Page 22 of Self Studies

There was a moment of silence.

“Who’s her advisor?” the alto voice questioned.

“I am,” Advisor Crowe said evenly. “I assumed she’d been tested. Why else would the MA release her to us? Especially considering her circumstances.”

Tension filled the space. The sound of feet shuffling on the thick stone floor accompanied the static of magic as wills clashed.

“This is not the time or the place,” the alto voice snapped. Something hit the floor hard; the sound boomed around the room. “Mitch! Find Bernadette and help her fix her classroom. Something has gone terribly wrong, and you were supposed to be Aphrodite’s safety net. Not feeding her to the wolves. Keith, I’m assuming you’re done teaching for the day as you are here.”

“I am.”

“Stay with her until she’s herself once more, and then bring her to my office.”

“Yes, Director.”

Footsteps and shuffling sounded behind me as people exited. Professor Garnet gently brushed my side, and his fingertips buzzed with my magic. He hesitated when he found the patch of missing scales on my side, and I pulled away. Although the scars didn’t hurt, the memories of Damon cutting them out were raw. I’d never even thought to ask what he’d done with them. I’d never questioned anything.

“We need to talk,” Professor Garnet said softly.

He sat on the ground and leaned against me. The strong muscles in his back shifted as he gazed at the destruction my transformation caused.

I badly wanted to curl up in his arms and do just that. Well, do more than that, honestly. The image of my giant dragon attempting to fit onto Professor Garnet’s lap made my giggles come out as a series of snorts.

With no way to communicate, I focused on the feel of his back against me and waited out the potion.

Chapter 5

Director Fleming oversaw the entire Institute. She was also the woman who’d come into the mess I’d created in Alchemist Blickenstaff’s classroom. Pictures of Alaska and bookshelves covered the gray stone walls of her office. They gave the modest space a cozy feel. My advisor and Professor Garnet stood behind me, forgotten.

The Director’s sandy blonde curls bobbed above her shoulders as she questioned me from behind her thick wood desk. Her youthful haircut, simple brown eyes, and layers of make-up made it very difficult to gauge her age. I couldn’t stop looking at her rimless eyes. I’d never met a Natural Mage before.

After she finished questioning me about what happened in the Alchemy Lab, her tone hardened. “Do you understand that your relationship with your master was fundamentally wrong?” She narrowed her eyes. “He manipulated you. He stole who you would have become.”

“I understand now,” I answered. “I know… knew nothing else.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you looking for a new master or to become a master yourself?”

I didn’t hesitate. “No.”

“Good,” the Director moved forward. Her fingers pressed into the sides of my chin as she forced me to meet her gaze. “This is what I needed to hear. What your master did to you was wrong. No matter what humans or Natural Mages say, every creature in this world has the right to free will, and he took that from you.” The Director released my chin. I studied the table. “I apologize, personally, for your start here. You should’ve stayed in that hospital bed until you were assessed both for your skills and your mental health.”

The Director looked like she wanted to add something else but refrained. I looked down at the wood grains in her desk.

“There’s tea in my waiting room,” The Director continued. She handed me a pile of clothing. “You can use my personal washroom.” She pointed. “Your student liaison will be along shortly. I need to speak with Advisor Crowe and Professor Garnet alone now.”

I shuffled to the washroom, pulling on a pair of gray sweatpants, a sports bra, and a white t-shirt before covering it back up with Alice’s hoodie. The three stopped talking when I emerged.

“Leave your old clothing,” Director Fleming said. “You don’t need items like that here.”

My feelings split. As much as I wanted to ditch my master’s clothing, it was all I had left of my life. I placed the pile carefully on her desk and fled the room before I could change my mind.

The small, bland gray waiting room had a tea station off to the left, but I didn’t go for it. I made myself as comfortable as I could in a metal chair and waited. Indistinct muffled voices came through the Director’s office door. I traced the uneven lines between the dark stone floor with slipper-covered toes.

“Aphrodite?” A mellow male voice asked from the hall in front of me.

The Greek God from the other night crossed his arms over his yellow tie. His uniform looked as good on him as the tight alchemy t-shirt had.

Suddenly self-conscious, I looked away. “Here for another laugh?”

---