Page 91 of Plug and Tame

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she replied, flexing her magic once more. Like a baby foal who could walk within hours of being born, she had a feeling she already knew how to use her magic intuitively.

The only way to find out was to take that first brave step.

“Now, I definitely have to know,” Nathaniel said, regarding her with his head cocked. “You’ve got that mischievous look about you.”

Kira felt her smile widen as she prepared her magic, coiling it as if wrapping her hair around her fingers. Her senses grew hyperaware of every single person in the crowded foyer, including the students on the stairs and the landing above.

It works, she thought happily. A part of her had assumed that she would only be able to use magic in her wolf forms, but she was wrong. And without being able to explain how, she knew exactly what her magic was and how to use it.

She let out a low laugh of disbelief as the pulsing strength of her magic increased in intensity until her extremities ached just like sore muscles after a long run.

“Kira?” Nathaniel asked, a small frown appearing on his brow and a question half-formed on his lips.

Her only answer was a mysterious smile as she let her magic fly, the invisible tendrils bursting out around her to touch and capture the minds of every single student and teacher in the general vicinity. Her magic even touched Nathaniel’s mind, but it was only a gentle brush to make him aware of her.

Nathaniel drew a sharp breath as the bustling foyer went still and quiet. It was as if everyone had been stunned. No one spoke or moved, at least for a few seconds.

She hadn’t harmed them in any way, nor could she control them, but she had a direct line of communication to each and every person around her, and that was powerful in itself. It was as if she’d given them all a hard, mental tap on the shoulder.

She drew back her magic slightly, reducing the intensity until it was a subtle touch on their minds. She had been careful to ensure no one besides Nathaniel was conscious of her presence to avoid arousing suspicion.

But that did not mean the students were completely oblivious that something had happened. Judging by the flurry of muddled thoughts she sensed in the room, no one could tell what she was doing, or that it was even magic they were experiencing. They were simply startled, their minds primed and ready for instructions.

Kira shut her eyes, soaking in the feeling of being interconnected with so many people at once. It was noisy and confusing, but it felt right.

She was curious to see how far she could take it.

Look up, she whispered, her subtle suggestion radiating down each and every link like a bead of light.

Nearly everyone looked up. Some who were stronger-willed resisted, and that was fine. They considered looking up at the ceiling, which was a small victory of its own.

Time to wrap it up, Kira thought to herself as people began looking around as if searching for the source of what they’d felt. Some laughed nervously, others exchanged hushed tones.

Kira repressed a smile. Everyone looked so unnerved by her intrusion that it was tempting not to shout ‘boo’. It would have been funny to see if she could make every person in the room jump at the same time.

She shared that last thought with Nathaniel, who gave his head a firm shake.

“Don’t. Come away, pet.”

Kira gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine.” She released her hold on everyone’s minds, her invisible magic whipping back to make her whole again.

After a few seconds, people began to move about again, shrugging off the experience as a figment of their imagination.

Nathaniel turned her to face him, his hands on her shoulders as he searched her face with sparkling eyes. “I’m very impressed. Truly. However…you need to be more discreet.”

“I was,” she insisted.

“I know. But more discreet than that, pet.” He took hold of her arm and pulled her in the direction of her history class.

Just before they passed through a large archway, Kira halted, ignoring the tug of the leash as she glanced back at the foyer. The hall was full of its usual loud chatter again.

She had the strangest feeling that someone was watching her, which was a bizarre thing to feel with so many people milling about.

“What is it?” Nathaniel asked.

Kira gave her head a tiny shake as she scanned the room, searching…

Her heart jumped.