Peanut Goes to School (Elder Races #6.7)(4)

“So I can see,” said Dad, with one black eyebrow raised.

Mom went to the kitchen for more coffee, which was when Dad turned to look him in the eye. All the humor was gone from his face, and it made Liam sober too.

“You’re going to be stronger than anyone else today, including the teachers,” said Dad in a quiet way that said he meant business. “Hugh and a few other guards will be nearby to keep an eye on things, but they won’t be on school grounds. I want you to promise me you’ll watch your temper, and you’ll do as your teacher says.”

“Yessir,” said Liam. He sat up straight.

Dad gave him a smile. “Good boy.”

But what if he wasn’t? What if he wasn’t a good boy?

The hot, tight feeling returned, and he had to put down his fork. He asked, “May I be excused?”

Dad’s gaze went to the food that Liam had left on his plate, but he didn’t say anything about it. Instead, he said, “Sure. Go brush your teeth and get your backpack.”

Liam’s new backpack was full of everything on his school list, like glue, scissors, and crayons. He dashed off to do as he was told, and all too soon, Mom, Eva and he piled into one of the SUVs and headed for school.

The trip seemed to take forever, but all of a sudden, Eva made a right turn, and he realized they were pulling into the school parking lot.

He stared curiously at the large school playground, which was located behind a tall, chain link fence. Big trees offered lots of shade, and there were two jungle gyms, along with a swing set.

He watched as Mom slipped on a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. She wore the cap and glasses a lot when they went out. She called it her incognito look. Turning to him, she gave him a bright smile. “Are you ready?”

No. “Yes!”

“Okay, let’s go.”

As they climbed out of the vehicle, he realized that other parents and kids were going into the school too. Most were either human or Wyr, but he also noticed one girl who looked Dark Fae. Her black hair had been cut into a bob at her chin, and her pointed ears peeked through the shining cap. Like Liam, she was taller than a lot of the other kids, and her large gray eyes darted everywhere.

Mom offered her hand, and he took it. She switched to telepathy. Don’t forget, you’re registered as Liam Giovanni, not Liam Cuelebre. The principal knows who you are, but nobody else does.

I didn’t forget, he told her. He liked using Mom’s maiden name. It made him feel like he was undercover.

She pulled her sunglasses down her nose to look at him over the top of the rim. You have so much Power, sweetie. . . . Make sure to keep your cloaking tight around your body, okay? Otherwise you might make someone nervous.

Okay, he said.

What about your cell phone? Do you have it with you?

Yeah. He patted the pocket of his shorts where the phone rested.

Who do you get if you rapid-dial number one?

He looked up at her. You.

That’s right. Who is number two?

Dad. He kept staring at the Dark Fae girl when she wasn’t looking in their direction. He liked how she looked. She looked sassy.

And number three?

Hugh.

Her fingers tightened on his. Remember to dial Hugh first, if you need somebody right away, because he’ll be just outside the school grounds.

I won’t forget, he told her.

“You’re going to have a great day, I just know it,” Mom said out loud. Her voice sounded kind of clogged up, like she might be getting a cold. “It’s hard to believe that only last year you really were the size of a peanut.”

He said, out of the corner of his mouth, “Mom, you promised you weren’t going to call me that in public anymore.”

“Right! Sorry, sweetheart.”

As they reached the doors, he turned to her. “I remember how to get to my classroom. It’s okay, you can go home now.”

“Sounds good. I’ll meet you right here after school.” She gave him a smile that looked a bit strange, but he was too busy to question it for long.

“Okay.” Pulling his hand free, he hopped to reach up for her kiss.

Usually he was an optimistic guy, and as he darted inside, last night’s nervousness became a thing of the past, because Mom was right.

He was going to have a pretty great day.

* * *

Pia stared after Liam as he disappeared into the school building.

Over the last couple of months, his hair had darkened to a honeyed gold, and it wouldn’t be long before he stood as tall as her shoulder. Whenever she looked into his eyes, which were the same midnight violet as her own, she caught a glimpse of the Power contained in his tall, young body.

It wasn’t the same as Dragos’s Power. It didn’t boil with quite the same fiery heat. But it was every bit as strong, every bit as vast.

She was so proud of him, and more than a little scared for his future, and she loved him so much, sometimes it squeezed the air right out of her lungs.

And look at how strong and brave he was. He ran into the building without giving her a single backward glance.

Well, that was good. Good for him.

As she turned to walk back to the SUV where Eva waited, tears spilled out of her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

Climbing into the passenger seat, she slammed the door and looked straight ahead. “Don’t try to talk me out of this. I need to cry it out.”