Page 22 of Class Studies

“Keep walking,” one of them said. “We’re not letting you out of our sight again.”

Beryl winked. “Of course.”

He pulled me to his side. “Where’s Ashe and Boy Scout?”

“Ashe’s location is none of your business,” one of the MA agents spat.

Beryl looked behind him. “Wasn’t asking you, but thanks.”

I snuggled into him to draw his attention away from the MA. “Saff’s dealing with his parents still, I think.”

Beryl squeezed me.

My voice fell. “And Ashe left me to go back to the MA.”

I thought he’d text. He even had Beryl’s code on his phone, no one could trace it, but he hadn’t. I refused to cry. Ashe had a family and a home outside of this Institute. I needed to be happy for him.

“Chin up, Goddess.” Beryl leaned down. With one arm, he lifted me and planted a quick kiss on my cheek. “That’s more time you’ll get to spend with me.”

I gave him what I hoped wasn’t a too confused grin. Either something had changed, or he needed to put on a show for the MA. Although a part of me hoped he discovered my case was as hopeless as his, the former was more likely.

He put on a show for me, so I could do it for him.

I peeked around Beryl to look at Tanwyn. The tattooed mage kept his gaze in front of him, but he matched pace with Beryl. I got the feeling Saffron asked him to keep an eye on me. I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or upset.

We stashed our things in the lockers outside the domed building before stepping into it. Shoes off, the magic of the Sphérique rippled up my feet too pleasantly, reminding me I transferred into two men today without completing either of them. My core strained, and I closed my eyes. Dots of rainbows appeared in my vision: one toward the center of the Institute, which must be Saffron, and one right in front of me.

I smiled, my gaze coming to rest on Professor Garnet. To my surprise, behind him, Ashe smoothed his beard while he chatted with Ghalen. Unsure what he was doing here, I turned away before he noticed me looking at him and glided further into the room.

Professor Garnet smiled and clapped his hands. “It’s a small class today. Please, circle up.”

Ashe and Beryl immediately walked to either side of me and stuck me in the spot between them. Tanwyn sat between Ghalen and Ashe, with the professor next to Beryl.

The door to the Sphérique opened and closed again. Officer Keres’ booted footsteps rang in the rounded space.

“Metaphysics is no longer about Metaphysics,” Officer Keres announced.

I ducked my head, tugging on my braid as he walked into my line of sight.

“It’s now about Aphrodite and unlocking her magic,” Officer Keres finished.

The hulking agent who followed him everywhere eyed us but stayed in his superior officer’s shadow.

“Aphrodite.” Officer Keres pointed at me. “I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you, but your power is unreal. The potential good you could do in this world.” He lowered his hand and narrowed his eyes. “I want to trust you again. We still want you in our ranks—as long as you gain control and we understand exactly what you’re capable of.”

I gave Officer Keres my flattest look and shifted my gaze to Professor Garnet. “Do you want me in the middle?”

Officer Keres tsked. “No, Aphrodite, you don’t seem to understand. Professor Garnet’s no longer teaching this class. In fact, this isn’t a class at all. This is a lab. Ashe, pull up her shirt.”

Before I could defend myself, Ashe had my uniform in his hands and my socket on display. He carefully held my shirt so only the titanium and copper rose on my upper hip showed. His gaze begged me to forgive him.

Anger and shame hit me at the same time. I dropped my gaze. My Gentle Giant wasn’t mine anymore. I wasn’t upset with him but with his boss, the man who forced Ashe into this situation.

I looked right at Officer Keres, a command to leave me alone on my lips. But I clamped them shut. This was a test, all of this. Like the Aptitudes and Advisor Crow, Officer Keres played mind games with me to test my self-control.

Next to me, Beryl shook with contained rage while Professor Garnet sat calm and centered.

I let out a slow breath, looking for the peace elicited from my mage trance.