37.

The substitutes presiding over mid-terms were clearly human. Having been raised human my entire life, as I was reminded almost daily, I never noticed a difference between the two species. But after half a semester of Immortal teachers who not only knew everything, but saw everything, the humans they found to replace them were clearly blind and deaf to all of the activity around them.

Thankfully for them they were not actually teaching anything, otherwise I would have been afraid for them. The Immortal students left at Kingsley, took advantage of the poor souls at every opportunity. They lied, they cheated and they just got up and left all together. It was a cruel joke to human teachers assuming they still had complete authority. The teacher monitoring our Chemistry final was particularly sad. A woman in her late fifties, and nearly blind to begin with, didn’t seem to notice any of the chatter and foul play happening around her. I did my best to focus on my test, remembering that not too long ago that poor human was me.

It wasn’t easy however, since Mr. Hayman had left a particularly nasty mid-term for us to take. To top it off Adelaide Meyer and Evangeline Harris sat behind me in constant conversation. Their high, excited voices scraped my nerves like nails on a chalkboard and it took everything inside of me not to turn around and give them a piece of my mind.

I did my best to focus on the test in front of me and refrain from magic. It would be easy to magically remember the answers, but that somehow seemed like cheating. I knew that the other students used magic for all of their classes, but I was determined to learn on my own.

“No way,” Evangeline’s shriek pulled me away from concentration once again.

“What?” Adelaide amazed me with her dramatic concern.

“We’re not going now!” Evangeline was near tears and her voice found a painfully high pitch.

“What!” Adelaide repeated in an equally high voice.

“Dad and Mom have to fly to India instead. Apparently it’s on business for the King, but that means I can’t go to the Festival!” I could hear her voice crack. I peeked over my shoulder to confirm the tears running down her cheeks. I saw her frantically typing on the small keyboard of her cell phone.

“But that’s not fair!” Adelaide confirmed Evangeline’s spoiled attitude. Maybe Evangeline and I should hang out while everybody else partied it up in Romania.

“I know! They said I can’t go unsupervised. It’s not like I’m flying coach, its first class for god’s sake.” Evangeline cried.

“You could go with us on daddy’s private jet. We have plenty of room! Daddy’s jet is super posh; we don’t even bother with customs!” Adelaide was bubbling over with excitement at the solution to Evangeline’s problems.

“That would be so much better than flying on those dirty planes and standing in line!” Evangeline perked up and I heard her return to frantically texting. “They said that would be fine! Mom is going to call your mom,” she shrieked again, only that time in an excited even more irritating way. “I even brought my things! We were supposed to leave right after this test. Where are you staying?”

Adelaide began rambling on and on about their swanky accommodations inside the Citadel, while I rolled my eyes. But then suddenly, a plan formed in my mind that was so ingenious I would have been a fool not to follow through. I glanced at the clock, only twenty more minutes left. I knew I said I wouldn’t use magic on a human but this was different. It was life or death.

I quickly filled the rest of my test in, giving it a once over with magic before standing up to turn it in. The substitute shot me a curious look and opened her mouth as if to decline my gesture. I gave her a worried smile and walked quickly to her desk.

“Excuse me, but you need to sit down for the remainder of the hour,” she said in a warbled, but firm voice.

“I’m so sorry,” I gave her a frantic face and threw my test down on her desk. “I really have to use the restroom,” I said in the softest voice a human could still hear. Several students, who had super-human hearing, snickered around me.

“You’ll have to wait,” she replied even firmer.

“You don’t understand,” I pled, and then pushed a little magic on her. I saw her think it over again before offering me a pleasant smile.

“Of course, dear. If it’s an emergency,” she gestured with her hand towards the door, before returning to the erotic romance novel that was occupying her time.

I didn’t even bother to smile back as guilt filled me. I reminded myself that this was for a good cause and picked up my pace as I sprinted across campus. The crisp autumn air stunned me a little as I burst out of the Science Building and towards the Administration Building.

Once I reached the Administration Building I flung the door open with magic, too excited to slow down. Mrs. Truance and Principal Saint had not been here all week, but thanks to Avalon, I knew that the students leaving directly after class today put their respective bags behind Mrs. Truance’s circulation desk.

Out of breath, and jittery with nerves I leaped over the wide mahogany, frantic to beat the clock. Any minute students would be pouring through those doors excited for a long weekend abroad. I had to get out of there before Avalon or Evangeline were one of those students.

The floor was piled high with expensive designer suitcases and I realized I had no idea which one was Evangeline’s. I did my best to calm my nerves and focus. I let the magic center my mind and drift through the Louis Vuittons, Tumi and Coach Travel Sets in search of Evangeline’s carry on.

I felt my magic swirl around me, in and out of the piles of luggage. I sensed passport after passport and airline ticket or gate passes for private jets, but I forced myself to refrain from taking just anyone’s. Eventually I felt it, deep inside a brown leather oversized purse sitting on top of Mrs. Truance’s desk. I crawled over the chasm of suitcases and used magic to pull the golden zipper back. I couldn’t have anyone dusting for prints.

I began to reach my hand inside of the bag ever so carefully, when the brass doors to the lobby slammed open and a torrent of students flooded the lobby. In my excitement and nervousness I knocked Evangeline’s purse over, spilling the contents all over the floor. I joined them as quickly as I could, lying flat on my stomach and thinking as fast as my mind would work.

I had only seconds and my mind was reeling. Evangeline’s passport and airline ticket were conveniently tucked together in a discrete leather portfolio. The portfolio unfortunately slid underneath Mrs. Truance’s desk due to my clumsiness. I focused my frenzied magic on the portfolio flipping it open quickly. I reached for the ticket but it was too far away.

With a quick nod, reminiscent of I Dream of Jeanie, the ticket flew into my hand along with the passport and I scrambled to my feet, tucking the precious papers into the middle of my backpack. I breathed a sigh of relief and shouldered my pack. Luckily, the students I was so afraid of were only underclassmen and completely unaware that I was committing theft. I slipped through the crowd and then the back door leading into the courtyard.

I smiled graciously as I passed Adelaide and Evangeline on the brick walkway; they returned my look with confusion and disdain. If only they knew they had just solved my most unsolvable problem. I walked quickly to the car, the weather was very cool and I hadn’t bothered with a coat.

Normally I would have had to wait for Avalon and his keys before I could sit in the warmth and sanctuary of a car that would take me away from Kingsley; but since Avalon had to be dropped off at the airport today, I was in control. I pushed the button on my keyless entry and heard the glorious sound of the doors unlocking. I loved my Land Rover.

I shoved my backpack deep into the back seat and turned on the radio. I flipped through the stations, searching out something soothing and soft. I had to completely clear my mind in order to fool Avalon. If one small thought passed through my mind about what I had suddenly planned he would no doubt pick up on it immediately, if he hadn't already figured it out just by paying attention to our twin connection. But I hoped for the best, and repressed my magic and made it miniscule, hopefully I would also turn off the switch to our weird twin vibe.

I couldn't get rid of my nerves completely though and so I was still on edge when Avalon banged on the window in an attempt to scare me, it worked. I let out a blood curdling scream and nearly peed my pants. Pleased with himself, Avalon hopped into the passenger's seat all smiles and excitement.

“Chill out,” he said, still laughing.

“Don’t do that!” I scolded, heart beating wildly.

“How many times do I have to remind you to use your magic? If you were tuned into your surroundings I wouldn’t be able to do that,” he shook his head in mock disappointment.

“You’re right,” I tried to laugh it off, hoping to end the conversation immediately.

“What are we listening to?” Avalon made a disgusted face before taking over the seek-and-scan. He changed the university classical station to one that was more contemporary and…. loud.

I pulled out of the parking lot and filed in behind the long line of cars en route to the small airport Omaha had to offer. We merged onto the Interstate heading northeast in direction of Eppley Airfield. Some of the more expensive cars eventually made a turn for the northwest probably headed to the private airfields or who knows maybe their very own runways built into their very own expensive backyards.

The twenty minute drive was made in silence. Through the upbeat rap music I could tell that Avalon was focusing on the task ahead. He chewed on his thumbnail with his forehead creased together and stared out the window oblivious to anything around him. Although I was thankful for his less than interested approach with me, for the first time I realized he was nervous for the mission.

I had been so focused on Lilly and what her outcome at the trial would be that I completely overlooked the dangerous steps Avalon was about to take. If he was caught, I was sure he would share the same punishment as his accused companions. I glanced over at him and a pit began to form in my stomach. What was I asking him to do?

Avalon’s mission to save the team I condemned was enough. I was selfish to ask him to carry out what should be my mission. I would save Lilly, if not by testimony then by extreme force. I didn’t know these people, but I would be damned if I left my only friends’ fate in their hands.

“When does your flight leave?” I asked, trying to focus Avalon’s mind on the here and now.

“1:03, Southwest,” he nodded in the direction of the drop off lane, but I had decided a long time ago I would at least walk my brother inside.

“No, I’ll walk you in and say goodbye,” I glanced at the clock and realized he was going to have to run to make his flight. I wondered if I would have to do the same, but quickly banished the thought before Avalon could catch on.

I parked the car in the multi-level parking garage and popped the trunk for Avalon. While he was transferring a few things from his backpack to his duffle bag, I grabbed my own backpack and dumped the books, leaving only the necessities. I took a glance at the ticket noticing my time of departure was 1:24, so I would have only minutes after Avalon took off to get where I needed to go.

I would need to wait until Avalon was in the air before I made any move for my plane, otherwise he would know. I glanced back at him; he was clearly still preoccupied with his mission. From the two missions I fought against him prior to this one, I had assumed he was fearless or at least enjoyed the fight, but by the expression on his face it was clear that he knew exactly what he was risking.

“Are you ready?” I asked, laying a concerned hand on his shoulder.

“Of course,” he smiled, shaking his head a little as if to bring himself out of something.

“Then let’s go. I want to see you take off,” he rolled his eyes, but didn’t object.

We walked across the drive way and into the airport. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield was small and practical. Since Omaha didn’t fly directly International, all flights would have to make a connection somewhere else. Avalon’s was Minneapolis, mine was thankfully Atlanta.

I could feel Avalon’s magic strong and purposeful as he checked in and handed his passport and ticket to the clerk. I took notes silently beside him. My first use of magic on a human happened today with the substitute and I was filled with guilt afterward. Avalon used magic seamlessly with humans and I could tell from his aura that he didn’t feel the least bit guilty.

After a minute though, I could see why. Avalon’s magic helped the human girl to focus. Everything with his check in went quickly and smoothly and neither one had anything to complain about. He only bent her mind a little bit, but it was for her sake, as well as his. He noticed my observation and then turned to give me a look that said, “And that’s how it’s done.” I rolled my eyes, but was inwardly impressed.

I gave him a long hug at the top of the escalator leading to his terminal. He let me and didn’t let go until I did. I tried to find the right words of encouragement but nothing poetic came to mind. He smiled at my efforts and then winked before turning to walk away.

Be safe. Do not do anything stupid while I am gone. His stern voice was in my head, but inwardly I was too choked up at his show of affection to respond.

“Did you hear me?” he turned around to walk backwards towards the security checkpoint.

I nodded affirmatively and wiped a tear off of my cheek. He shook his head and then he was to security and having to take off his shoes and jacket. His jacket. I realized for the first time that Avalon changed clothes before he left school. He was dressed very nicely in a tailored black pin striped suite and white shirt with green tie underneath. He put his shiny black shoes into the bin and I noticed that even his socks were fancy.

It was my turn to check in and I was standing there looking lost in a gross school uniform. I was apparently planning to storm the courtroom and demand Lilly Mason be freed from tyranny and unlawfulness in knee high socks and a plaid pleated skirt. Awesome.