Page 74 of Self Studies

“I. Will. Not. Leave,” Advisor Crowe said, accentuating each word.

“You will,” Nurse Norah stated. She moved to my side. “So help me God, I will call every mage in this place that owes me and have them chase you out. Including Alchemist Blickenstaff and Tanwyn.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you think demons eat mages?”

Advisor Crow pailed, and Ram cursed.

I didn’t know what my alchemy instructor or the tattooed student from my advanced classes had to do with demons, but I didn’t care right now. My spirits brightened.

“I’m still taking this up with the administration!” Advisor Crow yelled.

“Then, we should be on our way,” Professor Garnet said politely, motioning toward the crack in the blue curtain.

With a final scowl, Advisor Crow turned and exited, followed by Ram. The professor gave me a final reassuring smile. I grinned back at him, a fuzzy feeling in my gut making me wiggle happily.

He and Saffron disappeared from the room.

Nurse Norah handed me a clean uniform. Her magic kissed my skin, giving me a quick dry wash. Even dressing felt lighter. I checked the barrier holding back my magic, and I swear it rippled at my attention.

Bouncing on the balls of my feet, I followed Nurse Norah out of the medical wing.

Unless I decided otherwise, I belonged to no one.

* * *

“Your self-control is unbelievable, girl,” my hairdresser said in a light musical voice. My scalp tingled as he ran his fingers across the short side. “I always watch my Aptitude videos, like the minute I can.”

I didn’t know how to respond to Gabe’s excitement. I couldn’t have attacked the entire student body like Advisor Crowe said. Gabe would’ve told me about it already. The mage was a bigger gossip than Sandy. I now knew more about the Institute after an hour in his chair than I’d learned in my entire time here.

As much as I wanted to watch my video, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

I studied myself in the mirror. Physically, I’d not changed, but I’d said no. I couldn’t remember ever saying that word before. I wanted to live in this new sensation for a little longer.

“You already know how to braid?” Gabe confirmed.

I nodded. He showed me a few simple ‘Viking’ braids my now much shorter hair could still hold on one side.

“You’re lucky you have friends,” Gabe said. “I’m the most expensive stylist here. What we’re doing today costs about five days’ worth of rations. Though I’m, like, hopefully, one more Aptitude away from getting out of this circus. I’m opening my own salon in LA.”

I nodded, trying to keep up with the conversation. “Do you know who paid for it?”

“Hell, no,” Gabe played with my hair. “And I’m not prying. No reason to look a gift horse in the mouth, am I right?”

“Ah, right,” I said, still wishing I knew.

“I want to kill whichever of your roomies fucked you up, girl,” Gabe continued. “I know we don’t know each other, like at all, but hair should be sacred. Don’t mess with a mage’s looks! Especially here. It’s all we got. You’re lookin’ badass now, though. Need some piercings to finish it off?”

Gabe’s round tattooed face smiled in the background as I studied his work. Even with the anonymous person’s help, I still didn’t have enough rations to have it regrown – though I’m glad it would be an option in the future.

I liked what he came up with as a compromise. Something new. We’d grown it out enough he buzzed away the unhealthy bleached bits on one side and left the other long enough to braid tight against my scalp.

“I do look badass,” I admitted.

“Here, on the house,” Gabe said as he handed me a black stud. “It’s usually a cartilage piercing at the top. You want it on the buzzed side to balance out your ears?”

I blinked a few times. “I guess if I’m going for it, I might as well. That’s really nice of you.”

Gabe snapped his fingers. “You’re a fucking powerhouse, babe. I saw your Aptitudes. If they don’t kill you, you’re going places. I get to be your stylist from this day forward, yes?” He nodded emphatically.

I smiled and gave him a sharp nod.

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