Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
When we got back to the academy, the grounds were oddly quiet. Normally, on the day before a new term started, students would roam all around, hanging on to their last few hours of unstructured time.
But not a soul was in sight as we passed through the flower gardens and entrance atrium and into the central vein.
“Where is everybody?” I asked, disoriented.
Voices came from the teahouse, and Callan nodded in that direction. “Something’s up.”
We entered the teahouse to find it full, from the entrance to the tall glass walls in the back.
My eyes immediately sought my friends. With a murmured goodbye to Callan—we were trying not to be seen together too much in public—I slipped through the crowd of botanists to stand with Coral, Aurielle, and Yasmin.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“Professor Tenella just called us in here for an announcement.”
A few more students trickled in from the patio connected to the teahouse, then Professor Tenella stepped onto the raised area where Professor East typically spoke from.
“Hello, everyone. I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’m addressing you instead of Professor East. There has been a change at the academy for the rest of this school year. Professor East has temporarily gone on leave—”
The room burst into gasps and murmurs.
“Oh no,” I said sharply, my heart sinking.
When Wyatt had come for the quill, I was prepared to offer it up myself. But Professor East had taken responsibility for the missing quill. Callan had said that he thought Professor East might have just fallen on his sword for us. Was he forced out?
It felt as if there were a stone in my stomach. If Professor East had been fired because of me, I was seriously going to be sick. I searched for Callan’s eyes across the room. He was already looking at me, and he shook his head slightly before turning back to Professor Tenella.
“Are we all going to settle down, or do I need to pull out the Wisteria Windchimes?” Professor Tenella asked.
The crowd quieted, but Coral whispered, “No, but I could really go for some of Professor Sage’s calming pies right now.”
“I’m sure you all have many questions, but I do not have many answers. I am here to introduce our temporary new director.”
The crowd went completely silent then, and I wondered which of our instructors had been tapped for the job.
When a white man with wavy brown hair and a trim beard entered the room, I frowned. I had never seen him before. But from the surrounding murmurs, I could tell a few students recognized him.
“Scholars, this is Frederick Feathergrass. He is a grasses founders’ descendant and the longest-serving member of the Board of Regents for Evergreen Academy. Please give him a warm welcome.” She clapped, and there was an unenthusiastic response of gentle hand claps in return.
“Thank you, Professor Tenella,” Frederick Feathergrass said.
“It’s an honor to be serving in this position for the remainder of the year.
The board hopes that, under my leadership, Evergreen Academy will thrive like never before, and each of you will realize your fullest potential as you embark into the society of magical botanists.
I will be conducting personal interviews with a random sample of students to get your opinions on your experiences at school, and I would appreciate your honest feedback.
Now, I’m sure you all have much to do to prepare for the start of the semester.
Enjoy your evening, and I look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks. ”
Feathergrass waved a hand, and the ornamental grasses around the room and outside the patio swayed, as if doing a celebration dance.
“What the spores?” Coral said as the crowd began to disperse. “What happened to Professor East? And why did they bring in someone who isn’t even a teacher to run the academy?”
“I think I know what happened to Professor East,” I whispered, my stomach still twisting with guilt. There was no way I could eat at the moment, not even Professor Sage’s food.
“You do?” Aurielle asked.
“Not here,” I whispered. “There’s somewhere we can talk privately tonight. I just need to find Callan to let us in.”
All three friends looked at me strangely, but Yasmin wore a knowing expression. My roommate had sensed I had been hiding some things recently, and I felt guilty about that.
It was finally time to tell my friends everything. With any luck, the Root and Vine Society coalition was about to grow by three.