Chatoyant College Book 2: Initiates

Chapter 34: Further Mysteries

Friday, September 5

They were getting into a routine now: Corrie would go for her usual run, then spend a little time reading or online while she waited for Dawn to knock on her door. They'd eat breakfast together, then go to class. The weather was better today; there had been a little mist wreathing around the buildings when Corrie went for her run, but it was gone by the time they went to breakfast.

When they arrived at the classroom, Professor Lal was talking to Roe across the desk. With a common accord, they stopped a short distance behind Roe, not making it obvious that they were listening to the conversation. "Did you and Professor Strega set up a meeting time?" Professor Lal was asking.

Roe nodded. "Yes, we'll be meeting tonight." Corrie couldn't see Roe's expression, but she was sure that the other girl was thinking the same thing as she was: about Professor Strega's distrust of Professor Lal.

If so, though, her face must not have shown anything of it. Professor Lal didn't seem to be unhappy or concerned. She nodded, with a small, satisfied smile. "Good. I hope you figure out that vision soon--I look forward to hearing about what I'm supposed to do!"

"Me too," said Roe. She turned to find a seat and smiled at Corrie and Dawn; they went with her and sat down, slightly separated from the rest of the class.

Corrie glanced up; Professor Lal was looking over some papers. They could speak freely for the moment. "She doesn't seem concerned at all," said Corrie.

Roe nodded. "Either she doesn't know that Professor Strega doesn't like her, or she doesn't know that I know."

"She doesn't seem worried about the danger in your vision, though," said Dawn with a frown.

They couldn't talk beyond that; the professor was calling roll, and then they started in on discussion of their reading. It had been another dry one, but Professor Lal made the discussion interesting. Remembering Edie's suggestion, Corrie surreptitiously closed one hand around her keys and grasped Dawn's arm with her other hand. Dawn looked over at her, thinking she wanted to say something, then nodded when she lifted the hand with the keys slightly. She turned back to Professor Lal, bracing herself for a shock, but was disappointed: nothing had changed. The teacher still looked the same as she always had. Dawn looked at her again and she gave a slight shrug.

They left class with the assurance from Professor Lal that the next reading would be on the actual theory of magic. Corrie was in a good mood; she was looking forward to her evening and she'd enjoyed class. Still, she and Dawn quickly separated themselves from the rest of the class so they could talk. "So you didn't see through her glamour even when you held my arm?" Dawn asked quickly as soon as they were out of easy earshot.

Corrie nodded. "I really thought it would work."

Dawn shook her head slowly. "All I can think of is that she just has stronger or better glamour than the ones in the woods. I guess that might be the reason they live in the woods and she can teach on campus."

"But Ever went to live in the woods, and she obviously had a stronger glamour." They paused near the statue of Vertiline Gravette.

"I'm not sure if she did or not, actually... I didn't see that she was a faerie at first, but that changed. I think I had to become aware of faeries before my Sight kicked in seriously."

"Hmm." Corrie glanced at the statue. The mystery was still bothering her. "Maybe there's other ways to see through glamour."

"I think so." Dawn smiled. "Something else for you to research. That should be less of a mystery than the statues."

"Assuming what I find is correct, anyway. How do we know how much stories get right?"

"They got glamour right, and iron. So I think the chances are pretty good." They started walking again, toward Gilkey. "And speaking of faeries..."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think it's such a good idea for you and Edie to go to that party tonight? You don't really know Byron. Don't you think he seemed awfully eager to invite you to a party when you've only met twice?"

"What, you don't think it's just because I'm hot?" Corrie teased. "But what does that have to do with faeries? Do you think there will be faeries there?"

"I think Byron might be a faerie," Dawn said. "I haven't met him, and even if you've touched iron, he might be one and you just couldn't see. I don't think it's safe to wander off with just anyone."

"Oh. Shit." Corrie though for a few minutes as they climbed the stairs. "I think we'll be safe as long as we watch out for each other. Now I really wish you could be there, though."

"You can call me if you think there's any trouble. And I guess... pay attention. Don't drink too much."

"I won't," Corrie promised. They had reached the end of their hall. She started to unlock her door. "I think I'll start looking for information on seeing through glamour. Want to join me?"

Dawn checked her watch. "I only have a little while before my next class--I'm going to look over the reading."

"Okay. See you later, then."