It’s #BookQW and Cor ‘might’ be nervous himself.
I’ve chosen this particular ‘might’ quote because it illustrates a positive point noted in this week’s review of Guardian of the Pines on Raise Them Righteous:
“In particular, Cor’s race and sexuality are admirably front-and-center. Rather than making these incidental facets of his character, they are integral to how he perceives the world (and how others perceive him). Teens struggling to talk to others about their sexuality will find much that is relatable about Cor’s journey, and may even be motivated by the strong case Wanrow makes for honesty and openness as prerequisites to reaching one’s full potential.”
More from Chapter 4:
A group was approaching the lecture hall doors. “Let me think about it,” he told her and darted to his post.
A few minutes later, the witch willing to trade joined him. “Would you like to get lunch later?” she asked.
How, when neither of them was free until four—oh. Was she trying to make a personal connection? He hadn’t been paying enough attention. “Rather late for lunch, four, don’t you think?”
She grinned. “Tea, then. I know a lovely place around the corner. Potter’s? If you’re from out of town, you need to check it out.”
He cocked his head. “This isn’t a bribe to get me to trade?”
She waved her hands. “Hey, no. You asked me, remember? I just thought maybe we could talk, tree research and stuff, you know?”
Pine pitch, as his dad would say. Flattering that an academy student was hitting on him—and one older than he. But he didn’t look his age, sixteenth year, and he wasn’t keen on girls. Moving places often with his family, he’d been able to dodge overtures at more than friendship. This witch was the most outspoken who’d ever approached him.
He ushered in another lecture attendee and side-glanced to her again. He did need a trade in order to attend the oak session. And it had been years since he’d been to Potter’s. Their scones were good. “I, uh, could…”
“Brilliant.”
What was her name again? He looked at her name tag. Penelope pointed to the front doors to indicate where to meet later and returned to her table. An older wizard in a neat suit approached, looking uncertain.
The man was also black, and empathy welled up in Cor. It might be that the wizard was merely lost, but whenever Cor found himself in a place with few or no other black folks, an edge of worry nagged at him. He’d seen fewer than a dozen black wizard attendees the entire morning, and the same number of folks of mixed heritage among the three-hundred-some attendees.
“Keynote speech,” he said to the short man with copper-brown skin who’d tied one long dreadlock around the rest to hold them back. “Starting in eight minutes.”
The wizard gave a nod. “Yes, yes. Excited to hear Lady Pina’s talk. How about you? Will they let the student volunteers listen in?”
“Yes, sir, Mr.—” He glanced at the name tag…well, well. “Sir Garrick. I’m looking forward to your talk as well. Securing the Sherwood enclave amid the humans’ popular Sherwood Forest must be a tricky bit of magic with your old oaks.”
Sir Garrick laughed. “Nice of you to say so. I’ve had the benefit of working with other folks passing along that magical history. Love to get more young wizards on board if you’ve an inclination—”
“I do, sir.” Blast, he’d cut the man off.
Sir Garrick produced a business card. “Contact me.”
Cor smiled, a real one this time. “Thanks.” This invitation hadn’t violated his parents’ rules against using their family name for personal gain. So far today, he’d remained anonymous; he’d recognized a few attendees from his parents’ work, but none noticed him without them.
* * *
Read Guardian of the Pines‘ awesome new review on Raise Them Righteous!
Want to know more about Guardian of the Pines? Meet Cor here.
Buy this second book in The Windborne series in ebook or paperback:
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