Chapter 51
Chapter Fifty-One
It took me a moment to recover from the shock of seeing Callan’s brother in Feathergrass’s office under official circumstances, but I pulled my face into an expression of polite interest. “Hello,” I said, rising to shake Wyatt’s hand.
When Wyatt took it and said, “Nice to meet you,” he confirmed what I’d suspected. Feathergrass didn’t know we had already met.
“Mr. Rhodes will work with you to ensure that your training meets the expectations of our society,” Feathergrass said. “I’m afraid that without having the identity of your prior field studies instructor, we have to assume your field study sessions have been unconventional up to this point.”
I tried not to let my face sour.
“Yes. I’ll make sure her skills are on track for what the society needs from her,” Wyatt said. His voice was serious, but I caught a touch of irony in it.
“Good. Well, then, don’t let me hold you up.” Feathergrass rose, and Wyatt and I made for the door.
“I’ll expect regular reports,” Feathergrass said.
Wyatt nodded.
When we were outside the office, Wyatt walked casually down the stairs. I followed, wondering what on earth he had planned. Once outside, we walked to the edge of the forest, and Wyatt put up a wind sound barrier around us like I had witnessed Callan create.
“So,” I said, ready to find out what Wyatt was doing here. “Are you going to try to tell me it’s a coincidence you’re my new field studies advisor?”
A smile pulled at the corners of Wyatt’s mouth, making him resemble his brother even more than usual. He quickly wiped it away. “Not a coincidence. I volunteered.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Why? I’m sure the DBI has more important things to worry about than my field studies.”
“As I told you before, the academy is a top priority for the DBI. If the students here aren’t happy, they lose their motivation to do work that matters after they leave.
The principles of the DBI align with those of the academy.
We don’t want to see any major shifts here.
Having an agent in place will give us direct access to the academy, should the need arise. ”
I recalled how Alex had been the agent dispatched before and tried not to get upset. At least Wyatt wasn’t trying to hide the DBI’s involvement this time.
“This gives me an excuse to be in the area and on campus more regularly,” Wyatt continued.
“It will also provide opportunities to interact with you and Callan without raising suspicion. I can help make sure everything is in place and monitor the situation on the spring equinox. Have you planned how you will get access to the charging ring?”
I hesitated. Wyatt didn’t know that I had won Capture the Roses, which was going to grant me access to the charging circle and use of the Dandelion of Desire, which would boost my powers. But it was the final ace up our sleeve. I wasn’t sure if I should share it.
As if reading my thoughts, Wyatt asked, “Still don’t trust me?”
“It’s just better if as few people as possible know what we have planned.”
To my surprise, Wyatt nodded approvingly. “Good. You’re thinking like a DBI agent.”
I laughed. “Don’t get any ideas.”
Wyatt put up his hands. “Just saying. We’re always recruiting, if you’re interested.”
I raised my eyebrows. The DBI was seemingly one of the things that had driven a wedge between the two Rhodes brothers. How would Callan feel if he knew Wyatt was suggesting I work there too?
“Thanks, but I don’t think I’m built for undercover work,” I said, my mind flitting uncomfortably to Alex again.
Wyatt seemed to sense the direction of my thoughts.
“We do a lot more than that. Much of intelligence work looks boring from the outside. Some of our best agents spend most of their time in the conservatory libraries, studying texts and missives and botanical evidence that isn’t available to the public.
Others monitor intel from scouting vines or botanical plant smuggling checkpoints throughout the country.
These agents are the backbone of our work. ”
While I had to admit that spending my work hours in the conservatory libraries was a pretty enticing job description, I was not entertaining the idea at the moment.
It was time to figure out how Wyatt and I were going to spend our field studies sessions together, even if it was just for show.
“So, do you have a field studies assignment for me?”
“Not exactly. It’s been a long time since our society has seen a botanist with all the affinity powers. Your potential is huge but somewhat of a mystery. What is it you see yourself contributing to our society?”
I stilled, the question catching me off guard.
With Callan, it was so clear that he was going to be creating lifesaving medicines that would change the world.
He already had several developments in the works that would improve human lives when it reached them.
But I had always intended to be an artist, and artists impacted the world in different ways.
They took little pieces of themselves and molded them into something they hoped was challenging or comforting, affirming or thought-provoking, subtle or bold, and they sent it out into the world, praying the person it was meant for would stumble across it exactly when they needed it.
I was still trying to figure out how that life goal and my new life as a magical botanist aligned. As I looked at Wyatt, I let an idea that had been forming in mind since my most recent chat with Aunt Vera come to the surface.
Evergreen Academy lived on the outskirts of Weed. The locals never experienced it, and they never could. But what if they could experience something else, something that shared a fraction of the magic we have here?
I decided to throw my petals on the table. If Wyatt wanted to use me for access to the academy, perhaps I could get something out of it in return. “I want to create a botanical garden,” I said.
Wyatt looked surprised, but he merely said, “Go on.”
“Here in Weed. Something run by the students. Nothing obviously magical but something that will allow the residents of Weed to enjoy a sample of the plants we grow here. We need these sanctuaries, these natural spaces, to remind ourselves who we are. I didn’t truly find myself until I came here.
I want a version of that experience to be available to everyone.
” Plus, it would fly directly in the face of everything the Board of Regents was trying to do, which was get humans out of natural spaces.
“Interesting,” Wyatt said. “And who would own this botanical garden?”
“It would be a nonprofit. Evergreen Academy could start it with a donation, then it could run off an endowment plus volunteers. The volunteers could be a mix of locals in Weed and students from the academy. It could be part of the service work we do on the equinoxes or an optional service rotation for students. If the model works, botanists could form similar partnerships with their local communities around the country.”
“And if Evergreen Academy doesn’t provide the seed funds?”
“Then we’ll find another way,” I said, confident. “If we have a handful of magical botanists involved in cultivating the plants, then the major hurdle will be acquiring a location.”
“And do you see the DBI playing a role in this?”
“The board is trying to take control of public spaces from humans and give it to magical botanists. But a project like this could show them the value of getting humans more involved with plants, not less. You all could study the impacts. Run influence campaigns. Do whatever it is you do. But if your agency’s mission is to protect plants for future generations, then I don’t see how a project like this wouldn’t align with that. ”
Wyatt studied me for a moment, and I took a deep breath. I had dumped a lot on him without intending to, but I didn’t regret it. I had meant every word.
“Done,” Wyatt said after a long pause.
“Done?” I blinked. “Which part?”
“All of it. The DBI will provide the seed money. We’ll help acquire the land in town. In return, you and other students here get it off the ground this term. I want the gardens open to the public by midsummer. This is a pilot project, like you said, so make it a good one.”
My mouth fell open, and I rushed to close it, but it was hard to hide my astonishment. “Just like that?”
“When the DBI sees a good idea, they like to move quickly. Start researching locations and send me a few options by the end of the week. Don’t make me regret this, Briar.”
I beamed, and for a moment, I thought about hugging him but thought better of it and simply nodded. “Thank you, Wyatt. I won’t let you down.”
He grunted and nodded. “Good. Now get going. You’ve got plenty of work to do.”
I turned and fled the swirling wind circle as soon as Wyatt dropped it. With a smile on my face, I went back to the academy, eager to tell Callan that his brother continued to surprise us.