Chapter 1- New Furnishing

As we drove up to the school a flood of memories from my last few semesters came to me. I was momentarily drowned by them, because really, I have had enough stories from this place to fill half the history books in our library, and our library is huge. I mean really huge, according to Liz there are more history books in there than anywhere in the country, and I have learned that Liz's statistics are usually right, especially when it comes to books. When I stepped out of the limo all I did was stare at the mansion in front of me.

"I've got some work to do before the welcome back dinner, so why don't you go set up your room. I hear Macey is back already." My mom said as she walked away from the limo. Let me mention that my mom is not only a spy but also the headmistress of the Gallagher Academy, so we are usually the first one's back from break. At least we used to be until Macey McHenry joined our school. Not being able to stand her parents any longer means she usually beats us back by a week.

As I started for the huge ornate doors to our school, I wondered when Bex and Liz would arrive so that the four of us could begin our next semester together, and hopefully, Bex and I would see Sublevel 2.

After I found Macey in the library we started on our way upstairs. On our way up Liz joined us having had just arrived. 9 seconds later Bex was by our side as well, and we made our way upstairs in step with each other. Everything felt just as it should until we arrived at our room and were shocked.

Let me tell you, being spies it takes someone extremely good to surprise us. By 'someone extremely good' I mean spies, good spies.

When we opened the door to our room there was nothing there. Well, if nothing is considered 4 sleeping bags, 4 uniforms, and 4 individual toiletry bags. Let me make this clear. Usually when we arrive our suitcases are already up here on our beds, with 3 new uniform sets each, and on our pillows are our other personal bags. Something was obviously wrong. While I was wondering why Macey didn't mention this to us, Bex asked her.

"Macey, what happened?"

"I don't know, I've been moved in for a week and everything was normal this morning."

I was still speechless, but Liz turned to interrogation mode, so that she could try and find the answer. For Liz everything has a definite answer, and even though she's been a spy for a while she still doesn't understand that that's not always true. In fact, in a spies life 2+2 almost never equals 4.

"Macey" Liz said "when was the last time you were in here?"

"I don't know, 10:00ish."

"No Macey, the exact time."

"I don't know, I don't have a clock in my head yet." Macey was referring to the 'clocks' we have been trained to keep in our heads. We could tell you the time down to the tenth of a second after our second semester in school. This was the beginning of Macey's third semester but with the boys here last semester classes got interrupted and no one had yet to teach her. I'd have to remember to do that sometime soon, but first things first; we had to solve this mystery.

"Guys relax" I said, attempting to reassure them as much as myself. "Macey is doing her best; she's as clueless as the rest of us. I'm sure there's some explanation. I'll just talk to my mom, I'm sure she can tell us what's going on."

"Okay" Bex instantly agreed glad to take some action. "Let's go."

"Dinner's going to start soon and my mom said she had some work to do. Let's head downstairs, and I'll talk to her later."

"I think Cam is right guys." Macey said, casting me a grateful look for stopping Liz from using illegal interrogation tactics (or maybe just body waxing) to get some answers. "Who knows, maybe they'll explain it all at dinner." With that she made her way to the door. With resigned looks, Liz and Bex followed.

On our way down to the dining hall I heard murmurs echoing my own thoughts. It turns out our room was not the only one that was 'refurnished' this year. I tried not to worry as I sat down next to my friends.

I turned to look where my mom was sitting at the head table. I couldn't read the look on her face as she glanced around the dining hall. When she stood and walked behind the podium the talking quieted to mummers and then silence.

"Women of Gallagher Academy, who comes here?" My mom asked starting the yearly speech.

We all stood together and said "We are the sisters of Gillian."

"Why do you come?" my mother asked.

"To learn her skills. Honor her sword. And keep her secrets."

"To what end do you work?"

"To the cause of justice and light."

"How long will you strive?"

"For all the days of our lives." We finished sitting back down.

"Welcome back. I'm sure we will all have a great year, but before we start I have an important announcement."