AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Benjamin took Clave’s class and was the student assistant Clave relied on for his others, since Benjamin was older than all the other victims.” I scrambled off the bed and made it to the TV, Razai on my heel.
The class schedules were lined up in the bright neon squares. “This is it! This is something here. Something is happening in Clave’s class that’s connected to the attacks. You say he wouldn’t be the one behind the crimes, but I’m on his trail. He’s the common denominator, and I need to find out why.”
Chapter Thirty
The next day, I tracked down Clave every moment between appointments. I went from using my magic to coerce truths from the students, none actually useful, to running across campus to look for the uptight professor.
And yes, this was necessary, since all of my calls went to his office voicemail. After fifteen failed attempts, I’d used Quinn’s phone. He finally picked up, but immediately hung up the second he realized it was me.
The bastard was avoiding me.
Even as I ran him down, he expertly kept me at arm’s length. Being in class was one thing, but every time he saw me coming down a hallway, the man slipped down a corridor and disappeared or entered a classroom full of students.
He knew I was looking for him.
On Thursday, I finally had my chance. Clave sat in his office, eating lunch, when I barged in, burrito in hand. “Lovely day to share a meal, wouldn’t you say?”
He gaped as I plopped in a chair. “Actually, I have an appointment—”
“With no one. Quinn called you an hour ago to confirm. Don’t lie to me, Clave. Or are you scared of me for some reason?”
His upper lip curled. “The same way I’d be scared of a cockroach. Do not make the mistake of flattering yourself, Gray Wilder.”
The shock of hearing my name coming from his lips almost shook me. Almost. He’d clearly been banking on rattling me and sighed in disappointment when I didn’t melt on the spot.
“Fine,” he relented, leaning back into his seat. “Speak quickly and get out.”
“You know who I am and why I’m here. So, in that sense, you’re an ally,” I said, having thought about the best way to approach this.
“I am neither your friend nor your ally.” The pitch of his voice dripped with disgust.
“Ouch,” I whimpered, smiling through my hatred of him. He was such a self-righteous, arrogant prick. “Then pretend that you give a shit about all the students you’ve taught. What can you tell me about the attacks?”
“You’ve seen the reports.”
“I’ve seen you offer the bare minimum. The reports are useful study material, but it’s not enough, and you know it. Listen, Clave. I can be a cockroach to you. I just care that no one else gets hurt or killed this month. So suck it up, put away your pride for one damn second, and fill me in.”
He considered me coolly. “Who are your suspects?”
“I’m not at liberty to disclose,” I replied, matching his tone perfectly.
“So, from what I have gathered, you are running in circles, chasing phantom leads, and pretending with every iota of your negligible might that you know what you are doing. Gray Wilder, you are a waste of space in this school. A bumbling moron with a complete lack of understanding.”
When I didn’t immediately explode or defend myself, Clave’s frown deepened.
I held back a smile. What he didn’t know was that I’d been preparing to combat arrogant trash angels like him all my life. “Is that all? Or do you need to call your therapist to process the rest of your brilliant thoughts? I’ll wait.”
The sneer came next. “Your insolence does not help your case.”
I held my hands up. “It’s not my job to make you feel respected, dude. Especially when you can’t even manage to be respectful. Just answer my questions, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“You may ask them. I may or may not answer.”
I flicked my fingers dismissively. “Fuck, finally. Didn’t realize old shits like you danced around so much. Why have all the victims taken your class when only Benjamin was a light user?”
He scoffed. “Even the simplest things are difficult for you to comprehend, it would seem. Illusion is a complex and intricate matter. Light is the main source of illusion, but all elements and powers lend a hand to a manufactured image. For instance, a fire user may assist a light Divine in creating a compelling picture. Illusion will not mimic the crackle and heat of a fire. All elements can be made to enhance a light-made illusion, and that is the basis of what those students learned. Besides Benjamin, of course.”
“Okay, I guess that makes sense—”
