Page 21

“But that’s enough about Quirk possibilities.

We could talk all day about them. I’m going to explain the process of triggering latent Quirks so that you all understand what we’re going to be doing in this class.

We have a small group, which should make things easier, but I need you all to swear to me that anything that happens here stays within this group.

We’re going to have a circle of trust between us.

In order to find latent Quirks, especially later in life, we need to delve deep.

It’s not always going to be comfortable; it’s not always going to be fun.

Sometimes it’s going to hurt. But it’s what must be done in order to uncover the truth.

If you all agree that this classroom is a safe space, raise two fingers and say, ‘I will’. ”

We glanced around the room at one another and, as a unit, raised our fingers.

“I will,” we said in unison.

Liam whipped off a rune as we did, and our promises flew from our fingers to his like fireflies. He gathered them and tucked them in his coat pocket, then nodded. “Let’s begin. Who would like to go first?”

Zeed’s hand shot up, with Marina as a quick second, Fable, Ross, Gary, and Caterina all following suit. Phyllis remained quiet in the back, and Ellie made a big show of inspecting her fingernails as I settled deeper into my seat.

Liam nodded toward Zeed. “Okay, Zeed, why don’t you come on up and take a seat?”

Zeed hurried to the chair beside Typhon’s desk.

He was almost vibrating as he glanced at Fable, who offered an encouraging smile and thumbs up.

“I’m ready. Whatever I need to do ...”

Liam laid a hand on his shoulder and nodded. “You can start by closing your eyes.”

Zeed snapped his eyes shut and sat stock-still as Liam placed his palm on Zeed’s forehead.

“Have you ever tried meditating, Zeed?”

“No, not really.”

“Okay, so let’s start by having you clear your mind as best you can. Any lingering worries, thoughts of failing, thoughts of home, wondering whether a certain special person thinks you’re a nerd or not, I want you to let it all go.”

This got a chuckle from some of the others, and I had to admit, if the goal was to make a person feel as comfortable as possible, he was doing a hell of a job.

Liam had an easy charm about him that it was hard not to appreciate.

It was why his stories were all so easy to believe. He was as smooth as whipped cream.

I risked a glance at Typhon, whose scowl had only deepened as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Apparently, the doyen was immune to Liam’s charm, which was no surprise.

He probably hated ice cream and puppies too.

Then again, there was some serious rivalry between Heathermoor and Neverthorn – there had been for years.

Like the rivalry between the Hatfields and McCoys, I had no idea how it really started. Maybe that was enough?

“Let your muscles relax, starting from the top. Let your jaw go slack. Release your neck, and let your head loll forward. Shoulders next.”

Liam’s voice dropped to something near a whisper.

“Feel the tension draining from your body.”

Liam began sweeping his hand over Zeed’s head and face, not touching him, but grazing past, as if he was swiping cobwebs away.

After a few moments, Zeed visibly slumped, the worry lines in his face disappearing.

I caught Fable’s eyes and raised my brows as we both leaned forward in our seats. Waving away the anxiety in a situation like this was a feat in itself.

Liam curled his fingers inward, leaving only his index finger extended, as he pressed it to the center of Zeed’s forehead, physically touching him now. His fingertip began to glow, sparks of magic skittering off Zeed’s face.

“What do you love most in this world, Zeed?”

His throat worked as he mustered a reply. “M-my mom, I guess?”

A snicker sounded from the wall beside him and Zeed’s cheeks went crimson, but by the time I looked, Julius’s expression was unreadable.

Donkeyhole.

“Ignore everything but the sound of my voice, son. It’s your mom you love the most. Same goes for me. She’s an amazing woman and makes the best chicken and dumplings you ever tasted.”

The words seemed to settle Zeed again, and he nodded slowly.

“Yeah. Uh, mine is just really supportive. She never makes me feel pressure or anything even though –” he broke off, but Liam encouraged him to continue. “Even though I’m not where I want to be as far as my magic skills yet.”

“That’s really important. You’re so lucky to have her.”

He had no idea how lucky, and I hated how my throat tightened at the thought of my own mom.

“And can you tell me, Zeed, what do you fear most?”

“Letting people down, I guess?”

“What people, specifically? Your housemates? Your professors? Family?”

“My dad, mostly.”

Fable pressed a fist to her lips and blinked hard, her eyes suspiciously glassy. He was older than her, and they’d known each other their first time around at Neverthorn, but I was starting to wonder if there was a connection there ...

“You feel compelled to impress him?”

“I feel compelled to be better than him,” Zeed shot back, fists clenching at his sides. “He ... let’s just say he isn’t as supportive as my mom and let’s leave it at that.”

“Alright. This next part isn’t fun, but it’s necessary. Everything we are doing today is part of the process. If I could make it easier on you, I would.”

Zeed tensed but he nodded.

“Bring it on.”

“I need you to cast your memory back to the time in your life that you felt the most powerless. Don’t just think of it. Actually picture it in your mind. Remember the feelings. Let them envelope you.”

My guts churned as I looked on, glad I wasn’t in the hot seat, but unable to look away. I wanted this to work for him because if it could work for Zeed ... maybe it could work for all of us.

You got this, Zeed.

“Are you there now? Can you picture it clearly?”

Zeed opened his mouth and then snapped it shut, nodding instead.

“Embrace it. Let that shame and anger and fear spread inside you. Let it build, and spread, and consume you. Do you feel it?”

Zeed gritted his teeth and ground out a “yes”.

Liam’s face was a mask of concentration as the light from his fingertip grew impossibly bright.

“There is a rope beside you now. Do you see it? Reach for it, Zeed. Reach for the rope and pull.”

Zeed lifted a hand in the air, grasping for something only he could see. “It’s there, but it’s out of reach. I can’t ...”

He reached further, and further still, before lunging from his chair and stumbling. Liam grabbed him, catching him before he fell.

“Okay, you’re alright. I got you.”

Zeed’s lashes fluttered and then he opened his eyes.

“What ... what happened? Why did we stop?”

He was coated in sweat, his skin sickly pale, hands trembling as he stared at Liam.

“It wasn’t meant to be today, son.”

“Did ... did you see a Quirk inside me, at least?” he croaked, tipping his head in question.

Liam pursed his lips and shook his head slowly. “No. But that doesn’t mean it’s not there, alright? We’re not going to give up hope, we’re just getting started. It can be a process. Taking hold of that rope you saw, that’s the first step.”

Zeed nodded but the devastation was plain on his face, and if I was a hugger, I’d have given him one right then.

Liam helped him as he shakily made his way back to his seat. Then, the visiting doyen scanned the room. His eyes locked on me, and for a second, I wished I could nicking notions myself into being so small that he couldn’t see me. If that was just getting started, I wanted no part of –

“Harlow, would you like to come up?”