Chapter 64
Chapter Sixty-Four
Icocked my head to the side, wondering what Professor East was implying. Whispers reverberated through the gathered botanists.
“Which extra-affinity powers?” Feathergrass asked, still squirming slightly within the bounds of the vines that held him in place.
“A wind manipulator.” Professor East nodded toward Callan.
“A soil manipulator.” He nodded at me.
“A water bender.”
At those words, Kai stepped forward, a ball of water forming in his hands. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“And a light bender,” Professor East said.
Confusion rippled through me. A light bender? I hadn’t heard of that extra-affinity power yet.
Feathergrass’s eyes were wide as he cast his gaze between Callan, Kai, and me. He asked the question that was running through my head. “Who is the light bender?”
With a soft glimmer, Professor East disappeared from where he stood then emerged a few moments later standing right next to Feathergrass.
My mind was swirling, barely able to believe my eyes. Professor East was a light bender? He could make himself invisible? I was reminded of how Kai had made us invisible in the water at the aquatics conservatory.
“I believe you’ve wondered, quite vocally at times, how I got this job over you, Feathergrass,” Professor East said to the startled man.
“But not everyone chooses to show off all their powers. This one was known to very few until recently, but I think the time has come to remind you—and other members of the Board of Regents—that it isn’t just founders’ descendants who have power.
Of the four of us with extra-affinity powers here, only one is a founders’ descendant.
The board should think carefully about choosing to create class systems within our society—and especially within our schools and conservatories—going forward. ”
The walking palm inched closer, forcing Feathergrass to shuffle backward a few feet, the vines moving with him.
“This can’t be. Extra-affinity powers are rare. For four to be here at the same time…” Feathergrass’s voice was slightly shaky, and I heard resignation there for the first time.
“Some magical botanist genes seem to emerge exactly when they’re meant to,” Professor East said.
“Or perhaps it is completely random. Either way, your theories about what makes us powerful are incorrect. I think it’s time you left, Feathergrass.
The students and faculty here have an equinox they would like to celebrate.
” Professor East nodded to Callan and me, and we slowly released the vines binding Feathergrass.
Once free, Feathergrass sent the grasses rippling in all directions, whipping up a minor wind around everyone’s feet. Shouts of alarm came from the gathered botanists, but the grass affinity students quickly calmed the stalks once more.
Magical botanists stepped forward to surround Feathergrass. I held back a smile as I looked proudly at the people creating the circle, which included every member of the Root and Vine Society. Every affinity group had come together, and there was no denying that we were stronger that way.
The walking palm seemed to have lost all patience, and it forced Feathergrass between its above-ground roots and shepherded him toward the front gate. Feathergrass didn’t put up any further fight. He was outmatched, and he knew it.
“I’ll make sure he goes out and stays out,” Wyatt said, nodding at Callan before following the walking palm.
The silence of the crowd evaporated immediately. Talk of light bender powers sprang up around us. The grasses got a song rushing through the fields, setting a lively backdrop that signaled the party was back on.
Once Wyatt was out of sight, I turned to Callan. “I know Professor East prefers nonviolence, but it was kind of satisfying tying Feathergrass up with those vines.”
A smile tugged at the corner of Callan’s mouth. “He didn’t leave us with much choice.”
“We can vine-lasso pretty well together, Rhodes,” I teased.
“Nature-blessed matches, remember?” He took my hand, running a finger over the emerald ring he had created for me on my first day at the academy.
I eyed him curiously. “I thought you didn’t believe in those.”
“I didn’t. Until I met you.”
Clasping Callan’s hand, I squeezed it. The feeling of our hands touching was its own kind of magic. “Some night, huh?”
He returned the pressure in my palm, his skin warm and reassuring against mine. “It’s always some night with you, local.”