by Logan Jacobs
“Unholy hell,” I gasped as I stared long and hard at my gorgeous coven. “You all look incredible… if this dinner wasn’t mandatory, I’d take you all back into my bedroom right now and rip those clothes right off you.”
“Ah, if only,” Akira growled as she bit down on her full, purple lips. “You look delicious enough to eat, Cole.”
“She’s right, master,” Vesta purred. “I could gobble you up.”
“Satan, I think we’d better get going,” Morgana said as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. “You know… before we lose control and miss the banquet?”
“Or before one of them actually starts to eat Cole,” Penelope lightly joked.
“Good idea,” I chuckled. “Come on, let’s go.”
We left the common room, and as we headed down the hallways, I noticed all the other Scholomance witches were dressed in extravagant gowns and doing their best not to trip on their heels and hems as they scurried toward the banquet hall. Most of them had looks of determination and concentration on their faces, but several women did crane their necks to stare my way, and for some reason, the closer we reached to the banquet, the more frequent the intense stares grew. I should have taken it as a compliment, but a small feeling in the pit of my stomach made me feel the complete opposite.
Something seemed off, but perhaps I was merely feeling paranoid.
“Do you feel as if more and more women are staring our way?” I asked as we continued down the corridors.
“They must be filled with envy,” Akira chuckled. “I mean, we were screaming your name all night long while you fucked us.”
“I bet they’re seething with jealousy,” Penelope giggled as she adjusted one of the gems in her orange hair. “Especially tonight… when you look so irresistible.”
“Perhaps,” I grunted, but for some reason, I just didn’t buy it. “Come on… let’s pick up the pace. I’m sure Beatrix is waiting for us somewhere in there.”
Finally, when we reached the hall, the doors were pulled open, and the room was utterly packed with delicious food, gorgeous women, melancholy music, and thousands of shimmering, floating candles. As my eyes wandered around the expansive space, I spotted the beautiful, brown-haired Beatrix wearing a light-gold gown seated next to the former siren named Marina. The newly transformed Wicca had her deep purple hair tied into a fishtail braid behind her back, and she wore a simple, deep-green gown with a tight skirt and corset top.
“Cole!” Beatrix blurted out as she erratically waved in my direction. “We saved you all a seat!”
“Let’s go before she pops her shoulder blade,” Akira snickered as we neared the duo.
When we took a seat, my attention turned toward the professors and the High Court women who were seated at the front of the room as per usual. Each woman was dressed to perfection, but it was still difficult for me to appreciate them when I noticed Vanessa and Theodora’s seats were empty.
“I wonder how Professor Vanessa is doing,” Morgana wondered aloud like she could read my mind.
“I heard she’s in her quarters still,” Beatrix whispered as her brown eyes wandered around the table. “Apparently, she’s not doing so well.”
“I hope she recovers soon,” Akira sighed. “She may be a hard-ass, but things feel weird without her or the Headmistress.”
“Agreed.” I nodded. “But both women are tougher than iron and steel combined, I’m sure they’ll be back to their usual selves in no time.”
“You’re right, master,” Faye sighed as her wide, golden-green eyes darted around the banquet hall. “Hey… is it just me, or are there a lot of women staring… no, glaring at us?”
Before I answered, I craned my neck to gaze around the vast room, and sure enough, the redhead was right. There were dozens and dozens of enraged eyes staring intently at us, and it was hard not to take notice.
“Well, we did save Scholomance again, so maybe that’s why?” Morgana suggested, but she sounded unsure. “Cole’s power and prowess has grown with each battle, after all.”
“Yeah, but why do they look pissed off?” Nyx muttered as she narrowed her dark, glassy eyes. “They should be grateful.”
“Maybe they’re just jealous that our coven is in the spotlight once more,” Vesta purred, and she tossed back her jade-green locks with a flair of attitude.
“Let’s ignore them,” Akira scoffed as she rolled her dark eyes. “I’d rather focus on wine and food.”
The black-haired witch had a valid point. The entire table was ladened with various golden platters of exquisite dining options, and as my eyes wandered around the table, I spotted roasted quail and grilled griffin, mashed pumpkins, fresh goblin picked greens, pixie pies, stuffed serpent, mandrake meatloaf, and goblets of dark, spiced wine.
However, before anyone dared to dig in, a firm clapping sound echoed through the air, and when I turned my attention back to the front of the room, Madame Soulton stood tall and proud in a simple velvet gown, with a small smile etched across her beautiful face.
“Welcome, students!” the head of the High Court bellowed as she tossed her pale, blonde hair behind her shoulders. “I know the letter we sent you stated that we are to celebrate our stay in Scholomance, but really, I have summoned you all here tonight to thank those who risked their lives to ensure the survival of the Vipera Academy… if it were not for your efforts, we would have lost another sister school, but thanks to certain individuals here, the Viperas still remain strong, even as they rebuild. Now… without further ado, please enjoy the gracious feast in front of you!”
Instead of a chorus of thunderous applause, a violent scream suddenly rang through the air, and when I whipped around, I caught a Wicca with a dinner knife stuck straight through her throat. Then the woman seated next to her quickly pulled out her wand and aimed it right in between another witch’s eyes. A deep voice, speaking in a foreign language, erupted from her lips before a blast of red light sent the other woman flying back into the wall behind her. The poor witch hit the stone wall with such a forceful impact that her brain, gore, and bones were painted behind her head as she slowly slumped to the floor. More panic-filled screams echoed through the air as the room grew dark and cold, and the scent of fresh blood seeped up my nostrils as unsuspected chaos quickly ensued.
As my eyes wandered around the frenetic room, I found myself curling my fingers around my wand, and I knew we were about to fight for our lives once more.
I just never suspected it would be against our own school.
Chapter 2
“What’s going on?” Beatrix shrieked as other witches began violently attacking each other.
“Is this normal?” Marina screamed while she stood up, stumbled back, and nearly tripped over her gown.
“Of course not, fish for brains!” Akira roared as her black eyes wandered around the room. “Does this seem normal to you?”
“Then what the hell is going on?” the former siren screeched.
“Save your questions for later!” I shouted before I pulled my wand from my waistband. “Arm yourselves and be quick about it!”
“Yes, master!” my coven replied before they collectively pulled out their wands. Beatrix and Marina also complied, and everyone’s eyes were wide, alert, and tinted with fear.
During my time at Scholomance, I knew we’d seen a lot of inexplicable things, but this certainly was a new one. Dozens of witches were attacking other witches with no reason or warning, and I watched in horror as beautiful ball gowns quickly became splattered with blood and gore. The entire banquet hall was wrapped up in a cloud of utter madness as women either attacked each other or desperately tried to defend themselves with magic or dinner knives.
What began as a beautifully dark and peaceful evening had turned deadly, and now, the music had completely died, and screams, spells, and the shattering of silverware and plates filled the air instead. As the madness ensued, I steadied my hand and pointed it at a pale-faced Wicca with vacant eyes, bleeding lips, and f
renzied hair. She came rushing in my direction like a crazed, wild animal, and when she was a few feet in front of me, I lifted my wand above my eye-level and aimed.
“Volant!” I shouted, and a blast of light sent her flying back into the stone wall and knocked her out cold. Then I turned to look back at my coven, and they were huddled into a group with their backs pressed against each other. “Try not to kill them! I think they’re under some kind of trance!”
“Yes, master!” Akira screamed back as she aimed her wand at another demented woman and sent her flying into a candle holder. “We’ll do our best.”
“Was it something in the wine?” Penelope screamed over the madness.
“No!” Circe cried back. “I had a few sips, and I’m not acting like a deranged, bloodthirsty bitch!”
“It has to be something else!” Morgana yelled. “Obviously, not everyone is affected!”
The intelligent brunette was right. As I gazed around the room, it was clear not every witch was under some kind of violent spell. Some were simply terrified like us and were doing their best to protect themselves from the out-of-control Wiccas who’d suddenly turned half-mad.
I did my best to shoot disarming spell after disarming spell at the crazed women, but I realized it was going to be impossible to save everyone. As I saved one woman from being thrown out of a stained-glass window, I watched in horror as another had her throat suddenly ripped out by a short-haired Wicca. It took me a long moment to recognize the crazed witch as one of the twins, but she didn’t even look like herself. Her robin-blue gown was more red than blue at this point, and her eyes were wild like a possessed animal as she growled at us with a mouth full of flesh and blood. Then she leapt up from the dead Wicca at her feet and started to run toward us like a wild wolf.
“Ivy, no!” Penelope cried out as she followed my gaze and aimed her wand at the blue-streak-haired witch. “Tardus!”
As soon as a blast of purple light hit the short-haired twin, Ivy stopped in her tracks and froze in place. Her bloody teeth were still bared in feral rage, but she didn’t move an inch.
Still, I whipped my head back and forth in search of Iris who was never far from her sister, but the other twin was nowhere to be found. I hoped she was still alive somewhere in this bedlam, and my heart ached as I started at the enchanted, frozen Ivy.
“Well done, Penelope,” I breathed as I turned to face the orange-haired witch, right before I defended my coven against a wild witch who was screaming and running in our direction.
“This is fucking insane!” Nyx shouted as her indigo eyes darted like a bee in every direction. “I’m not sure, but I think more of them are becoming possessed as we speak!”
“What the hell happened?” Beatrix squealed, and her voice cracked as she shouted spell after spell. “I-I’ve never seen anything like this before!”
I couldn’t blame the women for panicking. Beatrix was right, nothing like this had ever happened before, and there was no denying that the ballroom had turned into a dance of pure destruction. The delirious women acted like rabid wolves as they prowled through the banquet hall, and I turned to look toward the professors’ table to see how they were dealing with the violent, impromptu situation.
The Scholomance professors were all aiming their wands at the wild witches and doing their best not to permanently harm anyone in the process. Meanwhile, the women of the High Court all had their hands connected with one another, and their eyes were tightly shut as turmoil and death brewed all around them. They didn’t budge an inch as blood arched through the air and splashed against their gowns, and I could see their lips moving rapidly.
Then, suddenly, there was a heavy shift in the air.
Whatever enchantment the women of the High Court were conducting, it nearly killed all the candles and made the walls rumble and the floor tremble. The heavy chandelier above us chimed and swayed as they continued to mutter their united spell, and for a moment, I was afraid the ornament would come crashing down and crush any women in its way.
I was so focused on the Hight Court’s efforts that I barely noticed as two demented women came rushing in our direction with foaming mouths and wide, expressionless eyes. I quickly aimed my wand at one, and I heard Morgana’s commanding voice ring through the air as she blasted the other.
“Stupefaciunt!” I shouted.
“Glacio!” Morgana screamed at the same time.
A blast of red light erupted from my wand while a light blue beam spewed forth from Morgana’s. The two women were struck in the middle of their chests, and my incantation sent my target flying backward as she slammed her head against the edge of a table. Meanwhile, the woman Morgana hit turned into a block of ice, and her mad eyes darted frantically back and forth as she remained frozen and unable to move or wreak havoc.
“What the hell are the women from the High Court waiting for?” Akira screamed with furious, dark eyes.
“They’re conducting an enchantment,” Morgana yelled back before she blasted another spell at a wild-eyed, green-haired Wicca in a torn-up, bloody yellow gown. “Just keep holding the insane ones back!”
“What the hell do you think I’m doing!” Akira snarled. “I’m doing my best, but these psychotic bitches are everywhere!”
As the women from the High-Court continued to move their lips, an icy wind swept through the room, and this time, all the candles died at once. Cold, numbing air filled the banquet hall, and the hairs on my arm stood up as the High Court women’s voices grew louder and more forceful.
“Sanctum habere qui adhuc sub!” their deep voices echoed in unison. “Fiat sustentaret cordibus suis et spiritus sile… virtus unita fortior nobis est tuus!”
Soon, the wild women began to slow their movements, but I could still see how desperately they were fighting against whatever incantation the High Court women were conducting. The room grew stiller and quieter, and the haunted women’s eyes were mixed with vacant obedience and feral willpower as they struggled to fight against the powerful magic. Their teeth were exposed as drool seeped from the corners of their lips like ferocious beasts, and at that moment, I knew some other kind of energy was at play here.
I could feel it in the depths of my black heart and in every corner of my mind and soul.
“Precipimus tibi quod sit adhuc!” Madame Soulton screamed at the top of her lungs. “Per satanas, ut audieritis vocem meam!”
In the next moment, a violent wind swept across the entire banquet hall and knocked everyone off their feet. My body slammed down into the marble floor, but I still kept a tight grip on my wand. I hit my head so hard against the ground that for a moment everything became hazy, but the sound of screaming and panic slowly faded, and all was silent and still once more.
“Fuck,” I heard Akira groan, and when we all sat up, half of the room was paralyzed into place.
All the women who were possessed by whatever power took over their bodies and souls were now as still as morbidly carved statues.
“What in the name of Satan?” Beatrix breathed as her eyes wandered around the room. “They’re completely still… but, they’re alive, too.”
“And so, they shall remain, Miss Beatrix,” Madame Soulton said as she brushed a wild strand of blonde hair out of her flushed face.
As we all steadied our frantic breathing, the head of the High Court snapped her fingers, and all the wild women who were frozen in place vanished into a cloud of purple smoke. Now, we were left with a room filled with pale-faced Wiccas standing amidst a cluttered banquet hall, littered with broken and bloodied bodies.
“Where did they go?” a trembling voice asked from the back of the room.
“Will they come back?” demanded another.
“No,” Professor Olivia answered for Madame Soulton. “They have simply been placed under an ancient paralysis spell… and they will be kept in the infirmary until we can figure out exactly what just happened. I will be sure to place a charm on the hospital doors to ensure none of them can escape, should t
he spell be broken--”
“Which is highly unlikely,” Madame Soulton cut in sharply. “For the meantime, however… I think it would be wise for everyone to return to their rooms. Clearly, we have plenty of cleaning up to do. For now, you’re all dismissed… please try to remain calm in your quarters and do not fret. Worrying will do absolutely nothing, so I urge you all instead to pray to Satan and open up your hearts to his ever-powerful darkness. Now… off with you all, and try to have a quiet night.”
It took the women a moment to move, but as the unaffected witches slowly stood up from the floor and quietly left the bloody banquet hall, I rose to my feet and remained exactly where I was. There was no way in hell I was going to simply return to my quarters without asking some important questions.
And no matter what, I refused to leave until I had the fucking answers.
“Cole?” Beatrix asked in a small voice. “Are… are you coming? You heard what Madame Soulton said… we should go back to our rooms and pray.”
“I heard her,” I growled, “but I sure as hell am not stepping out of this hall until I have a word with her.”
“But--” the light-haired brunette interjected until Akira pulled her back and whispered into her ear.
“Don’t question our master if you know what’s good for you,” the black-eyed witch sneered. “If he chooses to stay, then we’ll stay with him… and I suggest you do the same.”
“Fine,” Beatrix snapped before she yanked back her arm and placed her hands on her wide hips. “I won’t leave, but only because there’s no way in hell I’m walking down those corridors on my own. Who knows what else could possibly happen?”
“I’ll stay as well,” Marina added with wide, lavender eyes.
“Very well,” I said as I stared at the front of the room. “Follow me.”
As I neared the High Court women, Madame Soulton’s bright eyes narrowed in my direction before she crossed her arms tightly across her chest. I could tell by the scowl on her face that a part of her still loathed me, but right now, I couldn’t care less about that.
