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on a Saturday,” he said. “But for beating Auden Ironbound, I’m willing to make an exception.”
    â€œI really wish I could come with you guys,” Gabriella said wistfully.
    â€œDon’t worry about it,” Fiona told her. “It’s better that you show up for the soccer game like normal.”
    â€œYeah,” Mack agreed. He shifted uncomfortably. “Do you guys, uh, need me to come? My project is still really far behind. . . .”
    â€œI think we’ve got it under control,” Fiona said. “Darren and I were a pretty good team when we researched in the rare books room before.”
    â€œYeah, you should stay home and keep working on your comic,” Darren told Mack. “Practice makes perfect, after all. And speaking of practice . . .”
    Everyone turned to look as he held up his right hand and snapped his fingers. A shower of sparks flew into the air, like a burning log shifting in a campfire. The sparks hovered for a moment and then twinkled as they fell and faded.
    â€œDo it again!” Fiona cried.
    With a confident grin, Darren snapped his fingers several times. The shower flew fast, making a golden cloud. There was a strange expression on Gabriella’s face as she reached out to touch it.
    â€œDon’t—” Fiona began.
    But it was too late. They heard a sizzle, and then Gabriella sucked in her breath sharply and popped her index finger into her mouth.
    â€œOh man,” Darren said anxiously. “Did you get burned? I am so sorry, Gabriella. I would never—”
    â€œNot your fault,” Gabriella said, managing a smile. “I should know better than to play with fire.”
    â€œCat’s eyes,” Mack said suddenly, louder than he intended.
    â€œWhat?” Gabriella asked, and something like panic flashed in her face. “I don’t—I just looked in the mirror and they were fine .”
    â€œMaybe the sparks?” Fiona suggested. “I have this theory that Changer powers can feed off one another—”
    The final bell rang then, and as everyone grabbed their backpacks, Mack glanced at Gabriella’s eyes. “They’re still gold,” he whispered. “Maybe you should—”
    â€œGabriella,” Ms. Therian interrupted him. “Would you stay after class, please?”
    Gabriella nodded, looking miserable. She didn’t say a word.
    Way to go, Mack thought angrily. You just got her in trouble. Why can’t you learn to keep your mouth shut?
    Though Fiona and Darren headed toward the doors, Mack leaned down, pretending to tie his shoe. If Gabriella was going to be yelled at, he wanted to be there to stick up for her.
    â€œGabriella,” Ms. Therian began.
    â€œI know. I’m sorry. I don’t know why this keeps happening,” Gabriella spoke up, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Really, I’m trying my hardest to make sure—”
    â€œYou don’t need to apologize,” Ms. Therian told her, somehow sounding stern and sympathetic at the same time. “ Never apologize for who you truly are.”
    A long silence followed.
    â€œBut you do need to be careful,” Ms. Therian finally continued. “If you go out into the world before your transformation is complete, everyone could learn your secret. Our secret. I’d recommend cooling down more before practice ends. . . .”
    Mack couldn’t imagine what it would be like to transform when he least expected it. To have something so important be completely out of his control. He glanced at Gabriella out of the corner of his eye and tried to catch her attention. He wanted to smile, to wave, to do something to make her feel better.
    But Gabriella was staring at the floor . . . and she wouldn’t look up for anything.

Chapter 4
The Rare Books Room
    Despite his grumbling about the early start, Darren was ready and waiting for Fiona and her