The aftermath of their trip landed Dyani in detention and a month-long probation from going to the Marketplace. Her detention was being served with the Headmistress, going over the protocol for proper behavior. Word had spread about the incident and landed the two women in the paper. Quotes had been used and Dyani's gift of being without a focus or wand was featured. The Headmistress had raked her over the coals for that.

  A month had passed, and the season had changed to the blustery fall. Dyani sat outside on a bench. The courtyard was overflowing with younger students and those who wanted to avoid going to the Marketplace. It was the final day of her probation and the boredom had set in. The others had gone ahead each weekend after the first week of remaining in solidarity. Now, she spent her time outside and bundled for the frigid weather. It had not snowed yet, but that was typical of the area. The tri-state area received snow closer to Christmas. Dyani was sure that the School, despite being hidden, was the same.

  Ping

  The personal PMA went off and Dyani picked up the device. There was a moment of silence before she cursed. Standing, Dyani dropped the device into her pocket and sent a message to Britt using her school PMA.

  Dyani: Hey. I need to see you about my schedule.

  Britt: Again?

  Dyani: Yeah, I need to change a thing.

  Britt: Meet me in my office then.

  Dyani: See you then.

  Dyani shrugged her messenger bag and wandered back into the school building. The walk to his office was casual but she felt the worry inside. Her restriction around leaving was tighter than any other leash, even when she first fought the Headmistress over leaving her family in the dark. Few students were around. Most left for the Marketplace or were together outside. The most studious could be found in their rooms or library. Dyani wanted to join them but felt the exhaustion of compacting so many books within her head the past few months, including those that were for her Master's Degree. At that moment, Dyani felt a sliver of guilt continuing her studies alongside the magical one.

  Knuckles rapped against the solid door before she opened it without waiting.

  "Hey, thanks for meeting with me," Dyani trailed off, seeing the Headmistress standing before Britt. The man's expression told her the nature of the conversation she just interrupted.

  "Ah, Dyani. I am glad that you joined us. Please sit while we continue this conversation. It involves you, after all."

  Brows crinkled and Dyani stared at Britt with a questioning look. There was a minute shake of his head and green eyes focused on the threat in the room. Slinging the bag to the ground, Dyani draped herself into her usual chair.

  "What can I help you with, Headmistress? You said that the conversation was about me."

  "That it is," she stated. There was a pause before the woman cleared her throat. "I believe you know that the restrictions regarding the ability to leave the school grounds are lifted. As it is, you will continue to have an escort. Since Master Briggens has shown that he is unsuitable to be that escort, you will be assigned one. I believe that you are familiar with Mistress Welan."

  Dyani scowled at the Headmistress, "Excuse me, but I made it quite apparent in my distaste for the woman. I disagree with this. Master Briggens was just fine in escorting us. The real person who was responsible for the altercation in the first place was permitted to go with a slap on the wrist. She should be the one that has the escort with the woman from hell. But that won't happen because she has Daddy's money to get her way."

  "Dyani," Britt hissed.

  There was a moment when she knew that she should have kept quiet, but the fact of the matter was that Kira had gotten away with physically assaulting her.

  "You will have the escort of my choice or you will not return at all. That is the end of this discussion. Ms. Stirling was handled as is appropriate."

  "Appropriate? Seriously? She assaulted me and got away with it."

  The Headmistress's expression faded into something darker for just a minute, and Dyani felt the fear slide down her spine. Britt shifted, drawing the woman's attention.

  "What about Mistress Bertani? She is level-headed and responsible. I can speak with her about volunteering.

  The Headmistress looked at him critically. No words were spoken for a while. Dyani fiddled with the hem of her skirt while they decided. Fingers clenched the fabric to prevent her from speaking out of turn more than she already has. Conversation flowed around her when the Headmistress stood.

  "Then it is settled. I will take my leave. Behave, Ms. Dyani. You have drawn far too much attention to yourself. Remember the lessons that I gave to you."

  Without another word, the woman glided from the room. When the door closed, Britt waved his hand and the wards flew up around them.

  "That blasted woman," Britt slammed his hands down on the table. "I can't stand it when she throws her power around."

  "So what is the verdict on my imposed punishment."

  "What happened to go along with the Headmistress' plans so she doesn't poke her nose around too much?"

  Dyani sighed and played with her hair, "That went out the door when she let that girl get away with something that should have gotten a more severe punishment."

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Britt stood up from his desk and paced. Dyani's eyes traced his steps and watched the expressions change on his handsome face. She could wait for him to get his thoughts straight. Meanwhile, her thesis was calling. The typing was the only noise in the room while Britt worked out his thoughts. Her focus was on the paper; therefore, she didn't notice when his attention went from internal thoughts to watching her work. Feeling eyes, she glanced up to see his softened gaze.

  "What are we going to do with you, Dyani? There's much for you to learn, and as of right now, you need to catch up. I do not know why we thought getting you out of here within a year would be feasible."

  Dyani set the computer to the side and gave him a placating smile. "Because I am not the idiots that take up most of your time. I'm used to holding many classes and materials at once."

  "I understand that, Dyani, but we still have yet to review the important information you'll require to keep our heads. Kavan spoke to me about the incident in the library."

  Dyani winced and looked away. She knew it had been reckless of her to dig as deep without being careful of those around her noticing. It didn't help that she opened her large mouth to question what she suspected was happening within the government and education. Fiddling with her fingers, Dyani jerked a bit when larger hands covered hers. Britt's mouth was set in a frown and he pulled her close so she was within his personal space.

  "I do not know how to help you move through it faster. We just do not have the time."

  Dyani smirked, "And here I was warned not to speak of time."

  Britt's eyes narrowed at that admission. Dyani shrugged her shoulders at the unasked question and laced her fingers with his. She was surprised when he did not pull away or protest the touch. A light blush fanned over her cheeks.

  "What brought you to my office in the first place?"

  "Oh!" Dyani smiled, "We need to pull a heist."

  Britt choked, "Excuse me?"

  "I received an email from the college. They need me to report to the department to declare the subject of my thesis. So we need an escape from here without drawing too much attention."

  Britt groaned and released her hands so that he could sit down in the chair next to the one she previously occupied. Dyani faced him and leaned against his desk. She stretched her legs and smiled when his attention was diverted for a few seconds before he looked up. Smoothing her expression before he noticed, Dyani held out her personal PMA.

  "This is the email so you can know more. They want to meet me at the campus tomorrow afternoon."

  "This is going to be very complicated."

  "Actually, I have an idea but it involves a few people that may spill the beans. You'll have to be the judge of that."

  Britt sat back in the chair and folded his hands on his lap. He nodded his head and smiled at her to continue. Dyani pulled the other chair close and plopped down into it. Britt's eyes darted to the flash of skin that appeared when her legs crossed. Dyani ignored it for the moment but felt the small butterflies in her stomach at the notion of his attention.

  "So here is what I am thinking. We'll need to involve Noemi and Professor Bertani, assuming that the professor is the one that you two bartered over to be my future chaperone."

  "That's correct. I was going to inform you but you distracted me."

  Dyani huffed a laugh, "Of course. Now, here's the plan. Professor Bertani will escort me to the Marketplace. Noemi will contact her parents and one will pick her up at the Marketplace to return home for the evening. However, Noemi and I will switch places. Professor Bertani will escort Noemi, disguised as me, through the Marketplace. I will then be going with whoever is picking Noemi up. They will then guide me to where you will meet up with us. From there, we will go to the college. My family will want to see us."

  "That is very complex. When did you have time to come up with this plan?"

  "I had to do something while you two talked it out."

  Britt shook his head and stretched out with a slight hum of pleasure. It was Dyani's turn to watch his body move before she caught his knowing gaze. Being caught, Dyani looked away in embarrassment. He chuckled and pulled out his own PMA.

  "Go ahead and contact Ms. Blaxall. I will reach out to Bertani. Let's get this ball moving. Ms. Blaxall's parents must contact the school about picking their daughter up tomorrow at the Marketplace. They'll want to set it up before tonight."

  "On it."

  Dyani: Hey, what are you up to?

  Noemi: We're at the Marketplace. Do you want me to bring back some pizza for you?

  Dyani: I love you. Yes, please.

  "Hey, they're at the pizza place. Want some?"

  "Oh, that does sound delicious. Whatever you are having." As his fingers raced across the screen, Britt's eyes never left his PMA.

  Dyani: Can you grab some for Britt too?

  Noemi: :) Why am I not surprised? What else did you need?

  Dyani: I have a question for you. When are you coming back?

  Noemi: Hm. I think we planned on later this evening. Is everything okay?

  Dyani glanced at Britt and bit her lip while thinking it over.

  Dyani: Are you able to talk right now?

  Noemi: I can sneak away for a moment. Give me a moment.

  Dyani set the phone down and grinned, “Mirror, Mirror – wherewithal, can you give Noemi a call?”

  There was a moment of silence before the phone pinged as it tried to connect with Noemi’s PMA.

  “Are you seriously telling me you set that as your dial request?”

  His answer was a grin before Noemi’s voice interrupted.

  “Hello?”

  "Hey, can I ask you something really quick?"

  There was a muffled conversation before Noemi's voice said, "Alright, sure. Sorry, I had to divert Caleb's attention."

  "No problem. I have a huge favor to ask. No questions preferably or I can answer them at a later time."

  "What's going on, Dyani?" Noemi's voice was soft and had a hint of sincere concern.

  "I need your help getting off campus. Specifically, away from the Marketplace."

  "What happened? Is everything okay?"

  "I promise that it is. I will explain to you as much as I can later. Can you do me a favor and ask one of your parents to reach out to Headmistress Sommers and request to pick you up at the Marketplace tomorrow?"

  There was a pause before she answered, "You get it worked out. I'll make some calls. You will be explaining the entire situation when you get back."

  "Of course."

  "Your usual pineapple and shrimp, right?"

  "Oh, you know just the right words. Talk dirty to me."

  There was a high-pitched cackle while Britt's attention zeroed in on her. Dyani gave him a wink and watched his charm switch on. He leaned forward and gave her a slow smirk, causing her to redden. Giving a triumphant smile, Britt sat back with a smug expression. Dyani flipped him off.

  "You always make me laugh. Explain this later when I get back and I will arrange it with my father to pick me up tomorrow morning."

  "That is great. Please let him know that we will be meeting Britt at another location. I'll make sure that the place is figured out before tonight. That way, you can let your father know ahead of time."

  "Good. I'll see you tonight. With that pizza of yours. Tell Master Briggens hello for me."

  "Will do."

  The line went silent as the other girl hung up. Dyani set the PMA aside and gave Britt a thumbs up. The man sighed in relief.

  "She will tell us what her father says but thinks he'll go along with it. At least, that's what I got from it."

  Britt stared at her, "You are not sure, though."

  Dyani shrugged and took out her computer again. Essays didn't write themselves, after all. There was a huff before Britt stood and returned to his normal chair behind the desk. He joined her in working on his computer, though she knew from the occasional sigh that it was grading homework. At the moment, Dyani was happy that it was not her who had to deal with the stupidity.