So I stopped and lifted my chin. "What? You can't make me spill my guts, act like you know all my secrets, and then think I'm going to just keep giving you more!"
Ms. Rhodes calmly lifted a hand. "Both of your fathers have spoken to me about your recent magical quandaries, Rain. Included in that discussion was a mention of your friendship with Aspen Fox. I'm also very well aware of Aspen's sexuality, that she's told you, and that your friendship is complicated."
"Because my dads told you?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "And because I'm the headmistress, and I'm not a young woman, nor am I a stupid one."
"Oh."
"And I can onlyhearthe truth. So if I do not ask questions, anything else would be a guess, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am," I mumbled.
"Good. So what really happened, Rain?"
Pulling in a breath, I decided to just lay it all out there, skipping over the parts she'd made it clear she didn't want to know. "Torian was being a dick again," I started. And I didn't stop until I got to, "Which is when it all went dark."
The whole time, Ms. Rhodes listened, but her answer wasn't at all what I'd expected.
"I think we're going to need to change your schedule for next semester. First period, instead of Literature, you'll be down here with me. Your magic is stronger than you know, Rain le Fae. Strong enough that we can't risk it - or your shadow - getting out of control, because the one thing no one has bothered to tell you yet? Wild magic can be fatal to my kind. Fae are magical. We're made of it, but Wild magic is the exact opposite. Too much could kill us."
"Oh," I breathed. "That's why Keir's the only one who doesn't mind standing in it?"
"You mean willing to risk his life," she clarified. "And I think you might want to spend some time figuringout why."
I just swallowed, reaching up to pet my bird. "I think I maybe know why."
"Then you're smarter than most girls your age," she said, gesturing back towards the stairs. "When school starts, I'll meet you here. We'll find a room for your daily sessions. What do you think, Jack?"
He just pressed into my neck a little more. "Jack..." he whimpered.
"What, bud?" I asked him.
Ms. Rhodes just chuckled. "I don't think birds like being underground. Will you help me anyway, Jack?"
"Rain!" he agreed. "Jack-Rain. Jack-Morrigan!"
So far as I cared, that sounded like a yes. It also made me realize there was one more "person" who wouldn't ditch me if I got into too much shit. Sadly, I hadn't even thought to count him, but Bracken said he'd been with me for years.
Which meant Jack was the one I should be relying on the most.
Chapter Fourteen
KEIR
Ms. Rhodes led Rain away. Looking back, I watched as the pair headed towards our magical training area, which most students called "the Never." Yet while I was pretty sure the headmistress wouldn't punish Rain for a mere accident, I wasn't positive.
"Aspen?" I asked, shifting towards her.
"That isenough!" Ms. Hawthorne snapped. "I don't know what prank the five of you are up to - "
"Pearl..." Liam warned.
"Oh, please!" Ms. Hawthorne shot back. "You know as well as I do that if something happens at this institute, the supposed 'court' is going to be involved."
Torian just shifted his weight and crossed his arms. "Really?"
"Andyou," the woman grumbled, "are truly pushing your boundaries!"
