Page 80 of Frayed Owner

“I don’t know we have enough magic to make it happen,” Robin worried. “I’ve been so bogged down with midterm projects that—I just don’t know I do.”

That seemed to be the consensus between Gloria, Robin, Carmen, and their other friend I liked, Kate. The others I didn’t know as well and hadn’t really apologized to me after our first meeting. They didn’t seem to care anymore if I joined but didn’t really want to be involved with me.

The feeling was mutual, and I got the idea they were on the cusp of the friend group—or extended group? I wasn’t really sure how that worked.

Either way, I didn’t want to discuss that with the full group.

“Let’s talk after we eat,” I suggested, giving the four of them looks not to worry.

Gloria chuckled. “I’ve learned not to doubt you, girl. Sounds good.”

Once we were done eating, we said goodbye to the others and left our trays on the cleaning line before heading outside where there were less ears. I realized I needed to check something with Kate. “What’s your familiar?” I waved her off when she opened her mouth. “Sorry, right, I remember you with a cat.”

And I’d seen Carmen with her raccoon familiar waiting for the treat truck. Yeah, this could work.

“Okay, if you don’t ask questions—I’m going somewhere safe to work with Mrs. Reid on how to harvest without a familiar,” I told them. Not really lying but… Mostly. Leaving out that much information was pretty much the same thing.

And we all knew that.

“I could handle bringing four small familiars to harvest,” I told them.

“And they’d be safe?” Robin worried. She smiled when I snorted. “I heard the Reids kept a bunch of familiars safe and lived with them when their witches and warlocks went off to the human military like Taylor had. I’ve seen him around you and his people are your guards. It makes—”

“I’m not saying it’s their estate,” I said firmly.

But if they thought that, I wasn’t going to tell it wasn’t really either. It was a better idea than letting them know my estate was teeming with magic that I’d made happen. I liked them, but I didn’t remotely know them that well.

“I would feel more comfortable if we could talk to Mrs. Reid about it,” Kate said after a moment. “No disrespect, Bev. Seriously, and it’s not even about you not having a familiar. People target you, and four familiars even if small ones—I don’t know I would feel comfortable taking charge of them and we’ve known each other for years.”

“Fair,” I accepted. “More than fair. I’ll text her. Meet me with your familiars by the guard station after class and we’ll make sure she’s fine with it.”

They were thrilled. Beyond thrilled.

Cool.

And Mrs. Reid was “intrigued” by what I was plotting now and especially when she heard it helped other witches.

Physical Training I was good. We had a test of what we’d learned, and Coach Dunham didn’t hide that he was annoyed that he couldn’t have full access to me with Emma as my shield. Though I wasn’t the only one who noticed that she tested all the females faster than he did the males with all his aides.

Yes, there was a much higher percentage of male students at Morrigan than females… But he had five aides. Seriously?

Coach approached us when Emma was wrapping up. “I understand you answer to Kerwynn—you’ve made sure everyone knows that—but I have valid objections to you grading Millen when you’re on her payroll.”

“Did you hear that from the Haddocks?” I drawled, giving him an annoyed look. “Have you ever strived to be accurate in life, Coach? Or do you just enjoy causing trouble so much that—”

“This is still my class, Millen,” he snapped. “And you will—”

“Show you respect? Why? When have you shown me any?” I interjected. “But I will give you the gift of correcting you so you don’t once again look the fool.” I ignored the whistles and people chuckling as I pointed at Emma. “She works for Taylor Reid.Taylorhas a contract with Familiar Treasures whichIalso work for. That makes Ms. Wagner and Icolleaguesoutside of class.”

“Correct, but still something petty people would pick at,” Emma said firmly, clearly putting Coach in that bucket. “As such, Taylor will also be evaluating Millen at Mrs. Reid’s request just as she is reviewing everything for Professor Wyatt.” She gave me a sad smile when I looked at her. “People brought up the same petty with him and he asked to sidestep it.”

“Unreal,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Two aides have actual family friends in this class and act like they’re besties, waving them off from warm-ups and more. And I’m once again being picked on.” I met Coach’s pissed-off gaze. “Which you were warned not to do again.”

“Bringing up possible—”

“Bull,” I snapped. “You did it in front ofeveryoneafter I’ve just been cleared of the Curtis Rice crap. You can’t stand me not being harassed or the bad guy after you got spanked because of howyoubehaved. You could have brought it up to Ms. Wagner privately later—that would have been theprofessionalway.

“Or the headmaster if you felt more comfortable after he sidestepped you. But you wanted to humiliate me—imply I’m getting favoritism and a pass. The kicker is my other teachers praise me for working harder than any other freshman they have.” I nodded when he seemed shocked. “I had to hide my magic. Use your head. What does that mean?”

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