Spellbinding Starters

by Annabel Chase

  I held out my arms to study the dark blue material. “Really? That’s…magical. How do you not sweat to death in tweed?”

  “Same reason,” he said. “These materials are designed by fairies.”

  Oh.

  “Out here is Mercer Lake,” he said. “This time of year, you’ll find kayaks, boats, and canoes on the water.”

  “I love living next to a body of water,” I said. “It’s as good as oxygen.”

  “You’re a water witch?” he inquired.

  “Sort of,” I said.

  “I’ll show you the library now,” he said. “But we don’t have time for a detailed tour, I’m afraid. Not if we want to honor your schedule.”

  Two stone gargoyles flanked the expansive library steps.

  “Ignore Fred and George,” Robin said softly, urging me onward.

  “Who are Fred and George?” I asked.

  “Looking dapper in the bow tie, as always, Prefect,” a voice said.

  I stopped walking and looked over my shoulder.

  “Is this the nerd’s new girlfriend?” another voice asked. “I thought he was in a serious relationship with his grimoire.”

  “Not possible,” the first voice said. “This one’s way out of his league.”

  “So is his grimoire,” the other one said. They both laughed.

  “Keep walking,” Robin said through gritted teeth.

  “Wait, are the gargoyles talking?” Egads, the stone statues were staring straight at us.

  “Not for long if you ignore them,” Robin said, his focus on the library in front of us.

  I found myself rooted to the stone step. How could I bypass talking gargoyles?

  “Hi,” I said. “My name’s Bryn. I’m new here.”

  “Do you know your name means ‘hill’?” one of the gargoyles asked.

  “I do know,” I replied. “My mother always said I was the hill she was willing to die on.”

  “She’s friendly and a bit tragic, isn’t she, George?” Fred asked.

  “Obviously, a bit daft to be talking to stone statues,” George replied. “And to be voluntarily with Nerdy McTweed over here. Is this a hostage situation, Bryn? You can tell us. We’ll alert the proper authorities.”

  “It’s not a hostage situation,” I said.

  “She smells evil,” Fred said.

  “You can’t smell anything,” George objected. “You’re made of stone.”

  “Doesn’t keep me from talking,” Fred said.

  “Nothing can keep you from talking, unfortunately,” Robin grumbled. “Come along, Bryn. We need to finish the tour and get you to class on time.”

  “See you guys later,” I called. I hurried to catch up to Robin as he passed through a transparent barrier and into the library.

  “No door?” I queried.

  “It’s a weather-proof ward,” Robin said. “The library is open all hours, though, so the ward isn’t for security purposes.”

  “No one worries about stolen books?” I asked.

  “It’s the lower level that’s more of a concern,” he replied. “That area is restricted. And there are the valuables in the museum, of course.”

  “There’s a museum?” Now that he mentioned it, I remembered the chancellor pointing it out.

  “Naturally,” Robin said dismissively. “All the best academies have one. The Academy of Magic in France has deux.” He winked at me. “That means two in French.”

  “Gee, thanks for the lesson.” Hold on to your unicorns, ladies, we had a live one.

  A fair-haired woman typed on a keyboard behind the counter. She smiled when she noticed us. “Good morning, Prefect Chambers.”

  “Good morning, Ms. Engelhardt. May I present our newest addition, Bryn Morrow?” He turned to me. “Celeste Engelhardt is the head librarian at the academy. A very good member of staff to know.”

  “I’ve been here quite a long time, so I know where all the books are buried,” she joked.

  “Did you attend the academy as a student?” I asked.

  “No, I’m a muse,” she replied. “Our kind weren’t accepted in academies of magic until a few decades ago. I attended a comprehensive school.”

  “What does that mean?” I asked.

  She seemed pleased to offer further information. Typical librarian. “A comprehensive is where you get a mixed crowd. I attended school with shifters, vampires, minotaurs—all sorts.”

  I couldn’t imagine a day in the life of a school like that. Standing in Spellslingers was crazy enough.

  “Anything you need help with, Miss Morrow, feel free to ask,” Ms. Engelhardt said. “That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Thank you.”

  Robin continued through the main room of the library to a connecting passageway. “The museum is this way. The lower level is off limits to students. The academy stores items that could be dangerous in inexperienced hands.”

  “Then why keep them on campus at all?” I asked.

  “The professors are involved in far more than teaching,” Robin said. “Remember, this is essentially a training facility. They tend to be active in their respective areas. For example, Professor Stefan Langley is a world-renowned expert in arcane rites. He houses objects related to his field of study downstairs.”

  The museum was much bigger than I anticipated. The ceiling of the main area spiraled upward to reveal several floors of museum pieces on display.

  “I often come here to think,” Robin said. “It’s quieter than the library. Craig Tipperary is the head of the museum. He tends to work later hours.”

  I struggled to absorb all of the information. Everywhere I looked, a display case caught my attention. Hundreds of years’ worth of magic-related objects were contained within these four walls. It was amazing.

  “My mother would have been fascinated by all this,” I said.

  Robin cocked his head. “She was a fan of collectibles?”

  “Oh, no. We could never keep much of anything. We moved around too much. She was a human, though, and she would’ve been in awe of a place like this.” I was in awe of this place, and I possessed magic.

  “There’s more to see,” Robin said, “but I’m afraid we need to get you to class. I’m happy to fit a follow-up tour into my schedule, whenever you’re available.”

  “Thanks, I’m sure I’ll need it. This place is huge.”

  “The academic wing is this way.” Robin motioned for me to follow. I was surprised students didn’t fly through the corridors on broomsticks. It would’ve made traveling from room to room much easier. The sprawling campus was going to be hard to navigate.

  Once we were back outside, a familiar sight greeted me. Literally.

  “Icarus,” I cried.

  My snowy owl was perched on one of the gargoyle’s heads. Thank the gods, Icarus said. I was worried that I’d lost you forever.

  “You know this owl?” Robin asked.

  I kissed the top of my familiar’s head. “Robin, this is my familiar, Icarus.”

  They haven’t gone and married you off to the first nincompoop they could find, did they?

  This is an academy of magic, Icarus, I said.

  Icarus eyed me closely. Are you certain?

  “Someone get this pest off my head before it leaves a deposit,” Fred said.

  It speaks, Icarus cried, and flapped his wings to escape the gargoyle.

  “They’re called Fred and George,” I said. “Apparently, their job is to be rude to passersby.”

  Sounds like my kind of work, Icarus said.

  “It’s not a job so much as a calling,” George said.

  “A vocation, really,” Fred added.

  “Icarus, I need to go to my first class,” I said. “My window is open, though. It faces the lake.”

  I can track it, he said. Not to worry.

  “Oh, there are cats,” I said. “Three of them. We’re not alone anymore, Icarus.” I wasn’t sure whether to rejoice or cry. Change was hard, even when it was welcome.r />
  As promised, Cerys and Mia awaited us outside the classroom.

  “The Professor of Herbology is the delightful Abelia Mayweather,” Robin said.

  “Delightful is a good word for her,” Cerys added.

  I peered into the busy classroom and felt my nerves stirring. “I won’t know anything. I’ve never even owned a plant.”

  “No one expects you to know anything,” Mia said. “Besides, we’re all here to learn. Come on.” She tugged at my arm, and I allowed myself to be dragged inside.

  “Good luck,” Robin called after us.

  Dani beckoned to us from the front row.

  “Can’t we sit in the back?” I whispered.

  “Dani always sits in the front,” Cerys said. “She doesn’t want to miss anything.”

  “I don’t mind missing…everything,” I said.

  “Don’t be silly,” Cerys said.

  A pleasantly plump woman appeared in front of the class. “A warm welcome to our new addition, Miss Bryn Morrow.”

  I felt the eyes of the entire classroom on me, and longed to sink into the floorboards. I’d never attended school, so sitting in a classroom with my peers was a completely foreign concept to me. I was more uncomfortable than I expected.

  “I’m sure you’ll find everyone polite and helpful, Miss Morrow,” Professor Mayweather continued. “Students and staff here are exceptionally generous with their time.”

  “Thank you,” I said, my voice barely audible.

  “Today’s lesson is a refresher on identification,” the professor said. “On the table behind me, I’ve set out a variety of herbs and spices commonly used in witchcraft. Each item is numbered. I’d like you to come up row by row and, on a sheet of paper, write down the names of as many as you recognize, as quickly as you can.”

  My stomach plummeted. That would be zero for me.

  Professor Mayweather smiled at me. “Miss Morrow, you won’t be expected to know any of this. Feel free to join Miss Degraff or Miss Davies, as I’m sure they’ll have an impressive knowledge of these items.”

  Dani tossed me a satisfied smile. “I’d be happy to, Professor.”

  When it was our turn, I trailed Dani around the table, scanning the list of names as she quickly jotted them down. Wormwood, tarragon, horsetail, hawthorn, knotgrass, feverfew, chickweed, burdock root, blessed thistle. My eyes were watering by the time we reached the end. There was no way I’d remember all these.

  “You didn’t miss any,” I said.

  “How could I?” Dani replied. “I’ve been studying herbology since I was a little girl. We grew many of these in our family garden. Not to learn them could have proved deadly.”

  “I thought Cerys was the one with an earth specialty,” I said.

  “She is,” Dani said. “And fire is my specialty, but I have a lot of strengths. That’s what happens when you come from a long line of Spellslingers graduates.”

  If this were any other girl, her wealth of knowledge and experience would be grating, but Dani had a way of making it seem completely normal.

  “Can’t they move you to a more advanced class?” I asked.

  “They offered,” she said. “I told them I wanted to stay with my peers. Socialization is every bit as important as academics.”

  And I’d had neither. “Would you mind if I took your list and walked around the table again?” Even though I knew I wouldn’t remember them all after one lesson, it was worth a try.

  “Absolutely.” She handed me the paper, and I joined at the tail end of another row of students. I began to draw pictures beside the names as I went around the table until Professor Mayweather stopped me.

  “I appreciate the effort, Miss Morrow, but here’s a cheat sheet for you.” She gave me a full color sheet with all the images and names. “Students received this at the beginning of the term. It’s only fair that you should have one.”

  “Thank you.” I studied the sheet, my body sagging with relief. This would help immensely.

  “Stick with Dani,” the professor whispered. “She won’t steer you wrong.”

  I nodded, sparing a glance at my impressive roommate.

  “I can see you’re nervous,” Professor Mayweather continued, “but remember, dear, that everyone has to start somewhere. Even Chancellor Tilkin was a first year once.”

  A few students snickered.

  “It’s true,” the professor said, more loudly now. “She was a little girl at one time, too. Loved unicorns and daffodils. Hard to believe, I know.”

  More laughter. She pinned me with her pleasant expression. “You’ll be fine. That’s my point, Miss Morrow.”

  Weapons class was far less pleasant. The Master at Arms was a shifter named Calvin Motley. The werewolf roamed around the room, inspecting us as we stood at attention. The wall behind him was lined with weapons. I wondered why weapons training was necessary for magic users. Weren’t wands enough?

  “Time to pick your poison, students,” he snarled. “Be mindful of the newbie. Don’t injure her, or, if you do, try not to leave any marks.”

  I raised my brow. Calvin Motley had a dark sense of humor. At least I hoped he was kidding.

  The werewolf circled me. “We’ll need to work on your muscle tone. You’re far too thin.”

  I didn’t know how to respond. Did I reveal that, for the most part, the only food I ate had been during my working hours in a restaurant?

  “If she picks up a sword often enough, she’ll be right as rain in no time,” a young wizard said.

  “Thank you for your keen insight, Mr. Wilcox,” the Master at Arms said. “I see you favor the crossbow again.”

  Wilcox stroked the weapon. “I just picture a vampire and it practically fires itself.”

  “Don’t say that too loudly in front of Mr. Tipperary,” the werewolf said, biting back a smile.

  I noticed my roommates had spears. “Maybe I should try a spear,” I suggested.

  “No, a staff will be fine for today,” Motley said. “Sturdy and blunt.” He hustled to the wall of weapons and returned with a staff about six feet in length. Although his right hand was wrapped in gauze, he handled the staff with ease.

  He handed the staff to me, and I nearly dropped it. “It’s heavier than I expected.”

  Motley smirked. “I can see that.”

  “Why do we need weapons training anyway?” I asked. “Who are we expected to fight?”

  “You’re training to be AMF agents, not librarians,” Motley said. “It’s in your best interest to learn every weapon under the sun and moon.”

  “What about our magic?” I asked.

  “What if your magic fails you?” Motley asked.

  I blinked. “Does that happen?” I didn’t have enough experience to know.

  Motley stared at me. “Are you trying to be smart, Morrow?”

  “No, sir,” I replied. “I…I was just wondering.”

  “No magic user is immune to losing magic at one point or another,” he snapped. “Or being too weak to summon that kind of energy. You do enough defensive spells in a row, and you’ll be wishing for a sword to hold, just to keep the monsters at bay.”

  “If I’m too weak to use magic, then wouldn’t I be too weak to wield a sword?” As soon as the question left my mouth, I regretted it. Motley ground his teeth and I was pretty sure I heard a low growl.

  “I’ll not tolerate insolence in my classroom,” he said. “I’ll let it slide today, Morrow, because you’re new and the chancellor seems to like you. Do it again tomorrow, though, and you’ll be serving detention in my office. Trust me, nobody wants that.”

  Nausea rolled over me. I didn’t mean to irritate him with my questions. They were genuine inquiries.

  Motley whistled. “Everybody line up in two rows. Let’s get to work.”

  After an hour of weapons, we went straight to a clinical session with Theo Armitage, an active Warden of the West. Apparently, he took students into the field on occasion and gave them real life scenarios i
n the classroom, asking for feedback on how to approach them. Dani said Armitage had an attitude and that she suspected he was being forced to run the clinical program as some sort of penance for a screw-up.

  Today’s clinic was in the classroom, and Armitage seemed to be content with talking about himself. He perched on the edge of his desk and regaled us with tales from the field, including an assignment where he had to infiltrate an underground minotaur fighting ring and shut it down. It was clear from the outset that ‘Theo Armitage’ was his favorite topic.

  One of the wizards waved his hand in the air. “Theo?”

  “What is it, Kyle?” It seemed Theo Armitage was less formal than the other instructors.

  “Tell us about the time you came up against Volans Moldark,” the wizard said. “My oldest brother still talks about it.”

  My veins chilled at the mention of my father’s name. Theo Armitage had a history with him?

  “Felix, right?” Armitage asked. Kyle nodded exuberantly, clearly pleased that the warden had remembered his brother’s name. “It was my one of most difficult missions, although I didn’t know it at the time it was assigned. Moldark wasn’t known to be connected to the case I was investigating, or else the AMF never would’ve sent me. I was a rookie, fresh out of the academy.”

  “Was this during the attempted coup?” Dani asked.

  I slumped in my chair. My father had staged a coup? What would she think of me if she knew the truth? She’d want me out of her room as quickly as possible, no doubt. Don’t let the broomstick poke me in the ass.

  “No, this was earlier,” Armitage said. “We were in Balor’s Basin. I was meant to be taking down a money launderer, when bam! Moldark appeared on the scene.” He shook his head and chuckled at the memory. “I knew him on sight, obviously. There had been wanted posters with his face on it all over the realm for years. I couldn’t believe my luck.”

  “Good or bad?” Mia asked.

  Armitage gave her a dismissive look. “Good, of course. Any good agent would consider it a boon. Only a coward would view it as anything else.”

  Mia’s shoulders rounded and I knew she felt stupid for asking. Excellent warden or not, Armitage was a jerk.

  “You took him on by yourself?” Kyle asked. “No backup?”