Page 124 of Class Studies
The professor kissed the back of my hand. “Always.”
I bounced on the balls of my feet and splayed my fingers. Eight Beads of Will sprang to life. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
Despite my flashy creation of eight Beads of Will, there was no way I could throw all of them simultaneously. Unless they were at the same target.
We slowed, approaching the arena. Although I needed my eyes to see people, Professor Garnet did not. My jaw dropped as he sketched the rectangular ballroom on his phone, drawing ‘X’ were people stood.
“The one here,” he said, drawing a tenth smaller ‘X’s around a big one he’d already made in the middle, “This the last one, and has violet magic.”
I picked up my jaw. “Roisin. I want to free her first.”
Professor Garnet nodded. “There are only the two entrances and exits to this room. We’ll charge the big one but there’s an even bigger one at the back. There’s a mass of magic in front of the far door, probably the MA. But they’re too far for me to suss out individuals.” He shook his phone. “The person in the middle has to be Tederwinkle. His magic is brown but mixed with rainbows. He’s found a way to link with your scales.”
Ashe kicked the floor. “Fuck. Then, let's get in there and start fucking his shit up.”
Beryl placed his hand on Ashe’s shoulder again. “Any sign of Nitis?”
I rubbed my cheek, a spike of fear knotting my gut.
Professor Garnet shook his head. “Unless he’s hiding in the mass of power in front of the back entrance.”
Beryl clenched his fists. “Right, then let's get in there and find out.”
“Agreed,” Ashe said. “Circle up around A.”
Professor Garnet held up his hand. “That won’t work.” He pointed at his phone again. “They’ve split into two groups. Tederwinkle and the MA guarding the door. If we go in as one, they will surround us.” The professor flushed. “I’m not much of a fighter either.”
Ashe cursed, and I grabbed Professor Garnet's hand and squeezed it. “We all have our strengths.” I looked at Beryl. “We just need to be smart.”
Professor Garnet straightened his shoulders. “Beryl, stick with Aphy no matter what.”
Beryl shifted to stand at my back and nodded.
Ashe was already shaking his head. “Don’t.”
The professor plowed on. “Ashe, you know the MA better than any of us. You’re the only person here with real combat training and ranged spells which can put your fellow agents down. At least until Saffron and Tanwyn join us.”
Ashe’s chest rose and fell in short breaths. “Don’t.”
“Aphy can fight her own battles,” Professor Garnet stepped toward Ashe. “She’ll have Vac and Beryl at her side. We need you to take out the mass of power by the back door before Tederwinkle can spring his trap.”
Ashe clenched his fists and looked at me. “I fuck’n hate this.”
I ran to Ashe and hugged him hard. “I’ll be fine. I survived that stupid card game.”
Ashe squeezed me to him. “Alrick took all your cards, Kitten, and Tederwinkle took your rations.”
I pushed out of his arms. “Good thing you hold my cards, and I’ve hidden my rations in the five best mages in the world.”
Beryl laughed.
“I’m not fucking, kissing you goodbye,” Ashe growled. He glared at the professor. “If she gets hurt, I’m holding you responsible, Leech.”
Professor Garnet held up his hands. “Whatever you need to do.” He turned back to me. “Aphy, figure out how to free the students Tederwinkles’s controlling.” I nodded. “I’ll do what I do best,” Professor Garnet finished. “Steal magic and fill their minds with illusions to cause chaos. I need to be in the room, though I’ll be staying back.” He turned to me. “Once there’s only Tederwinkle left, you run.”
I pulled on my braid. “Sounds good to me. I’m not much of a fighter either.”