Page 85 of Magdalene Nox

“Okay.” The drawn out word and Sam’s furrowed brow told Magdalene that she was letting her get away with whatever she was up to for now.

“I found a mouse in my office today. Or, to be perfectly honest, Sir Willoughby found it.”

Sam’s voice trembled with concern. “Another dead critter? I thought this whole thing stopped after we talked to the cops.”

Magdalene reached out and quickly tucked a lock of flyaway hair behind Sam’s ear, her fingers lingering on the soft skin. “Yes, it did, and I got a bit of a jolt, too, when I saw this massive mouse just lying there. But it turned out that Sir Willoughby decided to bring me an homage? A gift? I don’t know what he was thinking, because I believe this was single-handedly the very first mouse he has ever caught, and the poor baby didn’t know what to do with it, so he just left it on my desk. Then I came in and screeched, as you can imagine, and the mouse, probably playing possum all this time, jumped and attempted to run away.” Sam’s eyes widened and she bit her lip, clearly trying not to laugh at the poor tom.

“Willoughby ran after it, caught it again, and when he put it in his mouth, he was so grossed out, he proceeded to throw up all over my carpet, which is when the mouse took the opportunity to make itself scarce, leaving me with a puking catanda dirty carpet.”

They exchanged incredulous looks, then stared at the feline in question, happily snoozing on his knoll, and simultaneously burst into laughter.

“I have no idea why the school ever thought that this particular cat would be a good mouser, Sam. I swear he was scared and grossed out and looking at me afterward like, ‘you monsters, you want me to do what with mice?’”

She tried to avoid a sad conversation, and yet she steered them both right into it. Magdalene absently rubbed her arms, trying to ward off the chill of the fast-approaching night. Sam observed her carefully, as if gauging when to intervene, when she’d need to catch her amidst the unpleasantness that was sure to follow. The safety of that net was unlike anything Magdalene had ever experienced. And it gave her the courage to verbalize her not-so-random ruminations.

“Still, for a moment there, before the mouse revived itself, the thought of the whole harassment issue hit me again. I got used to not looking over my shoulder these past several weeks, Sam. I mean, it’s not like I hadn’t expected something like what happened today. I think I managed to ruffle pretty much everyone’s feathers.”

“Not mine.” Sam’s desire to touch was so evident, so blatant, and thus her restraint was even more admirable. “And not Lily’s or Amanda’s or Suzie’s or any of the scholarship girls, either. In fact, you made them very happy.”

A gust of wind made her wrap her arms around herself and then when even that did nothing to calm her, Magdalene sighed.

“I wish things were different.” So many things, in fact.

“Why? You saved them.”

“Sam, I wish we lived in a world where you’d never need to use those terms, because they’re just plain wrong. I wish the girls would never have to doubt that they are welcome, that they belong, even if they can’t afford the tuition.”

Sam tilted her head. “You showed people today that, regardless of who they are or whether their parents can or cannot afford ridiculous amounts of money for a place at Dragons, they still belong. I thought your answer was perfect. I know people were upset, but then I think there were so many other things that you managed to sneak in under the radar and spring on them, at least half the faculty and the trustees were pretty torn about what exactly they felt they needed to be pissed at you for.”

Sam seemed to draw insecurities out of Magdalene like poison from a wound, making words pour out of her that she hadn’t known she was entertaining.

“I’m sorry I had to keep the girls guessing, though. I’m sorry I caused even one moment of their anguish. But I couldn’t tip my hand. The possibility that I could be removed prematurely and then be of no use whatsoever to them or the school…”

Sam shook her head, effectively stopping Magdalene’s verbal descent into self-flagellation.

“I also think that absolutely everybody understood. Including the girls. I mean, Lily pretty much told me how fairly you’ve been treating her and how she wasn’t anxious about the outcome. But instead of listening, it seems every single adult here, myself included, has been trying to protect her and the other girls without considering that maybe they’re fine, and we should all stop telling them that they’re not.”

“Ah, overprotective Sam.” Magdalene gave Sam her best, sly smile, but Sam simply looked on, her face impassive as if she was reading an open book. When all was said and done, it was extremely unfair that Sam had this much power over her. That she had equal power over Sam somehow wasn’t comforting. Magdalene wanted to pout and Magdalene Fucking Nox did not do that. Ever. Sam’s quiet words pierced her petulance.

“Now tell me what’s actually wrong. Because, while the justifiable distress that our sweet ginger mouser found himself in is kind of adorable, you’re still troubled.”

“Am I this transparent?”Yes, pouting.She had no defenses here.

After a brief glance around, Sam extended a trembling hand and her impulse to touch finally won over. But she only squeezed Magdalene’s wrist again, effectively wiping away the chalk marks she had left there minutes ago. If only more things were as easily erased. Magdalene watched the movements of Sam’s fingers and gave in, letting out a sigh.

“George told me Orla threatened you earlier today. That she was cruel to you, and I think I came here partly in hopes of finding you, but also to get away from the school, lest I run into Orla. I’m not sure I’d be able to hold back.”

“Is there anything at this school that ever stays private? Are there really eyes and ears everywhere?”

“If there weren’t, we’d be sitting much closer than we are now, Sam.”

Sam nodded in acknowledgment. That angular face was tense, hurt and disappointment etched on it.

“Please don’t get involved. What transpired is between her and me. I am convinced she won’t report us, whatever she thinks she knows, she has no evidence. She was way out of line, and I know her well enough to know that it was her anger speaking. She’ll come around.”

“But it made you upset, Sam. It made you sad. I can see it on your face.” Magdalene reached out a hand and, despite her own earlier caution, her fingertips brushed Sam’s cheek. Waiting. Waiting enhanced the spark that ignited immediately at the touch, even if it was gentle, and Magdalene put nothing but comfort in it. Sam closed her eyes for a long moment before licking her lips, and Magdalene’s fingers trembled on her cheekbone. From spark to fire in a second. When Sam’s eyes opened, the gray looked like embers would ignite those ashes any second now.

“Am I this transparent, Magdalene?” Sam’s words were barely above a whisper as she echoed Magdalene’s earlier question. For a moment, Magdalene was overwhelmed yet again with warmth and adoration for this woman. She wanted to lean and press their lips together, but at the last moment, she just booped Sam’s nose and settled her hand back in her own lap.

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