Page 85 of Class Studies
Professor Garnet rubbed his neck. “What did he take?”
I shrugged, but the blood drained out of my face. My Beads of Will sat in a box in Abe’s secret pantry. There was know way Tederwinkle knew about those, right? My skin crawled. Even if he did, my magic vanished when it hit the ground.
Are those your crystal dragon scales? The recruiter’s question came back to me. He’d already known the answer. Who was this guy so happily trapped here with us?
Professor Garnet frowned, and I remembered to breathe.
“Your other scale’s still in the fucking building.” Ashe rubbed his beard. “I put an app on your tablet.” He gestured to my workstation. “Nitis hasn’t found the tracker yet. I’m fucking surprised the scale’s still on him—the guy’s an idiot for not stashing it immediately. But it’s been fucking moving around almost since he got it.” Ashe hesitated, dropping his hand. “We could fucking steal it back if you want a second shot. I’d love to chat with Nitis and figure out what the fuck he put in your cheek.”
I shook my head. “No. I obliterated the turtle.” A tear fell out of my eye, and I brushed it away. “I should’ve done more research first. With access to the restricted section, I’ll see if I can find another way.” I balled my fists. “I will free you guys, everyone, I promise.”
My guys frowned.
“What?” Tanwyn stood from the couch. “I’m sorry, I’m a bit behind. But you lost me on that one.”
“Catch, Dot,” Beryl called from above.
A wad of gray clothing nailed me in the head, making me tilt precariously. The professor jumped forward and gripped my elbow to help me stay on my feet.
“Dot?” Tanwyn repeated, his cheeks dimpling. “That’s adorable, but will someone fill me in?”
“She asked to be called A,” Ashe growled.
Saffron clenched his fists. “Aphy.”
Professor Garnet lightly squeezed my elbow, distracting me from the building argument. “What aren’t you telling us?”
I clenched my jaw and pulled out of his grip. My Beads of Will were safe with Abe. She wouldn’t have hidden them where Tederwinkle could find them. Professor Garnet didn’t need to know about this one. None of my guys did. I wanted to keep all of them as far away from the manipulative alchemist as possible.
I dipped down, picking up Beryl’s hoodie before slipping into the washroom without responding to the professor. I dried myself more thoroughly and reemerged, hugging myself in my favorite garment.
“….this isn’t worth the fuck’n words we’re wasting on it.” Ashe tugged on his beard. Whatever argument they’d been having ended.
I glanced at my loft before giving Ashe a pleading look. “Could I just have a minute? I, ah, messed up.”
Ashe looked up before sighing. Despite their initial disagreements, I knew my Gentle Giant had a soft spot for Beryl. “Anything for you, Kitten.”
I winced.
Ashe narrowed his eyes. “But we’re fucking talking about this later.”
I gave Ashe a fake salute.
He shook his head before striding toward the Greek God. “Saffron, I need your help with something.”
Saffron took a step back. “It’s the middle of the night.”
Ashe grinned, trying to cuff the Greek God, but the lithe mage ducked.
Ashe punched his fist into his palm. “It’s a surprise I’ve been working on for A.” He herded Saffron toward the door. “You’ll fucking love it, don’t be a bitch.”
Saffron grunted unhappily and looked toward Professor Garnet, who jerked his head toward my front door. Saffron’s shoulders slumped, and he slid his hands into his pockets.
Tanwyn’s whistled, waking Vac with a sloppy wet snort. He rolled away from the door so the two mages could pass. Ashe and Tanwyn exchanged a look before the ex-MA officer closed the door behind him. Vac rolled back, sealing us in.
Professor Garnet stepped to my side and squeezed my shoulder. I covered his hand with mine, and his tense face relaxed. “You’re okay, and that’s what matters.” He lowered his voice. “We’ll all talk about this later. You can’t keep things from us.”
“Knowledge hurts,” I whispered.