"We're done hiding," Torian said. "But before we could even act on that, this happened today."
"This," Ms. Rhodes said, "appears to have been planned after the last attack failed. Or at least that's my working theory." She lifted a finger, begging us all to wait. "We do have security inthe school. It is typical, mundane equipment. Oddly, when I reviewed the tapes with Ms. Hawthorne earlier, it appears no one painted the school."
"Uh..." I had so many questions.
"Literally," she clarified. "The paint appeared on the walls, but the halls were completely empty."
"Magic," Keir explained.
"And either an enchantment or a conjuration strong enough I wasn't disturbed by it," Ms. Rhodes went on. "So I'm glad Jack is with Aspen. Torian, which classes does she not have one of the court with her?"
I had that answer. "First and third periods."
"Then I'll move you, Torian - "
"No," he said, cutting her off. "Aspen was right. She pointed out that having me follow her around makes her look weak. It's all but begging for these idiots to attack her again. Jack can watch her back."
"My bigger concern is her freezing in the face of a problem," Ms. Rhodes said, doing her best to be gentle. "Torian, we know she's not used to the same social situations you grew up with."
"Maybe not," he agreed, "but she can handle herself."
Keir murmured at that. "I'm more worried than you are, Tor?"
Torian tapped at the table before him. "Yes. I know she can escape. I can't be sure she'd fight back, but I believe she can defend herself with gusto if she chooses to. I know she will protect her friends, and that bird counts."
"So you think he's more of an excuse to make her act than any real protection?" I asked.
"I do," Torian admitted. "Don't get me wrong, Shadow made his point - "
"Its," I corrected. "I promisemyshadow isn't male. I don't get the feeling it's female either, so let's just go with 'it?'"
"Its point then," Torian conceded.
And on the wall, Shadow held up its thumb.
"Ok," Ms. Rhodes said. "But in full disclosure, and in the spirit of the agreement Rain and I have in this room, I'm worried, Torian. Her Majesty - "
"Aspen," Torian corrected. "We don't need titles or groveling. What we need are some of those cheap rubber bracelets, in bulk if possible."
"For?" Ms. Rhodes asked.
"Protections," I said. "I'd like to try making a few as well. I mean, wouldn't it make sense that Wild magic would protect better?"
"Or not at all," Keir said. "That's the nature of Wild magic."
"I can get the bracelets," Ms. Rhodes promised. "There's just one thing you three haven't considered."
"What's that?" I asked.
"You, Rain." Ms. Rhodes gave me a gentle smile. The kind that looked like an apology. "Anything you touch will be negated. That includes worn protections. I can't be sure how a protection made of Wild magic would react to being worn. Would it be dangerous? Helpful? It's why I haven't focused on such things."
"And that kills that idea," Keir grumbled.
"But Aspen and Torian need some kind of protection!" I insisted.
"I'm fine," Torian said.
So I canted my head at him. "Are you? Do you think Aspen agrees? Keir?"
