A Different Class of Magic Read online

  “I’m not going to sign it…”

  “Mom!”

  “Hold up a minute and let me finish. I’m not going to sign it now, but I’m going to that PTA meeting and will have words with Principal Wells. Then, well, we’ll see.”

  A glimmer of hope radiated from Pike’s eyes. She grabbed up her chunky sandwich and took another bite before running off upstairs to her room. I slid my half-full glass of milk across the countertop, and she smiled her thanks and took it with her.

  Shaking my head, I read the letter properly from start to finish. The fees weren’t exorbitant, but money was money. I noted the school was going to pay the fare for the parents who volunteered their services. Hmmm.

  Perhaps I was overreacting, and perhaps I was a little quick to condemn the project because of my almost-not-quite relationship with Principal Carter Wells––but, dragons. The more I thought about it, the more I trusted my gut. This was a bad, foolhardy idea, and he should never have proposed it. I would have words with this new devil-may-care principal of ours, and after that…. Well, all I could hope was that, someday, Pike would forget what I’d done and would learn to forgive me.

  3

  The Paranormal Teacher's Association

  She might be fourteen, and outwardly pretty mature for her age, but just below the surface Pike was still a child. As we walked along the tree-lined avenue, Pike stomped carefully, catching the crisp fall leaves under her feet to get the crunch. I smiled at her game but said nothing.

  Just ahead of us, a group of her friends and their parents were hanging out in front of the school gate. While the parents chattered, the kids were laughing, playing with their familiars and kicking at the leaves. I recognized a few of them, including Crystal and Bo, so I began to slow my pace, expecting we would stop to chat.

  Pike saw them, too, but instead of slowing, she lowered her head and walked by them at double speed. Crystal looked her way, her ugly new brownie familiar perched comfortably on her shoulder. Crystal’s gaze was as unfathomable as my daughter’s was nonexistent. What on earth had happened between those two?

  “Hey, Tam!” Lea Davis, Crystal’s mom, was nicely sandwiched between Finn Belamy, her latest boyfriend, and Björn, my new neighbor. I was sure it was a coincidence they just happened to be the two best-looking men around––or perhaps not. Her Jimmy Choo heels were at least four inches, accentuating her ever-so slender long legs, and she’d positioned herself to set them off to full advantage. Not a single hair looked out of place on her perfectly blonde head. My legs weren’t quite so long, and my butt wasn’t quite so cute and boyish, but they’d never let me down––men seemed to like me just fine. My curly brown mop could have used a comb-through though. I self-consciously tucked a strand behind an ear. “Where have you been hiding?”

  She bent over and sniffed the plastic container of pumpkin cookies I had made for the meeting. They were sealed and I knew she couldn’t smell anything, but she smiled just the same.

  I watched my daughter disappear inside the school building. “Pumpkin. Oh, you know, just hanging out, keeping busy and stuff.” I rattled the cookies ahead of me, as if they explained everything. Maybe if I were to get Lea alone later, I could ask her what was up with Crystal and Pike.

  “No further ahead with our Carter Wells, then?” she asked. “Pity. You shoulda nabbed him when you had the chance, because I saw Old Frilly Knickers sniffing around him. She was all over him like a wooly scarf at the governor’s meeting last week. She looked quite determined.”

  Old Frilly Knickers was Maisy Beauchamp, one of the school governors. She’d won her nickname when she’d gotten a little carried away at the summer solstice festival a few years back, treating us all to a glimpse of her purple panties when she’d jive-bopped over the head of Mr. Bunsen, Pike’s magical science teacher. I frowned. She had a taste for good-looking warlocks and her natural charms had little to do with magic. No wonder he’d stood me up––twice.

  “Really? Not that it matters,” I added, careful not to sound as bothered as I was. “He’s a free agent and can see whoever he likes, I suppose.”

  “Point him out to me,” Björn said. “I will find this man, I think, and tell him he’s an idiot.”

  I smiled at Björn and shook my head. “Thank you, but there’s no need. We’re friends, well, acquaintances, but that’s all.”

  Lea shot me a sympathetic look which made me feel all cringey on the inside. I wanted to change the subject badly. The kids had moved off a little; I supposed like most teenagers they wanted to disassociate themselves a bit from their parents. Crystal was making leaf wreaths with her wand and was hanging them over a nearby elder tree. The girls in their group were following her lead, and the boys were watching the girls. I smiled. There was nothing new under the sun.

  “Your Crystal seems well,” I said. “Her makeup looks very pretty.”

  Lea puffed up a little, and a proud grin spread across her face. “She wears it well, doesn’t she? Before now, I’d seen her put on a little lippy and nail polish, but nothing more adventurous than that, so you can imagine I was a tad ominous when she came down the other night with a bright orange face and black eyes.”

  I chuckled. “I can imagine.” I glanced over to Crystal and the others who were now conjuring a few orange flowers to add to their wreaths. Her makeup was a little intense, but definitely well applied. “So, what did you do?”

  “Oh, we just had a little mother-daughter chat about blending, and now she’s getting rather good at it.”

  “So, I see.”

  “Like her mom,” piped in Finn. Lea rewarded him by offering him her cheek. He dutifully kissed it, and I was surprised she didn’t say, “good boy” when he was done.

  “I caught Pike at my dressing room table recently, but she got all coy when I came in, and by the time I’d reached the mirror, she’d covered her face in cold cream.”

  “She’ll get there,” Lea said. “It’s natural for them to be curious about such things at this age. They’re both very pretty girls.”

  They were that. Lea was the mirror of her mother and I supposed you could say the same about Pike. My daughter had mid-length brown hair, clever brown eyes, and beautiful bone-structure we’d both inherited from my mom. Not that either of us did much with it, at least, not in Lea and Crystal’s league. Sometimes it sucked not to have money.

  “Ja, they grow up fast, I think,” Björn said. “I am glad I have only a boy. I am told raising girls can be harder.”

  Bo was play fighting and had Liam Winkle’s head caught in the crook of his arm, while he did something to his nose.

  “I suppose,” I said, concerned.

  Björn glanced over to where the boys were and grinned. “Boys will be boys, I think. They enjoy a little play.” Bo sensed Björn’s watchful gaze and let go of Liam, but both boys were grinning––there was no animosity between them.

  Which reminded me, I had something I wanted to ask them. “What do you all think about this Camden trip? Don’t you think they’re a little young to be anywhere near dragons?”

  “I think it will be fun, no?” Björn said. “There will be protections for them, I am sure. We do such things all the time in Norway, the kids love it and they learn lots. Do not worry, Ta-ma-ra, it will be good, I think.”

  I remembered his cavalier approach to his son’s fighting, so I turned to Lea for support instead. “Don’t you think it’s dangerous? I know I do.”

  “Yes, but what’s life without a little danger? We mollycoddle them too much these days, don’t you think? Broomsticks with safety wings and seats so they can’t fall off; cauldrons spelled so they never reach full boiling point and won’t let you dunk anything bigger than a toad in it without a thousand banshee shrieks! I mean, where’s the fun? We never had any of that nonsense and we turned out just fine. Don’t worry so much, Tam, really, it’ll be all right.”

  I heard her but couldn’t bring myself to agree. I was all for a bit of adventure, but for the lo
ve of Gaia, we were talking dragons. Had they all forgotten about the great burning of ’13, when a clutch of ’em escaped and almost leveled the Burger Buddy chain a few miles south along the coastline? All right, maybe no one died but it could’ve been worse, right? Although I heard the burgers were much improved after the blaze.

  Lea must have sensed I wasn’t appeased, so she added, “Look, if it bothers you that much, why don’t you go along with them? They’re still looking for volunteers. It’ll be fun, and you can keep your eye on Old Frilly Knickers.”

  “Ja,” piped in Björn. “I am going to volunteer. It will be fun, no?” His gaze was eager, and for a second, I thought… no… I was wrong, surely. He was just being neighborly. Lea must have had the same thought, because she was smirking, too.

  “Maybe…” I said, slowly. “Maybe I will. I’m still going to try to make him see sense, though.”

  My friends all shook their heads in amusement, giving up on me. Let them. I would have liked their agreement, but it wasn’t necessary. I had to do what I had to do.

  “Come on, let’s go in,” Lea said. “I want one of those cookies.”

  “Me too,” Finn added.

  “Ja, me three,” Björn said, leering at me with those gorgeous baby blues.

  Appeased, I followed them in, and seeing we were on the move, the kids left their wreath-weaving and ran in ahead of us. Kids. I had to stop thinking of them like that. Boy, did they grow up too fast or what? I took the lid off my container and passed the cookies round to my friends as we walked. Finn took one for Lea and fed it to her as if she was a baby. I looked away, ashamed of my thoughts. Dammit. I was so jealous.

  I tried not to, but my eyes sought Carter before they noticed anyone else in the gymnasium. It wasn’t hard to spot him; he was by the refreshment stand, overseeing the volunteers who were spelling out chairs which floated through the air before landing in tidy rows in front of the basketball hoops.

  His familiar, a blue-haired ferret I’d heard was called Lazuli, was perched on his shoulder, watching the action. Old Frilly Knickers (did I really just call her that?) was standing by his side. Maisy looked good with her blonde curly hair all tussled in a loose updo. She was wearing a witchy-green leather jacket I hadn’t seen her in before, and I wondered where she’d found it. Her designer jeans hugged every inch of her perfectly curvaceous lower half, and stylish black boots finished the image (how I hated her). I looked positively shabby in my torn jeans and baggy gray sweater by comparison.

  Carter glanced my way, and a broad smile crossed his handsome face. I pretended not to notice, and for some reason known only to Gaia, I moved a little closer to Björn.

  “Come, Björn,” I said, wrapping my arm around his. “Let’s go and see if anyone else’s cookies can top mine.”

  He grinned, seeming to like my arm linked through his. “Not likely, I think.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lea shaking her head at me. Behind her, Carter’s smile wilted a fraction, but I turned away, anxious not to seem too childish, even if I was acting like a crazy teenager.

  Over at the refreshment stand, I said, “Volo glacies!” and a couple of ice cubes clinked in my glass. I poured myself some homemade lemonade, and with my back to the table, I pretended to be all nonchalant, smiling at everyone who passed by us, looking anywhere and everywhere except at Carter Wells. I knew most of the parents here, and judging by the turnout, we could be starting any time soon.

  “Hello,” said a familiar voice at my side. I knew it was Carter at once. I inched a little closer to Björn and half-rubbed against the Viking helmet tattoo on his arm.

  “Oh, hi,” I said, my voice a little higher than I’d have liked. He had left his familiar behind, and the smart ferret was overseeing the last of the seating arrangements. If anyone placed a seat out of line, he’d rise up on his hind legs and would let out a shrill bark, after which the chairs would fall into place. Smart ferret, I thought. I could use one of those at home.

  Maisy Beauchamp was right behind Carter, so close, in fact, that she almost ran into the back of him. I smirked. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were already here, or I’d have come over to say hi,” I said to Carter. “Hello, Maisy, how are you?”

  “Lovely, lovely.” Maisy glanced over the refreshments and went straight for one of my cookies. After chewing daintily for a moment, she swallowed. “Mmm. Yours I imagine, Tamara? A-One, as always.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, not sure if the compliment was real or ironic. She must have heard about my dealings with Carter, which made me the enemy. “I baked them just a few hours ago.”

  “That’s why they’re so yummy. You’ll have to give me the recipe one day.”

  Carter dutifully leaned over and sniffed a cookie himself, only a little more warily. I smiled. Last time he’d tried one of my muffins, the ingredients had mixed adversely with a love potion and he’d made an absolute fool of himself.

  “It’s okay. I promise they’re not poisoned.” I laughed. “This time.”

  He smiled and bit into one. “They’re good,” he managed through a muffled mouthful. Still, I noticed he chewed slowly, and I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or laugh out loud.

  “Actually, I’m glad I caught you,” I said. “I wanted to talk to you about this Maine trip.”

  “Ah, yes,” Maisy jumped in. “It’s so exciting, isn’t it? Carter really has the most brilliant ideas. All the kids are so excited about it.”

  “You have a question?” Carter asked me.

  Oh, Gaia, I’d forgotten just how good looking he was, hovering a good foot over my tall frame, with his naturally waved sandy-brown hair and clever green eyes, which were trained on me right now.

  Björn must have sensed my hesitation. “Hello again,” he said, offering his hand.

  Carter shook it. “Nice to see you. Bo’s father, right?”

  “I am.” The muscular Norwegian grinned.

  “How does he like the school, is he settling in?”

  “Very much, I think. He is making good friends and there are some girls he likes.”

  Carter smiled courteously, and I couldn’t help comparing his slender, athletic build next to Björn’s more muscular frame.

  “What did you want to ask me?” Carter said, turning back to me.

  “Dragons?” I blurted without thought. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to take a bunch of young witches and warlocks to meet a wild dragon?”

  “Of course, why not?” Carter asked.

  “Oh, yes!” Maisy chimed in, resting her hand on Carter’s black master’s robe. “It will be such an eye-opening experience for them. I remember when I first saw dragons, it was so exciting, and I’ll never forget it.” A wistful expression came over her face, and then her brow crinkled, just a little, but it was there. I didn’t bother to ask what she was thinking, I had more important things on my mind.

  “But do you think it’s safe?” I pressed, feeling the moral high ground slipping away from me. I was beginning to sound like a broken record, even to myself. “I mean, they’re unpredictable, wild magical creatures after all. Anything could happen, and these children are ill-equipped at this point in their lives to deal with that kind of danger.”

  “I think you exaggerate the risk,” Carter said, and then he softened. “Look, it’s perfectly natural for you to be cautious, but believe me, I’ve worked with dragons for years and I know what I’m doing. The children will be perfectly safe from harm, and some of the parents will be there to assist me. There’s nothing to worry about, I assure you.”

  I sighed. His words were persuasive, but I needed more than just words. These were fierce fire breathers after all, and my daughter’s safety meant more to me than his and everyone else’s good opinion. I wondered about... The Incident of ’13.

  “Oh, Tamara, let it go. If you keep fighting over every decision the school makes, you’ll get yourself labeled.” I turned just in time to see Lea roll her eyes as she helped herself to
some of the lemonade.

  “As what?”

  “As a killjoy, do-gooder. I told you outside, it’ll be fine.”

  My own friend. “Are you letting Crystal go?”

  “Are you kidding me?” Lea laughed before taking a sip of her drink. “My life wouldn’t be worth living if I didn’t. Of course I am.”

  “You know, if it bothers you that much, you should volunteer to come watch over them. The school will pay for your bus ticket, of course, but you’ll be required to attend the Dragon Lore and Safety Class, recommended by the Board.”

  Maisy grinned. “That was my idea, actually. It’s very good.”

  “Ja,” Björn interjected. “I wanted to ask, it is tomorrow, no? I lost the paper with the date on it.”

  “Yes,” Carter said. “In the arts room, at two.” He smiled at me. “You will come, too, I hope?”

  There was something in his eyes. He was sincere, sure, but there was something more. Then I saw Maisy had something similar in hers, but not quite.

  “I could take a little time off work, I suppose.” I’d call Benjamin right after the meeting and see how he felt about that. I didn’t think it would be a problem, as long as I was caught up on the Halloween potion orders, I imagined he’d be okay.

  Relief and delight broke on Carter’s face, and Maisy positively beamed. What was it with that woman?

  “You won’t regret it,” he said. “I promise you.”

  “Ja, we will have so much fun,” Björn added. “I am dying to see how the Maine dragons compare. Norwegian würms are much bigger, but I heard the Maine dragons are fierce.” He made air claws with his hands and hissed like an angry cat.

  “Thanks, that’s reassuring,” I said, totally not meaning it.

  Carter stood straight and inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing a bit at Björn. “I have seen both,” he said. “These are less ferocious, probably due to their diet.”