Page 49 of Group Studies
The Institute was a prison of his own choosing. Maybe the professor hadn’t really escaped his demons like I assumed. My magic stirred the longer our gazes met. I pulled away first, curling my knees to my chest.
“I’ve missed something here,” Ashe said, his body stiff next to mine. “And I fucking need to be in the loop.”
“Maybe you do,” Professor Garnet began.
As he talked, I demolished the food, wishing there’d been pickles on it.
Ashe’s scowl slightly lessened as the professor explained his history with his master and how the Institute gave him a second chance. How he desperately wanted this to be my second chance as well.
I chewed my snack, wishing I had the same faith in this place as he did.
“None of this explains your fucking situation with her,” Ashe growled, still holding onto his anger.
Professor Garnet sighed. “I’m drawn to Aphy.” He smiled softly at me.
My heart fluttered. I was drawn to him too. It wasn’t just my magic, it was my heart. We’d been through the same things and came out scarred, but not beaten.
“I believe what I feel is genuine, but until we can separate magic from emotion, I’m doing my best to stay hands-off.” He gave me a sad smile and I wrinkled my nose, having made my point on that clear already. “I will not stunt her emotional growth by coddling her, no matter my personal feelings. Especially not at the Institute.” Professor Garnet frowned at Ashe. “You’re new. A wall of muscle, with nerves of steel as far as I can tell. I don’t know your past, and I’m not prying, but most of the students here, Aphy included, aren’t hardened criminals. They’re young adults trying to navigate through a system which would rather see them dead than successful.”
Ashe, who hadn’t even looked at the food, picked up the last carrot stick. “I thought you believed in the Institute.”
“I do.” Professor Garnet gestured around the room. “I came out of these halls a better person, but I stayed to teach because the system’s far from perfect.”
I rubbed my lips together, positive it wasn’t the only reason he stayed.
“Even if it’s little things here and there,” the professor continued. “I want to improve it. The potential, the safety net it provides for Rimmed Mages without the family support or means to even have a magical education could set an example for the world to follow. It doesn’t need to be a cage for those society doesn’t want to remember.”
I perked up, seeing the potential for the Institute a little more.
The professor let out a harsh breath. “But that’s not what it is right now.” Another pregnant pause filled the room before he pushed on. “It’s a prison. Full of black-market deals, death, and an unchecked criminal faculty who can get away with anything.”
I shot a look at Ashe, praying he wouldn’t tell the professor about Operation DUMP.
Professor Garnet gestured around his room. “I love my office and the cloth hiding the harsh walls. Even if it looks a bit lewd to you, it was not my intention.” He folded his hands in his lap. “You’re not wrong, Ashe. You’re foul-mouthed and angry, but you’re much more educated than you act. This isn’t the office of an accredited professor. This is a meditation den, desperate to provide a break from the cold gray walls and cameras which judge our students every moment of every day.” Professor Garnet leaned forward. “And I swear on my magic and my very life the only students who’ve done more than meditate here have all been of legal age with full consent. It’s a short list, but I’ll happily provide it. I don’t force the unwilling, under any circumstances.”
The tension drained out of Ashe. “Jesus, fuck.” He shoved the entire carrot stick into his mouth and ran his hand down his beard.
I glanced at the time again.
“Somewhere you need to be, Aphy?” Professor Garnet asked with a knowing look.
I nodded. “Ah, I’ve got extra time booked in the alchemy lab.”
Professor Garnet’s brow furrowed. “Right, I’d forgotten. I assumed you would stay to go over what we worked on in Metaphysics today.”
I blushed again, squirming. “Tomorrow instead? Today gave me some ideas.”
The professor smiled. “I’ll make sure Saffron’s here, so you have a partner.”
Ashe blanched. “I don’t think Saffron’s the right partner.” He released my hip and crossed his arms over his chest.
Professor Garnet lifted an eyebrow. “Saffron’s my apprentice. He’s well educated and articulate. He’ll be accurate in his feedback as well as open to exploring whatever Aphy needs.”
Ashe snorted. “The ‘whatever A needs,’ is the literal fucking problem.”
I stood, shifting my weight back and forth uncomfortably. “Welp, the alchemy lab calls.”
Ashe growled, trying to pull me back down, but I side-stepped his grip. My shoes and socks were still soggy on the rack next to the door. Sitting with my back to the two, I wriggled my socks on. I didn’t even attempt the shoes. With them in hand, I stood and peeked at the silent men.