Page 104 of Mistaken Magic

"Oh, so going to go tell your 'uncle'Liam?"Shesnorted at that. "Please.Weall know he's your caseworker, just like he is forhalf the school.Onlyreason you got in is because you're diving intoAspen'smuff."

Ireached up to patHarper'scheek. "Funnyhow you think that's so wrong - or are you jealous?Besides, you were jumping on a few dicks just to get a bit more fae in you, huh?Atleast own it,Harper.Sheesh.DoIneed to teach you how to be a mean girl?Well, the first step is to make sure it can't come back and bite you in the ass later."Irefused to look away, making it clearIwasn't worried about her accusations.Itwas the only way to keep her from calling my response "proof" of anything.

"Bitch!" she hissed, shoving me back

Theneverything seemed to happen at once.Lightningcrackled betweenHarper'sfingers.Asplit second later, the entire hall turned cold enough for my breath to fog in front of my lips.Aspenmoved beside me, her shoulder just in front of mine, and she looked like she'd frosted over.Herhair was paler.Herskin shimmered like it was glazed with ice.Herblue eyes, however, were luminescent.

"Tryit,"Aspendared. "We'reinmyseason now."

"Youhave no control!"Harpershot back.

Aspen'slips curled into a terrifyingly feral smile. "So?Iwill turn this world inside out ifIhave to.Shestands with the court.Thatmeansthe court stands with her!Doyou hear me?Withher!"Peoplewere starting to gather, the hum of magic enough to draw them near, butAspendidn't seem to care. "I'vealso learned a lot in a year."

Theelectricity onHarper'shand froze over with a flick ofAspen'sfinger, then the sparks cracked and fell to the ground.Harper'seyes went wide and the girl actually took a step back, but it was too late.We'dbeen spotted.Teachersran toward us andsomethingbegan to happen.Thecold was being sucked away, dissipated by all of them.Tendrilsof frost began to spiral back towards each teacher, declaring their location.

"Aspen!"Ms.Rhodesyelled, her tone an order to stop. "Controlyourself, girl."Thenshe stormed right into the middle of the three of us. "Harper, your mother should be here soon.Gowait on the front steps."Next,Ibecame the center of her attention. "Doyou think this is helping?"Andfinally, she turned back toAspen. "Letthe power go."

Aspenrelaxed and the cold quickly vanished.Itdidn't take long, but the presence of so many teachers had to be pretty good incentive.Itried my best to stand besideAspenloyally, but every instinct told me to fade back soIwouldn't get in trouble.Thenagain,I'dstarted this, andIwouldn't letAspengo down for me.

"I'msorry,Ms.Rhodes,"Isaid. "Istarted that.Aspenwas just standing up for me."

"Girls..."Ms.Rhodesgrumbled. "Youare to report bullying to me.We'dlike the school to keep standing,Aspen.Andyou,Rain, need to worry more about your grades than your peers.Now, go on.Whateveryou were doing."

Aspenquickly grabbed my hand and pulled, hauling me up the hall towards the library.Ifollowed, glancing over to see at least three of my own instructors among the crowd of kids.Howhad this turned into such an ordeal so quickly?

Yetthe moment we stepped outside,Aspenbegan giggling. "Didyou seeHarper'sface?" she squealed.

Iwas still in a state of shock. "Whatthe hell just happened,Aspen?"

"Oh, she was going to singe you a bit.Nothingfatal.Ijust made it clear you have my protection.She..."Aspenturned to clasp both my arms. "Harperhad no ideaI'vegotten this much control over my magic!"Shepaused, but her grin made it clear there was a little more she was excited about. "Andnow everyone knows you're a part of the court!Showme where we find your bird."

Itook her hand again and led her that way. "Doyou even realize that half the timeIhave no idea what's going on?"

"It'sok," she promised. "Ido.Harperjust wants everyone to think she's the most powerful girl of her age.She'sone of those people who wants others to fear them, not befriend them.Shealso saw five different teachers try to siphon my power."

"Notnormal, huh?"Iasked.

Aspenshook her head. "No, onlyTorian'sthat strong, andI'mgetting close.He'sgoing to be so proud!"

Therewas something about her excitement that was infectious.Nevermind how beautiful she looked with her eyes shining like this.Itmade me laugh with her.Itdidn't matter thatIhad no concept of how strong she was or what it would even be good for.Icould follow the basic concept.

Mostof all, though,Aspenlooked like she'd just accomplished something she'd been struggling with her entire life - andthatwas somethingIcould wrap my mind around.She'dsucceeded and she was thrilled about it.Aswe hurried across the open lawn between the school and the outbuildings,Ilaughed with her.

Thenwe reached the back of the gym. "Jack?"Iyelled, hoping he'd hear me.

"Whydo you call himJack?"Aspenasked.

"It'sthe one word he can speak.Imean, it could just be a crow call that really sounds likeJack, but he repeats it a lot."ThenIraised my voice. "Ibrought you some bread,Jack, to make up for being gone yesterday!"

Caw!

Thesound came first, and a moment later the bird swooped in, landing down by my feet.Hemade quite the production of ruffling his fathers and putting his wings back, chattering at me likeIwas in trouble.Thenhe simply stopped.Inone hop, he turned to faceAspen, and then his head twisted to the side.

Shepulled in a little breath before kneeling down before him. "Hello,Jack.Isee your band.It'san honor to meet a friend of my friend."

"Jack," he croaked before lowering his head in whatIcould only describe as an avian bow.

"Whoa,"Ibreathed. "He'snever done that before."

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