Chapter 60
Chapter Sixty
The vernal equinox dinner and dessert passed uneventfully, if you could count an outdoor garden party with flowers floating in the air and blooming in front of our eyes on the tables as uneventful.
By the time the window for recharging neared, I was ready to confirm that everything was in place.
“Okay,” I said, taking a deep breath as members of the Root and Vine Society gathered in the forest. Laurus and Kaito had made sure the food that had been served would give the guests an extra sprinkle of endorphins, and we could hear the rest of the school making merry by the pond.
It was now or never. “It’s almost time for me to meet the others at the wall.
Does anyone have anything new to report? ”
Meadow nodded. “My mom’s coming. She wants to be here to show that this has support from more than just students. She’ll meet us at the wall.”
I raised my eyebrows but nodded.
“The jewelweed pods are all primed to explode… loudly,” Laurus said, excitement gleaming in his eyes. “I spent a lot of time on the cellular adjustments, and when I did a small test, it worked like a charm.”
“Nice work,” I said, hoping the distraction we had planned for Feathergrass would function as designed. With Laurus on the job, it seemed a safe bet.
“I got the intel from Professor East’s office during dinner,” Kaito said. “Feathergrass seems to know about two of the petal portals, but thanks to Aurielle and the cartography class, we can use one he doesn’t know about. Enter by the orchards, and you should be clear.”
“I placed scouting vines near all the portals as a precaution,” Callan said.
“I’ll keep tabs on the one by the orchard to make sure you’re all clear, and I’ll send a leaf message if I get word of any problems.” He scribbled something and sent a leaf floating on the breeze, presumably alerting our waiting coalition members of where to meet me.
“And I’ll make sure the Wisteria Windchimes are near the board members to keep them calm and not suspicious,” Heath said. “At least until the jewelweed starts exploding.”
“Good thinking. And with Callan and Hollis around the festivities, they may not suspect anything is going on. They’re used to Meadow running off,” Nalin said.
Meadow pulled a face but didn’t deny it. “Glad my frequent wanderings are coming in handy tonight.”
“I’ve got the Recipes for Deception book in my bag, just in case,” Laurus said, and I couldn’t help but smile. Everyone had come together with their own contributions, and we just had to pull it off.
“Everyone have their petal portal pendants on them in case you need a quick exit?” Kaito asked.
Nods rippled around the group.
I patted my pocket, feeling for the nine seeds Meadow had encouraged me to get. They formed a damp lump against the fabric.
“Are we ready to do this?” Meadow asked. The stack of the petal portal pendants we had made were around her neck. She must have sneaked away to get them after dinner.
At her question, the members of the Root and Vine Society gathered in a circle. Heath blew a handful of daisies into the air, Kaito tossed in some shamrock clovers for luck, and Callan caught them on a tendril of air so that they floated softly around us in slow motion.
“Good luck, everyone,” I said.
“Luck and legumes,” Kaito replied, and everyone echoed the words.
It was fitting to learn a new magical botanist-ism at that moment. “Luck and legumes,” I repeated.
“Let’s go show those board members who’s the botany boss,” Meadow said.
The group nodded, Yasmin caught my eye and gave me a smile and nod of encouragement, then we split, each of us off to our individual tasks.
As the rest of the group dispersed, Callan took my wrist and pulled me close. He brushed his lips against my forehead in a soft kiss, and I savored the tenderness of it. “You’ve got this, local.”
“Of course I do. I had a good tutor.”
He smiled, and some of my anxiety ceased. “I’ll see you at the charging circle in thirty minutes,” Callan said.
“I’ll be there.”