Hope opened the door to her dorm, raising an expectant eyebrow at Josie.
“I did what you asked,” she said.
“Good.” Hope held out her hands. “Hand it over.”
Josie reached down into her bag, pulling out Penelope’s magic journal. She passed it over reluctantly.
“Do you often steal from your girlfriend?” Hope smirked.
Josie yanked her bag into place. “You blackmailed me! I didn’t have any other choice.” 
“Hmm.” Hope nodded and narrowed her eyes. 
“You said you were gonna borrow it, so when do I get it back?” 
Hope set a hand on her door and started pushing it closed. “When I’m done with it.” She turned the lock and hugged the journal close to her chest.
She was holding every secret in the Salvatore School, and it felt strangely warm as if it were a living, breathing thing she held. She settled onto her bed and cracked the red book open.