Eva let a sigh escape. She slumped against the bench. Her master got her all worked up. Acting like he knew who, or at least why they did it. And then it all deflated. Just another theory.
She hated when her master did this.
Eva pulled herself to her feet. “I’m going to go to bed then. Unless you have any more amazing epiphanies?”
“Bah,” he said. He waved his hands in dismissal. “Get outta here.”
“I trust you can get back on your own?”
“I think I’ll stick around for a bit. The way your teacher phrased it made me wonder if there was any investigation going on at all.”
Reluctantly, Eva nodded. “Let me know if you find anything.” Eva started to walk away but paused. She turned back to her master. “And don’t get yourself killed. I’d hate having to delve into necromancy myself to finish my treatment.”
Devon barked out a laugh. He stepped away without properly responding.
Eva turned back to the dorms. Her roommates would want to know what happened during the meeting. Shalise especially would be happy to know that neither her master nor Zoe Baxter thought the book was a ritual component. The poor girl seemed torn between curiosity about magic and wanting to pack up and leave, or just leave, Eva didn’t think she had actually unpacked yet.
Unfortunately, they would have to wait. Zoe Baxter sat in one of the front lobby chairs. She just sat. No book in her hands. No writing down notes. Not even any fiddling with her hair or a pencil. She turned her head as Eva walked in. “A word, Miss Eva.” She stood and walked off down a hallway, not even looking to see if Eva followed.
Eva did follow. The woman had all but stormed off after their meeting. Further garnering her ire was not something Eva wanted.
She led Eva to a small study room. A fountain poured down one entire wall leaving a soothing noise in the air. The water changed colors as it went from top to bottom. Eva had dipped a finger in it one time to see if it was the water or the wall. She had been surprised to find the water on her fingertip changed color with the rest of the waterfall. It seemed like it would be easier to just install some lights in the wall.
Zoe Baxter withdrew her dagger and flicked it about the room. The windows darkened, but Eva could still see out them. She doubted people would be able to see in. That was the only noticeable change, but Zoe kept flicking her focus around for a good minute.
Seemingly satisfied with her protections, Zoe took a seat at one of the desks. She motioned for Eva to sit across from her.
Eva sat. She fidgeted. The instructor across from her hadn’t said anything yet. Did Eva stare at her or look away? Should she just start out with an apology?
Eventually, Zoe sighed. “You’re not in trouble, Miss Eva. Mr. Carter is an interesting sort, isn’t he.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Eva said under her breath. Despite the instructor trying to reassure her, Eva didn’t relax. Her master had been quite crude to the stern woman.
“He barely glanced at the book before stating there was nothing special about it and trying to leave.”
“I’d trust his observations. And about his rush to leave, it is probably that my mentor doesn’t associate with people. Almost ever. It is nothing against you despite his crude comments.”
“He doesn’t look half that old.”
“I noticed something about him, brief though our meeting was. Something I’ve noticed in you as well.”
Eva tensed. Uncomfortable topics might be brought up without her help. If the instructor accused Eva or her master of demonic taint, she didn’t know what she would do.
Beneath her shirt, Arachne tightened her grip around Eva. She wanted to pat the spider’s back, but wasn’t going to risk it with Zoe Baxter sitting right across from her.
Despite her now biweekly room inspections, Eva always carried Arachne out of the room beforehand. The most the instructor had seen were Arachne’s legs peeking out of her carrying cage. Most of the time the cage was empty and Eva just had her under her shirt. Eva still remembered the suspicion Jordan had on the plane, even though that might have been imagined. She was none too keen on letting Zoe Baxter see the demon in full.
“There it is again,” Zoe said. “You tense up at certain topics, especially those about your past. You’ll deflect or outright lie about almost everything personal.”
Eva relaxed, slightly, glad for the more mundane talk than an accusation of dark magic.
“And now you’re relaxing.”
Eva frowned as did Zoe. She hoped she wasn’t quite so plain to read.
“I don’t know what is troubling you, and I am not a therapist, but I care for my student’s wellbeing. Eva, if there is anything you need to talk about. Please do. If you feel you can’t or don’t want to talk to me, we’ll find someone you can talk with. And if that man is hurting you at all…”
