The Witch's Guardian (Caspian Academy Book 1)

by Anna Edwards

  Sebastian shakes his head. “But that isn’t what it’s like for a Guardian. What do you look like when you change?”

  “I’ve no recollection afterwards, but both Juniper and Emmie have seen me. Apparently I still look a lot like I do now but with paler skin covered in blue markings, and wings. I have wings.”

  “Yes, that’s what my grandfather looked like. But he could see and remember everything. Something has gone wrong with your change. My grandfather should have been told about you when you were born. He should have come to meet you and explain to you what you’d be doing. It would have been his responsibility to prepare you. It proves he died before his time.”

  Tugging on the ends of my hair, I stare at Sebastian despondently. “I never had anyone to teach me. I only learned about Guardians from a book in my parents’ library. It’s in a language only I can read.”

  “The transcript Juniper had.” Another piece of the puzzle falls into place for Sebastian.

  “She showed you?”

  “No, she left it lying in the room you called us to when she fainted.”

  “I was telling her about the strange things in her heart. She’d had an operation on her heart, but I couldn’t see anything wrong with it, so I just removed them. Damn, I wish I could remember more.”

  When I look up at Sebastian his face has gone as white as a sheet.

  “What is it?” I question, leaning forwards in my chair and wondering why he looks like he’s about to pass out.

  His mouth quivers. “The Witch and the Guardian. I wasn’t thinking straight earlier. I didn’t know. Oh my God, Jacobi, you’re right. We need to do all we can to keep Juniper here at the school. If she leaves and people find out who she is, then she’s going to be in big trouble. So much trouble we won’t be able to help her.”

  “What are you talking about?” I get to my feet quickly and step closer to Sebastian, but he reels back, and moving across the bed, he stands on the opposite side from me.

  “You don’t remember anything do you?” Sebastian questions

  “About what?”

  “About when you’re a Guardian?”

  “I’ve told you no, not really. I only remember helping Juniper’s mum and Juniper.”

  “The stories. Everything I’ve been told. It’s all wrong. They’ve tried to change it, to stop it from happening again, but why?” Sebastian’s pacing on his side of the bed now. He’s completely agitated, and it isn’t doing much to settle my nerves.

  “Sebastian, will you please tell me what’s going on?”

  He freezes and turns to me. “My grandfather once told me a story about a witch who fell in love with a Guardian. Together they nearly destroyed the world. You and Juniper. You don’t remember your powers and know nothing about being a Guardian, and Juniper had a bind put on her heart to stop her magic from flowing with the love she holds for you. My grandfather told me the magical community had a plan, a way of stopping the risk to the world. He never told me it had been put in place.”

  Sebastian collapses onto the floor, and rushing around to the other side of the bed, I get down on my knees to check him. His breathing is fast. He’s going into shock. He clutches his hand tight to his throat. It’s like there's an invisible force strangling him, and I try to pull his hands away. I can’t see anything in the room, but I sense something dark and malevolent, and it has a hold of him.

  “Sebastian, listen to me,” I tell him while my eyes are scanning the room, searching for something I can use to help his breathing. There’s nothing, so I call for a magical ambulance. “Help is on the way, it’ll be here soon.” His eyes roll back into his head. “The plan, Sebastian, who was it developed by? You have to tell me.”

  Sebastian opens his mouth, trying to give me an answer. His lips are moving but no words come out.

  I try to get my body to change into a Guardian so I can help him, but it doesn’t work. Why can’t I control this power I have?

  Sebastian is dying before me, and there's nothing I can do.

  “Please? Who did this?”

  The sirens of an ambulance wail in the distance, and I will them to hurry up.

  Sebastian seems to find a final flurry of strength. He lurches forwards, and I get out of his way as he reaches out for one of the magical text books on the floor. With a last heroic effort, he opens the book and collapses down, not moving. His hand resting against a page.

  I place my hand against his neck to check for a pulse as the paramedics rush into the room, but I don’t find one. I’m pulled away, and Sebastian is flipped over onto his back as they work on him, trying to revive his body. I know it will be a futile effort, though. I can sense he’s already gone. Bending down, I pick up the book and look at the page it was opened to. It’s a foreword to magic. An introduction to our way of life written by the man who governs us, King Ambrose. Juniper’s father.

  “Welcome, Caspian.”

  “We honour you, King Ambrose, may the Superiors bathe you in glory.” Everyone chants back to my father, everyone but me.

  His eyes pin mine and he knows I didn’t chant the ridiculously narcissistic greeting he deems fit for a king.

  “Today I come bearing some sad news and some news fit for jubilation. First, I’d like to say thank you to your headmistress, Mrs Donovan, for inviting me here.” He forces a smile in her direction. To her credit, she barely offers him a glance, and I can see the hatred she holds for him in her eyes. “I’d also like to welcome up here your head students, Jacobi Ashdown and Taya Wilmot.”

  I clench my teeth and watch as the two of them make their way onto the stage. Taya sidles up to my father… of course, she would. Jacobi stands at her other side, his teeth clenched like mine, and his knuckles blanched as he fists his hands. His gaze meets mine, and his whole face softens, but his eyes plead with me, only I don’t know what for.

  “So, firstly I bring you some tragic news. Unfortunately one of our students passed suddenly last night. He had an underlying heart condition which no one was aware of.” The statement is emotionless, and I wonder how people can blindly follow this man. He has no empathy.

  My head processes what he said, and I find Emmie’s hand and hold it while I look around the hall. “Where are Sebastian and James?” I whisper to her. She glances around, and I see the moment she understands what I’m saying when she pales.

  “Now, some good news. This year we are bringing back the magical games at the bequest of your head students,” he announces with joviality like he hasn’t just announced someone’s death. Pointing at Jacobi and Taya, he continues, “They will organise the celebrations, and Mrs Donovan and the other teachers will manage the games, competitions, and teams. I think you’ll all agree this is a magnificent idea and comes at a much needed time. Something to focus our emotions on, I’m sure,” he spouts, like he has emotions.

  I allow my eyes to move from my father to Jacobi, who is still looking at me. Sadness lingers in his eyes, and I have this overwhelming feeling he knows something about the student who died.

  “Of course, the whole council and I will be back to watch the games in action. We wouldn’t miss it.” He smiles, it’s cold and I hate him. I hate this man, and I only thank the Superiors every day that I’m not of his blood. “So, before I leave you in the capable hands of Taya and Jacobi, who will explain more about the magical games, I can confirm the student who passed was Sebastian Taylor.”

  I gasp, and standing up, I rip my hand away from Emmie’s, I can’t stop myself looking at Jacobi as tears stream down my face. I clutch my chest when I see an apology in his eyes, and I rush out of the room. Unable to take anymore.

  “I wondered where I’d find you. I didn’t expect it to be here,” Emmie says as she slides onto the bench I’m sitting on.

  I look up at the sign for the headmistress’s office as I sit in her waiting room and smile sadly at my friend. “I’m waiting for my dad.”

  She squeezes my hand. “I figured. It’s the only reason I came to look
here.” She coughs nervously, like she doesn’t know quite what to say. “Taya gave a grand speech about how the magical games are going to play out.”

  “Did she?” I ask, not really caring.

  She giggles, but it’s humourless. “Yeah, Jacobi just stood there stoically. He said nothing. Even when Taya asked him questions, he ignored her, and I’m pretty sure that sent a clear sign to the whole school. I doubt she’ll be happy with him.”

  I shrug off the thought of Taya and Jacobi.

  “Have you spoken to James yet?” I ask.

  She nods as a lone tear sails down her cheek. “Yeah, he’s pretty messed up. He’s gone home to his parents,” she confirms, “at least for a few days,” she shrugs, “maybe longer.”

  “I guess you can’t put a time on grief.” I breathe the words out as my chest constricts, and I struggle to take in even a single lung of breath.

  “You okay?” Emmie looks at me, worry in her eyes.

  “I honestly don’t know anymore,” I croak out.

  “Juni, can I ask…” She hesitates, and I nod.

  “You can ask me,” I whisper, knowing the question she has on her mind.

  “Did he…did Jacobi do this?”

  I stare at her as the tears come again. “I don’t know,” I answer honestly. Her shoulders slump, and a flash of anger dances through her eyes. “But if he did, it would be involuntary.”

  She shakes her head. “No, I saw him with you. He decided to help you.”

  “He has to kiss me for it to work. He hasn’t kissed me since he saved me, so if he did do it, it would have been involuntary,” I repeat, harsher this time.

  Her eyes meet mine. “Unless he’s found a way to control it himself without your kisses, and he wanted to take out his competition.”

  I stand, pulling my hand from Emmie’s. “Jacobi may be a lot of things, but he wouldn’t kill someone willingly, and especially someone who didn’t deserve it. We don’t know what happened, and just because you know about him, doesn’t mean you know him, and it certainly doesn’t mean he automatically did something awful like this,” I huff. “I didn’t think you judged so easily, Emmie. Just because you want an outlet for your grief, don’t turn Jacobi into the enemy.” I heave my words out, my breathing rapid.

  “He is, though,” she whispers. “He’s been your enemy for years.” Her voice is soft, and I can see the confusion mixed with remorse in her whole demeanour.

  “Well, I’m in love with the enemy,” I choke out. “And because I love him, and I can’t bear to watch him with Taya anymore, I’m leaving Caspian,” I admit. “It doesn’t look like my father is coming to the headmistress’s office, so I’m going to text him and ask him to meet me at my place. I can’t be here, not anymore.” My words are heavy, but I’m doing absolutely everything I can not to break down in the middle of school.

  Emmie’s mouth opens in shock, but I don’t allow her to speak. I rush out of the waiting room, and standing there at the doorway, leaning against the wall, is Jacobi.

  “Juni,” he whispers, grabbing my shoulders, “please don’t leave, please, please,” he begs, dropping to his knees and holding me by my hips. “I love you. Taya’s gone. I’ll just have to make sure I’m with you all the time to keep you safe. I won’t lose you.” He stands again and cups my face with both his hands. “I. Will. Not. Lose. You,” he grits out.

  “Jacobi, I-“

  “No.” He shakes his head. “No more excuses from me. I love you, and there’s nothing beyond that for me.”

  “You’ve hurt me, repeatedly,” I admit, my heart cracking.

  “I know, Juni. I know, and I’m sorry, so, so, sorry.” His eyes fill with tears, but he doesn’t allow a single one to escape. “The truth is I can’t live without you, and if I never get to kiss you, I’d happily live that way for the rest of my life just to be with you. My life is fated, but my choice is you. It’s you I choose.” He breathes the words out as though they’re a release, and his hot breath ghosts across my face.

  I smile and allow my tears to fall. They’re tears of release, of sadness, grief, happiness, fear, and triumph. I need to let them go and take this new journey, this next step, and let my heart guide me for a while… or forever.

  I clasp Jacobi’s hand, and we run towards the school exit. I’ve no idea where we’re going, but as long as it’s with him, I don’t care. We’re almost out, almost free, when I’m grabbed from behind and hauled into a classroom. Jacobi rushes in after me and three guys bundle him into the corner. He can’t move even though he struggles, and I can see the anger as it blazes in his eyes. I turn to face my father as the door slams shut behind us.

  “You’re leaving Caspian,” he tells me.

  I shake my head. “I’m not.”

  “You called yesterday and spoke to Miribel.” He tells me something I already know. Except Miribel and I talked it through, and I’d decided to stay. Sebastian dying changed my mind again this morning, but I had decided not to leave. I know Mirabel wouldn’t have sold me out.

  “Velva,” I mutter.

  My father smiles darkly. “She happened to be listening in to your conversation with Mirabel as I’ve instructed her to do.”

  “Does she do everything you want because you’re fucking her?” I question, mirroring his dark smile.

  He backhands me, and I drop to the floor.

  “Get the fuck off her!” Jacobi roars, and I can feel his magic sparking.

  I continue to smile up at my father, blood dripping from my lip. My father is dishevelled, and I know he hates to be anything other than perfect in the eyes of his subjects, but I also know how to flip his switch, and he hates it…hates me.

  “I’m not leaving,” I tell him, standing up.

  “You are. You have no choice. I’ve closed the lease on your flat.”

  I shrug. “I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”

  “I’ll stop funding your place here.”

  I laugh. “I’ll talk to Mum.”

  That sets him off again. This time he punches me in the face, and I feel the gush of blood from my nose as I fall.

  There’s another roar from Jacobi as he rips himself free of the three men. Fighting breaks out, and although I can’t see him, I know Jacobi’s beating the crap out of them.

  My father’s eyes flit to the men then back to me. “You have three days, and then I’ll come for you,” he warns before disappearing in a puff of magic, taking his goons with him.

  “Juni,” Jacobi cries, coming to my side and running his fingers tenderly over my broken skin. “Maybe I can heal you if you kiss me?” he mutters, leaning in for a gentle kiss and trying to avoid the side where my lips are split.

  “No,” I move away from him and giggle as I run my fingers through his hair. “You can’t use your power to heal a cut lip and nose. It’s not even broken,” I assure him, touching the tip of my nose with my index finger. “He’s done worse.” I shrug, and the violence which flashes in Jacobi’s eyes is unmistakable. “Come on, help me up. I need to pack my stuff and see if I can find somewhere else to stay.”

  “You’re coming to live with me.”

  “Jaco-“

  “No.” He cuts me off. “I’m not letting you out of my fucking sight. Before it was because of Taya, but now there’s even more reason. Anyway,” he says, pulling me up and stroking the loose strands of bloodstained hair, which have stuck to my cheek, behind my ear. “I love you,” he shrugs, “so why wouldn’t I want you with me all the time.”

  With that, he picks me up in his arms, bridal style, and magics us to my place. I sigh, loving being in his arms, but also knowing this will bring fresh fighting tomorrow when Jacobi and I attend school together. Worse than facing Taya, though, is knowing that when my father said he’d be back in three days for me, he meant every word. I now need to navigate this situation without bringing my mum into it because this just might kill her.

  I don’t think I’ve slept in nearly forty-eight hours, and as I lean against
the wall and watch Juniper crawl into my bed, I know I won’t sleep well again tonight. I’ve already moved my belongings into the lounge. I intend to sleep on the sofa, rather than take my parents’ room which is too far away on the other side of the cottage. I’ve also left all the doors open. I need to know she’s safe.

  I’ve not had many dealings with King Ambrose in the past, but I have to say I want to throttle him for the way he treated Juniper. How could anyone do that to someone they’re supposed to protect and love? My meeting with him has left a massive unease in my chest. Something isn’t right in the world of magic, and it appears to centre around the King.

  “Are you sure you’re all right on the sofa?” Juniper asks as she pulls the sheets up around her neck.

  “I’ll be fine. You forget I slept on the streets not so long ago,” I reassure her. “Goodnight. If you need me, I’m just outside.”

  I close the door a little bit to give her some privacy and make my way to the lounge. I’m not tired, adrenaline is still surging through my body. I wish I could have done something to help Sebastian, but I don’t for one second believe the story we were told in assembly about an underlying heart condition.

  He wasn’t dying from a problem with his heart. Something was strangling him. He clawed at his throat to try to stop it, but he couldn’t. I wasn’t able to help him, and I had to watch him die before my very eyes. I’ll never forget it. He knew about Guardians, and I can’t help but think he was killed to prevent me from learning more.

  Making my way over to my desk, I look at the book and the foreword written by King Ambrose himself which Sebastian pointed out. What was Sebastian trying to tell me? Was it Juniper’s father who had the bind placed on her heart? And what about my powers? Has he stopped me from remembering and understanding what a Guardian is? I need to go back to Sebastian’s room when the magical police have left it and see if I can find out anything else about the Guardian and the witch. For the moment, though, I have to concentrate on keeping Juniper away from both Taya and her father.