But first, Devon thought as he turned towards a preservation jar. The contents had been recovered from that professor’s house. It was a risk, but it was free. No wording loopholes to keep track of.
Eva could work Arachne’s fingers with no issue despite their extra joints. This shouldn’t be an issue.
It was nerve-wracking nonetheless.
— — —
Zoe collected the final stack of essays from her desk. She was ready to bunker down for a long weekend of grading. Bunkering down was somewhat more literal this time compared to other weekends. Ylva had erected wards that she couldn’t begin to identify around her new apartment.
Not that a lack of knowledge prevented her from trying. In fact, Zoe wanted to get home and rush through the essays in order to get back to studying the wards. She wouldn’t, of course. That wouldn’t be fair to her students. But the thought had crossed her mind more than once.
Near as Zoe could tell, the wards did not use any of the six thaumaturgical elements. They operated purely on Ylva’s will. Almost as if she had turned the room into a part of herself. Though Zoe hadn’t had an opportunity to study Ylva’s domain, she suspected that place would appear much the same.
It was somewhat concerning. The only assurance she had that the area would go back to normal was Ylva’s assurance that she would take down the wards when the threat had been dealt with. As… nice as Ylva had been, Zoe couldn’t understand her motivations.
“Your students request an audience.”
Zoe started, barely managing to keep the essays from falling to the floor. Ylva stood in front of the transparent door to the classroom. Whatever Eva had said to convince her to wear a tee-shirt and regular pants couldn’t be appreciated enough. It had been disturbing to look at a child barely wearing anything.
Inside the classroom, two students stood right in front of the door. Had they knocked? Zoe was so absorbed in her thoughts, she hadn’t noticed anything.
“Mr. Anderson. Mr. Weston,” Zoe said as she opened the door. She put on a polite smile and gestured into her office. “Please, come in.”
The two students nodded and walked in. Both smiled at Ylva, though Max Weston’s smile was slightly strained. Jordan actually gave her a slight bow.
Even in her tiny form, Ylva managed to unnerve most students. Part of that was likely due to her sickly appearance. Her deathly features were less pronounced while small, but there were still little things that disturbed the subconscious. She didn’t breathe. She didn’t blink. She didn’t speak while the students were around.
Her presence, or perhaps that of her mother, had students treating Eva different. Differenter. Their story had Eva only knowing Ylva through Zoe, yet rumors had already started going around that Eva was a crossbreed daughter of a giant royal. Or a dragon priestess. Or any number of other theories.
None of the ones Zoe had heard were at all accurate.
“So,” Zoe said, “you caught me just as I was leaving. What can I do for you?”
Jordan gave a sad smile and said, “I hope we aren’t being a bother. We were wondering about Professor Lurcher’s condition.”
“Professor Lurcher is doing well. I had contact with the head doctor at the hospital. He required several skin grafts, but should be fine with the elves’ help. There might be some scarring.”
He might be wearing a wig as well.
“Is there a general time frame for when he will return?”
“He will be out of the hospital in four to six weeks, though he’ll need to return periodically for check-ups. He won’t be returning to teach for another few months. I believe he’ll be back after the new year starts. Mr. Bookman will be filling in for his class until then.”
“I see,” Jordan said with a nod. “Will he be available for counseling during his recovery?”
“I can’t say for sure. I’ll ask him the next time I get a chance. If you need counseling, I’d be happy to fill in for now.”
“That’s alright. It isn’t anything that can’t wait. I’m glad Professor Lurcher will be alright.”
Me too.
“Was that everything you needed?”
He shared a glance with Max. They both shrugged and started to leave the office. “Think so. We’ll see you in class next week.”
“Stop.”
Zoe jumped. The papers tucked under her arm scattered into the air.
Neither Jordan nor Max reacted much better. Max actually tumbled to the ground and pulled his wand out. Jordan went completely still. A faint glisten of sweat formed over his skin as he turned back to face Ylva.
She moved up and put her face mere inches from his. Her gaze bore into him.
Zoe stood frozen in indecision. There was no chance she could fight off Ylva, but she had to do something. She opened her mouth to try to calm Ylva.
Ylva spoke first.
“Who are you?”
“Jordan Anderson.” The response came swiftly and without hesitation.
Ylva continued to stare for several seconds before she turned away. That earned a small sigh from Jordan.
“You may leave.”
“Thanks,” Jordan mumbled. He stayed just long enough to help pick Max off the floor before both of them fled.
Zoe shut the door behind them. She whirled to face Ylva. “What was that?” she asked far more harshly than she intended.
“He bowed. Twitches in his fingers. Suppressed fear and nervousness.”
“That’s it? He bowed?” Zoe sighed and shook her head. “There are rumors that you–the big you–belongs to some kind of royalty.”
“No. The other boy had a proper response to such rumors. Polite but uncertain. A few glances in Our direction.” Ylva shook her tiny head. “Jordan Anderson avoided looking at Ourself even once beyond his initial bow. He was scared.”
“That isn’t a good enough reason to shout at someone.”
“That is why We released him.”
Zoe blinked as she tilted her head. That seemed reasonable. “Except now he will be even more frightened the next time you see him.”
“We do not believe he attacked you. Should he prove otherwise, We will intervene.”
Biting her lip, Zoe said, “you can’t kill children, Ylva.”
Zoe shut her eyes and mentally prepared for the ‘you dare order US around’ that was certainly coming.
Nothing came after several silent moments.
Zoe opened her eyes to find Ylva staring up at her with a tilted head.
“You wish to spare his life, even if he was the one to nearly kill you and your companion?”
“I do.” Zoe answered without hesitation.
Ylva looked away, off into the classroom. She held her gaze steady for nearly a minute before looking back at Zoe. “We tire of this place. Let us return.”
“Alright,” Zoe said. “Let me collect–” She cut herself off as she looked down to the floor. All the papers were stacked in a single, neat pile. She reached down and picked it up. Leafing through, she found all the papers to be facing the right way.
I want that ability, Zoe thought to herself as she walked Ylva out of the building.
A cold, biting wind tore through the light jacket Zoe wore over her suit. Too cold for the end of September. She stopped and shuddered under the sunless sky. Five straight days of terrible weather and she had a feeling of who was to blame.
“Is it going to be overcast for the entire duration of your stay?”
Ylva stopped walking without even seeming to notice her platinum hair whipping around her in the freezing wind. She looked back with her cool, gray eyes.
“We are unable to control the revelation of Our skeletal form. Eva believes it would cause undue alarm among the students. We have expended great effort in concealing Ourself.”
“That is true. However, we could be in this situation for weeks. People will be suspicious–” not to mention depressed, “–if no sun shines at all. Would it be possible to remain at school past nightfall while keeping you away from windows?”