Chapter Thirteen
Selene
Monday had approached quickly, especially after the party and last night’s movie night with Viv.
I crossed the threshold into the library, heading toward my usual table in the back.
Mara, the librarian’s assistant, sat behind the checkout counter.
I saw a flyer for a paid student greenhouse aide position and wondered if the library assistant was also paid or if she volunteered during her free blocks and spare time.
Down the road—if we were still here—it would be pleasant to have a position at the library.
I stopped when I saw Ivy blocking my path, her gaze pinning me.
I tilted my head to the side, waiting for her to say something as she clutched her books to her chest. She took a deep breath and let out a silent sigh.
Her shoulders rolled back so she stood taller, and she took the few steps left between us.
“I need to talk to you,” she whispered, her glare losing a touch of its harshness. “It’s about that night and the book.”
It had been a week since that night. I glanced around. No one was in sight, so I impatiently nodded for her to go on.
“Um …” She squirmed. “First, thank you, and I guess I’m sorry. Second, the book … the spell wasn’t supposed to go like that. It was supposed to help enhance our powers, not summon those creatures. It had an odd presence.”
“What do you mean by an odd presence?” My brows narrowed.
“It just didn’t feel right.” Ivy glanced around, her eyes darting everywhere. “The spell had been changed, and I don’t know how, but when I was performing it, I thought of you. It manifested differently.”
“You thought of me?” If my eyebrows could raise any farther, they’d be touching the vaulted ceiling.
“I don’t know …” She sighed. “Like … like your name just popped into my head and that those things were meant to find you. It was like waving your shirt in front of a bloodhound.”
“So a power amplifying spell was turned into a summoning creation spell?” I asked, unconvinced.
“It was only supposed to be temporary.” She waved a hand in the air. “I didn’t know it was going to do … that.”
“Did you inform Headmaster John that it was you?” I asked.
She shook her head. Of course she didn’t.
“I didn’t tell him how they were summoned. I returned the book that night.” Her paranoia got the best of her as she glanced behind me. “But he did give Gwen and me detention every day for two weeks, including the weekends. He said it was for skipping class.”
The headmaster was smart. Surely, he had suspected more and that long of a detention hadn’t been just for skipping class.
“How did you return the book?” The doors were usually spelled and locked.
“I hid in here until closing. The doors were unlocked. No spells. Nothing. I was going to see what I could do—I hadn’t expected them to be unlocked.”
I felt a presence and glanced up. Ender stood on the next level, leaning over the railing. Ivy followed my gaze, her jaw clicking shut when she saw him.
She dipped her head. “No one knows about the book, and I didn’t tell anyone about you.”
She made haste and left the library. Did she just blackmail me? She knew I wasn’t a level two. She also must have assumed there was a reason I had played my magic so low.
I glanced up at Ender, who had begun walking toward the stairs. I continued to my table, setting my books down, then turned to face my visitor.
“What was that about?” Ender asked.
“Oddly enough, she thanked me,” I answered. His lips pursed—he knew it was more than that. “And she apologized,” I added, though does adding I guess to an apology make it an apology?
“Did she give you specifics …” He cocked his head ever so slightly. “For her apology, that is?”
“No.” My cheeks flushed as he took a step closer, invading my personal space. “I would assume for all of her hilarious insecure and narcissistic bullying?”
“Because that is very hilarious.” His annoying playful half-grin showed for a split second, then vanished as he silently watched me.
My heart ramped itself up to an uneven pace and I internally struggled to subdue whatever emotions were betraying my body.
Yes, Ender was invading my space, but I could handle him.
Whatever Ivy had done was risky, and the information she had just informed me of would be harmful to anyone who knew.
Ender had made a great ally in taking down those rock creatures, but he didn’t need to know about the—
“Was it about the book?” His face was set, practically demanding an answer.
“A book?” I played dumb, my voice awkwardly pitching up a couple octaves.
Ender slowly shook his head and glanced off to the side before looking back at me.
“I saw it in her hands that night. It’s dangerous.” He searched my face. “Selene …” His voice was low and hoarse. “If—”
“Ender!” a small, raspy voice came from behind me.
I turned to see a tall, slim older lady pushing a custodial cart.
She smelled faintly of spring flowers and a touch of dirt.
Her sleek grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun.
I had seen her around a few times. She was the head groundskeeper—inside and out.
It was logical to have someone in touch with nature as a groundskeeper, considering all the ornate greenery and flora lining the interior and exterior of this entire place.
“I have something for you.” She rummaged through a purse-looking bag hanging off the side of the cart and pulled out an elegant cupcake garnished with flowers that was safely kept inside a clear container. “Happy birthday!”
“That’s lovely.” Ender gave her a warm smile as she handed him the cupcake. “Thank you, Miss Lee.”
The older lady’s smile brightened as he took the container and then her gaze drifted to me. “And who is this?”
“This is Sal.” Ender waved at me, and I swiveled, surprised he’d used my nickname. “She and her sister started about a month ago.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Sal.” Miss Lee held out a hand, and I took it. She looked back at Ender. “I’m sorry I missed your birthday on Friday.”
“Your birthday was Friday?” I asked, surprised he hadn’t said anything. They both glanced at me. “I’m sorry. I just hadn’t realized we shared the same birthday.”
“Oh. Ender here is humble. I doubt he’s told anyone the date of his birthday since he’s arrived.” Miss Lee rubbed her hands together. “Well, this academy isn’t going to clean itself with all you kids running around.”
“Thank you for the cupcake, Miss Lee,” Ender said. She nodded, smiling brightly, and left.
“That was odd.” I watched as Miss Lee left the library. “I haven’t seen anyone bring you a cupcake or flowers.” With the amount of girls fawning over Ender, one would think they’d be lavishing him with gifts.
“She always does.” He laughed.
“And she’s the only person who knew it was your birthday?” No one had said it once to him that night, and if students showed up to mine—even if it wasn’t for me and was for the party itself—I imagine a party for him would have been massive.
“I don’t care for the attention, so I don’t mention it.
Birthdays had come up in a conversation a while ago with Miss Lee.
She spent a lot of time helping me. I would be out late in the garden and she’d have to kick me out.
” He waved a hand in the air, mimicking getting booted.
“She eventually realized I wasn’t in there to just fool around but was trying to remember what forsaken plant was what.
She helped me pass my botany science class in ninth grade. I had been failing.”
“That makes sense.” I headed over to the chair and sat down. That explained her subtle earthy scent.
“It makes sense?” He grinned as he strode over to the table. “That I was failing Botany class?”
“Oh.” I was the definition of being socially inept. “Umm, no. Just the relationship between you two. Everyone else here seems to either hate you or wants to bow down and kiss your feet. Granted, she’s probably triple your age.”
Ender raised an eyebrow, and I internally cringed.
“I meant in a mentorship relationship,” I said.
He laughed as he pulled out the chair opposite me and sat. I eyed him. Was he really going to sit with me while I studied—well, did research?
He gave me a small grin before grabbing a random book that had already been on the table and opened it.
Neither of us spoke until it was time for me to head to my Elemental History class.