In the beta-testing hub the next afternoon, Mr. Chon stopped everyone before they took their usual sim chairs. Jennet curled her fingers into her palms, the nails digging in. When she’d told Tam at school that her dad was pulling them off the team, he’d frozen for a heartbeat. Then he’d folded his arms, green eyes hard with determination. They were going to wake the Elder Fey today, no matter what.
I“We’re mixing the groups up this afternoon,” Mr. Chon said. “And the seating arrangements as well. Jennet and Spark, I want you two down at the end. Gear up and enter game right away. Talk to the Elvish ambassadors at the front gates of Stronghold—you’ll be questing in Pelemor Forest today.”
“But… shouldn’t we wait for the others?” Jennet asked.
Mr. Chon shook his head. “I want a staggered e
