247 Chapter 8

Startled, Maxi turned to see Anette striding into the communal workshop. She approached Maxi and leaned close so she could hear her over the clanking of the gears.

"Master Landon is looking for you!" Anette yelled at the top of her lungs. "He wants you in his office now!"

As soon as the girl's ear-piercing message sank in, Maxi felt her tears instantly dry up. Standing up, she looked at Anette in trepidation.

"W-Why?"

All Anette could offer was a shrug. Sighing, Maxi left the workshop. What reason could the head mage have for wanting to see her this time? She hurried through the hall to the massive steel cage. After asking a passerby ferrying firewood to activate the pulley for her, Maxi opened the door and stepped inside.