“I can’t say for sure. I’ll ask him the next time I get a chance. If you need counseling, I’d be happy to fill in for now.”
“That’s alright. It isn’t anything that can’t wait. I’m glad Professor Lurcher will be alright.”
“Was that everything you needed?”
He shared a glance with Max. They both shrugged and started to leave the office. “Think so. We’ll see you in class next week.”
“Stop.”
Zoe jumped. The papers tucked under her arm scattered into the air.
Neither Jordan nor Max reacted much better. Max actually tumbled to the ground and pulled his wand out. Jordan went completely still. A faint glisten of sweat formed over his skin as he turned back to face Ylva.
She moved up and put her face mere inches from his. Her gaze bore into him.
Zoe stood frozen in indecision. There was no chance she could fight off Ylva, but she had to do something. She opened her mouth to try to calm Ylva.
Ylva spoke first.
“Who are you?”
“Jordan Anderson.” The response came swiftly and without hesitation.
Ylva continued to stare for several seconds before she turned away. That earned a small sigh from Jordan.
“You may leave.”
“Thanks,” Jordan mumbled. He stayed just long enough to help pick Max off the floor before both of them fled.
Zoe shut the door behind them. She whirled to face Ylva. “What was that?” she asked far more harshly than she intended.
“He bowed. Twitches in his fingers. Suppressed fear and nervousness.”
“That’s it? He bowed?” Zoe sighed and shook her head. “There are rumors that you–the big you–belongs to some kind of royalty.”
“No. The other boy had a proper response to such rumors. Polite but uncertain. A few glances in Our direction.” Ylva shook her tiny head. “Jordan Anderson avoided looking at Ourself even once beyond his initial bow. He was scared.”
“That isn’t a good enough reason to shout at someone.”
“That is why We released him.”
Zoe blinked as she tilted her head. That seemed reasonable. “Except now he will be even more frightened the next time you see him.”
“We do not believe he attacked you. Should he prove otherwise, We will intervene.”
Biting her lip, Zoe said, “you can’t kill children, Ylva.”
Zoe shut her eyes and mentally prepared for the ‘you dare order US around’ that was certainly coming.
Nothing came after several silent moments.
Zoe opened her eyes to find Ylva staring up at her with a tilted head.
“You wish to spare his life, even if he was the one to nearly kill you and your companion?”
“I do.” Zoe answered without hesitation.
Ylva looked away, off into the classroom. She held her gaze steady for nearly a minute before looking back at Zoe. “We tire of this place. Let us return.”
“Alright,” Zoe said. “Let me collect–” She cut herself off as she looked down to the floor. All the papers were stacked in a single, neat pile. She reached down and picked it up. Leafing through, she found all the papers to be facing the right way.
A cold, biting wind tore through the light jacket Zoe wore over her suit. Too cold for the end of September. She stopped and shuddered under the sunless sky. Five straight days of terrible weather and she had a feeling of who was to blame.
“Is it going to be overcast for the entire duration of your stay?”
Ylva stopped walking without even seeming to notice her platinum hair whipping around her in the freezing wind. She looked back with her cool, gray eyes.
“We are unable to control the revelation of Our skeletal form. Eva believes it would cause undue alarm among the students. We have expended great effort in concealing Ourself.”
“That is true. However, we could be in this situation for weeks. People will be suspicious–” not to mention depressed, “–if no sun shines at all. Would it be possible to remain at school past nightfall while keeping you away from windows?”
Ylva gave a slow nod before she turned and started walking once again.
Some part of Zoe had to remind herself that Ylva wasn’t actually a child. Watching her walk almost made her want to run up and hold Ylva’s hand. She looked innocent, especially from the back. Almost huggable.
Then, Zoe watched her walk. All the wrongness came out. Ylva walked with such certainty one would never find in a real eight year old. As if every step she made was a divine mandate. Wind curled around her–scared to get in her way.
Avoiding wind was perfectly possible for Zoe. But for an eight year old? Absolutely unnatural.
Another gust of wind sent further shivers down Zoe’s spine. She pulled out her dagger and cut the wind in two.
A class one aerothurge did
Security
Martina smiled as she looked over the assembled guards. Her office was somewhat crowded. It was never the largest room, even if it was the highest office at Brakket. Having herself, Zagan, two demons, three mage-knights, and an elf made it feel very small indeed.
