendants were very generous with their pours."
"How long did you study mixology before winning the Cackle's Brew cup?"
"My arrogance cost me the first chance at the cup. I actually won the second cup, which is why I failed to produce the trophy when asked."
"You prepared for an entire year?"
"As a youth my tolerance for tomfoolery was greater, and my drive to succeed was unrivaled. My foolish decision nearly prevented me from attending graduation. I learned my lesson."