Escape from the Isle of the Lost (Descendants 4)

“If something happens, you owe me for predicting it correctly,” said Celia with a smirk. “I take gold coins. Lots of them.”

“How can we forget?” said Jay drily.

They said good-bye to Celia, and Evie sent her off with the leftovers. Mal locked the door behind her.

“Do you really think Uma’s back on the Isle?” asked Carlos, when it was just the four of them.

“Anything’s possible,” said Mal. “We?

??ll keep watch.”

“Okay, I’ll take the first shift,” said Jay.

“Uma again,” said Evie with a sigh. She supposed that, on an island full of villains, they should be glad there was only one to worry about, but it was a fitful night’s sleep nevertheless.

hen he lived on the Isle, Jay used to sleep in until noon, but now that he was an Auradon kid, he was up bright and early the next day—even if he had been up all night keeping watch for anything suspicious. There was too much to do to stay in bed! The four of them had to get ready for the roundtable event they’d planned for study hall. “Do you think anyone will show?” asked Carlos, yawning as they made their way back to campus.

“I hope so,” said Evie, looking determined. She had made a slideshow and everything, even giving it a sound track.

“They will,” said Mal. “If only out of curiosity.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” Jay reminded them with a grin. “But in this case, curiosity will send people to Auradon!”

When they arrived, they discovered to their dismay that the room used for study hall was covered in dust and cobwebs, and it made Jay sneeze. “We forgot,” said Evie. “No one actually goes to study hall.”

“Because no one studies,” said Carlos. “It’s Dragon Hall.”

They set about clearing the cobwebs and putting the chairs in a semicircle. Then they waited for students to arrive. Minutes ticked by. Mal fiddled with her notes. Evie took out her journal and sketched some dresses. Carlos did homework. Jay paced the room, unable to keep still.

“You guys, I don’t think anyone is coming,” he said.

“Maybe we should have met with Yen Sid? You know, and his secret Anti-Heroes Club?” said Evie. “They were helpful in shutting down the Catacombs that time, remember?”

“Yen Sid is on a sabbatical. He’s actually back in Auradon—I checked yesterday after meeting with Coach Gaston,” said Jay. “And the Anti-Heroes Club was disbanded by Dr. Facilier when he found out it was actually a pro-heroes and anti-villains club. I think those kids are a bit freaked-out.”

“Bummer,” said Carlos. “They would have been great candidates.”

“Shhh,” said Mal. “I think someone’s here.”

The door creaked open. Ginny Gothel, who used to be one of Mal’s friends on the island, entered. “I think I’m in the wrong place. This isn’t the world-domination seminar, is it?” she asked.

“No!” said Mal. “But it could be. I mean, you could learn about how to dominate the world for good.”

“Why would I want to do that?” sneered Ginny with a toss of her curly black hair.

“It would mean getting out of here,” said Jay. “For one.”

Ginny thought it over and took a seat. “Okay.”

Jay shot Mal a triumphant grin. Mal grinned back.

“We’re going to wait for a few more students before we get started,” said Mal.

Jay hoped there would be a few more, but he wasn’t counting on it. Then the door opened again, and Anthony Tremaine walked inside. Anastasia’s son was as fastidiously dressed as ever; even though his jeans were patched, they were still immaculate. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Jay. “Oh, it’s you,” he said in a haughty voice.

“You,” Jay said with a menacing tone. Then he smiled happily. “I was hoping I’d run into you! Here you go.” He handed Anthony his wallet. “I’ve been holding on to it for a while, I stole it a long time ago. Sorry.”

Anthony took it back with a dubious look on his face. He opened the wallet and counted the bills inside.