Sunday evening, back in her apartment, Nicole received an email from Coolidge, asking if she wanted to continue her study sessions with him, Toby, and Pete. They met three times a week to focus on cello Wind Arete abilities, and the sessions had really helped her. She emailed him back saying yes, and he responded right away, letting her know that Austin would be joining them for tomorrow’s session.
Nicole leaned back on the couch, staring at her laptop.
Lizzie looked up from where she was doing homework on the other couch. “Something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Nicole tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear. “Austin promised he’d help me learn to Channel . . . and I guess I expected him to contact me about it by now. It’s been a week since I got back from Ohio.”
“You didn’t have another cello until yesterday, though.”
“True . . . but Coolidge just told me that Austin is coming to our study session tomorrow. I don’t want to read too much into it, but does that mean he’s not wanting to study with me one-on-one? Or is this just for tomorrow?” Nicole looked up at her best friend. “Was I wrong about his feelings?”
Lizzie put down her pen. “No, you weren’t. Austin is crazy about you—it was so obvious yesterday. He still can’t keep his eyes off you. And besides, he did kiss you on the expedition.”
“All of that feels so trivial now without him actually calling or texting or contacting me in any way. And you know he didn’t talk to me at all while I was in Ohio.”
“It’ll work out. I know it will.”
Nicole nodded, then rested her head on the couch. “How are you and Nate?”
Nate was Austin’s roommate, and he and Lizzie had become good friends. They went to parties all the time and talked and studied together frequently.
“There’s no ‘me and Nate.’ I’m not interested in him. Not like that, anyway.”
Nicole’s jaw dropped. “You? Not interested in a member of the opposite sex? Is it possible?”
Lizzie chucked her pen at Nicole, grinning. “Knock it off, girl. He’s just a friend. And that would be way too weird—you dating Austin and me dating his roommate. Life never works out that way.”
“Sure it does.” Nicole tossed the pen back to Lizzie, then shut her laptop. “Besides, I’m not dating Austin.” She held up her hand, silencing Lizzie’s retort. “Not yet, anyway. We’ll see what happens.”
Lizzie pushed her books aside. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something. You’re still going to be doing study sessions with Coolidge, even though you aren’t enrolled in classes. Do you want to come to classes with me? Mrs. Whitman’s, especially? She’d definitely let you audit, and there’s always room. That way, you can keep learning, and we’ll get to hang out more.”
Nicole nodded. “Sounds like a great idea. Next semester will be pretty difficult—if we want to be in the same classes, I’ll need to work really hard to catch up—so this will help.”
“And I’ll study with you. It’ll be fine.”
Nicole knew Lizzie would—it had been that way since they’d met in second grade. Lizzie, the outgoing, bubbly one, and Nicole the serious, contemplative one—they’d made a great team for many years.
***
Monday afternoon found Nicole standing outside Professor Coolidge’s office, where she would be working on Wind magic with Toby, Pete, Coolidge, and Austin. Butterflies in her stomach distracted her for a moment—she was about to see Austin again!—but she pushed those feelings aside. She wouldn’t let him know how excited and nervous she was to see him. Not yet, anyway—she needed to gauge his feelings first.
As soon as Nicole stepped into the room, she felt the pulsings that originated from the magical cabinet where Coolidge had locked up the old book. It was calling to her, wanting her to come to it, to free it. She glared at the cabinet, wishing she could tell the stupid book to leave her alone for just a while longer. She was almost ready.
Toby looked up from where he was playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and grinned. Nicole sent him a smile, then claimed one of the empty chairs, glancing around the room. Pete was there. He readjusted his glasses and waved, his curly hair spilling forward. Coolidge said hi from his desk, not looking up. Austin hadn’t come yet.
“How was Ohio?” Toby asked. His usually combed-to-the-side light brown hair had been gelled until it looked windblown. The new style complimented his high cheekbones, giving him a nice, fresh look. “And the expedition? It’s been a long time since you were here.”
Nicole bit the inside of her cheek, remembering the text he had sent her before she went to Arches. He’d wanted to take her on a date. He hadn’t texted her since, and she wondered if he was waiting for her to say something. Probably. But what? She had to see if things would progress with Austin first. Not that Toby was less attractive or desirable—she just hadn’t felt anything toward him yet. At least, not on the same level as what she’d felt toward Austin.
She still hesitated. “I’m not sure how to sum them up without taking an hour or two.”
“I heard about Arches . . . and the caverns caving in on you and killing almost everyone.”
Oh, yes. That was right—the government had decided to hide what really happened from the general populace. They’d made everyone who lived through the events practically sign their lives away until something was decided. Which meant nothing would be said for many years, if ever. But that wouldn’t stop the massive and dangerous creatures that had been found from returning.
“Yeah, it was pretty scary.”
Toby didn’t say anything else, and Nicole didn’t offer more information. She glanced at the clock, wondering if Austin was planning on showing up or not.
Nicole unzipped the cello case, then carefully undid the straps that supported the antique instrument. The moment her hand brushed it, she felt that now-familiar zing. Would that happen every time she touched it?
Coolidge’s door opened, and Austin entered. He nodded to Coolidge, then hesitated when he saw that the only empty chair left in the room was the one next to Nicole. He grumbled, yanked the chair away from the music stand, and plopped into it, pulling out a tablet. A sour expression was on his face.
Nicole’s stomach dropped to somewhere around her feet. Why was he upset?
“Hey, Austin,” she said after Toby and Pete had greeted him.
He didn’t respond, and he didn’t look up from his tablet.
She swallowed, then turned to the other guys. “So, I got a new cello.”
“Oooooh,” Pete said, his curly hair drifting into his eyes again as he leaned over to see. “What kind?”
“You’ll never guess.”
“It’s a Stradivarius,” Austin said, still not looking up. “And no, neither of you can touch it. Not even I can. Only Nicole has permission to use it.”
Nicole frowned, disappointed that Austin had spoiled her surprise. She pulled out the cello’s endpin and tightened her bow, then sat back in her chair, pretending not to be offended.
“Let’s get started,” Austin said. He motioned to his tablet, then to Nicole. He still didn’t make eye contact. “I’ll be monitoring what happens when you play. Now that we’ve found your true focus for Channeling, we have to figure out your sub-ability.”
“Sub-ability . . .” Nicole said, not wanting to look stupid for being unable to remember what that meant.
Austin grunted. “The aspect of Wind that allows you to control it. Lizzie works with Fire, but she can’t actually make it grow. She only creates the spark that starts it.”
Toby nodded. “And I’m able to pull moisture to myself, through the air. Pete here shuffles papers, if you’ll remember.”
Nicole did—they’d both given her demonstrations during her first study session with them.
“So,” she said, “we need to find mine.”
“Exactly,” Toby said. He pointed to Austin. “Well, that’s what he’ll be doing. Once you figure it out, we’ll be able to help you strengthen it.”
Austin glanced at Nicole, barely making eye contact before looking away. “Start playing. Clear your mind first, then concentrate on your breathing. Once that’s happened, you may begin allowing your powers to escape through your cello. Keep your eyes closed—it’ll be easier if you don’t see anything at first. I’ll watch for you.”
Nicole lifted her bow, then put it to her strings and started. She refused to think of Austin sitting next to her. What had changed? He was acting so odd, so abrupt.
Nicole turned her attention to her playing. Her immediate song of choice was Smetana’s Moldau, and she played it quietly, barely thinking about the notes as they flew from her fingers. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind, then concentrated on her breathing. Once she felt like it was under control, Nicole reached out to the imaginary dam that held back her powers. Only, this time there was no dam—nothing was blocking it. The magic had already flowed through and was flooding around her, soaking her, making her gasp for breath.
“Keep your eyes shut,” Austin said, his voice hoarse.
Nicole hadn’t even noticed she’d opened them. Doing as she was told, she continued playing, letting the magic rush over her, watching in her mind’s eye as it became frothy and fizzy, teased by a wind that grew up and billowed over her.
“Austin—” Toby coughed to clear his throat. “Is anything even happening?”
Austin growled. “Shhh.”
Nicole kept going, enjoying the sensations of music blending with wind and magic, twirling and whipping. But after several moments of no one saying anything, she peeked at Austin. He had his hand on his chin, a scowl on his face. He’d abandoned his notes and was staring at her.
“You can stop now,” he said, his voice barely a whisper.
Nicole lowered her bow, wondering why he was whispering. Had she done something wrong? “What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on.” He glanced at Coolidge, who was now watching. “I sensed her magic—it’s flowing freely. So what’s wrong?”
A small smile played at the corners of Coolidge’s lips. “Austin, you should have figured it out.” He looked at Nicole. “I’m not surprised that her natural ability is a rare one. Most Wind Aretes control wind, obviously. They carry things with it, create small storms, and dispel smoke and other pollutants. But the ability to silence sound at its origination doesn’t happen very often.”
Austin frowned. “If that were her sub-ability, I would have noticed it.”
“But it is, and you didn’t.” Coolidge got up and opened a drawer near the magical cabinet. He pulled out a music box, wound it up, and set it on his desk. A tinny melody played out, filling the office with its sound.
“Play again, Nicole, and focus on silencing this. You don’t need to close your eyes.”
Nicole raised her bow and began Ashokan Farewell, watching the music box and willing its sound to stop. It happened almost immediately. While Nicole played, the music box didn’t make a noise. It still turned—she could see the little handle on the side moving—but nothing came out.
She grinned, stopping, and the melody flowed again. “That’s awesome!”
Austin scowled. “Why didn’t I notice?”
“I think you did,” Coolidge said. He motioned to Toby. “You coughed and cleared your throat.” He pointed to Austin. “And you were whispering.”
Austin nodded.
Coolidge continued. “Living creatures are much more difficult to control than inanimate objects. An animal or human will fight to speak. Much of the time, they won’t even notice your ability, Nicole, unless you’re trying really hard.” His eyes sparkled as he sat back at his desk. “We’ll have fun with that, once she’s ready.” He returned to his papers. “In the meantime, have her focus on inanimate objects.”
Austin motioned for Nicole to begin, and they met eyes. She searched his for any sign of friendship, of warmth, but there was nothing there. She sighed inwardly and started playing again.
With Austin instructing her, Nicole practiced turning the music box on and off over and over again. Then he had Toby play a single, long note on his cello, and she practiced silencing that. At first, manipulating her magic was weird. She felt it flowing from her chest as it danced over to the source of the sound, tugging on her sternum. But after a few minutes, she adjusted, and no longer noticed the pull as much.
Her progress was fast, and even Austin seemed satisfied with how well she did.
While finishing up, Nicole caught sight of a spider moments before the old woman hovered into view. She didn’t even have time to react before the woman gave her message—“Nicole, please read the book”—and left. Nicole sat, stunned, for several moments, then frowned, realizing the woman wouldn’t be ignored any longer. The book needed to be read. And now that Nicole could control her powers even just a little bit, it was time to open that cabinet.
She had to wait until Toby and Pete were gone, though.
Austin finally called it quits, and Nicole, Toby, and Pete put their instruments away.
Coolidge asked Nicole and Austin to stick around, and once the other two had left, he said, “I’ve been researching on that meteor and have asked around to those who tested it. They haven’t discovered anything, and I might be heading back to Moses Lake to study its affects after finals week is over. I’ll probably want the two of you there with me.”
Nicole nodded, feeling a sense of pride that her instructor valued her opinion and abilities that much. “Just let me know,” she said, “And Professor, I think it’s time we open the cabinet. I . . . I need to face the book. It’s been calling to me the entire time I’ve been here.”
“I was afraid of that—I could sense a small part of your magic drifting that way every time you played, and I wondered if subconsciously, you were trying to silence it.”
Coolidge pulled up his calendar and studied it. “I’d like to be here when you read, but have to get some work done. I’ll have time tonight around seven, if you want to come then.” He glanced at Austin. “You should be present, just in case.”
Austin agreed to come, but a line appeared between his eyebrows, and he excused himself.
Nicole rushed to follow him, getting caught on a loose screw in Coolidge’s doorjamb on the way out, snagging her shirt. She groaned when she saw that it had ripped, but decided to deal with it later.
“Austin, wait,” she said.
Austin paused near the stairs and half turned to her, the line between his eyebrows deepening. “Nicole . . .”
“Aren’t we . . .” She didn’t know how to ask without coming across as begging. “Aren’t we going to study together?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I kept my promise. I came. We’ll work with Pete and Toby, here in Coolidge’s office.”
Without saying another word, he took the stairs two at a time up to the first floor.
Nicole felt tears burning behind her eyes as she watched him leave. Stupid Austin. The jerk. Leading her on while in Arches, holding her hand, kissing her, looking at her like he adored her at Albert’s manor. He’d obviously chosen his ex-girlfriend, and for what reason? So he could break up with her for the umpteenth time?
He was ridiculous. The whole situation was ridiculous. But Nicole was more ridiculous than anyone for hoping that something could develop between them.
She couldn’t believe that the only reason he’d come today was to keep his promise to study with her. She’d rather be helped by Toby and Pete, thank you very much, than have him do it out of duty.
Even while Nicole stormed outside and to her car, angry at Austin and the situation, she couldn’t deny the ache in her chest. The longing for a relationship with him that wasn’t going to happen. The sting from being rejected.
But if Austin could be emotionless, so could she. She’d just turn off her feelings and ignore him. Well, ignore him as much as she could, anyway. She wished he’d just taken back his promise to help. It would be so much easier if they didn’t have to spend several hours together a week.
Nicole got to her apartment and put Niko away, longing to practice herself into oblivion, but she was determined to keep her promise to Albert. Besides, she’d felt how strong her powers were—she didn’t want to risk letting too much flow out at once and possibly ruin the instrument.
Deciding to change into comfy clothes and veg in front of a movie, Nicole went to her room and yanked on a pair of yoga pants. As she was pulling off her blouse, she remembered how it had snagged on Coolidge’s doorjamb as she’d been leaving his office. Worried that it had ruined her shirt, she straightened the garment and laid it on her bed, searching for signs of damage. Right next to a hole, she found a drop of blood. Blood? How had that gotten there?
Nicole twisted to see her side where she’d brushed into the doorjamb. There was a small cut with crusted blood on it. Weird. She hadn’t felt pain.
If that was the case, she’d obviously pushed herself too far. She sat on the bed next to her shirt and rubbed her face.
Nicole had recently learned that when an Arete uses too much power, the pineal gland in his or her brain will begin to borrow energy from other areas of the brain. Each Arete lost a different sense. For Nicole, the ability to sense pain was targeted. Pushing herself too far was dangerous because she wouldn’t know if she’d been injured.
Not knowing how long it would take for her body to regain that sense, she realized that a movie was the best idea she’d had all day.