Reckless Magic (39 page)

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.

38.

I took a quick glance at Evangeline’s
passport before handing it over to the desk clerk, a twenty
something girl with too much make up on. Luckily for me
Evangeline’s passport picture was taken when she was ten and so
there was a little leeway for growth.

Although she was still a brunette six
years after the picture was taken, my shade of brown was not so
nutmeg, but rather just straight black. And her eyes were
definitely blue, and mine were definitely not.

The clerk looked at the passport
picture and then at me, and then back at the picture and then again
back at me. I gave her a nervous smile and tugged on my newly
purchased red Nebraska football sweatshirt. I released my magic
full force through my veins, knocking over a display a few feet
away. I jumped, startled and realized if I didn’t get my magic
under control, they were going to call the police. Who knew magic
could get nervous?

“
I hate that picture,” I
cleared my throat and tried to sound confident. I attempted to send
some magic her way again, but was afraid I would knock her over too
if I didn’t relax.

“
Hmmm….” she frowned
suspiciously. “Do you have another form of ID on you? A driver’s
license or something?” she put the passport and ticket on the
counter and tapped her fingers impatiently.

“
Y-y-yes I think I do,” I
stammered out, pretending to dig through my bag looking for it. My
bag was not that deep, it was just a backpack and mostly empty
since I had left all of my books in the car, but I needed to milk
it for all it was worth.

“
Isn’t that your wallet?”
she asked, as the item in question nearly fell from my hands. I
gave her an irritated half-smile and handed it over. Once she saw
not only the picture, but the name on it, this half-assed plan was
over.

A creepy crawly feeling of irritation
swept over me; I just wanted to get on that plane. I glanced over
at the clerk and felt the same sense of irritation flood her, and
that was when I realized I didn’t have to be smooth. I didn’t have
to do what Avalon did. It was great that he could make other people
feel safe and secure and smiley, but that was just not me right
then. I was pissed, I was irritated and I was in a big freaking
hurry. If nothing else, I could at least make her emote with
me.