I frowned and glanced at him. “I’m sorry if I said something inappropriate or offensive.”
“No, you just gave Derek a huge compliment and snitched that the rumors people have been trying to spread are their pettiness, Bev,” Winter filled in for me.
I frowned harder and looked at him. “He’s put in the work. Why shouldn’t he be complimented on it? Evenfacultywere making comments and talking trash that a fox was the wrong choice to have in class and sets a bad example. They should apologize for being wrong. Quinn basically rolls his eyes at the petty and ignores it all.”
Wyatt recovered and chuckled. “Yes and wants extra blueberries that you have him addicted to for the annoyance.”
I gave a half shrug. “Sounds like a smart familiar to me. Your bond with him is amazing. It should be what people work towards, not think they can outdo when you teach here so young. It’s just silly.” I swore he might have blushed, but I didn’t understand.
Was what I was saying so big? I thought it was rather basic and obvious.
“Thank you, Ms. Millen. It’s nice someone appreciates it instead of mocks me or says it’s all about my family name,” he said quietly before clearing his throat. “It’s been decided instead of your familiar with an assigned partner’s familiar to do magic in the same area, you will work with two staff familiars. There have been some issues with others bringing them to campus.”
Was that all? Oh, the amusement dancing in Wyatt’s eyes said a lot, but I had to play the game.
“Butyou are allowed to use whatever means you feel needed,” a warlock said, one clearly on our side.
I slowly nodded, hearing him that I could bring treats. He thought that would make this easier on me. I took in a slow breath and pretended to weigh my options. “Fine, but I want benign options like cafeteria staff. Or the guards.” I gestured to the people with him. “Not whatever this is. Enough with this stacked deck and trying to embarrass a student.”
The warlock specifically I was busting turned bright red and blustered. “That is beyond unfair and a ghastly accusation to—”
“But you’re pissed, not laughing it off or clarifying the misunderstanding,” I cut in, raising an eyebrow. “I’m Henry Millen’s granddaughter through and through, but I was also born of Charles Shaw and know all of his plays, sir. You would do better to explain our magic to a human infant than gaslight me on manipulation. Take it or leave it.”
That warlock who was on our side cleared his throat. “That’s a bit easier said than done, Ms. Millen.”
I softened my face and tone for him. “Actually not, as this university keeps amazing records. My attorney is also very smart. Morrigan recorded what the test was for the last person in my situation fifteen years ago. Theirfinalfor this class was simply to interact and feed someone else’s familiar in their class via random lottery.”
I did a double take when Wyatt’s mouth dropped open. Oh shit, even he hadn’t known that… But others did. Glancing out at the men before me—a few did and were pissed I knew.
Idiots. I might have changed my last name, but don’t fuck with a Shaw.
16
Luckily, Wyatt wasn’t upset with me at all and was glad that I was prepared. He admitted later that he felt a fool for not checking it and asked why I hadn’t told him. I admitted that I thought Jasmine had, but it turned out she didn’t on purpose and not even to be a jerk.
He needed to do his job independently and not show me preferential treatment. She was protecting him and his career. So she’d done this well and now we looked even better.
All of us.
Even Headmaster Kerwynn hadn’t known that was in the archives when he’d given her access to records. He’d thought it was about precedence for the Coach lawsuit, but he was glad it all worked out.
But he had a few axes to grind because those against us on this issue checked thatIdidn’t have access to the archives. So a few hadn’t actually underestimated me but stacked the deck against me.
Assholes.
Either way, they didn’t know who they were dealing with and I would ace it. The true challenge was not to be too good at it. If they knew that, it would be amusing to watch their heads explode.
But not worth being outed yet.
No, that would definitely get someone killed.
And hurt others like me in the end.
Or abducted and Conrad’s plan but with someone worse. So… Not worth it.
Saturday after handling way too much in the factory in the early morning, I had another meeting with Jean where she brought in security to be checked. She’d cleared five of her most trusted and that was a huge relief off of her. It was visible as things had progressed that day and I didn’t even blame her.
As someone who grew up constantly afraid, it was maybe the one area we understood each other best.
