Part 7 (1/2)

Ms. Quests presence is also requested, Zervos added.

Sabel had again appeared out of the back in case Zervos wanted to order something, but he ignored her. Turning on his heel, he gave us all one last nasty look, then marched back out of the cafe and into the spring sunlight, his dark robes contrasting with the green of the gra.s.s as the door swung open.

Sip, Lough, and I exchanged glances.

And so, I thought sadly, we must separate again.

I met Sip outside of Olivas. I had returned to Astra to pack, facing the inevitable, and then realized that I really wouldnt be taking much home with me. A couple of pairs of shorts and another history of Queen Ashray was about it. I went in search of Sigil, but he was nowhere to be seen. An unusually large amount of cookies was missing, though.

I thought of Lisabelle and the dream Id had about her. I still hadnt had a chance to tell Sip about it, and that bothered me. I knew why Oliva wanted to see me, but I was worrying about why he wanted to see Sip. I a.s.sumed she was being called to this meeting to recount what had happened to her when she was kidnapped from Golden Falls, explaining Lisabelles absence, but underneath I was worried that things were not - again - going to go the way I expected.

Chapter Eleven.

I wondered how my mom had dreamed when she was alive. If I had living dreams, had she had them as well? Had she been able to dream the past? Lough had said it was very difficult to dream the future. He couldnt do it and he had tried. But there might be a paranormal out there who could.

I hurried down the path from Astra and found Sip already waiting for me when I reached Olivas. We didnt even have time to greet each other before a familiar female voice from the library called out to us to enter.

Professor Erikson and Professor Oliva? Sip whispered to me. I feel like Im in trouble.

According to Dacer, lots of senior paranormals think we should be punished for what happened at Golden Falls, as well as for what I did when the demons brought you back to Public, I said, just as quietly.

Sip shook her head. Either were children and we dont know what were doing, or were adults who have fought demons and should be listened to. Oliva and Caid should make up their minds.

I agreed wholeheartedly with my small friend.

Was Lough upset when you left him at Airlee?

Sip grinned in the sunlight. Not really. He was just trying to explain things to Bartholem, who showed up this morning and scared Lough half to death. Of course hes just fine. But theres a good chance they wont both make it out alive by the end of the summer.

I chuckled, thinking of Lough trying to take care of Lisabelles feisty and independent-minded feline.

Poor Lough, I said.

Poor who? came Professor Eriksons voice.

She and Oliva were sitting in the chairs in his garden. He had a book closed on his lap, as if hed been reading before she arrived, while she held a large leather-bound stack of papers. Her lips were drawn into a thin line and there were crows feet around the corners of her eyes that I didnt remember being there the last time I had seen her. The war was taking its toll on us all.

Ah, Ms. Rollins and Ms. Quest, please sit, said Oliva. He wore green robes to Professor Eriksons white. Sip and I took two garden chairs that faced the committee members.

President, I said politely, Professor.

Professor Erikson nodded. Were just waiting for Professor Zervos, said Professor Erikson, then well get started.

I felt a pit in the bottom of my stomach. Of course Zervos would be joining us; as our chaperone from Golden Falls, he was in the best position to explain what had happened. But I still dreaded it.

Here I am, said Zervos, sweeping into the back garden. There wasnt a fifth chair and he didnt have much choice but to stand.

Very well, said Oliva, looking around at the four of us, his expression troubled. President Oliva was a young pixie. In fact, during his first semester at Public he had pa.s.sed for a student named Lealand and had befriended us in that guise. But his relations.h.i.+p to the students was different since he had been made President of Public. He was harder, colder, and there was no trace of the friends.h.i.+p he had once cultivated behind the eyes that now looked back at me.

Professor Zervos, lets start with the end, when Ms. Rollins disrupted carefully laid and very powerful spells in order to save her friend, said Oliva, getting right to the point.

I sucked in my breath. I had hoped Oliva would see that I had had no choice. When fighting demons there wasnt time to talk and share information, so anyone would have had to act quickly. I clenched my fists at my sides and looked straight ahead, willing myself not to lose my temper.

Professor Zervos nodded. Ms. Rollins does that sort of thing frequently, he said coldly, though shes not as bad as Verlans. Was. He sneered the last word, as if he relished saying it.

Oliva nodded thoughtfully before turning to me. Charlotte, he said, his face unreadable, you must understand why you cannot go about disrupting the powerful workings of paranormal professors, and why it only makes sense to have you at home this summer. Dacer was going to explain. Did he?

I nodded once, and then again, feeling numb. Why were we reviewing this? Dacer had already told me. Oliva just liked to drive the point home that I was powerless.

If you were any other student, Oliva mused, starting to pace, Id have to expel you.

I saw Sips eyes go wide, but I tried to remain impa.s.sive. There was no way Id let myself be separated from Astra.

As it is, Oliva continued, Im going to let you off with a warning.

He leaned back in his chair, signaling that he was finished with me, and turned his attention to Sip, who was sitting quietly next to me with her hands folded in her lap. Her face was equally impa.s.sive, although I was sure she was hiding a growing anger.

Now, Professor Zervos, I would very much appreciate it if youd recount how Ms. Quests missives in the Tabble caused disruptions at Golden Falls that hindered you from carrying out your proper duties as chaperone.

I choked on my surprise. From Sips expression, that was also not what she had been expecting to hear.

Sip turned slowly to look at Professor Zervos, but the vampire professor didnt bother to look at her in response. Instead, as if he was reciting one of his lectures, he started to explain in great detail, in a somewhat bored-sounding lilt, how Sips writing was a detriment to the paranormals and was possibly even helping the Nocturns.

Zervos launched, in great detail, into his version of how Sips missives had created tension with the Golden Falls students and staff. She had gone on and on, he said, without any thought to what her words might be doing to our hosts. He explained that he had dreaded the release of each Tabble and that Sip had ignored repeated requests by him to cease and desist.

At first Sip sat silently, but as Zervoss claims became more unreasonable - he had never once told her to stop writing in the Tabble - Sip started to protest. Oliva silenced her with a raised hand.

Ms. Quest, said Oliva sternly, we really are in a dire situation in relation to the demons. We are never going to reach an accord if all you do is create discord. I really thought you knew better, given that you are one of the very best students at Public.

I am not. . . was all Sip managed to say before Oliva talked over her again. Sip closed her mouth with a snap.

The Sign of Six is a childs organization, said Professor Erikson, cutting in for the first time. Up to that point I had had no idea what she might be thinking of the proceedings, because I couldnt bring myself to look at her. I can scarcely believe that any of the Nocturns take her nonsense seriously. She is, after all, still a child.

Lisabelle Verlans took it seriously, said Oliva grimly. Look where she is now.

Sip gasped and sprang to her feet, no longer willing to stay silent. How dare you accuse me of turning Lisabelle into a Nocturn.

Didnt you? Oliva asked quietly. Thats the story I heard.

Sip looked like she was close to tears as she glanced over at me. I wasnt sure I could help, but it didnt seem like there was anything to lose by trying.

Enough, I said, shooting out of my chair and glaring around the room. Were leaving tomorrow morning, correct?