Chapter Two.

Jaynell looked at the three people there to judge him and almost called the whole thing off. If he hadn't promised his father he'd attend this particular school, he would've walked out, but he couldn't break a promise to the man who gave him life.

"It's an easy enough request, young man," the white-haired witch, Meela, said with a sneer. "We want to see if you can mix a persuasion potion. If not, we will put you in beginning potions."

Jaynell had created his first persuasion potion when he was seven, but he saw no reason to tell these people that fact. Without a word, he walked up to the table and assembled the correct ingredients. When the potion turned the proper purple, he lifted the beaker with his gloved hand and walked over to the council.

"Drink it," said the redheaded wizard, Syler, who sat in the middle beside a blond haired wizard who'd introduced himself as Pella. Syler had cold grey eyes that reminded Jay of a snake he'd seen in the wild right before it ate a mouse.

"No."

The three wizards looked at him in surprise.

Pella, the previously silent wizard of the trio, spoke 33 *

up. "Why not?"

"There is no force in heaven or earth that will have me take a persuasion potion before three powerful magic users I just met." Jaynell's self-preservation was stronger than that.

"It is part of the test."

"Then it is a test to see if I'm an idiot," Jaynell said, standing his ground.

The witch burst out laughing. "You are completely right. It is a test to see your backbone. If you had taken the potion, you would've failed."

"We do have to see if it was correct. For that, one of your roommates has volunteered," Syler said, waving his hand at the side door.

Jaynell was surprised to see one of the triplets walk into the room.

"Hello, Dean."

Dean smiled. "It's so cool that you can tell me from my brothers. It makes me feel like a single."

Jaynell laughed. "You are a single in your own way."

"Are you ready to be persuaded?" Syler asked.

There was now some humor in the man's eyes that was missing before.

"Sure." Dean shrugged. He took the drink from 34 *

Jaynell. "You're not going make me dance like a chicken or anything, are you?"

"No. I'll save that for later."

Dean smiled. "Thanks."

The brunet tossed back the potion like he was doing shots and the bartender just gave last call.

Jay watched Dean's eyes dilate and knew the potion had taken hold.

The committee members watched with interest.

"Strong potion," the witch said, watching Dean.

"Dean, I'd like you to hop on one foot," Syler said.

Dean stood there, waiting.

"Why isn't he moving?" Pella asked.

Were these people kidding?

Jay stared at the trio and realized they weren't kidding. "I mixed the potion so that I am the only person who can persuade the drinker. Another reason I didn't take the potion, as I can't command myself. If I didn't put in that specific compulsion then anyone could persuade the one who drank it to do anything and that would be irresponsible."

Why did everyone stare at him?

"How did you learn to do that?" Syler asked, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"My father taught me. You put a little of your will 35 *

into the potion while it's brewing. It helps with the persuasion."

"That's amazing."

"Incredible."

"Why didn't I think of that?"

Jaynell shook his head. Why was he even here? Did these people even have anything to teach him?

"Hop on one foot," Jay told Dean.

Dean hopped on one foot.

"Stop," Jay said, once he'd established his will.

Dean stopped.

"You could get anyone to do that," Meela said. "A student would do that for a joke."

Jay had an idea. "Can I get all of you to agree that Dean is a ladies man?"

The three professors laughed.

"Yes."

"Definitely."

"Without a doubt."

He stepped closer to his roommate until they were almost touching.

"Dean, kiss me."

Placing his hands on Jay's shoulders, Dean leaned down and pressed his lips to Jay's.

It was a nice, if platonic, kiss.

36.

A low growl behind him had Jay freezing in place.

Turning his head slowly, Jay saw the biggest, angriest wolf he'd ever seen. Fangs bared, the beast looked at Dean like he was the weakest gazelle of the herd and the lunch bell just rang. The beast's eyes gleamed evilly as it watched Dean. Jaynell could see the cold calculation in the animal's eyes.

"Thomas, no!" Jay shouted.

The wolf gave a hair-raising growl as he circled the pair.

"Dean, walk slowly towards the professors." Jay knew the teachers could protect his roommate, but if Dean ran, Thomas would instinctively see him as prey and attack.

He didn't want to be the one responsible for making the triplets into twins.

Placing himself between the wolf and the wizards put Jay in a sensitive position, but he was almost certain that, if he was the werewolf's true mate, the animal wouldn't attack.

"It was just a demonstration, Thomas." Jay said, walking towards the wolf. "It wasn't a real kiss." He went step by slow step closer to the animal as he talked, hoping to distract him from Dean. The wolf's eyes looked past Jaynell, towards Dean, but the growling stopped.

"He's just my roommate," Jay said as he reached the 37 *

beast. Leaning down, he petted the wiry fur. For the first time, the animal took his eyes off of Dean and gave his full attention to Jaynell.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

I wanted to see you. See how your test was going.

The words floated into Jay's mind. He recognized the words as not his own even if the sound was different then the spoken voice of his lover. It was more that he could feel the essence of Thomas rather than hear the sound of his voice.

"My test was going well before a big wolf intervened."

Thomas lay on his stomach and let his tongue hang out, the perfect picture of wolfy friendliness.

"It's a little late for that," Jay said, dryly.

Thomas gave a soft bark.

"Jaynell, who is this wolf?" Meela asked.

Jay turned to see all three of the professors stood there with their wands out. Dean stood behind them, his eyes wide.

"This is Thomas Sparks, brother to the local pack alpha. He claims I'm his mate."

The wolf growled at this, but Jay ignored him. He was screwed anyway. He couldn't even say he was sorry.

His test was ruined since he almost got a fellow student 38 *

killed.

"Your mate?" Syler asked. His eyes gleamed with interest. "I've never heard of a werewolf and wizard mating."

Jay shrugged. "I don't know much about werewolf mates except that they mate for life."

"I think you will make an excellent addition to our team," Pella said.

"Your team?" Jay was almost disappointed he didn't get kicked out. At least then he could tell his father's spirit that he tried.

"Yes," Pella said. "We recently promoted an assistant professor to a full professor so we have an opening. It is obvious we have nothing to teach you in potions so it would be best to have you teaching your fellow classmates while you learn more advanced spell casting. Fortunately, one of your former teachers was in town so we have a good idea of your other capabilities.

We'll put you in your senior year with special advanced training. After this year, we believe you will be fit to test for your mage levels."

Jay didn't know what to say. He'd never heard of anyone testing for mage levels just out of college.

Generally, it took a minimum of five years post schooling for anyone to even attempt the mage tests.

39.