Page 13 of Class Studies
I went up the first few steps, only to pause when Saffron didn’t follow me. “You coming?”
Saffron grunted. “Limit’s two. I’ll be back in an hour and a half to take you to History, but we’ll have to figure something else out for the rest of the day. I’ve been excused from classes to deal with my situation.”
He’d be facing his family and Mercedes’ because he went against all of their wishes. I knew he did it to free himself, but I was the catalyst. I changed him. My gut twisted unhappily. I suddenly wished I hadn’t made him sleep on my couch.
“I thought my peers would leave me alone when Ram was gone,” I said instead of facing my feelings.
Saffron shook his head. “There will always be another Ram.”
I hugged myself, remembering my run-in with Cozbi.
Saffron’s face softened, but he still jabbed his finger up.
Taking hold of the rail, I climbed the metal stairs. They rattled as I went, drawing the attention of the few students already in the library. For once, my legs didn’t burn with fatigue by the time I reached the top.
A large metal door stood propped open, and I eyed it before crossing the thresh hold. The mesh cage didn’t swing or even wobble with my steps despite its precarious design. Book shelves lined the sides to the ceiling about two feet above my head. The narrow gaps between them looked down into the library and let in light. Wood beams lined the floor to create a walking path around a sturdy, tall round table, which Professor Garnet leaned against. His loose cream clothing made him shine like a beacon amongst the browns and grays of the cage.
He straightened and smiled. “Good morning.”
“Ah, morning.” I prayed the two words didn’t sound as awkward to him as they did to me.
He smiled and turned to one of the shelves. “These are all on the theories of mind control. As I’m sure you know, a few potions exist which affect people’s thoughts, and there are spells which can steer the mind’s attention, but nothing to the extent of your abilities.”
I fiddled with my braid, disappointed and grateful we jumped directly into a project.
He smiled at me. “I figured we could go over some of them together. Even if they’re not exactly what you’re going through, any information will help.”
I vigorously nodded my agreement and joined him at the table. We each picked a book and began reading in our own space. Partway through, I took out my phone to take a picture of a page, but the professor jumped to me and put his hand over my phone.
“It’s spelled.” He rubbed my fingers with his thumb before releasing my hand. “Magic permeates The Nest. No pictures or copies; on paper or electronics. If you even take notes too verbatim, the paper catches fire, and the electronics overload.”
My eyes widened. I checked over the few notes I’d already taken on my phone. But my shorthand seemed to be okay. With more care, I continued my research.
Standing and reading grew old fast. I scrambled up onto the table. Although I started cross-legged with my book on my lap, my ankles soon hurt, and I rolled onto my front.
I realized this position would hurt my elbows when Professor Garnet tapped my shoulder. A yoga mat appeared out of his dimensional pocket. He slid it under my arms. The professor hopped up, so his lower back rested against my side. I leaned into him. With his book resting on his lap, he placed one hand on the back of my leg. Tingles ran up my leg from his warm palm, my magic stirring. I’d not transferred in two days.
I closed my eyes and envisioned my turtle, alive and ready to accept my magic, consequence-free. I wasn’t giving up on Operation DUMP.
Maybe if I used a bit of my magic on Abe to get my scales back, that wouldn’t be too far on my scale of wrongness. I wrinkled my nose. It would be. I needed to stop being so blasé concerning mind control—it was taking away people’s free will.
Like Damon had done to me.
The comparison made me tremble, my stomach twisting. The professor must have felt it. He dimpled my calf, rubbing soothing circles. I tried to focus on the dry tome in front of me. But the theoretical concept of simultaneously affecting multiple hemispheres of the brain to alter someone’s perceptions wasn’t helpful or distracting.
I shifted again.
“What’s on your mind?” Professor Garnet asked, putting aside his reading.
I sighed. “Too much.”
Professor Garnet joined me on the table, straddling my hips. He ran his large hands up my back before kneading my shoulders. I moaned and pressed my butt up, making him pause.
“Don’t stop. I can control my transfers.” My voice came out muffled by the yoga mat.
“It’s not your transfer, Aphy,” Professor Garnet said, his kneading continuing. “It’s balance. I can feel you filling up with magic again. Now I know what to look for. I can’t believe you held on to it for as long as you did.” He let out an unhappy breath. “I apologize again for not taking the time to understand what you needed.”
He found a knot in my back and worked on it. I enjoyed the sensation, unsure how to feel about his apology. Other than the professor, no one had ever stopped themselves after a transfer, and no one apologized to me either.