Page 37 of Evergreen Academy (Society of Magical Botanists #1)
Chapter Thirty-Six
T en minutes later, I was ushered into Professor East’s office. Professor Tenella was in a chair at the side of his desk, a few leaves sticking out from her black curly chignon.
Callan slipped in at the last moment and took a seat next to me across from the colossal desk. He had told me to go inside then dashed off to find the teachers after the strange phenomena in the flower gardens.
“Mr. Rhodes has explained what he observed outside,” Professor East said calmly. “He claims you demonstrated a floral affinity.”
My head swiveled among the three of them. “That can’t be right, though. Professor Tenella tested me…”
Professor Tenella nodded, and for the first time I noticed the large bucket of planted flowers near her feet. They were arched toward her. But she pushed the bucket in my direction, and they immediately switched their focus to me, as if we were two neighboring magnets.
“You’re right, Briar. You didn’t have an affinity for florals.” Professor Tenella smiled, her eyes meeting mine. “But now you do.”
“Wh-what?” I stammered. “How is that possible?”
Professor East stood up and began to pace.
“That’s precisely what we’d like to figure out.
Could we have missed something in the initial tests?
Did your power take longer to manifest than most for some reason?
Could your powers have been shielded somehow?
” Professor East’s eyebrows pulled together, and he shifted his gaze to his colleague.
“Perhaps her affinity power is tied to the seasons. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that this happened on the winter solstice,” Professor Tenella suggested.
Professor East steepled his fingers. “I suppose that’s possible.
Some affinities do manifest more strongly during certain seasons than others.
But for it to appear so strongly, after not responding to the testing…
” He sat quietly for a moment, and I cast a look at Callan.
His eyes were fixed on the flowers at my feet, half of which were now arching toward him.
Professor Tenella spoke again. “Have you noticed any signs of affinity powers prior to tonight, Briar?”
I began to shake my head but then stopped, remembering.
“There was a moment in class a few weeks ago when we were studying a rotting log. My team members took turns guessing the age, and it turned out that I selected the exact right number. I’d thought it was a lucky guess, but it was like the age had jumped into my mind out of nowhere. ”
I shot a glance toward Callan and saw a perplexed smile on his lips.
“Well, we have ourselves a bit of a puzzle,” Professor East said, drawing my attention away from Callan. “But it’s late, and we’ve all had a big day. Callan, I believe you’re departing in a few hours.”
Callan nodded, and my heart sank. For some reason, I felt better about navigating whatever was happening if he was close by.
“Let’s all take our planned time for the holidays, and when we get back, we’ll run you through all the affinity tests again, Ms. Whelan. It’s clear that something has changed, even if we don’t yet know what.”
I nodded, but internally, I was wondering how I would possibly manage waiting weeks without any answers.
Professor Tenella reached out and gave my hand a little squeeze, then she left the room with a “Happy Midwinter’s Night!” The bells along the bottom of her dress tingled as she swept out the door.
Callan and I left Professor East’s office together.
“Listen, I don’t have to leave tomorrow.” His voice was soft, softer than I’d ever heard it.
“Of course you do,” I said, though I desperately wanted him to stay for reasons I couldn’t fully explain. “Your family will want to see you for the holidays.”
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “They’d survive, trust me.”
“Well, I’ve agreed to work some extra shifts at my aunt’s café to cover for the student employees who are going home. Time will fly.” I didn’t think it would, but I forced myself to pretend .
“Okay,” he said slowly, studying my face. I put on a mask of calm and confidence. There was no need for Callan to know how curious and confused and maybe minorly terrified I was of whatever was going on with my powers. Powers. I had powers . A little shiver ran down my arms.
“Then I’ll see you in a few weeks, Briar.”
Before I could reply, he was gone.