Page 22 of Facade

The board of education could push to have her teaching certificate removed. Jace was determined to prevent that if at all possible. If he had to beg, kiss asses, and implore students and other members of faculty to support her, so be it.

As an accomplice who willingly kept her secrets, he could also end up in the hot seat. Clarke felt guilty about that for no reason. Jace had made this choice, and had no regrets, regardless of the consequences to himself. They were in this together, no matter what.

Jace told himself to shelve those worries for now. Whatever the future held would happen whether they stressed over it or not.

Clarke met him at a stone table behind the caster dorm. She wore a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and khaki slacks. Concealing, but not too warm for the current temperatures.

Dappled sunlight came through the branches of overhead trees. The days continued to be hot, but nights were getting cooler, a clear sign of autumn approaching.

It was still strange to him that she seemed like a man when she wasn’t. The important thing was that Clarke’s disguise was working. No one else had a clue.

“Have Mitch and Ray been pulling petty stunts when I’m not around?” Jace asked without preamble when Clarke sat down on the stone bench across from him.

A couple of the powered students in his classes had made comments that gave Jace the impression that the other monitors were getting more aggressive than Clarke had admitted to him.

Jace watched her face, gauging Clarke’s expression as he set a container of food, napkins, and plastic utensils in front of her.

Clarke shrugged. “They are open about their dislike, and don’t seem to care who hears them,” she said. “I’m trying not to react, because my students are getting angry on my behalf. I don’t want this to turn into a feud of powered against elementals and casters. The students are blameless, and should stay out of it.”

“I doubt there’s much risk of that,” Jace said. “Caster and elemental students in my classes have made it clear that they are no more fond of their monitors than the rest of us are. They knew the difference between a good monitor, and a bad one. Unless I’m grossly mistaken, they won’t back Mitch and Ray in a war against you. The students, especially the older ones, would be more apt to hang them out to dry if they are pushed to take sides.”

“Good to know, but hopefully, it won’t come to that,” Clarke said. “What I don’t understand is how those two got away with slacking off and petty behavior before this point. Dean Stanhope obviously runs a tight ship, and makes his expectations clear. Haven’t they been doing this for a while? Ray and Mitch should know how to do their jobs. Were they better when they were first hired?”

“This is Ray’s third year at Mars, and Mitch’s second,” Jace said. “The way I see it, it comes down to several things. Jack, the previous powered monitor, was good. But he focused more on organization than speed. As far as Jack was concerned, he didn’t care how quickly his students got to the designated meeting spot, provided all of them were accounted for, and safely out of the dorm fast.”

“There was less sense of competition since the casters and elementals beat my students, even if they were on the slow side,” Clarke guessed. “That makes sense.”

“Exactly. Ray and Mitch weren’t reprimanded. With nothing to get defensive over, neither of them got antagonistic until now.

“The casters performed well in Ray’s first year, giving the dean nothing to complain about. But I don’t think Ray’s influence had any bearing on that. Heath was the caster monitor for years before he was promoted, and he was damn good,” Jace commented. “He mentored me, and gave me advice on choosing prefects. Having efficient, responsible prefects is more than half the battle. Jack was good at that, too.”

“I can’t argue with that. My prefects are awesome, and make my job easier. You think the prefects that Professor Halston picked and trained did all the work, making Ray look good initially,” Clarke said.

“I do, and the elementals also had a decent monitor before Mitch was hired,” Jace said. “The prefects who did most of the work have graduated. Ray takes shortcuts, and probably pulled names out of a hat. Those factors, together with you valuing speed as well as orderliness, are highlighting Ray and Mitch’s flaws.”

“And they resent me for it,” Clarke said. “That’s stupid, but whatever.”

“If they don’t shape up, Dean Stanhope will kick them to the curb without hesitation,” Jace said. “He won’t risk the safety of the students, or the reputation of the college.”

“And he shouldn’t,” Clarke said. “Maybe Ray and Mitch will grow up and start acting like adults, but I’m not holding my breath.”

“Same. What else is going on? Have you had a decent week?” Jace asked.

“Yeah, classes are going well. I haven’t been able to get a vision, though,” Clarke said. “That could be partly due to my lack of focus. Clearing my mind hasn’t been easy. I’m going to try again tonight, and possibly tomorrow when I have some free time, and the dorm is quieter.”

“Don’t start doubting yourself. You had the vision that brought you here, and you’ll get another one,” Jace said honestly. He had complete faith in her.

“You’re right that I have to learn to trust myself and my power,” Clarke said. “Knowing that you believe in me helps me believe in myself. Thank you for that.”

“I’ll always believe in you, Clarke. And I’m not going anywhere,” Jace promised.

“Don’t you dare make me all emotional where anyone walking past can see me getting misty,” Clarke said sternly, making him smile.

“Ok, I’ll try to save that for private time,” he said.

“Please do.”

Jace had to restrain himself from reaching out to hold her hand. He yearned to breathe in her scent, and feel Clarke’s body against his. Running together and sharing an occasional meal was much better than nothing. But being unable to touch her was painful, and a constant test of his willpower.