Read Online The Magi (The Magi Series) by Kevin M. Turner - Free Book Online

final project. He felt comfortable with him and wished all his teachers could be as friendly—especially his science teacher, Master Corgan.
    Finally, Master Roddick took Elijah to the third floor, which held most of the offices of the teachers. He explained to Elijah that the students could make an appointment with the teachers if they needed to see them.
    “Many teachers will not see you or even let you on the floor without an appointment,” Roddick explained. “However, if you ever want to see me, you can just come up here. No appointment needed, unless I’m with another student.”
    Elijah smiled. “Thanks.” They walked down the hall and into the next to last office.
    “Have a seat,” said Roddick. Elijah guessed, from his office decorations, that Roddick loved water. Pictures of the ocean hung on the walls. Smaller pictures of rivers and lakes were propped on his desk. Roddick even had glass containers filled with water from all different parts of the world. They were labeled “DEAD SEA”, “ATLANTIC OCEAN”, “NILE RIVER”, and it went on and on. Roddick noticed the fascination.
    “I used to travel,” he explained. “Lots of people collect dirt from different places. I collect water.”
    “How do you keep it from growing stuff?” asked Elijah.
    “Great question!” Roddick said, sounding impressed. “Let’s just say I take good care of it. So, what’s your story? Why are you here at Saint Phillip’s?”
    Elijah had just been asked this question the other day in Hawthorne’s office, but this felt different. Less intimidating.
    “My parents were murdered,” Elijah said directly.
    “That’s awful,” said Master Roddick, his face looking genuinely pained to hear that. “I know this sounds like a stupid question, but how are you handling that?”
    “One day at a time really,” Elijah answered. “I lived at my uncle’s house for a little while, and I felt like I was able to have a little time to deal with my family’s deaths there—”
    “—but moving around isn’t helping much, is it?” Roddick interjected. Elijah nodded. Both Roddick and Elijah sat for a few seconds in silence. It was almost as if they didn’t need to talk anymore—they could feel each other’s thoughts. After the short silence, Master Roddick spoke again.
    “Elijah, I don’t want to confuse you or put you through more change if I don’t have to, but I wonder if I could see you regularly. Like a mentor. You seem like someone who has his head on straight, which you’ll find is rare around here, even if it’s not obvious. I want to help you, but I understand if you have enough on your mind.”
    “I guess,” said Elijah. “What would I have to do?”
    “Talk. Open up. Be honest. Does that sound too hard?” Elijah shook his head. “Okay, I’ll set up standing appointments for you to come and see me. How about twice a week? Does that work for you?”
    “I think so,” said Elijah.
    “Good. Why don’t we make our next meeting three days from today? That will be Saturday. Are you willing to come in on your weekend?” Roddick asked, smiling.
    “Sure,” said Elijah. He was actually quite excited to have something planned for the weekend.
    “It’s settled then. Well, I’d better let you get going. I’m sure Hawthorne’s got a huge list of chores for you to do,” said Roddick.
    “Thanks,” said Elijah. “See you tomorrow.”
    Elijah ran down the stairs and arrived on the first floor. It was mainly deserted as classes were done. He raced through the back exit and ran through the gardens, past the fountain, into his hall, and up the stairs. Rounding the corner his stomach gave a lunge as he saw Chancellor Hawthorne and another sinister-looking man waiting for him. Hawthorne grinned at Elijah.
    “Come with us,” he said very calmly. He walked Elijah into the bathroom and pointed to the floor. “Look at the floor.” Elijah was not sure what he was supposed to see. There wasn’t a piece of trash