Chapter 271: Shadows in the Aisles

LUMINA   I was about to intervene, to redirect the conversation to less traumatic territory, when the classroom door opened and Lake emerged, the completed test packet in his hands.   "I'm done," he announced, handing the papers to Mrs. Henderson who'd followed him out.   "That was fast," she said, her tone suggesting she thought fast meant incomplete or careless.   "I checked my work," Lake said with surprising confidence. "Twice."   Mrs. Henderson's eyebrows rose slightly. "I'll grade this and email you the results by this evening, Mrs. Blackwood."   "Thank you," I said, gathering the boys. "Come on, we have more errands to run."   The other children were staring at Lake now, their curiosity shifting to this new stranger who'd appeared with the Blackwood twins. I could practically see the rumors forming in their young minds, the stories they'd tell their parents about the mysterious boy who'd come home with Riley and Ollie.   "Is he your brother too?" pigtails girl asked.   "Kind of,