Page 138 of Mistaken Magic

Ihad to hurry to make it toLiterature.JustasIreached the door, the bell rang and the teacher looked up.Liftinga brow, he flicked a finger for me to get to my desk as quickly as possible.

"Sorry,"Imumbled.

"Uplate studying,Rain?"Mr.Connorsteased.

"Youhave no idea,"Igrumbled.

Butthe momentIsat down, something jiggled my desk.Magic.Thatmade me look back to findTorianleaning forward. "DidAspenmake it to class?"

"Walkedher there myself,"Iassured him. "Evenmade sure she didn't drink the plants."Ilifted a hand. "Tellyou later."

ThenMr.Connorsstarted in on a semester recap.Ialmost sighed in relief, because he was going over so much of what was on the exam.Thestrange thing wasIfelt likeIwas actually keeping up.Shakespeare,JoanofArc, and then he got to the fairytales.

"So, in all of the popular children's stories, there's a theme of animals suddenly becoming intelligent enough to help the young damsel in distress.Othertimes, it's to imprison her, like withSleepingBeautyand the dragon.Whatassumptions can we make from what we've learned this year..."Hiseyes scanned the class and landed on me. "Rain?"

"Wildlings,"Isaid softly, convincedIwas wrong.

ButMr.Connorssmiled. "Exactly.Iactually bring this up because of your friend there.Jack, is it?"

"Jack!" the crow confirmed loudly, making a few people chuckle.

"Asall of you can see, he appears to be a perfectly natural crow,"Mr.Connorstried to explain.

Butthe bird had other ideas. "Jack!Jack-Jack-Jack-Jack!"

"Hesaid appears,"Iwhispered. "Hush.You'renot the teacher."

Mr.Connorschuckled. "ButIthink he makes the point.Whilehe looks like a normal crow, he has clearly bonded withRain.InFaerie, this is considered an honor, and all wild things are meant to be respected.So, these fairytales written onEarthoften have an element of that to them.Fromthe helpful birdsand mice to the dangers of briars and poisonous apples.Keepthat in mind for your test tomorrow."

Ileaned back in my chair and continued to listen, pettingJack'sfeathers.Hewas still sitting on my shoulder, and seemed somewhat insistent that he stick close.ProbablybecauseIwas so tense about passing these tests.Noone had said anything to me directly - either as a threat or reassurance - but that didn't make me any less worried.

Lately, it seemed like everyone had a story about someone who'd been expelled.SilverOakswas elite, they said.TheInstitutehad been created so fae could learn their magic in a safe place.Thespace was limited, so there was no reason to waste time on someone who wasn't interested in becoming a part of this new fae society we were being trained for - andIwas the odd one out.

Icould easily go back to a normal life.Ididn't have magic to expose.Ihad no fae heritage.Ijust knew that ifIdidn't pass all of my classes this semester,I'dbe out as fast asIgot in.Itonly made sense.Sowhen first period ended andImade my way to math for today's big test, my mind was spiraling towards a panic attack.

Harperfell in beside me halfway there.Ibraced for the worst just asTorianstepped up to flank her, pinning the girl between us.Herhead whipped from me to him, a scowl taking over her face, and then she looked back at me.

"I'mfiling a complaint about you cheating on your exams," she said.

"Ihaven't even taken one yet,"Itold her. "Howexactly haveIcheated ifIhaven't taken one?"

"Whyelse have you been secluded with all the pure-bloods?Iknow they're working up some magic to get you the answers."

"Oh, fuck off,"Igroaned. "Idon't have time for your bullshit today,Harper.Shoveyour self-importance up your own ass."

AndthenIturned, angling for the hall that held my second-period classroom.Torianjust chuckled, following my lead, and moved to meet up with our friends, who waited right by the corner.Aspensmiled at me and waved, then did the same toTorian, but she looked as tense asIfelt.

"I'mgoing to fail math," she said as soon asIwas close enough.

"Youwill not,"Hawketold her, and it sounded like it wasn't the first time.Thenhe turned to me and offered a pair ofPixyStix. "Makesure she eats one of these.Theother is for you."

Itook them both. "Force-feed the cute girl.Gotit."

"Girls,"Toriancorrected. "One'sfor you,Rain."

Ijust caughtAspen'sshoulder and turned her toward our class. "Bye, guys.Goodluck on your own tests."ThenIleaned towardAspen. "Wegot this.Westudied, we can mostly get the right answers, and we will pass, right?"

"I'mgoing to freeze," she whispered. "Ihate math.Theperson who invented addition and subtraction should've been burned at the stake, because they started this cult.Now, we're all expected to follow it."

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