Charmwood Academy

by S C Thomas

  Skidding to a stop, Emma bent over to grasp as her stomach, closing her eyes from the stitch that had appeared in her side.

  “There you are, you little bitch.” Drake’s voice interrupted her grappling for air.

  She groaned and lifted her head to see Sherice emerge next to him, a smirk on her face. “You can’t run this time, Charmwood.” She chortled and lifted a hand.

  Emma stood straight up, lifting a hand in the stance of a guard, swiping her finger through the air in a quick swirling motion. The spell hit her shield, cracking it as it wasn’t very strong but kept her from being directly hit. A red crack split the air in front of her, the only show for her invisible shield.

  Sherice’s eyes flashed in anger. “Oh, finally learn how to do some spells have we?” She snorted and swiped her hand in the air, sending the spell at Emma again.

  This time her shield shattered at the impact and sent her reeling backwards, hitting the ground hard. What looked like glittering glass rained down on them but wasn’t harmful - it was pieces of the shield sprinkling down. Emma drew in a shaky breath, frozen to her spot as she watched in horror as Sherice walked to her, standing above her. The girl put her hands on her hips, gleeful as she looked down on the helpless Emma.

  “Have fun starting over.” She laughed and swung her arm in a wide arch over her hand.

  Emma’s insides twisted uncomfortably and when she blinked, she fell back to the ground, gasping for breath. Twisting her body, she looked up to see the couple gone and dragged herself up to her feet, glancing wildly around. And let out a groan. She was just outside the maze and when looking over her shoulder, she saw that her back was turned to the castle. That meant she was on the complete opposite side of the maze then where she had started - much further from the middle then in the beginning. She launched herself back into the maze, hearing the clicking of twigs and vines snapping together as the entrance was closed behind her but ignored it as she ran forward, desperate to get back into play.

  Being put this far out meant she was now further behind than anyone else. Shoving obstacles out of her way, she pushed through the openings and twisted and turned when closings were starting to creep in. She could only hear the jeering laughter of Sherice in her mind and the longer she thought about it, the angrier she became. And try as she might, she just couldn’t get it out of her mind. Looking wildly around, she found another turn and took it.

  The area in front of her was a large clearing. She was the only person in it. She hesitated, doubting this was the awakening pool that had been spoken so fondly about. Before she could move, people emerged from the other side, racing at her. She swiped her hand through the air again, but once more her shield was nothing but futile at best. They slammed into her, sending her flying into the maze’s wall and dropped to the ground. Her shield trembled from the impact and disappeared. Pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes on the oncoming threats she blew threw her lips.

  The whistle stopped them in their tracks and pushed them to their knees. Their hands flew over their ears and Emma scrambled to her feet, running quickly as she knew it wouldn’t last long after she had stopped. Falling into the next aisle, she collapsed to her knees, breathing roughly. Her head was spinning, fingers gripping the ground tightly.

  The ground beneath her was breaking. She stared at it in wonder, startled by it. And then the hand shot up, emitting a scream of terror from her lips and grabbed at her arm. She twisted, lifting a foot and clamped down on the fingers. They released her almost instantly and she jolted to her feet, jumping over the crack and took off running again.

  Bursting through into another clearing, she skidded to a stop, gasping for breath. Right smack in the middle lay a shimmering pond and Emma knew she had finally arrived at the pool of awakening.

  Thirty

  She could practically hear everyone as they waited with bated breath as she stepped towards the awakening pool. The water glimmered a bright opal, so unnatural compared to regular pools or ponds. Her eyes search for the paths that were supposed to appear, but only one shimmered, showing itself to her. Her head tilted, confusion drawing inside of her. Did she fail? Her heart thudded against her ribcage and she could actually feel herself beginning to sink into the ground at the mere thought of failing. Her uncle would be so disappointed her. She would never be able to show herself here again. A rustling across the clearing drew her eyes upwards and she caught Josh’s gaze, her breath catching in her throat.

  Two mages together. No wonder there was only one path – there had to be a shifter to get two. Right? She lifted a hand absentmindedly and waved to him, eyebrows furrowed. He stood his ground, staring at her in shock. He shook his head slightly but didn’t move. Could he not move? She tilted her head, looking at him in confusion, wondering what could possibly be wrong. A loud screeching as if a cat had suddenly been mulled erupted in the air. The famous signal that Kelyn had been taught to give, for the moment of confusion with her and Josh had been enough time to gather herself together and give it. Emma’s head whipped around as sudden shrieks shot through the air, and red and gold colors flew through the sky, ricocheting off one another with they hit each other. She whipped around, her eyes landing on Josh who still stood there, shock on his face as he looked up at the sky now.

  “Josh!” she screeched and darted forward, her eyes solely on him, no longer abiding by the plan at hand. Not when he was in danger of being hurt. Why hadn’t she walked away when she’d had the chance? Now he was going to be harmed and it was going to be all her fault.

  She jumped forward, splashing into the pool, but the instant she touched the water, instead of getting wet, pain shot up her body. She shrieked in agony; her name being called barely registered in her mind as she fell forward. She writhed around in the pool, grappling for air, clawing at her neck. She twisted and turned as she was pulled down into the pool. A fire burst through her, her back arched and she screamed again, gulping in the water, but instead of rendering her breathless, it seemed to help whatever was going on. Her body began to stretch, her fingers curling together, lengthening out, and curved over. She twisted, her body jerking, and her head slammed back. Her legs parted and something exploded from beneath her and what felt like scales rippled over her flesh, replacing her skin. Her head reeled back and between her shoulder blades burst the most intense pain of it all. She shrieked, but it quickly turned into a roar as the pain stretched out and a flapping rose her body upwards. Inwardly, she groaned, her head drooping as she rose from the water. Blinking, she raised her head, eyes searching for Josh. He was lying on the ground, staring up at her in terror, mouth agape in surprise. She kept rising higher above him, his eyes never releasing her though.

  Finally, she came to a stop and just seemed to float there, a soft batting in her ears turned her head and she saw the wing protruding out. She gave a squeak and a puff of smoke emitted from her mouth. No, her snout. Freaked out by what she was realizing, Emma twisted and so did the body of the phoenix.

  Her wings came to a stop and she fell to the ground with a thud that shook the ground. Josh scrambled backwards, getting out of the way as her tail flew forward and smashed onto the ground. She looked at him helplessly, fear encased in her eyes, trying to tell him that she had no idea what had just happened. Understanding flashed in his gaze and he nodded slowly, telling her he knew. She looked around, seeing the looks of shock from the people who had been watching. A stray spell hit her in the side but bounced off her scales. She let out a roar, tilting her head back and a stream of flames ignited from her mouth. She twisted around, throwing a wing out to protect Josh, pure instinct jumping into play to keep him protected. She growled between her teeth, huffing through her nostrils and a stream of smoke flew from them.

  Her eyes, which now saw the world in white and black, spotted Kelyn who suddenly flew backwards, attacked by a spell. She landed in a heap on the ground and went motionless. Emma turned her head, looking at Josh over her shoulder and huffed at him, jerking her head. He nod
ded in understanding again and pulled himself to his feet, running back into the maze to hide. She twisted back into place and beat her wings, three times, and rose into the air. That old familiar tingling of magic surged through her, but it was greater this time in her phoenix form. It was shooting through her in lightening zaps, zapping her with power she had never felt before. She reared her head back again and let out a roar that shook the ground, knocking people to their hands and knees. She spotted a few of the shifters, desperately trying to conquer their attackers with their death duel incantations, but they were coming up short, unable to accomplish the task. The harder they tried, the more that fell. They were hopelessly losing and dropping like flies – one by one as they were each swatted. A figure in the corner of her eyes headed for Kelyn drew her attention away from the group and she reared her tail up, swiping it out and caught the figure. A screech emitted and the attacker flew over the hedges, disappearing from sight.

  “Emma!” A familiar voice shouted up to her and she turned to see her uncle, standing poised – ready to attack her.

  She gave him a daring look. He wouldn’t really use magic against his own niece, would he?

  “Emma, you made me do this.” He shouted, raising his hands and shot spells at her.

  She roared in pain as they hit the under belly of her phoenix form, falling back through the sky, tumbling in a somersault. Shaking her head, she straightened out, twisting to fly upwards, to get away from him. Another shot hit her and shoved her forward. Her wings trembled, fighting to keep her in the air. Then a ripping sound like paper being torn scratched in her ears and the pain from it made her shriek, her head tossing back and the loudest roar she’d had shook the air and ground. Her large body fell down, spiraling towards the ground. She could see the rip in her wing, and when she tried to open it again, she found it entirely useless. It was like a broken arm, unable to be moved out. She crashed to the ground and heard the cracking of the earth as it exploded beneath her. Dust covered her and she let out a groan, huffing a little with a small puff of fire emitting from her snout. She blinked rapidly, seeing her uncle appear above her, looking perplexed – upset.

  “I’m sorry I had to do that.” He said softly, but her ears picked up the small sound.

  She blinked up at him, her talons curling into her leathery fists. He jumped down into the crater she had made next to her and bent over her, putting a hand on her chest. “I am really sorry for this.” He apologized and closed his eyes.

  A white light shot from his fingers and sent a shock of warmth through her body. She looked at him in slight confusion, unsure what he had to be sorry about. The warmth was slowly swirling through her, easing her body and she relaxed. But she should’ve realized it was too good to be true. As the warmth hit the tips of her talons and the tips of her clawed feet, it shot through her in a burst of pain. She roared, her head jerking backwards. She twisted, crying out. It was no longer a roar now; it was a human cry of pain. Her body began to mold backwards, the wings shivered and slowly began to fold in on themselves. She screamed, red dots flashing in front of her eyes from the pain. Her eyes met her uncle’s, who was looking at her in horror and apology, his lips moving but she couldn’t hear his words over the pain roaring in her eyes. Another shock of pain ran through her and she screamed again, her back arching, her eyes catching the tears streaming down her uncle’s face. He pushed her down, putting his other hand on her now, intensifying the pain.

  EmmaEmmaEmma.

  Her world was spinning, her name being warped once more. Above her, she saw her mother, smiling down at her, waving happily. She watched as her mother turned around and began to walk away. She tried to call out for her, but her voice wouldn’t make out the words. The air rippled above her and she was gone.

  EmmaEmmaEmma.

  Josh floated above her, his lips parted in a smile that said he was laughing at something. Maybe something she had said, she couldn’t tell. The sky above her danced merrily, threatening to open up but it didn’t. Her body grew numb, blocking her from the pain that was shooting up and down it. She could feel the pull of her skin, she heard the snap of her bones, but all she could focus on was the spinning world above her.

  EmmaEmmaEmma.

  Her head dropped and before her world turned black, her mother’s eyes looked at her in fear and sorrow, an apology written in them. Her body went limp as the curtain closed.

  Thirty-One

  Her head turned, the luminescent lights bursting through the darkness. She lifted a hand, a groan escaping her lips as she tried to block the light. Her eyes fluttered open, batting away the white dots that flashed in front of her. Her eyes looked up into the white light and her head turned, looking around her. The room was by itself, nothing like the infirmary where multiple beds lined the walls. She was alone, not a single person around to stare at her with prying eyes. She blinked several times again and tried to push herself to a sitting position, but an electric shock of pain shoved her back to the bed with a plop. She gasped, gripping at her stomach and tried again, her eyes falling on the door. She had to get out of here. But when she tried sitting again, that shock of pain zapped through her once more and pushed her onto the bed. Gasping for breath, Emma let out a whimper, and closed her eyes as she laid her head back on the pillow.

  A creaking made her peek through them, seeing the figure of her uncle entering. As she opened her eyes fully, he was staring down at her, waiting for her to look up at him. He held a cup of coffee in one hand and a small box in the other. He looked exhausted, dark circles pulled his eyes down and his hair was a floppy mess as if he had spent the awake instead of asleep.

  “I’m glad to see you’re awake.” He said gently, giving her a small smile.

  She stared up at him, unable to say anything and he sighed, taking a seat on the chair next to her bed, wincing as he sat back in it. The blanket on the ground in a heap told her that her suspicions had been right, he had stayed up all night. And waited for her to wake up.

  “I am sorry.” He apologized after taking a sip of his coffee. “The first change is always the hardest, you needed help coming back to us. To me.”

  She stared at him again and then turned her head, letting out a gasp of shock as the tail whipped out from beneath her blanket. She gave a gurgled of panic, sitting upright and screamed in pain as it shocked her, pushing her back to the bed.

  Marcus grimaced at his nieces’ discomfort. “Once you are fully human, it won’t hurt anymore. The second time you change, it gets better. The first change is always the hardest, the most painful.” He explained.

  Emma turned her eyes back to him, staring at him in utter shock. “I’m-I’m a phoenix.” She breathed out, finally saying something, her tongue feeling thick as she spoke. “How-how is that possible?”

  He shifted, pressing his lips together and breathed out slowly. “I told you before that hybrids aren’t supposed to exist. I wasn’t lying, Emma. They really aren’t supposed to exist. You’re a special kind of hybrid. It was one of the reasons your mother took off with you. Because you were one of a kind and brought interest to the world.”

  She blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

  He shifted in his seat folding his hands in his lap. “You weren’t meant to survive as a hybrid, Emma, but yet, here you are. Alive and well, more than healthy. The works I suppose. Once people got wind of-of-of what you are, interest grew. You were the talk of the community. People wanted to do tests on you, medical tests. They wanted to watch you, lock you up and just do tests on you. Your mother didn’t want that kind of a life for you. She didn’t want you being watched all the time. You’re a legend basically, people know your story. Its why she took you, one of the reasons anyways.”

  Thing snapped into place. It made sense now. Of course, her mother would want to hide her from this world, if it meant keeping her safe – not just to keep her away from where they both belonged. It was a way to keep her out of harm’s way.

  “So, people want me to do
experiments on me?”

  He nodded slowly. “Basically, yes. Your birth was a big deal for both shifters and mages. It could change the course of things. But whether it’s for good or not, no one really knows.”

  “You forced me to change back.” She said slowly, remembering the white light from his hands when he touched her.

  “I had to. You wouldn’t have changed back for a while and you were trying to escape. I didn’t want you to be alone, Emma.” He said softly, looking down at the cup in his hands. “I know we aren’t the best of friends, even as uncle and niece, but you do mean a lot to me. You’re my family, sweetie. I didn’t want to go through that alone.”

  Emma swallowed, breathing out through her nostrils. “Why didn’t you tell me, before? So that wasn’t such a surprise?”

  He looked up at her in despair and breathed out slowly. “Because I wasn’t entirely sure. I guess I had hoped that since your magic was basically squashed, that maybe the shifter part was to. And if we just focused on the magic, then maybe the shifter wouldn’t come through. I realized I was wrong when you showed up with Mr. Hinley at the awakening pool. I just didn’t take in consideration you’d change there.”

  She blinked, her fingers curling into the sheet beneath her. “Josh, is he okay?” She breathed, twisting her head around as if that would somehow allow her to see him when he wasn’t even in the room.