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I crane my neck back to see the dozens of shelves stretching high above us toward a marble ceiling. Pillars hold the hefty roof up, and granite statues in togas line the halls.
It’s beautiful.
A flawless depiction of her skills. A perfect way to incorporate her magic into her life and provide a fuller experience for children who can still believe in things as wild as fantasy.
“The bathrooms are still just the bathrooms because they’re the bathrooms, you know?” she says.
“May I go to school here?” Alexios asks. “I want to be educated from the barn loft beneath a weighted blanket of hay. I believe it would optimize my learning abilities.”
“That’s the goal!” Kassandra clasps her hands and sparkles in my general direction. “What do you think? I’ve thought a lot about how I can use the things I’ve been given to make something brighter for people without burning myself out. I may not be able to solve world hunger, or fix anyone’s souls, but I can add a little magic to someone’s childhood. If I can open these doors wide enough to fit anyone who enters, maybe it will be enough to show them they are enough. If that message reaches them during these years while they’re becoming whoever they are, maybe they’ll carry it for the rest of their lives.”
Gathering my senses, I release a breath and cup Kassandra’s chin in my hand. “This is all incredible, and I believe your efforts will reach your littles. How are you protecting all of this against those who would be less keen to embrace it?”
Kassandra’s smile brims with mischief. “It’s age-restricted. To adults, the entire thing is glamoured to look like a normal school house.”
I utter a swear. “That’s brilliant. And it’s stable? Castor can’t siphon any magic from here?”
Her little nose sticks in the air. “Anything that leaves the building loses all power, turning into plain old regular non-premium sand.”
“Remarkable,” I whisper.
Gold-flecked eyes glittering, Kassandra says, “Why, thank you. Life is a lot easier to live when you aren’t encumbered by someone else’s rules.”
A shudder rocks through me as the caress of Kassandra’s soul toys with my nerve endings. Taunting.
Without a touch of decorum, Alexios sighs, deeply. “Please stop flirting in my presence. Also, I didn’t notice it like this when I was just dropping off Meda’s lunch at the school sign, but what in the—” He curses. “—is that incredible scent?”
Reluctantly, I let Kassandra slip away, and she begins counting on her fingers. “I have it smelling like old books in here. I haven’t decided what collection of flowers I want the meadow to have yet. Obviously, the classroom has warm hay and pine scents. I opted for a cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger in the mushroom tavern. Just to spice things up.” She drops her hand. “What are you smelling?”
Deadpan, Alexios says, “Sin.”
Kassandra and I exchange a look, just like our parents tend to. Clearing her throat, Kassandra says, “I…don’t think I’ve intentionally added, um, that aroma. Could you elaborate?”
Alexios folds his arms. “Danger.”
“Danger?” I mutter.
“Temptation. Seduction. An incomprehensible amount of vanilla and a reprehensible amount of violence. It is the scent of a very, very interesting soul.” His eyes narrow and flick to Kassandra. “Don’t worry. It is of age.”
“I’m not certain that absolves all of my concerns?”
Alexios’s eyes roll. “If you’re boring, say that.”
“Xios,” I growl.
“Kass!” Zahra calls from the main entrance, and Alexios’s spine goes rod-straight as the woman sashays into the library and beams at me. “Awesome. You’re here.” Holding out her hand, she says, “Give me your phone. I’ve been dying to see what this place looks like after the agony of being the designated human adult making sure Kass’s stipulations and what not were working as intended. I’m still offended that someone didn’t make an exception for part faes.”
“We have no idea who is or isn’t part fae, Zahr.”
“Uh-huh. Your logic has no power here, for I am incompetent.” She sniffs and wiggles her fingers. “Pollux, phone.”
I do not actually have my phone on me at the moment.
Before I have to relay that information, however, Alexios begins circling Zahra like a vulture. “Who is this exquisite creature?”
Zahra’s brows jump. “Oh. Well, dang. Hi. That’s a new voice. Who else is here?”
“Xios, drop your glamour, and behave yourself,” I grumble.
