Page 113 of A Liar's Twisted Tongue

“I wanted to give you a heads up that you will not be passing my class,” Ms. Abrams says, and I swear she’s trying not to grin. She enjoys this, and I’m not cut out for this. I wasn’t made to be poised and proper and powerful. I’m the opposite of it all—I’m manipulative, I’m vulgar, I’m… powerless.

And I won’t apologize for it. I’m strong where they’re stubborn. Clever where they’re clueless. Cunning where they’re cautious. It’s why I’m alive and it’s the way to get my mom, which is all I have to do before I can get out of here.

I just have to get out of here.

I just have to get something.

“Okay,” I say. “Is that all?”

“Yes, you may be excused.”

I want to punch her in the face. I want to set her hair on fire. Instead, I smile and walk back to the table where I get to be briefly suffocated or electrocuted or whatever else they want to do to me that I can’t do to them.

“Don’t worry,” I hear Kai’s voice, but I don’t see him. Another trick I recently found out the Air Folk could do—amplify and isolate sounds they make. But Kai is a Light Folk. “I won’t let her ruinate your future in the kingdom.”

My future in the kingdom. I don’t let my face fall, but I can’t stop my stomach from churning.

“Thank you,” I whisper, but I don’t think I mean it. I also don’t know how this magic works. Did he hear me? He didn’t answer, but there’s not much more to say.

When class is over and I feel thoroughly beaten up by my fellow Folk, I find myself running into Kai.

“Walk with me,” he says in a hushed tone and doesn’t stop. I step in stride with him and am momentarily reminded of doing the same with Damien every morning. “I’m going to tell my father about Ms. Abrams.” He looks over at me and smiles sideways. “Discrimination isn’t admissible.”

I think I understand what he’s saying; he wants to get Ms. Abrams fired. For me. If he knew I was septic, he wouldn’t do this. I don’t even think there is any kind of rule against discrimination in the septic.

“Why would you do that?” I say.

“Life has been more than poor for me as of late. You’re kind of the only person whose taken my feelings into consideration. I owe you.”

The prince of Lorucille owes me? I could use that, but to what length? I’m glad the bullshit I’ve been spewing has led him to believe I take his feelings into consideration.

At least I’m doing something right.

“Oh no, you don’t owe me anything,” I say with a short—fake—laugh. “I was just doing what any good Folk would do.”

“Well then, Desdemona, you are the only good Folk here,” he says quietly, a little breathy, and I think he is actually saddened by the sentiment. In turn, it makes me kind of sad too.

“Can I ask you a question?” I ask. It’s a slow descent into what I want to know.

“Shoot,” Kai says.

“Was it you who amplified your voice when you spoke to me in class?” What can I say? I’m curious about what else we don’t know at home.

“Yes,” he answers.

“You used air magic?” I ask, just for the clarification.

Kai lets out a short chuckle and says, “Yes, why?”

So it is possible. “I didn’t know you were so powerful,” I say. I turn my head to his side and look up at him for a split second, just until I see him acknowledge it.

Kai looks around the hall quickly, then takes my hand and takes a sharp turn. “I can teach you, if you want.” He looks over my shoulder. “It has to be our secret.”

“I don’t think I’d be able to,” I say quietly. I just wanted to know if my suspicions were true. Besides, I’ve hardly been able to use the power I do have.

His eyes lock on mine intensely. I’m actually a little scared about what he’s going to say next, because if his eye contact says anything, it’s that it’s going to be important. “It’s a lot easier than they want you to know,” he whispers.

“Who?” I match the intensity of his gaze.

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