Page 158 of Mistaken Magic

"Extratraining,"Brackensaid. "Notbecause she's in trouble, but because of what she is.Iwas hoping you'd be willing to help her.Thetwo of you seem to have an understanding, and not just that you want to get her naked."

"Pleaseput her on birth control?"Iasked.

ThelookBrackengave me made it clear he wasn't amused. "Pleasedon't ever tell me about it," he finally said. "Butyou have a point."

"Andyeah,I'lltrain her.Whathappens next year, when she's in 'college?'"

"Thebigger change will be once she's legally our daughter," he assured me. "Keir, the rules at this school are on paper, butrarely enforced.That'sthe only way we can make this place work.Becauseof the common age range magic shows itself, we needed to get both the tail end of high school and all the way up to early twenties in age.Faepower could show itself at any point in that range."

"Mostof us start on the earlier side, though,"Icountered.

"Mostof you who know you're fae," he said. "Plentyof the foster kids have no idea.Ifthey gained access to magic out there in the real world?Oursecret would be out.Humanswould panic.Thiswhole concept would collapse, and we'd lose the last safe place the fae have left."

"Yeah,"Ibreathed. "Butputting theMorriganin college,Bracken?That's…"

"Ouronly way to train her," he finished for me. "Butit meansI'mgoing to need your help."

"Withweapons, yeah,"Iagreed.

"Withall of it," he corrected. "AndI'mnot talking next year.I'mtalking next week,Keir.Harperis gone, but you aren't a fool.You'veheard what people say aboutAspenandWilder.Youknow they're targeted because their magic is cold."

"Wintermagic,"Iagreed. "Yeah, but - "

"AndtheMorriganrestores balance," he broke in. "Balance,Keir.Shewent right for them.Themost powerful students this school has ever seen, and they were drawn to her the same way the crows were.Likemoths to a flame."

"Andthey accepted her,"Itold him. "That'sa big deal to her.Thecourt fucking accepted her,Bracken, andRainwill stand up for them.AstheMorrigan, that's going to be a whole mess."

"Notas much as you think," he assured me.Thenthe man chuckled. "Shemight even help, since we're not exactly set up for students who can snap their instructors like twigs."

"Speakingof that,"Isaid, "HowdidTorianHuntpullWintermagic out of that girl last night?"

"Ican't say,"Brackentold me.

"Becauseyou've never heard of it either?"Iasked.

Heplaced his training sticks on the dummy and moved to lean against the railing, facing me. "No.BecauseIgave my word.SodidLiam,Ivy, and a few others.Iknow how.Iknow it wasn't as dangerous as you think, andI'dprefer it if you made sure no one else thinks about it too much."

"Whatis going on?"Iasked, setting my sticks to match his and then turning to face him. "Rainjust tossed outWildmagic like she's spent her entire life using it.She'scome along really well for a girl with no weapons training.Thewildlings listen to her.Her, a human!Andnow this?Something'sgoing on withTorian?"

"AndAspen," he said, offering nothing else.

"No, that's not good enough,"Itold him. "Ifyou want me to train her, then you have to give me some idea of whatI'mtraining herfor.Thereare too many fucking secrets being kept, and she's not just a student to me,Bracken.Ilike that girl, and probably a lot more thanIshould."

"Thenwatch her back," he said. "Keir, she'stheMorrigan.Whenthey show up, things are never easy.Howlong has theMadQueenlocked us away fromFaerie?We'restuck here, helpless, trying to survive theHunt, and by sheer chance this girl is assumed to be a foundling?"

"Notsheer chance,"Icountered. "Itall started because of a crow.Jack.Hemade sure she stood out.Hepushed.He'sa prince of the wildlings, possibly born here because they're locked out ofFaerietoo!She'sthe queen of the wildlings, right?That'showMorrigansget their power?Thenwhy wouldn't they make sure she ends up where she needs to be?"

"Here,"Brackensaid, making me pause. "Notanother community.Notbumping into some cute faeling guy or girl.Here.Maybea hundred acres that way is the gate.TheHuntis coming more often."

"Shesays they're withering,"Iadded.

Brackenjust nodded. "Trainher for everything,Keir.Iwant her to have a steel sword, too.Iknow you won't like it, andIdon't fucking care."

"Andthen?"Iasked.

Hestepped closer and rested his hand on my shoulder. "Thenyou watch her back.Youcan't block her magic,Keir.Shewon't need you to block the fae's.Whatshe'll need is a partner who can protect himself, and that's you.Trainher to fight with you, not against you."

"What'scoming?"Iasked, because he seemed a little too emphatic.

---