Page 13 of Monster's Pet

Hazel shrugged. “It’s not like we have a huge number of texts from that time period.”

“It’s called ‘the Dark Ages’ for a reason,” Lilia put in, following with a yawn. “Maybe everyone slept the whole time.”

“How are you feeling today?” I asked her sympathetically.

“Like I want to sleep.” Lilia pouted, rubbing her hands absentmindedly over her dragons. “These two have the right idea.”

“They’re in a magical sleep,” Hazel pointed out.

“I could be Sleeping Beauty.” Lilia paused. “Do you think Brom would be my Prince Charming?”

I giggled. “Maybe if you asked himverynicely.”

That afternoon,the outside door in the Care of Magical Creatures class was open when I arrived. I didn’t have to wait long to wonder why.

“Class field trip!” Professor Wright said excitedly. He bounced on the balls of his feet a bit as he spoke. “We’re going into the forest to study the creatures there. If you come across a magical creature in pain, put it to sleep, and then attach this portable magic generator to the back of its neck.”

He held up a tiny ball that looked like chewed gum. “These will decompose over time, once connected with a life form, so it won’t harm them. It’ll help until we get the blanket going. Don’t forget to wake the creature before you move on to the next one.”

“How late did you stay up making these?” I asked. He looked tired.

The professor waved off my question. “Animals are in trouble. I had to do something quickly.” He crossed to the door. “Grab a basket and let’s go!”

We filed out of the room to the back of the castle. At the edge of the forest, Professor Wright halted for a moment. “Pair up. Don’t lose track of where you are so that you can find your way back. Remember what creatures you meet. I want a full report on every magical creature on my desk by next class.”

My eyes widened. That had the potential to be a very thick report.

Then the professor raised his arm in the air and brought it down, pointing into the forest. “To adventure! To save the babies!” he shouted, taking off at a run into the forest.

Aiden stared at me. “Does he really expect us to follow him like that?”

Rhiannon, overhearing him, chuckled. “Yes. But you can take a slower pace. He won’t be offended.” She and Bruce plunged into the forest, taking a slightly different path than the professor.

“Shall we?” Aiden said, holding out his free hand to me.

“Let’s go help some animals,” I said, reaching back to him.

The forest was dark and quiet. Although there had been snow in the yard between the castle and the forest, the thick canopy prevented snow from entering much past the first row of trees.

We passed the tree that Bruce had used as his hideout last semester. It looked the same as ever. I had half-expected it to have exploded or something, since the spell was tied into the ley lines. I made a mental note to ask Bruce about that.

“I see tracks,” Aiden said, pointing at the forest floor in the opposite direction.

I eyed the disturbed leaves skeptically. “From other students, maybe.”

Aiden chuckled and tapped the side of his nose. “Smells more animal than human.”

“Is Brom in our class?”

“Brat,” he said affectionately. “You’ll pay for your insolence in my room tonight. If this wasn’t such an urgent mission, I’d take advantage of the fact we’re alone right now and make you get on your knees and service me.”

My breath caught in my throat, my eyes meeting his and seeing my desire reflected back at me. “Tonight,” I whispered in promise.

He nodded once before pointing at the leaves again. “This way,” he said, pushing past the trees. “Get ready with the sleep spell.”

“I’m always ready,” I muttered to myself, following in his wake.

“What was that?”

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