Page 12 of Monster's Pet

I couldn’t help the tear that trickled down my cheek when he turned away again. Everything felt so awful.

After classes,I met with Professor Akhtar in his office. He was staring at the holographic globe of ley lines in the center of the room.

“They look normal,” I said. “Why?”

“This doesn’t show them in real time, I’m afraid. I wish it did. Then we would know what happened to them and when.” Professor Akhtar removed the projection. “Have a seat. One of our research groups has found something.”

I sat on the edge of the chair he indicated. “Really? What is it?”

“Unfortunately, there was no explanation as to what happened, or how they fixed it,” the professor continued.

“What do you mean?”

“The last time this happened, it started the Dark Ages.”

“That means that this could go on foryears?” I said, aghast.

“I’m afraid so.”

CHAPTER 4

I fell asleep doingresearch in the books I’d taken from my study room again, but when I woke up, it was in Aiden’s arms in his bed.

Still fully dressed, and uncomfortable.

I don’t recommend sleeping in jeans.

The ever-present headache from the day before had receded, thankfully, but I wasn’t ready to test it by casting a spell, so I slipped out of his room and headed for my own, intent on having a full shower.

The water helped me feel more like myself, although I still felt like my bones were being pulled on, like waves pulling back into the ocean.

I saw Paige in the hallway as I headed back into my room. “Hey! How was your holiday?” I called to her.

Paige turned white before ducking her head and hurrying down the hallway without a word.

What the hell?

I thought we’d become friends of a sort last semester.

Feeling hurt, I entered my dorm.

Lilia was still asleep, on her back with her dragons curled on either side of her. Professor Wright had announced at dinnerthat he and the other teachers would be performing the blanket spell later this afternoon, after classes. They had a lot to prepare to bolster the spell, because the professors were also affected by the unnatural lack of ley lines. I looked forward to feeling more normal.

Hazel was awake and dressed, giving attention to one of the many plants on her desk.

I didn’t bother keeping my voice quiet to greet her.

“I’m glad a solution has been found, although temporary,” Hazel said. “I was worried about the magical plants.”

“I’m just glad this happenedafterBruce revived Clarissa. Who knows what might have happened to that fruit tree,” I said.

Hazel winced. “Yeah, that could have been very bad. It was rooted directly into the nexus point.”

I paused in drying my hair. “Do you think they’re related? Like, is the fruit tree no longer being needed the reason the ley lines disappeared?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Hazel said slowly. “We would have seen indications of the ley lines fading over time during last semester, not this sudden disappearance.”

Relieved, I continued rubbing my towel over my hair. “That’s a good point. Thank you. What do you think about the connection with the ley lines disappearing in the Dark Ages?”

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