“Most Paradox Fae are,” he agreed, causing Aflora’s eyebrows to shoot upward.
“You’ve been dealing with a time-dweller?” She seemed both impressed and mortified. “They’re tricksters.”
“I’m very aware,” I drawled, shifting my attention to Headmaster Irwin as he arrived. He ignored the class in favor of taking in the freshly renovated surroundings. The Council had restored the Death Blood building with an abundance of power shortly after its destruction, but the magical kinks were still working themselves out.
The gargoyles were having a field day trying to keep order within the building. Students continued to find themselves lost or in the wrong place, snake vines were uprooted and trapped, and a horde of fire gnats had been released from Headmaster Jericho’s lab.
I would have been entertained by the chaos if I hadn’t known who had caused it.
My mood soured at the thought of Zakkai, mostly because I knew Aflora had dreamt of him every day this week again. Was that what caused the hint of guilt in her eyes now? Or was it related to her bedroom gymnastics with Zeph and Kols?
“What did you do all week?” I asked her, curious to see how she’d reply.
“I, uh, studied a lot,” she offered,
her cheeks revealing that was a lie.
Well, not entirely.
“Zeph is a thorough headmaster, hmm?” I couldn’t help teasing her, and the horrified expression she gave me in return said it was worth it.
“I… I mean… I don’t…” She cleared her throat, her beautiful eyes conveying an intoxicating mixture of apology and annoyance that made me smile.
“Yes, very thorough indeed,” I murmured, winking at her.
Headmaster Irwin chose that moment to begin class, leaving Aflora blushing beside me and unable to reply.
I smirked, amused.
“Today, we are going to practice psychometry,” Headmaster Irwin announced. “As you all know, objects have histories, just like souls. But sometimes, calling up the past of an item is harder than that of a person.” He used his wand to produce a box with a slit on the top. “Everyone will pick something from this box at random, then work with your partner to decipher the story behind the item.”
The container floated to his desk at the center of the room, landing with a flourish amid a stack of papers and spreading them everywhere like confetti.
“I’ll go first,” he continued, sauntering up to his creation and sticking his hand inside. The older Midnight Fae pulled out a watch that belonged in the Human Realm more than in this one and held it up for all of us to see.
Ajax snorted beside me.
I agreed with his sentiments completely.
What a colossal waste of time, truly. Our building was attacked a week ago, and Headmaster Irwin wanted to teach us all how to look at objects. We should be focused on defensive spells, such as calling up former warrior spirits to help protect our school. But everyone was too busy acting as though we hadn’t been attacked last week.
Ridiculous.
At least Kols seemed to be favored as innocent by those on campus. If only the Council had the same faith in him as all the younger Midnight Fae had.
Prats, I thought, not at all impressed by our governing structure—a fact my father very well knew. As did my mother.
“Guess I need to go partner with Janice,” Ajax muttered, drawing my attention to the shifting chairs. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it,” I replied. “She does.” It was no secret that the Death Blood female had the hots for my best friend. Unfortunately for her, he preferred another fae—one he shouldn’t.
Ajax twirled his lip ring with his tongue, then heaved a sigh. “You’re a dick.”
“I know.” I smiled at him. “Yet you hang out with me anyway. What does that say about you?”
“I prefer bad company,” he drawled, his amusement palpable as he gathered his things and headed for the petite, dark-haired female waiting for him with stars in her eyes.
Aflora cleared her throat beside me. “Are you going to get the item, or am I?” she asked.