carefully got into position and then dropped his crutches outside the circle just as a red light flashed in her goggles to let her know the simulation had begun. Then she raised her hand to block Curtis’s first virtual move and watched in appreciation as he easily anticipated her shot and countered with one of his own. After all the tension and stress of the last few days, Emma suddenly realized that this fight was just what she needed to burn off some steam. She held up an arm to block his parry and then the fight started in earnest.
Half an hour later it was over, and when they looked at the counter, Emma was surprised to see she had won. She shot Curtis a grateful look.
“Thanks for that.” She took the goggles off her head and put them down on the bench.
“For what?” He pushed his own back up into his blond curls.
“For going easy on me.”
“Jones, I didn’t go easy on you. In fact, I was just going to ask you what you’ve been eating for breakfast because that was some fight.”
“Yeah, right.” She shook her head. “Anyway, something else I need to thank you for is last night.”
“It was nothing.” He shrugged as he busied himself taking off his simulation gear.
“Somehow I don’t think Kessler would’ve seen it that way if he’d caught us. Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m really grateful for what you did.”
“I helped you get some books; it wasn’t like I fought the darkhel or anything,” he said, his voice almost sounding gruff as a flash of annoyance went racing across his face. There it was again. Emma frowned, but before she could figure out why his mood had suddenly changed, the look had gone and he shot her a rueful smile. “Besides, Jones. I told you it makes me nervous when you act too nice.”
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again,” she promised as a reluctant smile hovered around her mouth, but before Emma could say anything else, Professor Meyers clapped again for everyone’s attention.
“Okay, that’s it for the week. Don’t forget homework due on Monday. Oh, and try not to celebrate too much this weekend during Induction. Especially on Sunday afternoon at that student party that we don’t know anything about.” Professor Meyers winked, and most of the class started to laugh. However, Emma ignored them as she realized the simulation teacher was gathering up her bag and getting ready to leave. She put her hand into her pocket and let her fingers curl around the pendant before she hurried over to the teacher.
“Emma, that was another great test. Not only was your hand/eye coordination up but your strength has increased by thirty percent. Have you changed your gym workout?”
Emma shook her head. Between exploding food courts and invisible fairies, she hadn’t set foot in the gym for over a week.
“Hmm.” Professor Meyers chewed the tip of her pen for a moment. “Well, maybe it’s the change in routine?”
“I guess.” Emma shrugged as she carefully pulled the pendant out of her pocket. “Actually, I wanted to ask you about something else.”
“Of course. My virtual door is always open.” The teacher grinned. “What’s up?”
“I was wondering if you’ve ever seen anything like this? My mom gave it to me and I was curious to find out if it had some sort of power?”
Professor Meyers instantly pulled her glasses onto her nose and studied the pendant for several moments before shaking her dark hair. “Sorry. The crystal itself looks fairly regular but I don’t recognize the engravings around the edge. Why don’t you try Professor Yemin, since he specializes in enchanted objects?”
“I actually did try him but he wasn’t in his office and apparently no one has seen him today.” Emma sighed; Professor Meyers was the third teacher to suggest him.
“Really?” Professor Meyers wrinkled her nose. “That’s strange. Bob . . . I mean Professor Yemin never misses our Friday-afternoon staff meetings. He really likes the Oreos.”
Emma smiled politely. “Well, thanks anyway,” she said as she put the crystal back into her pocket and hid her disappointment. She hurried to get changed.
A few hours and another detention session later, Emma found herself at the library, where Loni and Tyler were waiting for her. They’d told Curtis about their meeting as well, but he had to go to some special training session with the one of the gym instructors.
“So?” Loni demanded as they hurried across the quad. It was only five