Slowly raising my head, I saw Balthazar standing by the door, arms behind his back, beaded braids lying across his chest.
“I’m sorry?” I said dumbly.
“My office. Now.”
With that, he vanished back out the door. In all the time I’d been here, I’dneverseen him in the dining hall. He’d always chosen to take his meals in his room while preparing lessons or grading papers. And he’d mostdefinitelynever called a student out of a meal to come see him in his office.
I threw a glance around the room as I gathered my things. Everyone wore similar expressions of shock. Even Virgil looked worried. My heart thundered as I stuffed the books into my bag, then rushed to the door. I didn’t look at anyone as I walked, terrified that I’d see my own anxiety mimicked in their eyes. Cold fear seeped through me as I hustled down the hallway. Was I being expelled? Maybe he thoughtIwas the reason Wendy had acted out in class. He’d side with his own blood over some late-blooming witch shifter. I’dbarelybeen admitted to the academy to begin with. Was this the end for me?
My fingers were numb and tingly as I entered Balthazar’s office. He was sitting at his desk, a plate of food off to the side. The grain salad with what looked like hummus and yogurt dressing the top was not what we’d been served in the dining hall. I focused on the food, staring at it rather than at Balthazar, terrified of what I’d see written on his face.
“Close the door, please,” Balthazar said.
Nodding shakily, I did as he asked. With a force of will I didn’t realize I had, I lifted my chin and locked eyes with him.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
His brows knitted together, a crease forming between his eyes. “For what?”
“Uh…for…whatever got me called here,” I muttered.
“Oh my goodness.” He sighed. “I’m so sorry, Veronica. I didn’t mean for you to think you were in trouble.”
My shoulders relaxed. I wasn’t in trouble. But then, why had Balthazar called me here?
“If I’m not in trouble, then why am I here?” I said.
Balthazar leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk, interlacing his fingers. “I apologize, I just wanted to speak with you before dinner was over, and everyone headed off to their quarters for the night. I thought it would be less inappropriate than coming directly to your room. I obviously misjudged that,” he explained with a shake of his head. “Iassureyou, you are not in trouble. In fact, I brought you here to thank you.”
The tension in my body fled so fast I nearly crumpled to the ground in relief, but I managed to keep my composure.
“Thank me for what?” I said.
Balthazar stood and paced the room. “I’m sure you understand that Wendy is very special to me. As my only living relative and my ward, she is the closest thing I have to a child. She reminds me of her mother.” He turned to look at me, and he looked so heartbroken. “My baby sister. I miss her very much. It’s like a piece of me was torn away when she died. You understand more than many here would,” he added, bowing his head.
I did. I’d lost most of my relatives when my mother’s pack had died out from The Scourge, which was one of the only illnesses a shifter could catch and die from. It was basically rabies for the shifter race. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, and several cousins had passed away rapidly once the epidemic surged through the pack. It had devastated me and my mother.
“I miss my family as well,” I said, trying to fill the silence.
Balthazar exhaled heavily. “I fear I have spoiled Wendy. I dote on her too much and rarely ever reprimand her. Today, in class, I lost my temper with her. She can bea lot, I know that,” he said and gave me a sad smile. “A very intense and brilliant child. She hasn’t made any friends since I brought her here, and I wanted to thank you for taking her under your wing over the last week. It has not gone unnoticed, and I can see how happy it makes her to have a friend.”
He walked around his desk, a kind smile on his lips as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “Your kindness has not gone unnoticed.”
My cheeks burned at his compliment, and I had to suppress the goofy smile that threatened to burst across my face.
“It wasn’t anything special. Anyone would have.”
Sitting back on the edge of his desk, he said, “Veronica, youarespecial. All of my students are. Even brownnosers like Virgil Tacitus.”
I snorted, then quickly slapped my palm to my mouth to stifle it.
Balthazar chuckled. “Yes. I see all of you as special. Magic is something that should be nurtured. It’s why I created this academy. The human world has run amok with technology—quantum computing, artificial intelligence, nuclear power, geneediting. It’s all growing more and more fantastic each year. Without schools like mine, the skills of magic may fade. That would be a terrible day indeed. You all are the seeds of the future for magic.”
“Some of us,” I muttered. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not a great student.”
I didn’t know why I was talking down about myself, but I couldn’t help it. With all the pressure I put on myself, it was impossible not to feel like I was failing.
Balthazar looked at me for a long moment before speaking. “It’s true. Veronica, you arenotthe best student, your grades are average, and your magical skill is not as powerful as some.”
