Page 95 of Trivium

“Can I come clean about something too?” Ahmina offered, unsure if what she was about to do was right. But screw it, what did she have to lose. Her life was about to go to shit anyway. “I think humans can have magic.”

Loveleena came to a sudden halt. “What did you just say?”

“Humans. I think they can have magic like the creatures.”

“Not possible.” Loveleena grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward. “Come on we’re late.”

“But the creature. It spoke to you, right? Maybe it’s creature to human magic or something.”

“If a humans had magic, they would be executed.”

“Yes, but⁠—”

Loveleena whirled around, her eyes fierce. “No nothing. Don’t even speak of it.”

Dammit. That was not the right thing to say. Ahmina huffed a breath as she tried to keep up with Loveleena’s quickened pace. She’d put herself even more at risk by bringing it up, but she had to. They were the only two people that had odd encounters during the shadows. If anyone else had magic…

But Loveleena didn’t have magic; in fact, she looked mortified by the idea, and they were about to be expelled, so Ahmina had to get back on Loveleena’s good side. If there even was such a thing.

“I know about Park. Kumani told me. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“He’s not dead,” Loveleena snapped.

“Oh, right, no, of course not. I just meant⁠—”

“You know,” Loveleena cut her off just as they reached Adeyemi’s office door. “You’re smart, despite being a massive failure this year.”

“Um, rude.”

“If we get expelled, I’ll help you find work or whatever. My parents have connections. Some that aren’t public. We will figure it out. I owe you one, remember? Just…” She paused, her voice cracking. “Don’t talk about Park like that.”

Ahmina knew very well no noble family would be caught dead helping an Academy outcast. How was Loveleena not worried about the public scrutiny and shame that would be cast onto her? Did she really think she would get a free pass just because she was a noble? On second thought, maybe she would. Up until Park and Loveleena, a noble hadn’t attended the Academy in half a century. Regardless, she could see the grief in Loveleena’s eyes, so she agreed.

“Okay. Yeah, of course. Thank you,” Ahmina said quietly, unsure of how she could repay her.

“And don’t bring up humans having magic again.”

“Okay.”

“Ready?”

No. She wasn’t ready. But she put on a brave face, placed her hand on the carved wooden door, and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

64

LOVELEENA

Loveleena didn’t even knock.

She swung open the headmaster’s study door to find Adeyemi and Ren waiting for them. She didn’t know why Adeyemi had summoned her, but if she were to be expelled, she was mentally prepared to retaliate by exposing Ren. He knew she had magic, and if she was here to get expelled, or worse, sentenced to death, she would take him down with her.

“Alva. Ori. Please have a seat,” Adeyemi said, ushering her to a large leather chair situated by the gallery window that looked out over the Great Hall. Loveleena could see the heads of students moving below. She sat quickly, warm rays of midday sunlight spilling through the glass and across her face.

Vines crept up and down the hand-carved wooden bookcases and ceiling which made the study ethereal, but it was the hand-painted tile floor that captivated her the most. The colorful detail and intricate artistry were stunning. She wanted to reach down and run her fingers over it.

“I’m sure you’re both wondering why I asked you here today,” Adeyemi said, snapping her attention back.

Loveleena met Ahmina’s eyes, her brow already furrowed in silent question. When Ahmina brought up human magic, Loveleena almost lost it on her. She had figured out somehow, probably through her stupid book obsession, that humans had magic which meant she was inches from realizing Loveleena was the poster child.