Page 15 of Two Who Live On

“Oh, but he was fine bringing Enchanter Evergreen here for an absurd ceremony to show off his fucking homeroom coven.” Peterson grumbled, kneeling to pick up his scattered forms. I ground my teeth and stifled a snarl. “Being a shit teacher and letting warlocks in really—”

I stepped into my classroom, quieting Peterson’s pettiness, jealousy, frustration. It was the last thing I wanted in my head. The agenda in store for my homeroom coven was what I needed to prioritize. It involved something very close to home for what many of my students dealt with before winter break. My magic and my mind needed to remain sharp and ready to handle the emotions they’d face. The fallout, shock, fear, and hopefully perseveration.

More of my students filtered inside, each of them staring at my agitated expression and staying awkwardly silent like I somehow didn’t realize what they had on their minds. Even their consideration was tiresome.

“Maybe he’ll bring Enchanter Evergreen for lessons.”

“Did they meet at my dad’s gala?”“I wonder…”

“His emotions have been cheerier. Well, cheery for him.”

“Tengo mil preguntas.”“Did he…”

“If this turns into a fucking gab fest on his pathetic love life, I’ll vomit.”

“He wasn’t popular, but Mr. Frost was a professional enchanter, and he did work with Enchanter Evergreen during his time at Cerberus Guild. Maybe their paths crossed again because of the warlock incursion. It’s clear Enchanter Evergreen was doing his best to protect our homeroom coven from something sinister. Even with so much veiled by that hex magic, he must’ve known the connection Theodore had to Tara and Kenny—from there, he connected to Mr. Frost and found a way to save our class. He’s so amazing. I hope Mr. Frost brings him...”

I glared at Caleb because I was too tired to quell my telepathy. His eyes widened, and his thoughts simmered momentarily before shifting to ramblings about whether I could still hear his thoughts and theories on how instantaneous thoughts were so he couldn’t know if and when they’d formed, which transitioned into mutterings about how precise my telepathy was or wasn’t, which he jotted into his notebook. It was irksome, but less so than his fanboying over Milo.

Gael strutted into the classroom, his rooster perched on his shoulder. Balling his fist, he raised it for a bump, and I cringed at the thoughts he was about to speak without a second of filtered hesitation.

“Look at you getting it, Mr. Frosty!” Gael blinked with a hint of innocent curiosity that almost hid his minxy grin. “Bet you clapped them ch—”

“Finish that sentence, thought, or even musing, and I’ll fail you.”

“With that attitude, he’s clearly not clapping anything.” Gael pouted then scrunched his face when his rooster pecked his forehead until his mind swam with apologies.

Okay, King Clucks wasn’t the worst familiar out there.

I walked to the front of the classroom as my students found their seats. Leaning against my desk, I crossed my arms, furrowed mybrow, and gave them my most menacing expression until half of them straightened their posture out of sheer dread.

“I realize the news is out and some of you might have questions.” I glanced around, my gaze meeting curious eyes, annoyed eyes, and bored eyes. “Don’t ask them. Don’t think them. The only thing any of you should be thinking about is your training because your rankings are at stake.”

“Don’t think it. Don’t think it. Don’t think it.”

“Cluck!”

Gael flinched, and the rest of the class laughed, their thoughts finally simmering and centered on the lesson at hand.

“Today, we’re going to be working on banishing fiends.”

Apprehension bubbled throughout the classroom.

“Is this real fiend training or that same bullshit you pulled on the first day?” Kenzo had a leg propped on his desk and his arms crossed, frowning.

“No bullshit,” I said, frowning back at Kenzo who merely huffed in response.

Caleb bit back a gasp, by far the only one in the class shocked that I, his surly yet proper teacher, swore. It was perplexing to be on such a high pedestal in his mind where I lacked personality and was framed solely by his preconceived expectations. Both Gael’s snickered, drawing my attention, and Katherine rolled her eyes so hard her thoughts smashed everyone’s mild opinions. “Maturity much?”

Clearing my throat, I resumed the conversation.

“Every other first-year student proved they could banish fiends in the field to receive their fledgling permits. I’d say about half of you actually managed to banish a single fiend during the attack last semester.”

I paused, giving those who needed a second to collect their thoughts, compose their nerves, and breathe out the bits of feardwelling in them the time to do it. But I was unwilling to show sympathy. While they were cheered on for their successes, they’d be expected to meet the same goals as everyone else this semester.

“Everyone is waiting to see if you all lucked out last semester, or if you each have what it takes to be a professional enchanter.” I waved a hand, whipping the door open. “Now tell me, are you ready to prove you belong here? Prove you belong in the Spring Showcase?”

Chapter Seven

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