Page 9 of Evergreen Academy (Society of Magical Botanists #1)

Chapter Eight

A butterfly flitted across my vision as I continued to take in the building in front of me, still enchantingly perplexed that the overgrown greenhouse castle was an academy of some sort.

The spell was broken when Callan said a quick goodbye and headed for the stunning building, and I briefly pulled my mind away from the awe of the moment to wonder why he had even been with us.

Had he simply been catching a ride to campus?

It was obvious that he wasn’t sticking around to be my tour guide.

“This is… incredible.” I let out a deep breath, and Professor East smiled.

“It is, isn’t it? Let’s go up to my office, and I can tell you more.”

I followed his lead through the mass of flowers, some wild and others planted tightly in formation.

The smell was like walking through a perfume store, though one that didn’t instantly cause me a headache.

Instead, I wanted to pull out the notebook that was tucked into my backpack and spend the entire afternoon drawing the blooms.

As we walked, two young women came from a covered area, carrying buckets of potting soil. They greeted Professor East and eyed me curiously as we passed by. I glanced back to see them squat down by one of the flower beds.

We passed under a trellis-covered entryway, where vines of grapes were mixed amongst the vibrant flowers dangling overhead. Professor East reached up and grabbed one, popping it into his mouth.

And then we entered the academy, and I was completely unprepared for what I saw. The entryway was an atrium—the kind you might see in a fancy hotel that was attempting to bring the outdoors in.

Plant life sprouted from every direction, and I got the odd sense that the plants felt as welcome inside as they did outside. A few more students brushed past us, chatting loudly, arms full of books or scientific equipment.

We passed through the atrium and into the body of the building, where white stone made up the walls, columns, and massive curving staircases that stood on either end of the oval room.

“This is the central vein of the academy. From here, you can access any of the rooms on the first floor or take the stairs up to the second and third floors. My office is on the second floor.”

I followed him, all the while letting my eyes soak in everything around me.

Even here, plant life seemed to seep through the white stone, twining up the marble columns.

Glass windows in every direction let in natural light.

And more students, all appearing to be around my age, bustled about, heading into various rooms or outside.

Professor East ushered me into his office on the second floor.

It was a corner room walled entirely in glass on two sides.

Plants lined nearly every free inch of the space, plus a compilation of microscopes and other tools I recognized from biology class.

A large bookcase was filled with botanical books and curiosities.

A massive mortar and pestle sat on his desk.

“So, Ms. Whelan, it’s time to tell you why I invited you here. Everyone who attends this academy has special… gifts.”

I swallowed, wondering if he was going to mention the overly detailed sketches in my lab reports. Had they really been that memorable?

“The things you were able to see and sketch in class last week… Those aren’t things you could normally see under a microscope.

You would need a much more powerful electron microscope, if even that, to see those structures.

During the lab class, you noticed the chloroplasts moving.

But beyond that, you were able to see what was actually moving them—actin and myosin filaments.

And then, in my office, you saw guard cells and gas exchange.

These are things that are impossible to see at that magnification. ”

I stared at him, my eyebrows pulling together in confusion. “But it can’t be impossible if I was able to see it, right?”

To my surprise, Professor East let out a laugh that was more like a guffaw. “Well reasoned. You are correct. It is not impossible for everyone. Not for those with certain… abilities.”

I stopped short, eyeing him with skepticism. Was he saying I had extreme eyesight? “Abilities?”

“This might be a lot to hear, but there are some people on this Earth, a very rare few, who have, let’s say, an extra affinity for plants.”

I squeezed my lips together. I was brimming with questions, but I sensed that he planned to continue, so I held them in.

“Those with this extra affinity can see things in plants that those without it cannot. And, with training, those with this power can tap into and amplify the characteristics of some plants. They can work together in a sort of… symbiotic relationship.”

I tilted my head slightly, trying to make sense of what he was saying. I understood that Professor East’s scientific knowledge was much more advanced than mine, but this didn’t even seem in the realm of modern science.

Professor East seemed to read my thoughts. He lifted a hand, and with a soft rustle, tendrils of a trailing plant snaked along the floor between us and crawled up his pant leg. It winded its way around his arm, a tiny green sprout landing softly in his hands.

I let out a soft gasp and jumped out of my seat. “What… What is this?”

Professor East released his hand, and the tendril fell gently to the floor. “I have a strong affinity for this type of plant, among others. Here at Evergreen Academy, we teach people how to tap into these affinities.”

I suspended my disbelief for a moment and dove in with my first question. “So you think… you think that I have some of these… affinities?”

“Based on what you were able to see through the microscope, yes. ”

“I’m sorry, but that’s really hard to believe. No plant has ever come and snaked up my arm like that.”

Professor East’s lips quirked. “Again, training is needed to truly capitalize on these gifts. It’s not unusual that you wouldn’t have noticed any dramatic signs of your powers yet.”

“You said you have an affinity for certain kinds of plants. If I did have this ability, how would we know what types of plants I have affinities for?”

“Now that is an astute question. The academy will conduct a series of tests that will determine your affinities. Do sit down, won’t you?”

I took the seat across from his desk once more.

“But… why? Why do some people have affinities? And what are you supposed to do with them?” My mind was whirling as my entire view of the world tilted like I was inside a fun house.

A half smile formed on Professor East’s face.

“That is the ultimate question, isn’t it?

As to why, who can say? As for what we’re supposed to do with them…

Magical botanists go into a variety of career fields.

But that will come later. What’s important to know now is that, as a magical botanist, it’s imperative to attend school here to learn how to master your ability so that you can use it safely and ethically. ”

I choked. “I’m sorry. You said I’m a magical?—”

“Botanist. Yes, everyone here is. It’s a rare gift indeed and needed now more than ever. Plants and humans are at odds with one another, and that’s not how it’s meant to be.”

My head was spinning. There were such things as magical botanists, and Professor East was claiming that I, Briar Whelan, was one of them? Before I could realize what was happening, Professor East was pressing a thin wafer into my hands .

“Eat this. You’ll feel better.”

I caught flashes of green and white and realized the room was spinning around me. I couldn’t think coherently enough to argue, so I popped the wafer into my mouth. Nearly instantly, my vision began to clear.

“It’s just a bit of ginger, maca, peppermint, and a few other herbs. It’s proprietary and was invented here at the academy. You looked like you were about to faint, and these help you stay more alert.”

The strong aftertaste of peppermint and other herbs I couldn’t place lingered on my tongue, distracting me from the spiraling thoughts I’d been having a few seconds ago. I sat up a little straighter, my dizziness gone. But the confusion and shock remained.

Evergreen Academy was a school for magical botanists. And, apparently, I was one of them.