“The aquatics representative on the Board of Regents is supposed to be here for an aquatics conservatory meeting.” Nevah’s eyes were bright. “I think we should listen in.”
Kai asked, “You sure?”
Nevah nodded. “It’s all hands on deck now. The Root andVine Society is doing what it can at the academy, but changes have spread to the conservatories too. Knowledge is power, and we need more of it.”
“How can we listen in?” I asked.
“They hold the meetings in a small outer dome. There’s only one way in and out,” Kai answered.
“So how are we going to spy on them?” Nalin asked.
“Remember how I told you Kai has the ability to waterbend? With the right trick of the light, he can swim us in without anyone seeing us,” Nevah said.
“Have you tried this before?” I asked.
“Waterbending? Or spying on a council meeting?” Kai asked, a touch of humor in his voice.
“Both.”
“I’ve done waterbending plenty of times. Nevah and I have successfully spied on one meeting. When rumors started flying around that Feathergrass had replaced Professor East at the academy last week, we had to listen in on the special session they called.”
I relaxed a little.
“I only had to bend the water around two of us that time, so it might be more challenging with four, but I’ll make it happen.” Kai’s confidence was reassuring, but the operation was still risky.
“Make that three,” Nalin said. “I have plans with my research group this evening.”
“What happens if we get caught?” I asked.
“To you? Probably nothing other than getting sent out of the conservatory, which you’re planning soon anyway. You’re not under their jurisdiction. Kai and I could lose our positionshere,” Nevah said.
I stilled. “Are you sure you want to risk that?”
“Absolutely.” I could hear the resolve in Nevah’s voice. “This fight isn’t just for the academy. Changes there mean changes for all of us. We’ve already witnessed it happening. And if the higher-ups won’t share information, we’ll have to get access to it ourselves.”
“But you’re a founders’ descendant. Why aren’t they sharing information with you?” I asked.
“It’s a good question. Information is being held within tight circles these days. It feels ominous. You heard about the changes at the moss conservatory?”
I nodded. “I was there when the vote happened. They only want founders’ descendants to be in charge.”
“That hasn’t happened here yet. But I wonder if it’s only a matter of time.”
“Well, if you two are willing to risk your positions here, I’m in.”
After we saidgoodbye to Nalin, Kai and Nevah led the way to the miniature dome where the council meetings were held. We slipped into the water tunnel to swim in, and Kai raised some crystals that he held in his palms.
As Nevah and I glided through the water, I blinked several times when I realized her form was disappearing. Kai’s waterbending light tricks must be working. We continued throughthe tunnel, and when we got to the end, I stayed in the water, just as Kai and Nevah had prompted me to do.
A circle of aquatics botanists sat in the room, trays of fresh seafood on the driftwood table in front of them. From the way the conversation was going, the meeting had already started. The sounds were muffled, but then Nevah swirled her hands, and their voices began to pass smoothly through the water.
“Plans are in place to take back control of public lands from the humans. We have a bill in the state legislature, and when it passes, it will hand stewardship to our nonprofit,” one of the council members said.
I tensed. What did that mean? Which public lands were they taking over?
“We expect similar bills to pass in surrounding states. Soon, magical botanists will have control of most state and national parks,” another explained.
Murmurs spread throughout the room.
