Academy of Magic Collection

by Angelique S Anderson et al.

  Blackfox hesitated for only one second before he gave one determined nod. “Very well. We will assist Jess.”

  Blackfox flung open the roof access and started down the stairs, but Woe stopped him. “I’ll fly you down. It’s faster. Where did you park?”

  He drew back. “On the west, but it’s really not-”

  She hooked her hands beneath his arm pits.

  “That’s not necessary, I—”

  “Nonsense.”

  “You’re going to do this whether I want to or not, aren’t you?”

  “She needs you… so, yeah.”

  Blackfox’s expression turned to granite, and she jumped into the air. A few minutes later, she returned for Rase.

  He held up his hands and danced backwards. “Listen, can you not pick me up by my—”

  She dove toward his legs, grasped his ankles, and took off, tipping him upside down in the process. “We’ll have you down in two seconds, Rase.”

  She set him on the sidewalk next to an old-fashioned black Morgan Plus convertible, the rolling fenders sparkled in the sunlight. Blackfox sat, hunched, behind the steering wheel. The tops of his ears glowed red. He seemed to be fuming.

  Rase jumped to his feet, yanking his clothes straight. “Why? Why do you do that to me? Carry me that way. It’s humiliating.”

  Woe shrugged. “I don’t like getting elbowed in the belly. Kids your size would jostle the bun in the oven, and then I have to hear about it for hours afterward. Have you ever heard an unborn child complain? It’s disconcerting.” She pierced him with her gaze. “Ask me how I know.”

  Rase froze. “I don’t understand anything you just said.”

  She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Never mind.”

  “Fine.”

  “You need my help?” she called to Blackfox a moment later.

  The professor considered Woe in the rearview mirror and then shook his head. “Get in, Rase. Let’s go get your friend.”

  Rase sprinted to the passenger side of the car and got in. “Thought you’d never ask.”

  Blackfox peeled away from the curb without a glance back or another word. The muscle in his jaw worked, ticking away the seconds. They sped through the streets. Rase searched the skies for a soaring gryphon. How could she control the beast like that? How had he not known?

  Before they reached Jess’s address, Rase could smell the smoke and sirens blared. How bad was it? Surely, she hadn’t gone in. What would he find when they arrived?

  Rase didn’t wait long.

  Blackfox turned down the street Jess lived on. Three fire engines were lined up along the street in front of Jess’s mansion. Firefighters crawled over the property, running this way and that. Flames engulfed the entirety of Jess’s home.

  Then a mind-shattering wail split the air, and Rase’s heart stopped. The anguish chilled his soul. He’d been gutted by a sound.

  “Jess,” he shouted but the wind tore his call from his lips. He yanked on the door handle, but it didn’t open. “Hey, Colonel, let me out.” He tugged on the latch again. “Let me out.”

  Blackfox hit the unlock button, and Rase dove out of the car. He raced toward the blaze, searching the flames for any sigh of her. “Jess!”

  She didn’t answer. Miniature trees popped and crackled as they burst into flames, the moisture expanding so fast it exploded. The flowerbeds became firebeds. Still, the inferno crawled over the exterior walls.

  Rase couldn’t see anything but hell on earth. “Jess?”

  She didn’t answer.

  His heart pounded so loud in his ears, he could barely hear anything. His hands shook. He had to calm down. He couldn’t rescue her hopped up on adrenaline and panic.

  Think, Rase. He tapped his temple. Where would she go? He leapt backward when something crashed inside. Her dog. Her pet sat on the front porch, staring into the house. A portion of the second floor fell into the living room, bright-hot flames reflecting off of the glass.

  Rase’s breath caught. Surely, that didn’t mean… It didn’t matter what it meant. He had to go inside and make sure she wasn’t there. He had to make sure Jess remained safe on the outside of the collapsing mansion. He rubbed his hands together and leaned forward. But, before he could rush ahead, a warm hand landed on his shoulder, holding him in place.

  “Don’t be foolish,” Blackfox said. “Risking you isn’t the way to save her. We don’t even know she’s in there yet.”

  She would give anything to save those she loved, and she acted without thinking.

  Rase’s face twisted. “Where else would she be?”

  Blackfox hustled toward the firefighter that wore Captain on his insignia. Rase didn’t chase after him. Instead, he ran from window to window, peering inside, praying she wasn’t inside.

  Don’t be inside. Please. Please. Please.

  By the time he made it all the way around, his face burned. He hadn’t seen any part of her. He scanned the handful of people that milled about. Blackfox sat on the wide front bumper of a fire engine, speaking to a firefighter. Rase made his way toward them, stepping carefully. What did they know about Jess? Would they tell him?

  Twelve more steps, and Rase stood beside the firetruck as it sprayed liquid over the burning mansion in a steady rain of fire retardant and water. He halted at the rear corner of the fire engine. Rase peeked around the corner.

  The elder emergency response team member wore a resigned expression. “Have you seen the young lady that lived here?”

  Blackfox shifted and rubbed his hand on his thighs. “You mean Jess Roberts?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “What do you need her for?”

  The officer grimaced. “Private business.”

  Blackfox tugged the hair on his chin. “But you must have seen something? A gryphon perhaps?”

  The man grunted and rubbed the back of his neck. “You know, I wish I could say that’s the strangest question I’ve ever been asked, but it isn’t.”

  “Well, have you?”

  “Listen. There’s a precinct over in New Haven City that’s always going on about paranormal, supernatural flying things, but I’m happy to say we don’t get that here.”

  Blackfox waited.

  “We didn’t see a flying eagle-lion.”

  On the other side, Blackfox sighed a ragged sigh. “You’re certain?”

  The officer scoffed. “Absolutely. I’d like to think we’d have noticed that.”

  At that moment, Jess appeared at the edge of the clearing, her clothes disheveled. Her t-shirt covered in cut grass, dead leaves, and twigs. She shook her head back and forth. Shock held her eyes wide. She set a path that led directly to Rase.

  Blackfox studied her as she approached. He leaned close to Rase and whispered, “I’ll be waiting in the car.”

  When she reached him, her knees started to buckle. “I couldn’t see them inside,” she said. “I couldn’t see them. I wanted to heal them, but I don’t know where my parents are, Rase. I don’t.” She ended in a wail.

  Rase wrapped his arms around her. Together, they sank to the floor. Jess sobbed on Rase’s shoulder for a time. She took a breath, straightened, and then climbed back to her feet. Perfectly composed, she pinned Rase with her, now, wide-awake gaze.

  “I heard you on the roof at the church.”

  Her chin quivered.

  “What happened? What were they saying on the phone?”

  “That they were fine. Not to worry.”

  “What else?”

  “They knew the house was on fire, and she talked more about me not worrying about them. They were fine. Not to worry.” She choked on a sob.

  “Anything else? Any helpful noises?”

  “It sounded like they were far away. Like they were going into a tunnel.”

  “Where’s the beastie?”

  Jess glanced toward the tall oaks at the back of her property. “Hiding nearby.”

  For several minutes, they remained quiet on the front la
wn of the Roberts’ front lawn. A tunnel could mean anything. Static could mean anything, but her mother must have known what would happen. She must have not wanted Jess to worry.

  “I’m sure they’re fine,” Rase offered, his voice more uncertain than he intended. “Why else would she call you to tell you that?”

  She spun toward him. Soot and tears streaked her cheeks. She clutched at his arm. “But how do you know, Rase? How do you know?”

  He didn’t know. But how could he tell her that? He had to be strong for his best friend. They’d get through. A movement caught his eye. For the first time, Rase noticed that each yard on the street held another family watching Jess’s family lose everything.

  Rase put his arm around her shoulders. They stood side by side, observing the destruction of everything that had belonged to Jess.

  Rase turned toward her. “What will you do now?”

  A shadow crossed her face, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. “I’m not sure. I don’t know who to call or who to talk to. My family…”

  “What?”

  “There are things about us. The world can’t know. My mother spent her life making sure we fit in and our secrets stayed hidden.”

  Rase opened his mouth, but clamped it shut almost immediately.

  A small collection of men in dark blue uniforms strolled toward them. “Miss, we have to take you in for questioning,” one of them called. “It’s routine.”

  “What? What are you saying?” Jess was already close to screeching.

  “It’s nothing to worry about, miss.” He spoke calmly, rationally, but Jess wasn’t ready to be rational. The men formed a circle around her, and they moved away from the fire truck and the rest of the words were lost in the background noise.

  Rase scanned the area for Blackfox. He’d know what to do. He jogged around the fire truck, trying to keep his eyes on Jess. He gasped at the glint of metal on her wrists. Something had gone horribly wrong.

  The leader shook his head. “It’s for your own protection.” He led her to a squad care.

  Handcuffs were to protect Jess? She wasn’t a criminal. What was happening?

  Footsteps sounded behind Rase. He spun toward them but saw nothing. The grass beside him depressed in four places. His nose tickled. A beastie in hiding, perhaps?

  Rase dropped to the ground and rolled beneath the fire truck, mentally kicking himself before he even came to a stop. What a stupid place to choose. I’ll be lucky to avoid getting run over.

  Two others, wearing polished shoes, marched near. They stopped beside the truck Rase hid beneath. One wore loafers and the other wore women’s flats. Rase couldn’t see any part of them but their shoes.

  Rase sniffed and rubbed his nose to keep from sneezing.

  “Did you hear something?” women’s flats said.

  Rase held his breath.

  “No,” loafer said in a deep voice.

  “What have you got on the girl?” she asked.

  “Anonymous tip. Yesterday, she started a fire at school and told her friends she wanted to set her parents’ house on fire. No one came to the meeting at the school this morning.”

  “Credible witnesses to the threats?”

  “Principal’s daughter and the officer working New Haven High.” He paused. “Officer Bob, I think,” he said. “Enough to cast suspicion.”

  “Why didn’t they call it in earlier?”

  “They wanted to cut the girl a break. She’s troubled, held back once already. She’d been recently medicated. Lots of red flags.”

  Rase scowled. Medicated? Troubled? Where were these people getting their information? He hadn’t heard about any of that, and they told each other everything. He knew when Jess got held back, but it had been the year of terrible migraines and seizures.

  “What are they going to do?” she asked.

  “Take her in for questioning. Arrest her if she deserves it. Figure out what secrets their family hid.” He chuckled and the sound chilled Rase. “What else?” the man said.

  “I guess there’s nothing else until there’s more evidence.”

  The agents—loafer boy and ladies’ flats—strolled away.

  What were they planning to do to Jess? Would her talents show up on their tests? Would they figure out she had something weird about her? What about the flame-throwing? That could get her thrown into jail.

  Rase scrambled out from beneath the truck. Jess sat in the back seat of the squad car with her arms cuffed in front of her, but they hadn’t closed the door yet. Rase cupped his hands around his mouth.

  “Jess. Run!” he bellowed.

  She leapt to her feet, her legs pumping before he’d finished yelling. Her head swiveling all around.

  To his right, the gryphon blipped into view, shimmering in myriad of colors that rolled over it. A chorus of exclamations filled the air. The beastie bounded toward the squad car, slowing long enough for Jess to hook her arms around his bird neck. Then he took off.

  Rase ran after the gryphon. Meet us at the school. Meet us at my school.

  He sent the mental image of the manor and the location to the gryphon. The gryphon circled once, disappearing in the glare of the noonday sun. Yet acknowledgement tripped in the back corner of Rase’s mind, and he grinned. The creature would keep her safe until they could figure out what to do.

  The man Blackfox questioned earlier let out a long, low whistle. “As I live and breathe, I never thought I’d see the likes in Bayburgh.”

  Officers scattered as though they expected fire breath any moment, but the reprieve wouldn’t last long.

  Rase’s head swiveled. Where had Blackfox parked? They needed to get out of there.

  Ooo-gah! Ooo-gah! An antique car horn split the noise that blanketed the area.

  Blackfox laid on the horn, waving his arm. “Come on, Rase,” he shouted. “We have to get out of here.”

  Rase dashed toward the car and threw himself through the open window. Blackfox mashed the accelerator, and they raced across suburbia as Rase settled into the passenger seat. He fastened his seat belt, mulling over what he’d heard.

  They thought she started the inferno. If they didn’t find her parents, they’d brand Jess a murderer. She might be convicted even though she couldn’t have done anything. Their alibi could only be corroborated by a pregnant woman with hideaway wings that lived inside a church.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nkotb

  Bayburgh

  Jess squeezed the skinny bird neck of the beast she rode and pressed her face into the feathers, clutching the gryphon’s broad, furred back. His wings pumped up and down while his legs moved as though he galloped through the air.

  Wind rushed over them. Jess shivered in the cold, but the gryphon didn’t slow. Behind them, a thunderstorm built over Bayburgh. Lightning flashed from dark cloud to dark cloud. The horizon boiled with energy that had no place to go. Soon, it would spread to New Haven City.

  At least she was safe with the gryphon. If she hadn’t been simultaneously terrified of the mortals, she would have been enthralled. Flying with a gryphon. It was the sort of thing she’d read in books. Yet Jess’s home had burned down, her parents had gone missing, and she’d nearly been taken into custody.

  The gryphon leaned to the left, and a rolling lawn rose to meet them. “Almost there.”

  Jess straightened in her seat. “Where are we?”

  “A school for creatures like me and students like you.”

  Jess sank her fingers in the soft fur. “How do you know about this place?”

  “Rase mentioned it. He implied that we would both be safe here.”

  They circled the main house. Jess wasn’t quite sure what they were looking for, but, from her vantage point, Jess identified two vast wings, extending in opposite directions. The manor was vaguely shaped like a ‘Y’ with the entrance at the bottom and two wings veering outward. A tower rose behind the point where the two wings met. At the front, a fountain sparkled in the sunlight, placed i
n the center of the graveled drive that led directly to the front door.

  Bright white pebbles crunched as the gryphon landed. “We’ve arrived. Please raise your hands.”

  Jess did as she was told. The gryphon hooked his beak in a link that connected the two sides of the cuffs. When he clamped his beak closed, it broke, freeing Jess’s arms.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to do it sooner.”

  Though Jess had been freed, she didn’t climb down immediately. She scratched behind the gryphon’s ears, careful of the feathers. “Will you come in?”

  The gryphon purred. “I’m not sure it’s allowed.”

  Jess stroked the beast’s haunches. “Well, if you do your invisible trick, we’ll find a place for you to hide until Rase gets here.”

  “You will be fine. You were not frightened by me.”

  “I hadn’t lost my home or my family then. What if something’s after me?”

  “I’m sure the headmaster has contingencies in place to protect his unique students.”

  Jess didn’t budge.

  The gryphon sat down.

  Jess slid off, but she didn’t let go. “Please don’t leave. I’m not ready to be alone.”

  The gryphon harrumphed. “Will you go in without me?”

  Jess whimpered. “Definitely not.”

  “Very well.” The gryphon blipped out of view.

  She marched toward the front door and pushed it open. She peered inside. Seeing no one, she waved toward where she guessed the gryphon stood. “Are you in?” she whispered.

  “I’m already at the top of the stairs,” he answered.

  Jess straightened. “Oh.” She stepped inside and pressed her shoulder to the door, making sure it clicked.

  When she reached the top of the stairs, she glanced one way and then the other. GIRLS marked the hallway to the south and BOYS marked the hallway to the north.

  “This way,” she said, hurrying down the hallway south. Multiple doors lined the corridor. “Which one?”

  The gryphon blipped back into view, his face pressed to the first room. “Someone lives in this one.”

  “I thought birds didn’t have a sense of smell,” she whispered.