?“I did not.”
?We both turn towards the pink eyed girl still relaxed in her chair with her friend watching us and seeming to enjoy the show.
?Varian growls at her. “Callahan said you would not join the rebellion because – “
?“I told Callahan,” she interrupts, “that I care about the rebellion as much as I care about the Mage Board. I never said I would or would not pick a side.”
?A bit of hope flares in my chest because if we were able to get her aligned with us, with her magic and knowledge, we’d be able to bring the Mage Board down without fail. Even if I dislike her, she would be the tipping point to our cause.
?Varian runs his hands through his hair. “Mavyn – “
?“Varian.”
?He growls again. She smirks. I might join the mage because I’m starting to enjoy this show too. I’ve never seen anyone get under Varian’s skin so easily.
?“You should not go messing with the rebellion unless you’re willing to fully commit. Playing both sides will get you hurt.”
?“Says you?”
?“Yes,” he seethes. “Not even Edmond and Aslan feeling like uncles to me saved me from being cursed to Syngenialands for a millennium. For the next nine hundred years I am forbidden from leaving and forced to teach at this school.”
?Guilt pinches because part of that is my fault. My brother never wanted any part of this and yet he was the one punished instead of me.
?I drop the gun and place it back in my waistband. His slacks not ideal for concealing it, but we had to switch clothes so no one would question why the professor was wearing a different outfit before.
?I’m glad I also haven’t cut my hair because that would have been a dead giveaway to Callahan, Thorne, and Castiel just as much as Edmond and Jerusil. They may think I’m dead, but they remember the tricks me and Varian used to play when we were younger. And Edmond is too observant and smart not to connect it.
?It all might not even matter though because that little spat between me and the vampyr before might have been enough to tip them off.
?Mavyn’s eyes slide to mine. “So you make everyone believe you kill all those people but in reality you just take them to your secret hideout to recruit them?”
?Varian runs a hand down his face as he sighs. I shrug a shoulder and nod. “Pretty much. We have a fire mage who creates and spreads out the ash as someone else either portals or shadow twists the people out.”
?“And what if those you took don’t want to join?”
?I glance at her friend who quirks a brow at me. “That depends. . .”
?Both girls roll their eyes and turn towards each other.
?“So this is a join us or you die sort of situation,” Mavyn grumbles.
?The mage huffs and nods. “Sounds like the Mage Board if you ask me.” In a deeper voice she mocks, “Take this test not even Castiel D’etre can fully pass and get a hundred percent or you die.”
?Both girls giggle and I side eye my brother who watches them with a dry look. They glance at us and their giggles turn into actual laughter. I have no idea why.
?Through their laughter Mavyn says, “Imagine.” She starts laughing harder and it spurs the mage on. “Oh Jullia, imagine. . . I can imagine it. First thing we say is no, and – and the big bad wolf says, ‘what do you mean no?’” She can’t even speak clearly as they continue laughing until there’s literal tears in their eyes.
?Jullia. That’s the mages name. She cackles. “I mean no,” she wheezes. “You – you wanna hear it in Spah – Spanish.”
?Both of them start rolling in their chairs. And then at the same time they say ‘no’ with some sort of accent. They look almost manic right now.
?I turn to my brother and point at the vampyr. “That’s your fated by the way.”
?He rolls his eyes at me and I think he’s been spending too much time with Mavyn because I have never seen him roll his eyes before.
?“That’s not even funny,” he grumbles and that only makes it worse.
?Me and my brother watch at the two girls look like they’re about to die from laughter. Maybe they’re both actually reallysick and this is a side effect. I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that uncontrollable laughter is a symptom of something.
