As I slung my bag over my shoulder, I caught Professor Blackwood watching me with an unreadable expression. For a moment, I wondered if she’d heard Sarah’s comments too. Her lips were pressed into a thin line that suggested she had.
“Mr. Quinn,” she called out as I headed for the door. “A word?”
I paused, glancing back at her. The classroom had emptied except for the two of us, and suddenly the space felt much smaller. “Yes, Professor?”
She moved around her desk, leaning against it casually. “I couldn’t help but notice your reaction to Miss Morrison’s...observations.”
Heat crept up my neck. Had I been that obvious? “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Hmm.” Her dark eyes studied me with the intensity of someone who’d spent decades reading people. “Tell me, Mr. Quinn, what’s your opinion on collaborative magic between different supernatural species?”
The question caught me off guard. It wasn’t exactly standard curriculum, and definitely not something most witch families discussed favorably at dinner parties. “I... well, theoretically, it should be more powerful than single-species casting. Different magical signatures could complement each other.”
“Theoretically,” she repeated, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “And practically?”
I shifted my weight, unsure where this conversation was heading. “I wouldn’t know. My parents don’t allow me to practice that kind of magic.”
“I see.” She pushed off from the desk, moving to the window that overlooked the academy grounds. “Which is a shame, really. Some of the most powerful magic I’ve ever witnessed came from mixed-species collaboration.” She glanced back at me. “ButI suppose that’s not something your family would approve of discussing.”
The casual mention of my family made my stomach tighten. How much did she know about the Quinn position on... well, everything? “My family has traditional views on magical practices.”
“Traditional.” The way she said it made it sound like a disease. “Yes, I’m familiar with traditional views. They’re usually another way of saying ‘bigoted’.” She turned back, looking me over. “You have nothing to be afraid of, by the way. I won’t be reporting any of this to your parents.”
I just gave her a small nod, hoping she was telling the truth.
“What I really wanted to say to you was that I hope you find this class more engaging than those you’ve had with me previously. I know you are an extremely advanced student. Despite your family’s beliefs, you have been trained far better than most that come through this school.”
I felt my cheeks flush at the unexpected compliment. “Thank you, Professor. I... I do find the elemental summoning fascinating. It’s more practical than most of the theory we usually cover.”
“Good,” she nodded approvingly. “Because I have a feeling you’re going to excel at this particular branch of magic. Your magical signature is quite unique, Mr. Quinn. And perhaps far more versatile than your classmates realize.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. My parents had always emphasized control over versatility, maintaining that wild experimentation was for lesser families who couldn’t master the traditional forms. But something about the way Professor Blackwood said it made me want to know more.
“I should probably get to my next class,” I said, though I found myself reluctant to leave.
“Of course.” She moved back to her desk, already pulling out materials for her next lesson. “Oh, and Mr. Quinn? You might want to consider spending some time in the library researching historical accounts of elemental partnerships. Not just the sanitized versions in your standard textbooks. Therealaccounts.”
I paused at the door. “Are you suggesting I break academy guidelines about approved reading materials?”
Her smile was decidedly wicked. “I’m suggesting you expand your education beyond what your family deems appropriate. There’s a difference. And, should you need someone to sign permission slips to access those texts, please let me know.”
I left the classroom with my mind racing, her words echoing in my head. As I walked through the halls toward Advanced Alchemy, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Professor Blackwood had just offered me something my parents would absolutely forbid. And that made it infinitely more tempting.
I was only halfway to my class when I felt a presence behind me.
“Hi Amelia,” I said, not bothering to look.
“How do you do that?” she replied, suddenly appearing next to me, her blonde ponytail swinging. “How do you always know where I am?”
“Because you walk like an elephant,” I shot back. “And your magical signature is…bright.” I said that last word with a wince. “You should really get better at cloaking that.”
“Eh, that seems like a waste of time,” she replied nonchalantly. “I’ve got other things to think about.”
“Like softball practice?”
“Yes. And other stuff. Like boys and homework and boys and parties.”
I let out a low groan. Amelia was one of the reasons my parents put so much pressure on me academically. They’d givenup on making Amelia anything but sociable. That was where she really excelled, anyway. But me… well, I’d rather be reading or creating a new ritual, not talking to people.
