I laugh, but then my words catch up to my ears, and my cheeks burn. “Anyway,” I blurt, “love the idea, can’t wait, let’s go! I could totally use some.”
“Wait—lunch? Or getting wet?”
“Air, Kirin. Air!”
Kirin shakes his head, but he’s totally smiling. “All right, Queen of Leaves. I know just the place.”
Thirty
STEVIE
Kirin and I ditch the library and head outside, straight for one of the bike racks. The instant my feet hit the pedals, all of the stress just melts away.
“You good to go hard?” he asks.
I stifle a laugh, imagining what Baz would do with an opening like that, then nod. “Please. My muscles are absolutelyscreamingfor a workout.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He flashes another mischievous smile, and then he’s off, disappearing down the path toward Breath and Blade.
Following his lead, I push hard and fast, gobbling up the distance across the trails, campus passing by in a blur. It feels so good to get outside and do something physical, it’s not long before I’m pedaling like my life depends on it, panting like a dog, laughing the entire way.
The thigh burn has never felt so good.
Kirin doesn’t slow down until we reach the sandstone Towers of Breath and Blade, and that’s only because the trails through the spires are narrow and twisty, too difficult to maneuver in speed-racer mode. He leads me out so far that the climate-controlled warmth of campus fades away, leaving cool, misty air in its place.
When he reaches what I assume is our destination, he rides around to face me, and we both plant our feet, keeping hold of the bikes. Mist immediately surrounds us, a thin gossamer curtain that cools my skin. It reminds me of the mist in my nightmares, only—you know—not creepy.
“What are we doing?” I ask, giddy with anticipation and a runner’s high I haven’t felt in ages.
“Air Magick 101,” he says. “Don’t worry—we’ll start you off with something easy. But first, a quick lesson in Tarot fundamentals.”
“Did Professor Maddox put you up to this?”
“No, but if you do well today, I’ll see if I can talk her into some extra credit.” Kirin grins. The fresh air seems to have loosened him up, too. “First, air magick is a combination of physics and mental acuity, much like the corresponding suit of swords. But like the swords, it can also be evasive, and can make you work for it.”
“How so?”
“Swords energy is one of clarity and illumination, but often that illumination lies hidden just beneath the surface. We need to look beyond the obvious. Explore. Be willing to challenge ourselves. Walk into the mist and make new pathways.” He leans forward and blows, swirling the mist before his face, making a momentary space.
“Okay, I’m with you so far.”
“Good. Now hop back on the bike and follow me—I want to show you something.”
I put my foot on the pedal, ready to push off.
“And Stevie?” Kirin grins mischievously. “Hold on tight, okay?”
Before I can ask him why, he takes off down the path, swallowed up by the mist.
Not wanting to be left behind, I hop on my bike and zoom after him, the thick air condensing on my face. I’ve got just enough visibility to see the path a few feet ahead, but nothing more. Kirin has vanished.
“Kirin!” I call.
“Hold on,” comes the distant reply. Then, out of nowhere, the pedals on my bike spin faster and faster, all resistance gone.
Suddenly I’m floating a foot above the pathway. Two feet. Five feet.
“Kirin!” I shout, gripping the handlebars tight. “Something’s happening!Kirin!”
