A few students protested with groans.
I spoke again. “Unfortunately, the book cannot be moved. As part of its defenses, it will stay on this table.” I reached underneath the stand and pulled out the phytoglass cover then settled it over the book. “The pages will flip every few minutes so students can study them as they wish. This knowledge—created by my ancestor, Leonardo da Vinci—is forallof us. Trust me when I say it is authenticated, as you will soon find out when you begin to try the new Floracantus for yourselves.”
A vein was pulsing in Feathergrass’s neck, but otherwise, he kept his outward appearance surprisingly calm as he spoke again. “Well, I believe this concludes our floral presentations. Everyone, please disperse and enjoy the rest of the party.”
I looked out into the crowd and caught Callan’s eye. He nodded, and I could see pride there. Step one was complete.
Feathergrass moved closer to me as the crowd began to dissipate. “This is a clever little stunt, Briar, but don’t think it will be allowed to stand. The Board of Regents will want that book.”
“Then they can come here and view it. I meant what I said. The book is available to everyone.”
“You didn’t really think you could find theVanished Compendiumand get to keep control over it, did you? You’re astudent. Others of much more stature will decide what happens to it. And rest assured you’ll be questioned about how and where you found it.”
I didn’t correct him. We wanted him to think the book was theVanished Compendium, and he was buying right into those plans.
“If someone wants this book, they are welcome to try to take it,” I said, my voice calm and crisp. And with that, I turned on my heel and walked away, my floral skirt bouncing all around me.
Chapter Thirty-Six
As the hubbub from my reveal of da Vinci’s book at the Floral Fete died down and botanists dispersed to wander through the flower gardens and eat, dance, and enjoy the unusually warm February night, Callan took my hand and pulled me under an arbor of apricot-colored weeping begonias. His hand was warm against mine, and some of the nervous tension that had built up during my bold display in front of Feathergrass eased.
“Seems like he bought it,” Callan said.
“He did. Did you see how quickly he tried to take it from the table?”
“Those must have been some powerful defensive charms you put on it.”
I nodded. “I may have stayed up a little too late last night working on it. Having access to my powers on campus again is proving to be exceedingly useful.”
Callan took my finger and raised his hand, prompting me to do a little twirl in my flouncy dress. “I never thought I liked this era of fashion, but you may have changed my mind.”
“What do you think of the skirt that defies gravity?” I swished the bobbing skirt back and forth, and some of the flowers rose slightly before settling against the fabric once more. “As long as the wind doesn’t pick me up and float me off somewhere like one of those flying fairy dolls, I kind of like it.”
Callan stepped closer, and I felt a touch of wind against the back of my neck. “You don’t want the wind to take you places? Because that could be arranged.”
My cheeks heated. “I guess it depends. Where would your wind take me, Callan Rhodes?”
He was getting ready to respond when an origami paper tree floated through the air, and seemingly instinctively, Callan caught it on an open palm.
“Where did that come from?” I asked.
Callan was silent, staring at the tiny folded tree in his hand.
I stepped closer, my instincts kicking in. “What is it?”
“We used to make these and send messages to each other down the hall when we were kids,” Callan’s voice was soft, his jaw stiff as he swung his head around. “Wyatt is here somewhere.”
“Here? At the academy?”
Callan unfolded the meticulously crafted tree, and I leaned over to see handwriting scrawled across the paper.
You know where to find me.
“I take it you know where he’s waiting?”I asked.
Callan nodded before stuffing the tree into his pocket. “He’s in the secret room upstairs. Only tree founders’ descendants can open it. It would be the safest place for us to meet if he didn’t want to be overheard.”
“Do you think he came for the book I just put on display? How would he even know about it?”
