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Chapter Fifty-Seven

W hen we returned to the main room, the atmosphere was transformed, with the lights lower and the place already beginning to fill up.

Meadow had been right—the moss conservatory’s annual strategic meeting more closely resembled a swanky early New Year’s Eve party than the board meeting I had been picturing.

Each attendee was dressed in varying shades of green, and moss boutonnieres were pinned to our chests as we entered the main room.

I smiled when I realized Meadow had bucked the green dress code as much as possible, wearing a silky black pantsuit with only the moss boutonniere adding a splash of green.

I spotted Callan and Hollis, who were both in deep-green suits.

“I’m going to try to spy on the meeting,” Meadow whispered. “You all have fun mingling .” She put a heavy emphasis on the last word, as if that were exactly what we had been invited here to do.

Callan picked up three agendas, and I scanned the one he handed to me.

The paper was obviously recycled and had a grayish tinge.

According to the inked text, different portions of the annual strategic meeting took place every thirty minutes out in the sphagnum bog, with only the relevant parties invited .

“Bryology research highlights… moss ecosystem recovery… genomic advancements… leadership changes…” I listed off some of the topics on the agenda and paused on that one. It must have been what Meadow was referring to. “Meadow told me about the vote,” I said, raising my eyebrows at Callan and Hollis.

“My dad let slip that something similar is on the agenda for the fern meeting,” Hollis said.

“Do you think it’s going to pass?” I asked.

Hollis shrugged, though his face was hard. “I think there’s been some pushback from the less powerful fern families. But whether they’ll prevail… we’ll have to wait and see.”

“I take it you don’t support these changes?” I asked, wanting to confirm what Meadow had said.

“Look who’s on the list for that agenda item. Four people. Four. ” Hollis pointed to the paper. “Should so few individuals be in charge of making decisions for everyone?”

I raised my eyebrows, startled at his boldness. I should have known his sentiments would match Callan’s—they were best friends.

“It’s the Board of Regents driving it all,” Callan murmured, voice low as his eyes coolly slid over the moss botanists in the room.

His facial expression was pleasantly bored despite the heat I sensed in his words.

“They’ve obviously been lobbying to set all of this up.

I never imagined it would come to a vote so quickly. ”

Of course. We were back to his parents.

“I’m getting some food. Want anything?” Hollis asked.

Callan shook his head, and I declined as well.

I was about to ask him more about the proposals when we were approached by a woman with long dark hair adorned with gemstone clips who was wearing a moss-green sari.

“Mr. Rhodes, I didn’t know you were going to be here this evening. Are your parents in attendance?”

Callan gave her the most disarming smile I had ever seen and shook his head reluctantly. “I came here with Meadow for a school project.”

“Ah! Evergreen Academy never sleeps, does it?” She turned to me. “And who is your friend here?”

Callan tensed, but it was washed away so quickly that I thought I might have imagined it.

“Of course, let me introduce you. Lira, this is Briar, one of my classmates at Evergreen Academy. Briar, Lira is a member of the Board of Regents. She represents the mosses.”

I tried to cover up my surprise at being introduced to one of the members of the board that we’d just been discussing. We shook hands, and I said, “Nice to meet you.”

She eyed me more carefully. “The pleasure is mine. You wouldn’t be Briar Whelan, would you?”

“Guilty,” I said, letting out a forced lighthearted laugh. We had not prepared for this level of attention, and if the quill was discovered to be missing, our presence here this weekend wasn’t likely to go unnoticed.

“Well, you made quite the splash with the board. I was told you have a strong affinity for every plant group.” Her eyes were assessing as they scanned me, as if she might get a glimpse of my powers through my skin.

“You heard correctly. Though I’m still developing my affinity powers. I’m afraid my skills might be a little bit of a letdown.”

“There was some debate over what field study options would best suit you this year. I know more than one affinity was hoping to get you on a topic of interest to them. Judging by how cozy you two look, I’d say the trees had an advantage.

It seems plans were changed at the last minute. You are quite the hot commodity.”

I swallowed, startled by this revelation, but kept my voice steady and my expression neutral. “How flattering.”

“Alas, the board didn’t get the final say on your assignment. I’m told it is classified. I hope you are finding it beneficial?”

“I am,” I said, keeping a mask of composure on my face. Questions were flooding my brain like seedlings after a rainstorm.

“Lira, you look lovely as always,” Callan interjected smoothly, putting a steadying hand on the small of my back. “I was just getting ready to give Briar the full tour. It was great seeing you again.”

Lira turned her attention back to Callan, seemingly unable to resist his charm. “Thank you, Callan. I must attend a session out in the bog in a few minutes. But I’ll see you at the midsummer gathering, if not sooner. I heard conditions are looking good for a super bloom.”

She turned to me. “I’m sure we’ll meet again, Briar.” She nodded to each of us then turned and walked away, leaving me dizzy with questions.