Page 83 of An Arcane Education
“Like I said,” he states, “I’m researching them. It’s an unknown fungal species I discovered on a walk through the forest. I’m documenting its characteristics before I submit my findings to the mycology department.”
“You discovered an unknown species?” she asks incredulously.
He nods. “I believe so.”
“If this is true, then you’ll need to report your findings through the proper channels. If this is a legitimate discovery, you could be looking at quite the claim to fame. But I’m sure you already knew that,” she adds with a sharp smile.
“Of course,” Alaric says. “I'll submit my preliminary findings by the end of the week.”
“See that you do.” The Chancellor closes the cabinet and smooths her suit jacket. “And in the future, please keep me informed of any significant research projects.This could be a significant moment in your career here, and we like to support our faculty's academic pursuits here at Arcadia.”
He gives her a terse nod, and she leaves without another word.
Alaric then continues his lecture as if nothing has happened while anger burns in my chest. Is that why he’s wanted me to keep this all a secret? So he could claim the discovery as his own and receive acclaim for finding an unknown species? It would make sense. He keeps making these vague statements about “figuring things out” and the mushrooms being “a part of something larger,” insinuating that there may be something out there that’s cause for concern. And while I believe that whatever is going on with that area of the forest is undoubtedly sinister, I can’t help but wonder if he’s been using my fear against me as I’ve learned more about my father. Has it been a ploy to keep me quiet this entire time?
When Alaric ends the lecture, I’m torn between confronting him and keeping quiet.
“Are you okay?” AJ asks. Beside him, Joanna peeks over to listen to the conversation.
“I’m fine,” I sigh. “More importantly, how are you?”
He shakes his head. His forlorn expression is so unlike the typical bright, nonchalant energy he usually projects that it makes my heart sink. “I’m hanging in there. I went to Aldrich yesterday about Mitchell being missing, but she didn’t seem to find the matter particularly pressing. She kept insinuating he might be in a friend’s dorm room on a bender or something, but that’s not the kind of guy he is.He rarely parties, and henevermisses a class. I’m really worried something bad happened to him on Saturday…”
My stomach knots as the guilt intensifies. He’s worried about his brother, unaware that he’s dead, and I’m here pissed off that the professor I’ve been sleeping with is stealing credit for something I discovered.
Joanna rubs her hand over his back in a consoling gesture, murmuring platitudes about how he’ll show up eventually.
“Something just feels really wrong,” AJ says softly. “I… I don’t think he’s okay.” His voice cracks, and something inside me breaks.
I can’t take it anymore. I stand, intent on confronting Alaric and telling him he needs to go to the chancellor now, but when I look up, he’s already gone. He must have rushed out of here in the minute I’d been talking to AJ.
“I need to go talk to Dr. Vale about something,” I tell AJ. “I’ll meet you at the dining hall?”
He nods, and I storm down the hallway toward his office. But when I get there, his door is locked and there’s no light coming from beneath it. I knock anyway, but it’s clear he’s not here.
He might be running away from the problem—running away from me—but I’m not going to let him get away with it. If he doesn’t go to the Chancellor tomorrow, I will, and I’ll tell her everything.
I don’t doubt Alaric’s feelings for me, but I’m starting to question his honesty surrounding everything else. I deserve answers, and AJ deserves to know what happened to his brother. If Alaric hasn’t spoken to ChancellorAldrich by tomorrow evening, I’m taking matters into my own hands, consequences be damned.
CHAPTER 35
Iwake up Wednesday with a hollow pit in my stomach. Today’s the day. Either Alaric tells the Chancellor about Mitchell and the mushrooms, or I do.
One thing is certain, though. I can’t trust him anymore for the answers I’m seeking, and I can’t keep acquiescing to his promises of “soon.”
I go through my morning routine in a haze, and after my first two classes of the day, I decide to visit Professor Showen. I hadn’t had time to speak with her after our morning class since I had to go straight to Magical Law and Ethics, but I’m hoping she’s free during my three-hour gap before Natural Spellwork.
I swing by the dining hall for a quick lunch before making my way back into the castle, navigating the low-lit hallways until I find Professor Showen’s office.
The door is closed, but voices on the other side indicate that she’s there. The voices are muffled, both parties speaking in hushed tones that don’t quite carry through the thick wooden door.
I knock, and the voices stop immediately. The door opens, and Professor Showen greets me with a smile while Clarissa stands on the other side of the office with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
“Sorry, if you’re busy, I can come back later,” I say.
“No, no, come in. Clarissa was just leaving.”
On cue, Clarissa glares at me before stalking out of the room.
