Page 43 of Validus Vale Academy 1
It looks like she’s headed to Electis Tower—what’s up with that?
The Elites are not exactly welcoming when it comes to Defectivum kids, but maybe she’s just looking for several inches ofkyrpä. I hadn’t pegged her as an Elite-groupie, but I’m often disappointed by people; why should she be any different?
For a split second, I consider tailing her, but then give myself a mental smack. Just leave her alone, youidiootti. It’s not your business, even if she is trolling for Elite cock.
And anyway, I’ve got work to do.
Leaving Wilson behind, I jog through the grounds dressed in my customary black sweats—nothing to see here, people. After fifteen minutes, I veer off into the woods that surround the campus. Not many students wander around these parts, but occasionally I’ll run into some alfresco sex party or kids smoking weed. I leave them to it—it’s not like I’m a real teacher, why should I give a shit?
At the southernmost edge of the grounds is a collection of buildings and an area of blacktop. Maintenance ATVs, mowers,that sort of thing. I’ve no reason to believe Maximus would have come this way, but it’s a part of the grounds I’ve still to search.
First things first, I make sure there’s no one nearby; my military training included detecting power signatures from a distance.
No one, at least, no witches, are in the vicinity, so now the search begins. It’s a painstakingly slow process. I push my senses to their extreme, desperately trying to find another hint of that strange energy echo.
My first sweep takes me to the fifteen-foot barricade that surrounds Validus Vale. The wall is marble-smooth. Anything that could be used as a toehold has been sanded away. The school says it’s for student safety, to keep danger out, but in my mind, it looks more designed to keep students here, inside the walls. With thatandthe wards, the only way out is through the heavily guarded gates.
I’ve only just started my second sweep when the scent of gasoline wafts my way. Focusing my hearing, I realize a human is driving an ATV and headed in this direction. Goddamn it. I toss up whether to stay or go and end up calling it quits.
These nightly hunts are dispiriting and probably worthless, but if I’m honest, I keep them up to at least dosomething.
And a bonus, now that it’s dark, I can get back to my lodgings faster than I arrived here. The other reason I do these evening searches? To indulge myself.
Casting this specific spell produces a sensation like a thousand fizzing bubbles moving through my veins. The sensation travels right to the end of my fingertips—even the fucked-up side—and after an intense swell of my inner flame, I begin to rise.
Gods, this never gets old.
Flying, through manipulating air, takes a fuck-ton of complicated spellwork, and it’s not a skill I can flaunt—especially as it’s another highly WMO-regulated practice. Levitation and flying are for licensed Elites only.
I’m not even officially an Elite; the potency of my magic is increased by having an IQ of 198. My gray matter works out the kinks in spell-casting that my magic spark alone cannot.
As I move through the air, a childhood memory flashes into my brain. I was three grades ahead in school, and the other kids called meapila vuohi.It translates roughly to ‘a goat fed on clover’. Goats fed on clover produce more milk, but also get bloated.
Clever Kormovians were called out for having inflated egos, bloated with knowledge. The constant teasing taught me to downplay my intelligence.
That habit has definitely worked out for the best, as here I am, flying, without a government looking over my shoulder. When I fly, the ever-present ache in my arm disappears, and I can block out the pounding frustration of my situation. It’s just pure pleasure.
Towards the edge of the forest, an impulse I can’t understand detours away from my lodgings and towards the Elite tower. A low light shines through the penthouse suite windows, and a silhouetted figure draws my attention.
Hovering in the dark, a few feet from the balcony, I look through the glass and see a tall, blonde Elite with his back to me. By the arrogant set to his shoulders, it’s all too fucking obvious it’s Cosmo Drakeward. When he shifts to one side, I see a girl on her knees. Drakeward getting his dick sucked is not something I need to witness. I’m about to move on when the girl lifts her head.
Wait, what the fuck? It’s Theo Wilson.
Huh, so she is a power-chaser. That’s disappointing. Wilson needs to be careful, though. Cosmo Drakeward is the fuckingepitome of Elite privilege, with a wicked family, to boot. His father was integral in founding The Conclave, and is now its Imperator.
The fucking Conclave. Picture the Masons, but replace the handshakes and networking with vile sorcery, and a full and utter embrace of corruption. They don't just think they're above all laws; it's become apparent they are the law, with police and politicians alike at their bidding.
I’m about to leave, disgusted with them both, when I can’t help but look one more time.
Paska.I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.
Wilson’s silver eyes are enormous and filled with tears. She does not look like a girl willingly on her knees. Fury instantly fills my veins. He must have compelled her into that position. An intense desire to protect her fills me.
What to do? I can’t let them know I’m magically hovering outside the window. I take a breath to calculate my next move as Cosmo looms over her. Frown lines crease her forehead, and her expression changes to one of pure fury.
That’s unexpected. Ha! Something like pride floods through me. That’s my girl.
My girl?
