Jace #2
Fortunately, it was a sunny day with mild temperatures. Being able to stay outside helped promote the illusion that all was normal. That wouldn’t be the case if they all had to gather in one of the dorms.
The young elementals would realize soon enough that they were being kept out of their dorm, and away from Mitch for a reason. There was no need to make them confront that fact now.
After a glance at the boys, Ray withdrew his phone, and began typing slowly, with several pauses. He seemed to compose the message with considerable thought, rephrasing it more than once. He sighed heavily after sending it.
“It’s done,” Ray said as he pocketed his phone. “For what it’s worth, Armando Garcia has a summarized statement from me, with an offer of complete details at his convenience.”
“Good,” Jace said without elaboration.
There was really nothing else to say. The action had clearly come with a personal cost, but Ray had done the right thing.
Clarke and Carlos arrived just before the food was delivered. Both looked very serious. That was understandable. Jace had the impression, however, that some of the gravity was new, a recent discovery adding weight to already burdened minds.
The boys greeted Carlos happily, glad to see him recovered. They waved him over to join them, talking cheerfully. Either they hadn’t noticed Carlos’s expression, or were determined to improve his mood.
Clarke looked from him to Ray, then at the boys. “Thanks for keeping an eye on them,” she said.
“No big. I owed you one anyway,” Ray said casually.
“There’s something I have to do, but it shouldn’t take long,” Clarke said, and began walking toward the powered dorm.
After calculating her distance from the kids, particularly the shifters, she lifted her phone to make a call. She obviously wanted to ensure that the boys wouldn’t be able to hear her half of the conversation.
Ray gave Jace an inquisitive look. Jace shook his head. He had no idea what this might be about.
Ray had summoned a couple of blankets so they could all sit on the ground, and eat picnic-style. Jace and Ray focused on setting out the food and drinks.
The conversation was brief. Clarke walked toward them, looking calmer than she had a few minutes ago. She sat down at the table farthest from the kids, and waved them over. Ray carried a box of pizza for the three of them. Jace brought the drinks, and set them on the table.
“Can they hear us?” Clarke asked.
“I can do a casting to prevent that,” Ray offered, visibly curious.
Clarke nodded, and waited until he performed the spell before speaking again, “The door to my classroom was barred from the outside.”
Jace was instantly furious again when he absorbed that.
“Holy shit! This is bad,” Ray exclaimed.
“Professor Halston was walking past the pond when the water began rising and forming shapes. Positive that it wasn’t an accidental occurrence, he ran into the building to help from that side,” Clarke said. “He found the door barred, and the lock jammed.”
“Since an investigation must be underway, I’m surprised you’re allowed to discuss this with us,” Ray said, echoing Jace’s thoughts. Clarke would tell him without hesitation, but he hadn’t expected her to confide in Ray.
“Dean Stanhope felt that you should both understand the seriousness of the circumstances. One of you will be given temporary custody of the elemental boys,” Clarke told them. “I don’t know what evidence may be found, but Mitch is the primary suspect.”
“Having the most seniority and the best reputation, Jace will get them,” Ray guessed, not sounding upset about it.
“Possibly, but you should have an open room ready, just in case,” Clarke said. “As of thirty minutes ago, things have changed. I don’t know what rank Carlos will have, but he is a strong telepath.”
Jace nodded. They had both been careful about their surface thoughts, and projecting white noise when others were around. That wasn’t simply due to Carlos, however. He wasn’t the only telepath on campus.
“He heard damning thoughts,” Ray guessed as he stared intently at Clarke.
“Yes, that was part of what caused Carlos to panic,” Clarke confirmed.
“The voices were jumbled together, but he heard vicious thoughts of someone plotting revenge. I notified Bruce Walker, who is also a telepath. He thinks he might be able to determine the guilty party by working with Carlos, and getting in his head.”
That poor kid. Jace couldn’t imagine how horrible it would be to hear someone scheming about vengeance. Combined with the terrified thoughts of his fellow students, it was little wonder that he’d needed time in the infirmary to recover.
“As Carlos’s guardian on campus, you will have to be present for those sessions,” Jace said, understanding what she’d been hinting at earlier.
“Yeah, and he might want a private meeting with me. If that’s the case, you could be watching my underage students, with the elementals going to Ray. I don’t know what to expect, but I want you both to be prepared for whatever comes next,” Clarke said.
“I hope Carl Washington, or whoever is in charge of this, clears out the dorm before Mitch realizes that the boys will be housed elsewhere,” Ray said with a concerned frown.
“He lost his marbles just over them going to the football game. And it’s clear now that Mitch is capable of violence.
The tiniest provocation could set off an explosion. ”
“Carl Washington is in a meeting with the Dean and Assistant Dean now, attended by the junior and senior elemental prefects,” Clarke said. “I heard them arrange it. We’ll have to wait for instructions on what to do next.”
“Let’s come up with a plan to keep the boys calm and distracted,” Jace said. “That won’t be easy, but I don’t want them stressing over this more than necessary.”
“The best thing would be to come up with a group activity that gets the elementals out of the dorm,” Clarke said.
“We’ll come up with something, but it doesn't have to be today,” Ray said. “The boys are occupied right now, and a movie night in one of the dorms is a reasonable temporary solution.”
Clarke’s phone chimed, and she checked the message. “That will have to work,” she said. “Bruce wants me and Carlos in his office in an hour. I’m going to finish eating, and tell the boys to stick with you guys until I get back. I’ll update you later.”