Page 62

Chapter Sixty-Two

C allan lifted a hand and knocked on the door to Professor East’s office. It slid open with the tug of a vine.

“Good morning.” Professor East looked slightly more perky now, and I attributed it to the mug of tea resting on his desk.

“We have some news we’d like to discuss with you,” Callan said.

Professor East nodded toward the chairs across from his desk. “Of course. Ms. Whelan said as much. Have a seat.”

I slid into the chair closest to the door, sitting forward and angled toward Callan.

He gave me one last look then turned to Professor East. “Briar and I visited the tree conservatory this weekend. We were invited to the moss conservatory by Meadow and decided to stop in while we were there.”

My heart felt like it was going to hammer out of my chest. We had tried so hard to ensure that no one knew about our visit to the tree conservatory, and now we had to tell Professor East. Well, with Wyatt having seen Callan, perhaps the seeds were already out of the packet.

At least Callan wouldn’t have to full-on lie .

“I’m sure that was an educational experience for you, Ms. Whelan,” Professor East said, looking between us.

I swallowed, hoping the sudden warmth on my skin wasn’t visibly betraying me. My mind went straight to our kiss, and that was not what I needed to be focusing on in this moment. “Very,” I said, thankful it didn’t come out as a squeak.

“While we were there,” Callan continued, “we ran into someone we weren’t expecting. I’m afraid it may pose a security concern for the academy or for Briar.”

Professor East leaned back, fingers steepled and forehead furrowed. “Who did you see?”

Callan turned to me, and I spoke up. “A student I know from SCC. Alex.”

Professor East’s eyebrows rose, but it was so subtle I almost didn’t notice it. “You saw an SCC student at the tree conservatory? Someone who does not attend here?”

I nodded.

“I didn’t recognize him,” Callan said. “Though that doesn’t mean anything. There are plenty of tree affinities I don’t know. But based on the information Briar gathered earlier this term…”

Professor East quickly filled in the gap. “Whoever poisoned the soil last year had a tree affinity.”

“That can’t be a coincidence,” I said.

“I’m inclined to agree.” Professor East rolled his chair forward, closer to his desk. He took a deep breath.

“Thank you for bringing this to me. I can get some basic information from Alex’s student records at SCC. Full name, address.”

“There’s something else you should know,” Callan said. He cast a wary glance in my direction. “Alex befriended Briar at SCC last year, and he’s currently dating her best friend, Maci.”

“I see. That is… concerning,” Professor East said.

I turned to where Callan sat in the chair next to me, taking comfort in the fact that he was here.

I was reminded of the evening a year ago when my powers had first been activated on the winter solstice.

Things had turned out all right then, so maybe they would now too.

But with Maci involved, the stakes felt so much higher.

“I’ll do some subtle inquiring and get back to you both when I have information to share. It doesn’t seem as if your friend is in any immediate danger, Ms. Whelan, but you will need to decide if you’d like to warn her or not.”

“Warn her…” The words floated out of me as I struggled to process them. Of course I needed to warn her. But how? She didn’t know about magical botanists, tree affinities, or verdant shield poisonings. What could I tell her that wouldn’t sound like me coming off as a jealous friend?

“You’ll think of something.” Callan’s voice was reassuring, and I nodded.

“He—Alex—told Maci he was going home for the holidays, so she’s not expecting to hear from him for a while. I’ll try to figure out how to approach her about this before he returns,” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

“Very good. I’m sorry this has happened, but I’m glad you both brought it to my attention. Is there anything else either of you would like to speak with me about?”

Oh, just the stolen quill—a precious magical botanical artifact—that’s currently in my bag. No big deal.

“Not a thing,” I said, perhaps too quickly.

Callan’s mouth tugged into a smile that he effortlessly straightened as he rose. “Thanks, Professor East. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“I will. In the meantime, why don’t you two try to enjoy the remainder of your break.”

We left Professor East’s office and descended the stairs. I wasn’t sure exactly where we were going, but fresh air seemed like a good idea. A hysterical laugh bubbled out of me when we reached the entry atrium.

“Briar,” Callan said, pausing in the atrium and gently taking my hand in his, “we’re going to figure this out. Okay?”

I nodded, focusing on the warmth of his hand as he rubbed a thumb on the inside of my palm.

“I know. This is all just… a lot. It was exhilarating seeing the tree conservatory.” I quickly cleared my throat.

I couldn’t think about that too hard while I had the sensation of Callan’s fingers so near my hand.

“And getting the quill, but then there was the thing with Alex, and now the quill doesn’t seem to be working.

After the decision at the moss conservatory and what you all think that might mean for our professors…

It feels like things are spiraling out of control. ”

Callan took my other hand in his. “We have the quill now. And it’s all because of you. We’ll figure the next steps out together. And, actually, I thought of something while we were sitting in Professor East’s office. There was a painting of a?—”

Callan abruptly cut off whatever he was about to say.

“Briar,” Callan’s voice was sharp. He dropped my hands and spun around, facing the exit to the grounds. His body was tense, and I followed his gaze out of the atrium and to the flower gardens. All I saw were the bright blooms.

“What is it?”

“Do you have the quill on you?” Callan whispered.

I nodded. “It’s in my bag. What’s?—”

“Take it and go off campus. Use the petal portal. Hurry.”

“Cal—”

The door to the entrance atrium blew inward, as if it had been pushed open by a vacuum of wind from the other side.

Callan’s face fell for a moment then turned to a mask of stony nonchalance as he crossed his arms and faced the door.

“Two times in a week. Mom and Dad might start to think we’re leaving them out on purpose.”

“Hello again, Wyatt.”