Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As I returned to the aquatics conservatory, I was buzzing with energy and a sense of connection to the aquatic plants both in and above the dome—confirmation that the restored access to my powers at the defensive conservatory hadn’t been a fluke.
I could feel the difference as soon as I swam through the barrier.
The bonds on my magic were gone, and I had full access to my powers.
I was practically floating as I told my friends.
“Well, hot water lilies. Now that you have your powers back, Briar, if you’re up for it, I have a mission for you tonight,” Nevah said.
“What kind of mission?”
“The aquatics representative on the Board of Regents is supposed to be here for an aquatics conservatory meeting.” Nevah’s eyes were bright. “I think we should listen in.”
Kai asked, “You sure?”
Nevah nodded. “It’s all hands on deck now. The Root and Vine Society is doing what it can at the academy, but changes have spread to the conservatories too. Knowledge is power, and we need more of it.”
“How can we listen in?” I asked.
“They hold the meetings in a small outer dome. There’s only one way in and out,” Kai answered.
“So how are we going to spy on them?” Nalin asked.
“Remember how I told you Kai has the ability to waterbend? With the right trick of the light, he can swim us in without anyone seeing us,” Nevah said.
“Have you tried this before?” I asked.
“Waterbending? Or spying on a council meeting?” Kai asked, a touch of humor in his voice.
“Both.”
“I’ve done waterbending plenty of times. Nevah and I have successfully spied on one meeting. When rumors started flying around that Feathergrass had replaced Professor East at the academy last week, we had to listen in on the special session they called.”
I relaxed a little.
“I only had to bend the water around two of us that time, so it might be more challenging with four, but I’ll make it happen.” Kai’s confidence was reassuring, but the operation was still risky.
“Make that three,” Nalin said. “I have plans with my research group this evening.”
“What happens if we get caught?” I asked.
“To you? Probably nothing other than getting sent out of the conservatory, which you’re planning soon anyway. You’re not under their jurisdiction. Kai and I could lose our positions here,” Nevah said.
I stilled. “Are you sure you want to risk that?”
“Absolutely.” I could hear the resolve in Nevah’s voice. “This fight isn’t just for the academy. Changes there mean changes for all of us. We’ve already witnessed it happening. And if the higher-ups won’t share information, we’ll have to get access to it ourselves.”
“But you’re a founders’ descendant. Why aren’t they sharing information with you?” I asked.
“It’s a good question. Information is being held within tight circles these days. It feels ominous. You heard about the changes at the moss conservatory?”
I nodded. “I was there when the vote happened. They only want founders’ descendants to be in charge.”
“That hasn’t happened here yet. But I wonder if it’s only a matter of time.”
“Well, if you two are willing to risk your positions here, I’m in.”
After we said goodbye to Nalin, Kai and Nevah led the way to the miniature dome where the council meetings were held. We slipped into the water tunnel to swim in, and Kai raised some crystals that he held in his palms.
As Nevah and I glided through the water, I blinked several times when I realized her form was disappearing. Kai’s waterbending light tricks must be working. We continued through the tunnel, and when we got to the end, I stayed in the water, just as Kai and Nevah had prompted me to do.
A circle of aquatics botanists sat in the room, trays of fresh seafood on the driftwood table in front of them.
From the way the conversation was going, the meeting had already started.
The sounds were muffled, but then Nevah swirled her hands, and their voices began to pass smoothly through the water.
“Plans are in place to take back control of public lands from the humans. We have a bill in the state legislature, and when it passes, it will hand stewardship to our nonprofit,” one of the council members said.
I tensed. What did that mean? Which public lands were they taking over?
“We expect similar bills to pass in surrounding states. Soon, magical botanists will have control of most state and national parks,” another explained.
Murmurs spread throughout the room.
One woman spoke up. “Will these lands continue to be open for human tourism and recreation?”
“For now. But ultimately, most of these will close for private stewardship. It’s time we took a more aggressive approach to conservation of our plants’ habitat.”
I swallowed. I understood that magical botanists wanted to protect plants and their homes, but cutting off access from humans was too much.
How could humans ever be motivated to care for their natural environment if they could never witness some of the most beautiful, well-preserved places in the country?
“At that point, we’ll have full access to these habitats. We expect research to accelerate at a rate not seen in the modern era. Feathergrass expects patents to be processed more quickly, and we’ll be able to roll out some of our findings to the public. Strategically, of course.”
Feathergrass. Of course he was involved. The advancement of science was great, but at what cost? Why couldn’t we advance the science while still allowing nonmagical people access to the beautiful species we cared about so much? And was Feathergrass more concerned about conservation or about profit?
“When will this take place?”
“The legislative session begins in March. We estimate most changes will begin occurring in the fall or next year.”
March was only six weeks away. Everything was happening too quickly. I had only just found the Vanished Compendium, and I didn’t know how to interpret the riddles within it.
We continued to listen until the meeting began to wrap up, then we hurriedly returned through the tunnel under the cover of Kai’s waterbending abilities.
“Seven bubbles,” Nalin cursed once we’d filled him in on the meeting. “They really want to take over all the public lands?”
We all sat in Nevah’s room again, the coral reef outside putting on a spectacular show.
“I understand why some would think that’s a good idea, but do they think the humans are just going to let it happen? Like us, many of them have a deep connection to those places. Closing them to the public is not a viable option,” Nevah said.
“I agree,” I said. “In California, public parks are a major part of our identity. Even if they manage to get a bill through under the guise of moving the parks under the management of a nonprofit, do they think they’re just going to put up a Closed sign outside of Yosemite and people will be okay with it? ”
Kai shook his head. “This could be dangerous. Botanists have always worked with humans when possible. This would be a massive shift.”
“What can we do about it, though? The legislative session will begin in March.” I ran my hands across the cover of my notebook, trying to let the soft fabric comfort me. What I really wanted was to talk to Callan. Maybe he would see a way out of the situation.
“We have to change the direction of leadership,” Nevah said. “That way, even if these bills pass, magical botanists can change their minds on how they intend to manage the land.”
“And how do we change the direction of leadership?” Nalin asked.
“By becoming more powerful than they are.” Nevah looked pointedly at my backpack, where the Vanished Compendium was stored.
“It’s more important than ever that you figure out how to use it, B.
Nalin, we’ll have the plane charged with biofuel for you so you can get into the air first thing tomorrow morning. ”
We each looked around the circle, meeting one another’s eyes. The countdown was on. It was time to head back to Evergreen Academy. And when I got there, I would have access to my powers.