“Maybe you should summon her now then, just so we can get it over with.”
“Relax, Tess,” said Lee. “She’s always seemed nice enough, if a little predatory. You shouldn’t judge people by their outward appearance.”
“I’m not judging a person, I’m being afraid of a spider. It’s a perfectly valid impulse.”
Lee tucked the scroll back into the envelope and slipped it into his sweatshirt. He headed over to his bed and felt underneath it, finding the second item he’d been gifted by one of his instructors.
Kei had left the Walther P99 exactly where he’d said he would. Lee opened the lockbox and took the weapon out with a fair amount of hesitance. He didn’t have any real firearms training, and the pistol felt heavy and dangerous in his hand. He double-checked to make sure the safety was on and then strapped on the conveniently included shoulder harness and holster. Underneath his sweatshirt, the gun was barely visible, just a slight lump under one arm that was easy to obscure through his posture.
“I’ll be ready when it shows up this time,” said Lee.
He pulled Tess into his mystic stream and into an embrace as she drew close to him.
“I hope so,” she whispered.
“You sound unsure.”
She nodded. “I’m really scared, Lee.”
“This is what I do as a mystic. The tools are a little different this time around, and I’ve never fought a lich before, but it’s right up my alley. It’ll be fine.”
“Things were so much simpler back when I just had to help you fake like you had magic,” whispered Tess.
“Now that was scary.”
He hugged Tess tighter and then cupped her cheek, tilting her face toward his for a soft, slow kiss. A small squeak came from the doorway. Lee glanced over and caught sight of a large squirrel, one of Mattis’s bonded animals, waiting for his attention.
“I think that’s my cue,” said Lee.
He followed the squirrel outside onto campus. Kei and Mattis were waiting in front of the statue of Shay Morrigan. Kei’s face was the usual mixture of pensive neutrality, while Mattis’s was creased by a reluctant frown, as though she’d been forced to suck on a sour candy.
“Initiate Amaranth,” said Mattis. “Instructor Fujino has explained to me how he appreciates your assistance, but I still have some… reservations in regard to you helping in this task.”
“If it helps, I didn’t really have anywhere else to go for the November Holiday,” said Lee.
“It doesn’t,” said Mattis.
The wind picked up, rustling the grass and whistling through the trees of the orchard.
“Is it really just the three of us here?” asked Lee. “No other students? No other staff?”
“Hopefully, it’s just us three,” said Kei. “It is possible that the lich could already be inside the college’s perimeters. His minions, as well.”
“That’s not possible,” said Mattis. “The wall is secure. We’ll be alerted to the presence of any supernatural entities that manage to force their way through.”
Except for ghosts, Lee thought. The fact that Mattis was still woefully ignorant of spectral entities made for an odd team dynamic, given how the lich had already demonstrated its control of specters. He wondered if she might be more open to the truth if it came from Kei rather than one of her students.
“It’s evident at this point, based off what the lich said to Lee, that its target is Hornbell’s Report,” said Kei.
“I’ve checked the index of both the library and the archives,” said Mattis. “The book was here at one point, but it was nearly a century ago. It’s not where it should be in the archives, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s not somewhere else on campus.”
“We’ll split up for tonight,” said Kei. “Each of us will search and guard one of the likely locations of the book.”
“Yes,” said Mattis. “I will watch over the Seruna Center, namely the area around the library. I doubt Hornbell’s Report is in the Ewix Center, given how few places there would be for it there, so Kei, I would suggest you watch the Five Towers.”
“What about me?” asked Lee.
“You should keep to the First Tower,” said Mattis. “Not only is it one of the more likely locations for the book to have disappeared in, the wards maintained by the Head Wizard make it much safer against attack than other places within the school.”
“I don’t need to be coddled,” muttered Lee.
“You’re a student,” said Mattis. “I would disagree entirely with that conclusion. During your search, please be respectful of Head Wizard Odarin’s privacy and try to keep everything in the same place where you find it.”
Lee sighed, sensing the pointlessness of forcing an argument on the issue.
“If either of you find the book or encounter an enemy, simply give a shout,” said Mattis. “My bonded animals have already been forewarned. They’ll gather the rest of us if they hear anything unusual.”
Kei nodded and split off without another word. Mattis favored Lee with one of her stern, slightly judgmental stares before also getting to work. Lee folded his arms, a sudden, irresistible idea taking hold in his mind.
“Lee,” said Tess. “The First Tower is that way.”
“I know. I need to grab a few things, first.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, you’ll see,” said Lee. “Go change into a dress.”
CHAPTER 31
Lee stopped by his dorm to grab a blanket and then looped through the dining hall a second time to pick up sandwiches and chips. Through a little guesswork and a lot of luck, he managed to find a hidden liquor cabinet, from which he procured a bottle of wine that he doubted the kitchen staff would miss.
Tess was waiting for him at the entrance to the First Tower, clad in a cornflower-blue sundress that fluttered flirtatiously in the wind. Her eyes scanned over the items in his hands as a dimpled grin burst into existence on her face.
“You brought stuff for a picnic!” she said. “Oh, Lee Amaranth, you’re too sweet.”
“It’s a one-time thing,” he said, resisting his own smile. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Where do you want to set the blanket up? There are a few spots in the orchard that could be nice.”
Lee chuckled and glanced up at the First Tower, or more specifically, the Zephaphine Islands gently floating and swaying around its upper half.
“I have a better place in mind,” he said.
The door was unlocked, which had to have been Mattis’s doing. Each time Lee had been inside the First Tower, the lobby had been nearly empty, but even so, it felt more empty than usual as he and Tess made their way through it.
“I suppose we should check a few rooms, first,” said Lee.
“It would be impossible to do a thorough search of the entire tower,” said Tess.
“True. If Hornbell’s Report is here, it’s probably in either Odarin’s main study or his bedroom.”
He led Tess into the arcanum lift and triggered the rune that controlled it. The circular platform lifted more smoothly than any elevator, accelerating and decelerating with perfect ease.
Odarin’s bedroom was a sprawling chamber that took up an entire floor, with the lift stabbing through the center point like a massive, architectural pillar. It was a mess, with dirty shirts, pants, and robes scattered across the floor, not to mention a few pairs of underwear.
Beer cans and liquor bottles covered at least half the space on the various tables, while plates and food trays covered another third. Most of Odarin’s blankets and bedsheets were twisted up or hanging loose. A VR headset, of all possible things, sat on the left side of his mattress, as though it were a hat or scarf left by a swiftly departing lover.
“This feels like a violation of the Head Wizard’s privacy,” said Lee.
“It really does,” said Tess. “Also, it smells like the boys’ bathroom.”
Lee cringed as he stepped over a suspicious stain on the carp
et. “I doubt the book is here. Let’s do a quick look in his study and then move on.”
They rode the arcanum lift up a few more floors. Lee had been inside Odarin’s study before and found it to be in much the same state, which was far more presentable than his bedroom. Bookshelves adorned the walls. A single, diamond-shaped decanter of expensive liquor sat on a polished wood table, along with a clean ashtray.
“I could see it being here, somewhere,” said Lee. “Maybe lost in one of these bookshelves?”
He set the blanket and food down to give the space a more thorough search. Tess joined in, gently running her fingers across the spines of various books as she searched.
“There’s something behind this book!” she said, after a minute. “Lee! This is a hiding spot!”
He hurried to examine her discovery. Tess had already removed two fake book covers designed to hide the volumes behind them from view. She was frowning in confusion at what lay underneath.
“Playboy, Hustler, and Maxim magazine,” said Lee. “Well, he’s got good taste, at least.”
“What are these?” asked Tess.
“They’re, uh, publications. For men.”
“The photograph on the front is borderline scandalous.” Tess flipped one of the magazines open and gasped. “They’re all naked! It’s naked women, on every page.”
“Oh my sweet, innocent Tess,” said Lee. “You really are a proper lady.”
She shot him an exaggerated glare that was made somewhat comical by her deeply reddened cheeks. “Lee Amaranth, tell me the truth. Have you ever looked at these sorts of photographs before?”
“Me? What? Of course not.”
“Liar.” Tess scowled and turned the page. “These women don’t even make sense. Their chests are too busty and too… round.”
“They have implants, Tess.”
“What?”
“Oh boy. If I explain to you what they are, you have to promise that you won’t use your ghost powers to try to experiment with them on your own boobs, okay?”
Tess tapped a thoughtful finger on her lips. “Do you think that would actually be possible?”
Aside from Odarin’s outdated porn collection, they found little else of interest within his study. Lee wasn’t all that surprised or disappointed. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to find Hornbell’s Report, given how traumatic Tess’s related memories had been for her. It felt too much like picking at an old scab.
They made their way further up in the arcanum lift, to the balcony that exited out on the level of the Zephaphine Islands. They walked to the edge, watching the floating mounds of enchanted earth and green grass slowly swaying through the air in regular patterns. Some of them were too far away and irregular in their movements for them to reach. Others orbited close to the tower, slowing as they passed the balcony close enough to be only a confident step away.
They were hundreds of feet above campus, so even though it was only a small gap to cross to one of the closer islands, Lee still felt his hands clam up in anticipation. The wind was surprisingly fair, given how high up they were. He watched as a smaller island with a single, carefully manicured apple tree at its center drew near the balcony.
“Ready?” He pulled Tess into his mystic stream and clasped her hand. She grinned and nodded.
They made the crossing together, Tess letting out an excited whoop and collapsing to her knees as they made it to the other side. The island continued onward from the balcony, speeding up a little like a car on a theme park ride leaving the station. Lee dropped to the ground next to Tess, setting his bundle down as he stretched out on his back.
“This was an excellent idea for a date, Mr. Amaranth,” said Tess.
“Mr. Amaranth?” Lee let out a mocking laugh. “Well, I do believe I have you to thank for the inspiration, Ms. Holloway.”
It only took a minute for him to spread the blanket out and set up their simple picnic area. The sun was in the process of setting, painting the clouds around it with a beautiful mixture of red and orange. Primhaven’s magically controlled weather meant that the air was the perfect temperature, even though most of their view of the horizon was of the endless Alaskan white.
Lee took out the sandwich and chips he’d brought for them to share, along with the bottle of wine. Tess sat down on the blanket across from him and stretched out as she began helping herself to the food.
“This does feel a bit like skipping out on an assignment,” said Tess. “We’re supposed to be looking for the book.”
There was a waver to her voice that told Lee that she was feeling more than just a passing sense of irresponsibility. Tess was more than likely the one who’d last touched the book, the one who’d hidden it in the first place. It was also fair to assume that finding it might bring back memories that she didn’t want or need.
“It only has a one-in-three chance of being in the First Tower, anyway,” said Lee. “Also, it’s not as though we can’t keep watch from up here. If anything, being this high up will give us a better view of trouble, if it decides to show itself.”
“I guess,” muttered Tess.
“I know what will make you feel better.” Lee took a healthy swig of the wine and then offered her the bottle.
“Of course,” she said, rolling her eyes. “What better solution to my morose mood than to drink my troubles away?”
She did take a sip, despite her mocking tone. Lee slid in closer to her, moving the food off the blanket.
“I always liked the idea of these islands,” he said. “They’re so impractical, in a way, given how little use they seem to get. But in another way, they serve as an example to all the students of the real power of magic, the real reason why they come to Primhaven to study.”
“That’s kind of profound. I never thought of it like that when I was a student. At least, I don’t think I did. I just thought they were pretty.”
“It’s not enough just to be pretty,” said Lee.
“Oh, it’s not?” Tess shifted on the blanket, resting her head on one arm. “You have higher standards, then?”
“Pretty is just what’s on the surface,” said Lee. He set a hand on her hip, slowly rubbing back and forth. Her dress was insubstantial, so thin that he could feel her lack of underwear underneath.
“Pretty can also be what’s underneath,” whispered Tess.
Lee’s fingers found the lower hem of her dress. He slowly started pulling it upward. Tess’s eyes never left his, and an erotic flush of pink burgeoned in her cheeks.
“Really?” asked Lee.
His hand slid between her thighs, and he received confirmation of no underwear. They were suddenly kissing, Tess’s fingers threading through his hair, her tongue pushing into his mouth.
He ran his hands over her body, feeling a sudden, horny sense of elation. It always felt like he was getting lucky with Tess. She was the type of girl who would have been too cute to ever lack for the attention of men in the normal world. She would have been intimidating in the paradoxical way that only freckles on a pretty face with a flirtatious personality can be.
“Oh, Lee,” she whispered.
He kicked his shoes off, heedless of the fact that the edge of the floating island was near enough to risk losing them forever. Tess was grinding her hips on the hand he was using to massage her mound. Lee pulled the front of her dress down and sucked on one of her nipples. She fumbled with the zipper and button of his jeans until Lee helped her with them, taking his pants off and drowning in the blushing excitement he saw on her face.
The way she stared at his bulge through his boxers was one of the most erotic things he’d ever seen. She was hot for him, and embarrassed by it. She looked like she wanted him to do things to her that she would never dirty her mouth with by saying aloud. She was wearing a simple, girlish sundress with no panties, and the outfit perfectly encapsulated everything that made Lee hard for her.
“Tess,” said Lee. “Theresa.”
It was one of the few times he’d called her b
y her first name. Tess seemed to pull inward for a moment, biting her lip and blushing even more deeply. Lee slid his boxers off and took a firm hold of her thighs, his cock throbbing in time with her fluttering eyelids.
He pushed into her with a single smooth thrust. He forced himself to breathe and take his time, even as Tess let out a wavering moan that felt like the starting pistol of a sexual sprint. He made every thrust count, since he knew he’d only get so many.
Lee had come to know her body so well. He kissed her in perfect rhythm, letting his lips meander down her neck and back up. Tess ran her hands across his back, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles before shyly gripping his buttocks and urging him to thrust deeper and harder.
He lifted one of her surprisingly flexible legs up and continued his onslaught from a side angle. Tess’s mouth formed into a tiny little O. Lee ran a finger across her bottom lip. She closed her mouth on it, moaning and sucking.
He flipped her completely over and took a dominant grip on her petite hips. Tess kept her butt lifted in the air as she collapsed her head down onto the picnic blanket. She let out tiny squeals into the fabric as Lee drove into her, each thrust making her small breasts bounce forward and back.
They shifted from position to position, as though trying to experience every ounce of what they each could offer the other with their bodies. They were face to face when the pleasure reached its crescendo. Lee felt Tess biting his shoulder as she came. He hugged her tight and thrust deep, joining her in bliss, bodies sweaty and sticky and satisfied.
CHAPTER 32
“Lee,” whispered Tess. “How long has that squirrel been there for?”
The two of them were still naked, cuddling together in the post-coital afterglow. Lee lifted his head and noticed the aforementioned squirrel, which was waiting patiently on the balcony, staring out at them.
“Good question,” said Lee. “It’s a good thing that they can’t actually talk to Mattis, otherwise I’d be screwed.”
Arcane Dropout 3 Page 15
