14

I was beginning to think I was way in over my head when the Dean himself requested my presence before lunch. Immediately, I feared the worse – he was wary of me for resonating with three elements, or he heard what happened in Kaz’s class and wanted to reprimand me himself, or worse, he learned of my ancestry and our tendency of wielding wild magic.

As if being humiliated first hand in front of the class by Kaz couldn’t dampen my spirits more.

What upsets me most is how, for once in my life, I can’t seem to find a silver lining to the situation, something that came naturally to me. In my head, I’m trapped between a rock and a hard place. Either I’m discovered by Kaz or the Dean, and I would’ve failed at saving Zari. I’ll be persecuted, she’ll die of the blight, and I would have to live with my failure wherever the Academy vanishes me off to.

Magicless.

Or dead.

For the up tenth time that day, I curse inwardly. Why in Magnus’ name did I have to go resonate with three bloody elements? Why did I come here? And why, out of all supernatural beings, did it had to be Zari who caught the blight?

I could’ve pondered those thoughts for Magnus knows how long if I didn’t round the corner to the Dean’s office – my eyes focused on the map – and collide solidly with an object blocking my way. Only it’s not an object, but rather a person.

One that smells delicately of spiced honey and Scotch.

My heart sinks when I look up and see my reflection in Kaz’s shades. Wonderful.

“Sorry, I was on my way to the Dean’s office,” I ramble an apology, hoping he’ll just ignore me and step aside.

Unfortunately, my wish doesn’t come true.

“Yes, I’m quite aware, Miss Myrwell. I was just on my way to fetch you. See, as the one responsible for your letter of recommendation, I’m obligated to be present at your meeting with the Dean.” He frowns disapprovingly. “Which means that every mistake you make, ultimately reflects badly on me. So, I advise you not to make any.”

My knuckles have turned white from their grip on my bag, whether it’s of fear or anger I’m not sure.

Surely, this isn’t the same Kaz who accepted my deal, who took me to his sister for a makeover, who wrote me a letter of recommendation, and who encouraged me at the aptitude test this morning. Since he revealed himself as my professor, he’s become exceptionally rude and intimidating, which will make it nearly impossible to work with him in finding a cure.

But something he said yesterday repeats itself in my head. *I doubt an ‘insignificant’ Magian who only knows how to make potions would last a day at Alcove Academy*.

This is day one and I’m already having second thoughts – which means I’m proving him right.

Suppressing the urge to turn the other way and run, I square my shoulders and say, “I won’t.”

“Good.” Kaz turns abruptly and starts marching down the hall. “Follow me. Oh, and Miss Myrwell,” he pauses to look down at me over his shoulder, “I suggest you start addressing me as ‘sir’ or ‘professor’. Acolyte or not, I am still your superior.”

With that, he walks on, leaving me to jog to catch up.

We arrive at the Dean’s office about a minute later – a minute of intense and gut-wrenching silence, mind you. Seeing as we have an appointment, the secretary gestures for us to go in.

Kaz opens the door and lets me enter first. It seems, although he’s my superior, he still maintains his manners. Either that or he hopes to make an impression on the Dean.

And speaking of…

I’m momentarily lightheaded at the sight of the man behind the desk. He’s undeniably imposing with eyes as dark as his hair that reaches past his shoulders. And that permanently etched frown on his brow doesn’t nothing to ease my nerves.

Once he sees us, he gestures at the two chairs before his desk. “Ah, Kazimir, Miss Myrwell. Please, take a seat.”

Kaz strides forward and claims the chair on the right, and I follow on wobbly legs. For a moment, we sit in dreadful silence while the Dean finishes up on some paperwork. However, when he looks up at me, I almost straighten up like a soldier standing on attention.

I expected him to interrogate me, so imagine my surprise when he instead introduces himself, “I am Dean Admetus Hausmann. Welcome to Alcove Academy, Miss Myrwell.”
I swallow dryly, willing my voice to work, “Thank you, sir.”

“You showed exceptional potential during your aptitude test this morning. Only two Magians who attended Alcove ever resonated with three elements – one of which is dead, and the other an invaluable asset to our academy.” He looks over at the man on my right. “Kazimir.”

My heart skips a beat at the revelation.

Kaz was the other Magian?

Then why didn’t he turn out like Orson?

The Dean continues, “Which is why I wanted to meet with you, Miss Myrwell. While your potential is limitless, you must understand that there are certain risks to having that much power. You either allow it to corrupt you like it did to Orson Kemp, or you control it and come out victorious like Kazimir. Which brings me to the second reason to why I called this meeting…” His gaze shifts to Kaz. “Considering you wrote her letter of recommendation, and you share the same aptitude, it is only wise that you’d be responsible for her progress here at Alcove.”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Kaz’s posture stiffening.

“Sir?” he inquires.

“Miss Myrwell is a full semester behind, Mr. Devorak,” the Dean elaborates monotonously. “Starting today, you’ll be responsible to see to it that she gets up to date to her fellow Acolytes. And yes, I’m talking about sacrificing your afterhours for a student. You have until the end of the month.”

Kaz opens his mouth to protest, but the Dean already dismissed us to start his next meeting.

I jump to my feet when, out of the blue, Kaz strides out of the office, leaving me to follow yet again. His pace is so fast, I barely recognize Dinah waiting outside the door as we pass her. It seems she finally decided to make an appointment rather than show up at the Dean’s office unannounced.

Despite the pace, I catch her sneering at me before stepping through the door. Something in my gut tells me to stay clear of her at all times. She’s not an enemy I want nor need.

Kaz finally stops once we exited through a side door, the motion so abrupt, I nearly crashed into him again. I briefly survey our surroundings – we’re in a courtyard with the sun beaming down on us. The air is crisp and cool unlike that at home, and I wonder where exactly the Academy is situated.

At first, he doesn’t speak. Neither do I, unsure and a little scared of what I should say. Technically, it’s my fault that he must sacrifice his free time to tutor me, seeing as all of this was my idea.

Do I feel bad? Not really.

Am I scared? Yes.

Finally, he breaks the deafening silence. “If you were any other Acolyte, I would’ve outright refused to sacrifice anything for you.”

*Ouch*.

“But seeing as you’re not an Acolyte – not truly – and you’ll only be here for a month until both our terms are met, I will make an exception. For my reputation’s sake.” He exhales sharply and rests his hands on his hips, his suit tightening around his biceps. “Meet me in my office after your last class, the map will lead you there. And do not mention this to anyone. Understand?”

“Yes,” I say in a beat, just for the sake of ending this nerve-wrecking conversation with him. But remembering what he told me earlier, I correct myself, “Yes, *sir*.”