The dining hall was silent. The clatter of cutlery and chatter of students had died the instant two new figures appeared out of the black-and-white smoke: a girl with snowy hair and pale eyes, and a boy with jet-black hair and equally dark eyes.
Both leaned down, kissing Aranea on opposite sides of her lips before anyone could breathe.
Aranea toppled backward out of her chair, utensils clattering onto the table.
"WHAT THE—?!" Aleck shouted, nearly choking on his drink.
Elenea slapped both hands over her face, squealing in disbelief.
Zann half-rose from his seat, fists blazing faintly with fire, while Leonel's jaw clenched so tight it was audible.
And Beau… Beau stared, then threw his hands in the air.
"She just… popped twins out of noodles?!"
The hall erupted. Laughter, confusion, gasps, whispers ricocheted across the room.
"Did he just say noodles?!"
"Are those… her new Familiars?"
"She already has six!"
