Page 49 of From Beneath the Moon

“I’ll be fine,” I whisper.

She squeezes my shoulder and leaves.

The room empties. Silence settles, broken only by the faint hum of sun orbs oscillating near the ceiling.

Professor Gregorio sighs and rubs his temples. “Apologies for the spectacle. There are moments when transparency is… necessary.”

“It’s fine,” I say, though my voice wobbles. “I’m starting to get used to it.”

He studies me, eyes kind. “You shouldn’t have to be.”

He gestures to the dais. “Come.”

I step onto the etched circle.

“I’ve aligned your schedule,” he says, “so you’ll continue with Elementation here with the Sun’chers. But you’ll also receive private tutelage.”

My heart stutters. “From you?”

A smile tugs his beard. “Not exactly...”

The lights dim. White fog pools along the conjoined doorway, stretching, coalescing. A figure steps through, tall, movements precise. Dark hair, icy blue eyes that catch mine and hold.

Castor.

He wears academic robes instead of the Watcher uniform, but his presence is the same. Stoic, calm, and infallibly loyal.

“You’ll be studying with Professor Washington,” Professor Gregorio finishes.

Castor’s gaze softens, just for a heartbeat. “Hello, Akemi.”

16

A Ballad and a Beer

The moment Professor Gregorio leaves the room, I crash into Castor’s arms. He wraps his arms around me, crushing me into a warm embrace. I laugh against the hard pectoral that my cheek is currently smooshed against.

“Castor! It’s so good to see you!”

“Likewise,” he says back with a level of warmth that speaks of a familiarity of many nights spent clustered for warmth in the woods traveling or months of training together—and against each other. A familiarity that certainly shouldn’t belong between teacher and student.

As if his train of thoughts arrived at the same conclusion, we both spring apart.

“It’s probably best if we don’t—”

“We better not—”

I clap my hand to my mouth, failing to surprise a giggle. “It’s just that you are in… professor robes?”

Castor smirks, which is a break from his usual stoic expression. “It’s weird. I know.”

“No really, I’m just waiting for Leaf to see you. Does he know?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll be eagerly watching. How are you two going to keep it professional?”

“Not sure.”