Page 96 of Group Studies
Saffron ran a hand through his hair. “I mean, theoretically, maybe? Part of my project is giving it multiple energy sources so I can isolate magical frequencies and handle dangerous infected animals without injury.”
“We’re not dangerous animals, Wašícu,” Nitis’ voice came from behind us.
I jumped, surprise to see him.
“The magic from the fallout doesn’t feel the same as my natural magic,” Saffron said evenly. “It’s tainted, wrong.”
Nitis crossed his arms over his chest as he joined our circle. “It’s life. Life is never wrong.”
Beryl waved his arms. “Natural or Rimmed, we’re in the same clown car right now. Save it.” He grinned. “Saffron’s Golem’s a magical Gundam, a massive suit of armor, like the old Japanese cartoons, that’s all we need to know.”
Ashe grunted. Nitis took a step back, though he eyed Saffron distastefully.
I bit my lower lip, really feeling the split between Rimmed and Natural Mages for the first time.
“Even if I agree to this, we still need to get to it and turn it on,” Mercedes pointed out. “Yesterday, you complained your newest fix to the power failed, idiot.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, Dad said it will take him two days to get me out or him in. He wasn’t very clear. Either way, hiding in my ex-boyfriend’s prototype sounds miserable.” She stomped her foot again. “You’re probably trying to suffocate me.”
“I would’ve already done that if I wanted to,” Saffron growled. “Do you think I want you in there?”
Mercedes blanched.
“Assuming the MA can’t pry her out,” Ashe pointed out. “We have every tool invented and trained mages in our ranks. What makes you think it’s so fucking secure?”
Saffron narrowed his eyes. “Once it’s closed up, it’s impenetrable. You don’t have to believe me because I know it’s true.”
Ashe mumbled something with a lot of swear words and ended with being stuck between a rock and a hard place. “Fuck this,” Ashe said, looking at Beryl. “I either need to turn Mercedes in or have plausible deniability. Beryl, you’re sure there’s nothing else you can fucking do?”
“I’m not repeating myself.” Beryl put one beefy arm behind his head and peered at Saffron. “Could you power it from a distance if Dot supercharged you? If we can’t get Mercedes to it, what about getting it to her?”
“I’m not hiding in a bloody Golem!” Mercedes screeched, making me jump.
Ashe put his arm around my waist. “A’s not transferring into Saffron.”
I stepped away from Ashe, and he reluctantly let me go. He didn’t get to decide those things for me. No one did.
Despite my resistance, he plowed forward. “I’m putting my fucking foot down on this one. No fucking transfers. They’re illegal for a reason.”
Saffron focused on Beryl, ignoring Mercedes and Ashe. “Yes, I believe I can charge it from a distance. Aphy’s magic is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Is there someplace I can take it that a walking, ten-foot-tall, fat humanoid of rock and steel won’t get noticed?”
“That’s a no, bro,” Beryl said, his grin lit up his eyes. “But it doesn’t need to hide. It needs the right people to notice.”
I side-eyed Beryl, and he wiggled his eyebrows, crazy gears grinding behind his eyes. He motioned Nitis forward and said something in a language I didn’t understand before clasping his friend on the shoulder. Nitis stepped back from our circle.
“Power up the Boy Scout,” Beryl stared down at me. “Assuming Dot’s down.”
Beryl winked at me, making me flush.
Once again, Ashe tried to pull me to him. I scampered to the other side of Beryl. Peeking around his muscled frame to make eye contact with Ashe. “I need to be needed.”
Ashe’s facial hair ate his frown as our gazes locked. I didn’t look away, willing him to understand. Movement behind him tried to distract me, but I didn’t let it.
Beryl made a big show of tucking me under his arm. “Dot, you're gonna need to keep it in your pants until later. You and Saff don’t have time to complete the transfer.”
I looked at him and rocked on my feet. “I can do that. I think.”
Ashe clenched his fists, his face turning red. He took another step towards us. “She’s not…” he started to say before Nitis’ hand covered his mouth.
I screamed, trying to run to protect Ashe, but Beryl held me to him.