Emma’s steps faltering. Her pace slowed, and her face paled. I was guessing anything she’d pushed herself too hard during practice.
“I’m fine,” she said immediately when she caught me looking. “It’s not that long of a walk.”
I shook my head. “I’ll carry you the rest of the way.” I handed her my bag, and changed into a wolven before she could protest. My gaze told her she didn’t have the right to object.
But I don’t think she had the strength to, either. She balanced the bags over my shoulders, then gingerly clambered on. I quivered as her hands dug into my white fur, and we started off.
Emma and I had to drop our bags off and change before we went to class. Because of that, we were late. Due to the weather, Faction Abilities was being held inside this semester. We came to a classroom that was more or less an open stone chamber, with a high ceiling and stained glass windows.
Professor Lunesta always dressed up for the first day of the new semester. She was wearing a long white cloak that glittered like snow, and twigs were arranged strategically around her elaborate braid.
Emma and I took our seats at a two-person desk near the back of the room. Our friends were also in this class— Odette waved next to Theo, and Alexei hung close next to Kiara as she mouthed a hello.
Stefan was sitting by Delmare in the desk next to ours, and she didn’t look happy. Her arms were crossed. She faced away from him as he made his usual dick jokes.
“I see many of you have already partnered up with someone from your own Faction,” Lunesta said approvingly. “Good. This class will be less about lecturing and more about experimentation. As each of the Factions has a different talent, it is up to you and your partner to examine how your unique powers work together to create illusion magic. Your grade will be determined by how much you participate. I will go around the room and observe as you and your partner practice. Begin.”
I turned to face Emma. I figured I’d help her with levitation, as that was a wolven telepathy skill and she’d fainted while trying it last semester. But I was shocked to see that she’d gotten on it. Our textbooks were hovering a foot off the table, guided by her lifted hand. When she moved her wrist, the books hovered in a circle. Emma watched without breaking a sweat.
“You’ve been practicing,” I said in approval.
“I wanted to become more competent with levitation before I came back for the semester.” Emma let the books fall and looked at me.
“How about we try telepathy? It’s a basic wolven power,” I said.
She snorted and put her elbows on the table. “All right. So how do I do it?”
“Let’s start by listening.” I leaned forward. I repeated a thought several times in my head, boring my eyes into hers.
At first, nothing happened. I was pretty sure I was talking to myself, until Emma jumped in her seat. “Oh my gosh! I hear it!”
Don’t talk with your mouth, I said. Use your mind. Focus your attention on trying to get me to hear you without actually speaking. The trick is to feel our connection, and then follow that magical bond until our minds become linked.
Emma closed her gorgeous lips. Her face strained as she struggled to communicate, until I heard her voice come across, faint and distant. Can you hear me?
Barely. We have a bad connection. You need to close the distance, I stated.
How do I do that?
Telepathy is all about being open. My heartbeat quickened as I reached out and took one of her hands in mine. You have to keep yourself exposed to the mind of the person you’re attempting to speak with.
She scowled, as if she didn’t like the idea. Was it so offensive to open up to me? She took my other hand and ran her thumb over it. The sound of her voice grew louder as she said, Is this better?
Much, I replied. All wolvens can speak telepathically over long distances, and Companions can naturally project their thoughts in order to talk in shifter form, but those who have declared each other to be mates share a special bond. Watch.
I opened my mind to her, and everything gave way. I flashed back to that morning— sneaking into Emma’s dorm and leaving behind a present.