My affinity powers kicked in immediately, the tree branches rearranging themselves to make a path for me. There was another flower beacon in the distance.
Enjoying the freeing feeling of tree walking, I made my way through the trees for what felt like ten to fifteen minutes.
Finally, I noticed a few moonflowers on the ground and took that as my cue to climb down. As I descended, I heard a soft whooshing noise that hadn’t been audible from the canopy.
I turned toward the sound and then walked until the forest opened to a small clearing. I sucked in a breath as the moonlight glimmered off the water. The view before me was enchanting.
There were a few thin waterfalls, at least twenty feet tall, cascading into a large, glimmering pool. Water lilies floated along the surface, and water bubbled over smooth rocks in the shallow portions of the water.
My heart rate ratcheted up as I gazed into the natural pool.The moonflowers were glowing from the bottom of the lake. Were the flowers directing me to swimunderthe waterfalls?
“Okay, aquatic affinity, don’t fail me now.” I assessed the area one more time but couldn’t make out much beyond what the moonflowers and stars above were illuminating.
Taking a deep breath of determination, I removed my shoes and sweatshirt and stepped into the water. I expected a shock of cold but was pleasantly surprised that it was the temperature of a soothing bath.
With one last look up at the rushing waterfalls and the moon above it, I inhaled a deep breath and dove down, kicking my legs to propel me forward. My eyes stayed open as I swam, the moonflowers lighting the way.
There was a ripple along my skin as I sensed the aquatic plants calling to me, as if curious about my visit. I counted as I pulled my arms through the water, trying to stay focused on my path instead of the plants as I swam through the near dark, the moonflowers providing a continuous shimmer of light as I streamed through the water.
Twenty-one… twenty-two… twenty-three…and before I could count to twenty-four, the pool ended, and I shot upward. My head emerged from the water, and I breathed deeply then looked around. I climbed out of the shallow pool to step into a damp, moss-covered cave. A few crystals were sparkling, lit by some scattered moonflowers, but otherwise, the area was dimly lit.
The entrance to the cave was overflowing with plant life, various shades of green sprouting from the sides and top of the cave as if by magic. There was an odd assortment of plants—ones that shouldn’t be growing out of rock in that fashion. I saw the expected plants for a cave, like moss, but also ferns, trailing flowers, grasses. A tuft of strawberries hung from the ceiling, practically asking to be eaten.
I hesitated by the edge of the pool, not seeing the moonflowers leading anywhere else.
“Nicely done,” came a voice from behind me. I jumped and spun around but relaxed slightly when I recognized a fellow second-year. It was Kaito, my harvester affinity partner from the autumn equinox. He held a fluffy pink plant in his hands.
“Before we go further, I must ask you a few questions.”
I thought this situation was utterly strange, but the high from connecting with the aquatic plants and the magic glimmering of the cave had me wanting to know why I had been called here.
I nodded. “Ask away.”
“Everything about tonight is secret and meant only for a privileged few. Do you swear never to tell anyone else about what you have seen or heard tonight or to reveal this location?”
I debated it for a moment, finding it difficult to commit to a promise like that when I still didn’t know what was going on. But my intuition was telling me it was okay, and I decided to trust it. “I swear,” I agreed.
Well, I guess you’re going all in now, Briar.
The fluffy blooms of the pink plants were positioned perfectly upright, not extended toward me like a floral should be doing.
Kaito glanced at it. “Okay, you’re clear. Follow me.”
We proceeded deeper into the cave, the air smelling like moss and something sweet. I looked up to see trailing honeysuckle and abundant wisteria lining the ceiling. I began to reach out with my floral affinities to examine their cells but was interrupted by Kaito coming to a pause.
“Our last recruit is here.” He stepped to the side, and I took in the view in front of me. We were in a large cavern, the limestone interior lit completely with lanterns and moonflowers lining the ground beside the circular walls. And were those… yes, lightning bugs were flitting around the cave. I had never seen one before since they weren’t fit for the climate here. Or so I had thought. As usual, Evergreen Academy was proving to me that nothing was impossible, even outside of its official grounds.
I recognized some of the others who were gathered in thecenter of the room and placed each of their affinity powers as a pattern emerged. There was Laurus—a top herbs affinity second-year I had once done a project with, Hollis—the fern founder’s descendant—and other excelling students with floral, grasses, and aquatic affinities.
Lastly, my eyes fell on Meadow, founder’s descendant for mosses. With Kaito having a harvester affinity, every lead affinity was represented except for trees and defensive plants.
“Congratulations to each of you for making it here along your individual paths,” Kaito said. “Remember how you came as that’s how you will return if you are called here again.”
“And where is here?” Nalin, the aquatics affinity student, asked.
“The falls are known as Moonlit Falls. The rest of this area”—he waved a hand around the nonsensically plant-covered cave—“is colloquially known as the Evergreen Conservatory. Knowledge of its existence is by invitation only.”
There were murmurs as my classmates sorted through that nugget of news. Evergreen Conservatory? I knew there were nine plant conservatories in the United States, one for each of the plant affinities. But Kaito was right—this regional one was obviously a well-kept secret.
