Toward the end of the meal, right when we had all started to contemplate dessert, Oliva rose to his feet. He was so short he needed a stool to be seen as he stood behind the lectern to address us.
Instantly the hall fell silent. Obviously we weren’t the only students who were curious about what he had to say and what changes we would see this semester.
“It feels like a new school every semester,” Sip whispered to me. “There’s something different every time, but getting speeches from the president stays the same.”
“At least we always have Zervos,” I told her. She snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Good evening,” said Oliva, smiling around at us. He was dressed all in green, and I could see bits of dust sparkling around him.
“I hope you all had safe travels back to Public. Some of us drove back, but I know many of you came through the woods, and of course in these difficult times the demons are always a concern. I am happy to see you all here safe and well.
“This semester, there will be several changes at Public. I hope they turn out to be all to the good. First, as you all know, last semester Ms. Vale was your president. It did not work out so well. This semester, the committee has finally chosen another president, and it is my great honor to announce that I have accepted the position. This school needs leadership and understanding. I think that with the help of my deputies, Dove and Erikson, I can provide just that.”
I exchanged a look with Lisabelle, but she just gave a slight shake of her head. She didn’t know if Risper was coming back. I wondered if he even knew that Oliva was the new president. It was beyond interesting that a pixie had been chosen to lead Public when the pixies were so clearly wobbling in their loyalty.
There was clapping and cheering, most loudly from the pixies themselves, who were thrilled to have one of their own in charge.
“The next change is that there is a curfew, even for vampires. The demons are everywhere, and I cannot have students in danger. The Power of Five only extends so far,” he finished ominously.
I felt like Oliva had punched me in the stomach. The Power of Five was weak because of me, or rather, because there were no elementals left and I could not be everywhere at once. I was also just a normal elemental, and there were still many spells, enchantments, intonations, and other parts of being an elemental that I had yet to learn.
“In keeping with that, I ask all of you for caution. Public has been tried over the past few years, and with its magic fluctuating there’s no telling what could happen if the demons attack. These cautions are, of course, for your own safety. With that in mind,” Oliva continued, when some of the grumbling from the vampires had died down, “I must insist that if you see a demon, you must not engage it in battle.”
“What?” Lisabelle sputtered into the silent hall before she could stop herself. Oliva’s eyes flicked to our table, then away.
“Shhh,” said Sip to our friend, giving her a purple-eyed glare. “You’re going to get us in trouble, or more trouble, I should say.”
“You know what’s going to get us in trouble?” Lisabelle asked scornfully. “Not being allowed to defend ourselves when we’re attacked by demons. Oliva’s crazy. He’s a pixie and he’s crazy. Sad, really.”
“What are you saying about pixies?” Camilla hissed from behind us.
“You heard me,” Lisabelle retorted.
“So, now we know who’s going to give us our punishment,” said Sip glumly. “I should have known.”
She was right. It was Oliva himself who would be distributing our punishment for fighting with Camilla on the bus. He was definitely a long way from the friend he had been to us during the second semester of our Starter year.
“Just wait until Lanca hears,” said Lough, “or do you think she already knew?”
“She probably already knew,” I said. “They wouldn’t do something like appoint a new president of Public without informing the Rapier queen.”
“I’d kind of like to see Vital mad again,” said Sip reverently. “He’s amazing.”
“In other news,” said Oliva, “we have several students this semester from other universities. They are studying abroad and will be joining the other Starters in showing off their paranormal skills.”
It was known as a Demonstration, basically just a way to impress the rest of us and bring honor to your type. I had failed miserably when I had done mine, because I hadn’t known I was an elemental. I still flinched whenever I thought of it.
Meanwhile, Lisabelle was still trying to absorb the situation. “Oliva’s our new president,” she muttered, staring darkly up at the pixie. “What is the world coming to?”
Chapter Fourteen
The rest of the evening went by in a blur. The demonstrations were pretty cool. We had visiting students from all over, as far away as China and as close as New York City. The student from New York was a werewolf who looked kind of rough and tumble. He was covered in tattoos and wore ripped jeans, and he introduced himself as Nolan. Once he had finished his Demonstration, Professor Erikson stood up and informed him that he would need a new uniform, one that included unripped jeans, and a comb couldn’t hurt either. His face inscrutable, he gave her a curt nod. Once the Demonstrations were over, students streamed out of the hall.
Before we could go back to Astra, we had to accept our punishment from the new president. All the students who had been involved in the altercation on the bus went to stand before the raised dais.
At first Oliva ignored us, but soon enough he beckoned for us to follow him. Lough, who wasn’t in trouble, departed with a wave and a shake of his head. “Good luck,” he whispered.
Oliva led us outside, and then back inside the nearest building, which turned out to be the campus bookstore, where my friends and I needed to go anyway.
Oliva shook his head at all of us, including Camilla and Kia, who were standing a little way away from Sip, Lisabelle, and me.
“Let me just say,” Camilla simpered, “congratulations on your appointment. I am sure you will make a truly wonderful and inspirational leader of Paranormal Public.” She batted her eyes for good measure. Lisabelle looked like she wanted to vomit, or punch her, I wasn’t sure which.
Oliva smiled. Once a pixie, always a pixie. “Thank you,” he said warmly. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.” Then, collecting himself, he cleared his throat.
“Your punishment is to help paint the far end of the Long Building,” said Oliva. “It’s been a long time since it was taken care of, and it’s falling into disrepair. Mr. Erikson is in charge of getting the painting done, so talk to him. Charlotte,” - I blushed, knowing what came next - “I know you have a special relationship with Mr. Erikson.” Camilla sniggered, but Oliva ignored her and went right on. “If I hear any breath of favoritism, you will both receive further punishment. I have already directed Mr. Erikson not to treat you any differently from the way he treats anyone else.”
My cheeks flamed. I was so angry I was speechless, so I merely nodded.
“Good,” said Oliva, giving us each a sharp glance before striding back outside.
“Bookstore?” Sip asked, nodding her head in the direction of the store’s entrance. We had never been in there, because until the rules had been changed for the coming semester, our professors had always just handed out our books when we got to the first class, much to Sip’s dismay. Now all the students were in charge of getting their own reading materials.
Camilla and Kia were already gone. I could hear them whispering nasty things about us as they followed Oliva out. Lisabelle and I both nodded at Sip. “Bookstore.”
“Have you ever been in there before?” I asked skeptically, eyeing the blackened windows. Most bookstores displayed books in the windows, but this one did not. This one didn’t even want you to see what was inside.
“Um, no,” said Lisabelle. “Nerd?” She looked questioningly at Sip.
“I have a name,” said Sip indignantly, “and no.” None of us appeared to want
to make the first move toward the door. Finally, realizing we looked silly and kind of pathetic, I stepped forward.
It turned out that the windows were black for a reason. The second my hand touched the doorknob, a stack of books came flying out of what appeared to be a solid door, landing with a thud and a whoosh of dust on the floor at my feet. I stared at the door in shock. Not daring to look at the books in front of the door, I used my foot to push them to the side. They were the books I needed for this semester.
“Awesome,” Sip breathed. “Let me try.” She stepped forward, and another whirl of flying books fell at her feet.
Once the process had been repeated for Lisabelle, and all three of us were weighted down with our semester’s worth of reading, we headed home for the night.
I didn’t think it was a good idea for my friends to come back with me to Astra. We were getting close to curfew time, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out what would happen if we stayed out past it. But they were determined to meet this Martha character, and they would not be denied.
Astra was lit up, and I could see new flowers in pots outside the doors. I sighed, hoping against hope that Martha and I would just have had a getting-acquainted glitch, after which we would settle down and get along fine all semester. If not, it was going to be a long time until Christmas.
“I can’t believe Oliva is the new president,” Sip said for the tenth time as we came up the path. She shook her head, running her fingers through her spiky blond hair.
“I’m glad it’s someone we know,” said Lisabelle, shrugging. “I was tired of all those paranormals I had never heard of.”
“I still want Risper to be president,” I said with reverence. “That would be cool. There wouldn’t be any stupid punishments of painting buildings for defending our honor.”
“Yeah,” said Lisabelle dreamily. “He would whip us all into shape.” She grinned at the thought as I opened the door to Astra, but I didn’t even have a chance to get a word in edgewise as my friends followed me inside. Martha was waiting for us in the hall, in the same pink outfit she had been wearing when I left. I skidded to a halt so fast my friends almost ran into my back.
She gave my friends a quick curtsy.
“No,” she said, shaking her head emphatically.
“No?” I asked, not sure what she was talking about. She nodded in Sip and Lisabelle’s direction. “No.” She pointed an imperious finger at the door, “Out.”
“They’re my friends,” I protested. “It’s not even curfew yet.”
“It will be soon,” said Martha. “This is your first night back at Public. I cannot have you anything less than well-rested for tomorrow. It would speak badly of me.”
“We could find other ways to speak badly of you . . .” Lisabelle offered.
Martha gave Lisabelle a brilliant smile. I had already come to fear that smile. Kindness kills worse than anger, at least when it comes to bakers.
“I have heard of your poor behavior,” said Martha, still in a sugary voice. “Let me just say now that I will not tolerate it here in Astra. I will also not have you influencing my charges poorly.”
“Is she talking about you?” Sip whispered to me, frowning.
“I think so,” I said, staring at Martha as if she had two heads. “Mrs. Swan never cared who I had over,” I explained patiently to her.
Suddenly, Martha’s nose crinkled as if she smelled something rotten. She stared hard at Lisabelle until even the darkness mage shifted a little uncomfortably. She was accustomed to those who disapproved of her behavior and some who disapproved of her appearance, but rarely did someone think she smelled.
Sip gave Lisabelle a look that clearly asked: did you shower today? Judging by Lisabelle’s bewilderment, the answer was yes.
“Do you have a cat?” Martha asked menacingly.
Instantly Lisabelle’s armor went back up and her shoulders went razor straight. “Yes,” she said proudly. “Bartholem is with us indefinitely.” I saw Sip perk up a bit at the use of the word “us.”
“I hate cats,” said Martha, her brown eyes snapping. I wasn’t sure if she was going to yell or be sick.
“You better go,” I said to Lisabelle. “We can figure it out tomorrow.”
“What on earth do you think you’ll be figuring out?” Martha asked. “Leave.”
And with that my friends were gone. I didn’t say a word to Martha. I was so furious I didn’t even look at her. I just brushed past her and headed for my room. Unfortunately, Martha felt the need to discuss our interaction further, so she followed me.
“You cannot bring friends here in the evening,” she said shrilly. “Honestly, I don’t -”
I spun around on my heel, taking Martha by surprise. She rocked backward, then steadied herself, looking at me almost curiously.
“You said we will discuss ‘rules’ tomorrow,” I nearly spat out. “Let’s wait until then.”
Martha’s jaw clenched, but somehow she forced a smile. It looked more like someone had taken clamps and pulled her lips apart. It was the first time her veneer of friendliness had cracked.
“Fine,” she said. “If that’s what you want.”
“It’s exactly what I want,” I said icily, then slammed my way into my room. It was a good thing Keller was busy tonight, I thought. I would have just loved to see would happen if he tried to stay over. But actually, thinking of that made me cringe. There was no way Martha was going to let him stay. She probably envisioned us doing all sorts of horrible things that would have been none of her business even if we did them.
Sighing, I climbed into bed. I had meant to read the paranormal news, but after the day’s travel and one confrontation after another, I didn’t have the energy. Instead, I fell into a sleep without dreams. At least I was back at Public. Aside from when I was with Ricky, it was where I always felt best.
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning I couldn’t bring myself to go downstairs. Instead I glared around my bedroom, trying to think of a way out that didn’t involve seeing Martha. For half a second I thought of Contacting Lisabelle and asking her to fly up to the window, but she wasn’t allowed to use her broom on campus unless she got permission, and the “my friend hates her dorm mother because she’s crazy” excuse probably wouldn’t fly well with Oliva at that point.
Seriously, what was the point of being the only elemental if I didn’t know Astra’s secrets? Fine, I was learning them slowly - meeting Sigil had been an important one - but my bedroom needed a secret passage, and no matter how hard I searched or how much furniture I moved I couldn’t find one.
While I tried to think of a way out I got dressed. For my first day I wore a black cotton skirt and a red t-shirt, honoring the elements of fire.
I was just about to give up hope and go downstairs, risking seeing Martha, when there was a soft tap at my window. I raced over and threw back the curtains. There, waiting outside, was Keller. He was grinning widely, his powerful dark wings easily keeping him in the air. He wore a blue shirt and jeans. As usual, he looked perfect. My heart fluttered as I held up a finger, telling him I just had to grab my bag. Once I was ready to go I raced back to the window, flinging it wide.
Keller reached out, taking me in his arms. One went below my knees while the other went around my back. Mine went around his neck as I grinned.
“How did you know?” I asked over the noise of his flapping wings. Keller had never taken me flying before; he said he wanted to keep it for a special occasion. But over the last few years I had stood close to fallen angels whose wings were in motion and I had been surprised by the noise. Now that I was in his arms, in the air, it was almost hard to hear his reply. He pitched his voice accordingly and said, “I got an SOS from Lisabelle this morning. She explained that you had been assigned a less than pleasant dorm mother.”
I nodded, not bothering to try and speak loud enough for him to hear me. I was sure he would get the gist from my look, which said, “You have no idea.”
&nb
sp; He didn’t fly us straight to the ground. Instead he stayed airborne until we were slightly away from Astra, so that Martha wouldn’t see us.
Gently, he set me down. As he released me carefully and my feel touched solid ground, I thought that there would never be anything so graceful as a fallen angel in motion. “You okay?” he asked, putting his hands gently on my waist to steady me.
“Better than okay,” I said, kissing him warmly. We stayed like that for a while, until I pulled away laughing. “We really should get to breakfast, and Lisabelle probably wants confirmation that mission was accomplished.”
“Whatever,” Keller muttered, and pulled me to him once again.
“Confirmation would be nice,” said Lisabelle, striding toward us a few moments later. Sip was with her, looking for all the world as if she was excited for classes and homework to start.
“How’s Bartholem?” Keller asked her.
“Settling in nicely,” Lisabelle said. “He comes and goes as he pleases. I have no idea how, but I often find him in the Airlee sitting room getting petted by whoever happens to be there.”
The four of us headed to breakfast together. I was curious to see what Keller had to say about Oliva becoming president, but as usual he had nothing but kind words for the former committee member.
“I think he’ll do a good job,” he said as we walked along the paths toward the new dining hall. The grass was perfectly cut and very green, as it always was when we returned. This year, with such a warm summer, there was still no hint of fall in the air, and when I turned my face I felt nothing but a warm breeze on my cheeks.
“He’s young, which means he’ll have more in common with the younger generation. He’s also a pixie, which should silence a lot of critics,” insisted Keller in the face of our skeptical looks.
Elemental Air (Paranormal Public Series) Page 11
