Page 67 of Group Studies

“Tanwyn Sole,” He looked directly at me. “I’m a summoner, something not illegal in itself, but I killed a lot of people with the creatures I summoned.”

I hugged myself as a chill ran down my back. How many was a lot? Did it make him a worse person? Or better because he didn’t do the actual killing? I chewed on my bottom lip. I didn’t know it was possible to summon creatures. Nurse Norah dropping Tanwyn’s name to threaten Ram echoed in my memory. Did he summon demons?

Tanwyn’s lanky form sagged. “I didn’t want to kill anyone, but too many lives were being destroyed by this technology magic hybrid crap that’s taken the world by storm.” He traced one of the tattoos on his forearm. “When will people realize they’re not exchangeable?”

The pain and anger in his voice eased my conflict, but a new fear made my socket tingle. Mid-way to fingering the metal piece sunk into my hip, I laced my fingers together.

“I had to stop it,” Tanwyn continued, his eyes begging for understanding. “Or at least thirteen-year-old me felt that way.” He turned to Officer Keres. “My goal is to graduate and return home and apologize, using my summoned friends to help instead of control.”

Tanwyn glanced at me. I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but even I knew it didn’t reach my eyes.

Ghalen spoke next. Unlike the first two, he gave us all the nitty-gritty details of the first time he accidentally pulled the life force of another person. Two at the same time, while they’d been high on cocaine, in the middle of a show at a sex club in LA.

“I mean, the sex was.” Ghalen puckered his lips and brought his hand up. “Banging,” he said, making all of us chuckle. “They were so tight, something about the female body demands worship.”

He winked at me. Before a blush rose to my cheeks, four mages growled, Ashe going so far as to lean to one side so I was slightly hidden from Ghalen’s view. I buried my face in my hands.

“Relax,” Ghalen said. “I don’t care how powerful someone is, I don’t share with other men. You can watch my videos if you need proof.”

I had watched all his videos, though I think I preferred my time with Beryl and Ashe in the shower to all of them.

“Moving on,” Professor Garnet cut in.

I peeked out from my hands to see the professor smiling down at me like I’d done something amazing. Before I could puzzle out his thoughts, Ghalen continued.

“Damn, it was hot until it wasn’t.” His voice turned somber. “The MA found me the next morning after I’d sobered up. Goals aren’t my jam. It’s sweet here. I’ve got my girls, a fan base. It’d be nice to get into RL, but at the same time, my addiction isn’t even an option here.”

I bit my lips together and studied the floor.

“Addiction is a very powerful thing,” Professor Garnet explained. “I do believe it’s something you can overcome outside of the institute, but it’s a personal battle. Thank you for sharing.”

“Yo, you know it,” He replied with a shrug. He turned to Ashe. “Your turn, PeaceCock.”

Ashe frowned. “I came here to report. I’m still here to protect A as her official bodyguard. It’s my job and the fucking right thing to do.” His sweep of the circle ended on me. The love and care in his gaze so opposite his uniform it physically hurt.

I looked away from him, unable to return his emotions. Everyone's gazes bore into me and I feared what I’d see, so I focused on the rune for spirit in the center.

Everyone either knew my history or already believed whatever they read on Mêler. I traced the rune onto my palm, thinking about my goal. “I want to control my magic and then discover the world.”

I’d not realized how much I wanted that until I said it. Magus Terra told me if I was his apprentice, we’d be traveling to help me experience life. Before the Institute, Damon kept me stagnant. I used to watch the cats outside my window come back from their adventures. Sometimes they’d be hurt, others they’d bring friends, or carry the remains of whatever toy or rodent they’d found. I yearned to see where those things came from.

Now, my life was filled with other people who kept me guessing. Every day was filled with new experiences, but I still had them outside the same window. It was still a cage, limiting my view of the world.

Officer Keres gave me a wide smile. “And working for the MA will let you do both those things.”

I looked up, glancing around the room as my peers watched me with open curiosity. My fingers tugged at Ashe’s jacket under my butt, wishing it was covering my head.

“Whelp, I’m Beryl,” Beryl said, drawing everyone’s attention away from me. “And I became a magical girl at the tender age of five. My transformation sequence was hot, I’m sure, as it shredded my kicks and five of my classmates.” He took a deep breath, and his voice fell. “They didn’t live, and I ended up here.” His eyes unfocused for a moment, before he cracked his neck. Leaning back, he gave Officer Keres a lazy grin. “I live to serve. Insert bull shit goal here.”

Officer Keres' eye twitched again.

With Ram missing, that was our small class. Professor Garnet quickly began his lecture, continuing our work on splitting our mental focus. He left me out of it this time.

Like Abe’s and Doctor Roy’s class, an unusual silence filled the Sphérique. We only talked when necessary, no matter how hard Professor Garnet tried to get conversations going. I couldn’t see Ashe or Beryl’s facial expressions, but Saffron spent the class with his eyebrows drawn, scowling even more than usual. I itched to squeeze his hand, but I couldn’t reach him without moving from my spot in the circle.

The Sphérique didn’t even get as hot as usual as the class petered out toward the end. In an attempt to force some life into us, Professor Garnet clapped, making me jump. Everyone stood, stuffing their yoga mats into their dimensional pockets. Saffron shuffled between me and the door in indecision.

Beryl hummed before raising his voice. “I need some catch-up, Boy Scout.” He waltzed to Saffron’s side and attempted to give him a noogie. Saffron ducked out of the way and scowled. “Walk me to GS,” Beryl demanded with a quizzical grin. “I’m not sure if I even remember where it’s at.”

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