“Then, he shall have enough to wrap him as well. This is exciting.”
Reegar grinned. “She isn’t wrong. Can I do anything?”
“I need to find a level one transport spell. Just enough for me and Mr. E.”
Reegar looked at her familiar and smirked. “Would you believe he is sleeping on the book?”
Bara snorted. “So, if it is competitive, what will you do to make them think you are training at the college?”
“Kitigan has been after me to jog with her. I am fairly sure that the schedule can be flexed to accommodate a run in the morning. If I have to go to the gym while they try and do me in, I will just have to go.”
Bara nodded. “Right. I think I have a plan for that as well. This really is fun.”
Imara shook her head. Four co-conspirators and she hadn’t even started the course yet. It was the antithesis of stealth.
Chapter Four
“I am Professor McClairie, and this is Stealth Magic 401. You will learn how to be silent, invisible, and think on your feet, but to do that, you have to train.” The professor paced in front of the scant dozen students in front of him.
He raised his hand and waved a sheet of paper. “In my hand, I have a list of the contact information of twelve volunteers who are willing to train you with a goal toward your final exam. They know what will be required.”
Imara raised her hand, and he paused.
“Yes?”
“What is the format of the course?”
He gave her a pitying smile. “You will train, you will come back to get your exam information. You will fail, and you will probably cry.”
A loud, braying laugh got her attention from across the small space. Great, another brother.
“Edgar Demiel, you have the first pick of names.” The professor walked over to him and handed him the page. “When you have made your choice, strike it out. Once you have the information, you are dismissed until the next class date where you will get your assignment.”
The professor went through the class in no particular order. What rapidly became apparent was that he was saving her for last.
The last student had scribbled on the page, and the professor passed it to her.
“The pickings are slim, but I am sure you will find something to suit you.”
“We are allowed tutors from off this list, correct?” She smiled brightly and got to her feet.
He blinked in surprise. “Yes, you are.”
She extended the card that Hyl had given her. “He has volunteered to be my tutor.”
He looked at the card and paled. “Why would he... how would you even meet him?”
“Oh, I had to do some work with the XIA last night, and we ended up at Ritual Space where he makes his home. He admired my attitude, and as he had already passed this course, he offered to train me for it.”
The professor made a strangled sound. “What did you do with the XIA?”
“My job. They subcontracted me via the Death Keeper Guild. I was uniquely suited to the situation.”
“Death Keeper?”
“Yes, don’t you have files on your students?” She clued in, “Or do you only bother with the ones from prime families?” She tutted. “Do your homework, Professor. You missed something.”
She took the business card back and nodded politely. “Good day, Professor.”
She left the classroom with Mr. E chuckling madly on her shoulder.
Right, she was in it, and her friends were all on board. It was time to get busy with her portal work. Reegar had gotten clearance via the Chancellor’s office for transports within the Hall, so she was clear, as soon as she could manage the transport. It was not a method of magic she had even considered. This was not going to be pleasant.
“Did she actually suggest a mirror portal?” Reegar was shocked.
“She did, but she also said she didn’t do any magic.”
He frowned and paged through the tomes. Mr. E jumped on the table with the small pouch in his teeth.
Imara smiled. “Oh, yeah. She gave me four stones from Ritual Space. Will that help?”
Reegar looked at the pouch as if it held pure gold. “Those are stones from the actual space?”
“Yes.”
“Pure and not enchanted?”
“Yes.”
He sat back and exhaled. “This is easy. You just need a measuring tape and a wall.”
“I don’t need a mirror?”
He waved that away. “It is considered to be necessary by the weak, but I find it tacky. It is more dangerous for the mage to use a mirror than just use energy to formulate a door. You are strong enough to do the job without the prop.”
She blushed and was going to reply, but across the space, Bara’s hand shot into the air. “I have a measuring tape. Three, actually.”
“You need to take her height, width at her widest point and the height of her average stride.”
Mr. E jumped up and onto her shoulder, sitting with his head high.
Imara grinned and waited for Bara to come back and do the measuring. Her grin faded when she took a look at Bara’s fingers. “What the hell is that?”
“Oh, blisters and splinters. The fibre I am working with isn’t very friendly.”
“Damn. I have a recipe for a healing cream.”
She shook her head. “Cream makes my hands softer, and that makes the problem worse. I will toughen up.”
While Imara stood there in shock, Bara quickly got her measurements, paused and cocked her head. “Can I use you as a model for my dressmaking class?”
With all Bara had done for her, Imara nodded. “Of course.”
“Excellent. I am looking into making a utility belt that is actually useful.”
“A utility belt?”
“That fits with a formal gown.” Bara smiled. “Here you go. Metric and imperial measurements. Don’t mix them up.” Bara gave her a fierce look and winked. “Arms out to your sides and hold still.”
Ten minutes of precise—and occasionally tickling—measurements later and Imara was free to study the spell.
It was bizarrely easy. She just needed to place the stones out and power them up then speak the name of her destination. It would only work if someone were waiting for her on the other side.
“You should set up the stones on your wall using glue.”
She nodded at Reegar. “I will tape them up until the glue holds.”
“It isn’t necessary. Go into the lab and find the super stick adhesive. It will bond in two seconds, so be quick.”
She nodded, gathered the book and got the notes that Bara had left. Mr. E followed her into the lab, and he sat quietly on the counter until she found the adhesive.
What followed was a relatively easy procedure. Measure, mark, measure again with a different pen, and when she was sure, she took out the stones and brushed the adhesive on the back. She wore gloves and ended up having to cut one free when they were all in place. The adhesive was sealed to stop a comical moment, and she took it downstairs.
Are you ready?
“No. I am not ready, but the spell is easy. All I have to do is text her, and we can walk through.”
Do it.
She took the number that Adrea had given her, and she entered in the new contact. She sent the first text. Hi, it’s Imara. Can I come through?