As she greeted Ms. Harrison and the other esteemed faculty, she glanced in our direction, and, maybe I was just being paranoid, but I was sure she looked directly at me.
Chapter 13
My heart jumped into my throat as Chancellor Kelly left the box and approached the podium. I huddled close to Noah and Piper in the mentor section, while Clayton remained a few feet away from us. As I measured his social-distancing stance, I noticed that he was equally positioned between my squad and Josie's. My lips pressed together in annoyance of his ambivalence.
Chancellor Kelly tapped the mic with her hand, and then leaned in.
"Welcome to the Hazeldene House Fire Festival Trials!" She exclaimed through the immediate uproar of the spectators.
My heart pounded stronger from the excitement among the students, and my fingers trembled with anxiety.
"Today we will watch as our esteemed graduates demonstrate their skill and prowess in the mystical arts," she continued. "Their commitment to their practice and mastery will surely astound many, and hopefully inspire you toward your own self discovery."
It sounded so formal, like a pageant or a Broadway production. I supposed it wasn't that far from it.
"As Master of Ceremonies, I would like to introduce Professor Finneas as the officiating Score and Rule Keeper, Head Nurse Graney Greta as our Field Manager, and Mistress Hannah Luna as Spellbook Keeper. "If our graduates would advance to the front line, we will ring the starting bell."
That was it.
It was beginning.
As we moved in a group toward the upper edge of the playing field, my muscles decided to take their own course of action and stopped functioning in synchronization. I had to command my legs to move while attempting to keep up with them. I'd felt this kind of ridiculous loss of control before. It was the start of my classic panic attack.
Breathe, Shaye. Just breathe.
I repeated my familiar mantra in my head, as Piper pulled up next to me. With a weak smile, she proved she'd felt my angst, which only made it worse.
I didn't know if it was stage fright or if it was my mixed up head over Clayton. Of all the times for things to get weird between us, it had to be now. I couldn't focus and...
Next thing I knew, my name was called over the mic.
Ms. Harrison introduced each of us, but I'd missed the first few, lost in my own spinning thoughts.
I stepped forward by instinct next to the closest person in the line.
Troy smirked down at me and whispered, "Any strange visions lately?"
My neck nearly snapped from the jerk of my head as I stared into his smug face.
"What did you say?"
Before he could answer, the mic blasted in my ear.
"Clayton Xavier James."
And Clayton moved up next to me in line.
I attempted a small smile at him, to keep the peace, or better yet, reconnect in some way, but his eyes were only fixed on Troy's. He'd clearly seen the whisper and judging by his death stare, it looked like he'd heard it too.
I dropped my chin and swallowed hard. A strange gurgle squeaked in my neck from my nerves, and Clayton glanced down at me. I looked up through my tipped brow and caught him giggling.
He was laughing from the embarrassing sound I made.
What a jerk! But I couldn't help laughing, too. My nerves were shot and it was the only way of releasing my crazy tension.
My shoulders shook from the restraint of hiding my laughter and it only made his worse.
We stood in line with the other mentors, doing everything in our power to appear like mature role models, but we were failing epically.
"Josie Wilder," Ms. Harrison's voice called out.
A moment later, she was by Clayton's other side.
Figured.
Her presence killed the levity of the moment, and I tried to focus again on what I needed to be doing—proving mastery over my fire element.
Damn.
I was far from a master, and what was worse was that Josie was touching Clayton's arm.
My mind screamed at the top of its lungs.
And then Hannah Luna took the mic.
Her voice droned on as she explained the first challenge, losing me after the first word.
She moved across the field, holding up items from the tables for the wide-eyes students to see. Murmurs from the bleachers grew louder as she lifted a wand in each hand—the crowd favorites.
But finally, I snapped.
"What are you doing?" I seethed in Clayton's ear.
He flinched from the quiet attack.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he flared back through clenched teeth.
My eyes rounded in surprise.
His reply wasn't at all what I'd expected, and now I was even more confused than ever.
"Feeling the pressure?" Josie grinned, leaning forward to see me.
I turned away from her, but not before she caught sight of my insecurity.
Double damn.
"Be prepared," she taunted. "The cursed hath no rest."
I pulled my chin back in confusion.
What the hell did that mean?
I glanced down the line and bared my teeth at Piper, begging for rescue.
Her eyebrows pulled together as if something was wrong. And then she shook her head vigorously, as if trying to warn me.
She felt something.
I knew it.
And it was bad.
As I focused my gaze on Piper's bulging eyes, the bell rang, beginning the start of the games.
Every mentor launched toward their favorite items—mixing potions, conjuring spirits, and arranging altar items for spell casting.
I remained frozen in place as images of the banshee filled every part of my mind.
Her threatening stance sent fear through me—for Hattie and Asher's safety, for everyone at Hazeldene.
My voice stuck in my throat as I tried to warn everyone. But it was no use.
Her haunting was meticulous in its insidious planning. She made her presence known only to me, but also made clear her intentions to harm anyone I cared for.
We were all in danger.
As I reeled back in my heels from her growing presence, Piper grabbed on to my arms and yanked me from my spot. I stumbled along with her until she planted me at a table next to her. She grabbed a black crystal and planted it into my palm. She squeezed my hand around it until the sharp edges dug into my flesh. The pain caused me to pull away and at the same moment, snapped back to attention.
"What the fuck, Shaye?" she hissed. "Stay focused."
"The banshee," I whispered. "She's here."
Piper arranged crystals as if preparing to summon a spirit, making every attempt at looking like we were participating.
"Do whatever you can to push her out of your mind," she whispered. "Don't let that evil bitch derail you."
And just as Piper said those words, my attention moved to Josie.
She was staring directly at me as she chanted a summoning spell with Lauren. The two of them recited a string of words, over and over, while Josie locked her gaze on me.
"Oh my god," I whispered. "Josie's behind it."
"Behind what?" Piper turned to find her.
"She's conjuring the banshee."
As soon as Piper caught sight of Josie, she shot her eyes back to me.
"You're right," she gasped. "She's channeling something at you."
Visions of the banshee exploded in my mind again, and this time her spiky fingers reached out and clawed at my flesh.
I yanked my arm away in searing pain.
"She's materializing," I huffed.
Noah lifted his head from his smoldering cauldron. He'd lit some bay leaves on fire to make a smoky effect, hoping it would gain him some favor with the audience.
"What's up?" he said. "Why aren't you making fireballs or something?"
His clueless tone made me want to just crawl next to him and turn invisible in the safety of his shadow.
But my weary eyes fell on Clayton instead.
He stood by Troy and Liam, as if assisting in their boyish game. The three of them balanced tin pots in a tower formation and each time it leaned, threatening to fall, they'd use their earth or air elements to straighten it again. Judging by the response from the crowd, their demonstration was by far the most entertaining.
Prof Finneas walked around the perimeter of the tables, studying each of us while balancing his rule book in his palms. He'd glance at Chancellor Kelly once in a while as if giving her his silent opinions.
As he neared us, I took my black crystal and lined it up with Piper's display. For emphasis, I circled my hands over the crystals while Piper sprinkled imaginary fairy dust over them. I nearly cracked up from her ridiculous display, but she was right, we had to do something of interest or we'd be disqualified.
Just as he passed by, Piper hummed and then called out, "I hear the voices of ancestors. They are calling to us. Sending us their energy."
Oh my god. She was a lifesaver.
Prof Finneas continued his perusal, observing the numerous mystical displays.
'Thank you," I mouthed to Piper.
She nodded, spying back at Josie.
Josie's attention had moved off me finally, giving us a chance to debrief.
But just as we took the first breath to expound our assessment of the situation, Chancellor Kelly took the microphone.
"Thank you, mentors, for a fine introductory display of the many wonders of Hazeldene House."
Oh, right. That was just the warm-up.
The field rings were next. And those were where the true competition took place.
"Please take your places at the ring that is the best match for your element," she instructed. "You will stay within your circle as you demonstrate your elemental control."
My eyes widened as I stared at Josie.
It sounded like we would each display our skill while confined within the six-foot area of each hoop. I wondered if I'd be able to do it under such pressure.
We moved toward the center of the field as a group and then stepped into our respective rings. Piper and Noah chose hoops near mine, and just as I caught Clayton's eye to get him to snag the last one in our zone, Chloe, an annoying grad, stepped into it. Clayton's eyebrows pulled together as his lips pressed to the side. Either it was a convenient out for him or he was truly frustrated.
"Clayton," Josie called, pointing to the ring next to hers. "Over here!"
Graney Greta displayed a whistle around her neck, in place of her typical stethoscope, and swung it around her finger with clear joy in her new role as field master. She checked each of us with an authoritative measure, making sure we remained within our own circles and were ready to begin. Looking up at Chancellor Kelly, Greta gave a wave of approval.
Chancellor Kelly started a final announcement into the crackling mic.
"In the spirit of good competition, we expect the core values of Hazeldene to be respected throughout the games. The mentor with the greatest skill in wielding their element will receive the high honor of Marshall of the Fire Festival."
The students in the bleachers cheered with unbridled excitement and shouted our names, each attempting to be louder than the next. Clayton's name was by far the most audible, but Troy and Piper, and even I, got a few shout-outs as well. I was sure I heard Asher call my name, but only after he'd called Clayton's first. Jealousy over Asher's split attention soured my stomach and I swallowed it down.
"You know the rules," Graney Greta coached us under her breath. "Break them, and you're out." She stepped back keeping a narrowed eye on us, then blew her whistle for the games to begin.
My eyes burst wide in panic as I struggled to calm my racing mind.
Concentrate. Concentrate. You got this.
I closed my eyes to center my thoughts, but jumped as the banshee filled my head with her heinous stench. Stumbling back, I steadied myself and shot my eyes to the edge of my ring. I teetered just at its edge. Regaining my balance, I stepped into the center again.
Why now? The crazed banshee was going to ruin everything. And I hadn't had a minute to figure out what the hell she was and why she was stalking me.
And then it became clearer. This was the moment she'd been waiting for. The final opportunity to end me in front of everyone.
As I glanced around, I caught Clayton's eyes on me, staring in annoyance at my off-balance shuffle. He probably thought I'd nearly disqualified myself.
Then my attention shot to Troy and Liam. They were masters of their earth element and defied gravity any chance they had. Troy was on his hands with his feet fake-running over his head. Liam balanced on one hand, spinning back and forth at the hips. But that was just the beginning. Rumor had it that they had figured out the art of levitation, and if they actually did, they'd have Marshall in the bag.
Right next to me, Chloe let out a squeal as her eyes rolled back in her head. She hummed a long, low vibration that sent goosebumps up my arms. With her hands lifting into the air, a dark cloud formed high above her.
Was she conjuring evil spirits, or maybe a disastrous storm?
A second later, the cloud funneled above her into a tight core, and then burst apart as she clapped, and blackbirds scattered in every direction.
The bleachers exploded with excitement and stomping.
I looked over my shoulder at the cheering crowd and found Hattie and Asher's staring eyes right away. They watched me with excitement, waiting eagerly for my fire performance.
It was then, and only then, that I found my center.
I closed my eyes and channeled all of my energy into my palms. If I could generate enough fire power to bring some purple flame into view, it would be a new spectacle for all.
I concentrated with every ounce of focus in me, and then exhaled, panting.
Nothing.
I glanced up at Piper and Noah. They watched with worried eyes, and Piper elbowed Noah to get him to help. She reached her hands toward him, and he hovered his palms over them. Keeping their eyes on me, they focused their energy into the space between their hands.
Their connected focus was more intense than I'd ever seen between them. It shocked me to my core as I recognized a new level of attachment growing within their outstretched hands.
My eyes widened from the enlightening effect that radiated from them. Like a shot of caffeine, my energy jumped several levels, and my palms grew warmer. With my jaw hanging wide from the surprise of their combined ability, I nodded at Piper, letting her know it was helping.
But the one thing I was missing was currently standing next to Josie.
And it was Clayton.
If he were any closer, he could help me with the energy that surged through him.
But he was further away than ever. In every way.
I glanced over at him, and just as my eyes met his, my vision went black as searing pain shot through my body. I buckled over with a gasp as the flapping cloak of the banshee swung around me, sending sharp jolts of puncturing spikes through me.
Squeezing my sides to keep my innards from falling out, I strained through the pain of being ripped apart. My voice was lost in my throat as I struggled to even breathe.
The attack from the demon was more vivid and real than any of the others. She was hurting me to the point where I thought I could die.
Sucking air, I winced as I tried to find Clayton's face again. But my shaking eyes landed on Josie as her forceful gaze penetrated deep into me. Her entire being concentrated every ounce of her force, and directed it straight at me. The harder she stared, the fiercer the banshee became, and the higher the pain level soared.
Just as I fully comprehended Josie's deliberate collaboration with the maniacal banshee, Clayton caught the intense exchange between us. He stood taller as the shock of the situation rolled across his face. In an illuminating instant, his eyes narrowed and glowed red as he homed in on Josie.
And then the battle within th
e greatest war at Hazeldene erupted as if in torturous slow-motion.
Chapter 14
Clayton's shoulders broadened with each deep inhale, and a growl churned from deep within him.
The low rumble grew as his muscles swelled, and terror shot through me like lightning.
"Piper," I called, twisting around to her. "Help!"
I reached for her to gather as much of her energy as possible. Noah leaned in, throwing his full force toward me as well.
They knew exactly what was happening to Clayton.
They'd seen it before.
And knew it had to be stopped.
They knew as well as I did that if he revealed the beast, it would be the end of him. He'd kept it a secret for his entire time at Hazeldene, maintaining an image of control and order, when in truth, he was the most volatile of us all.
As much as I stretched and pulled, I couldn't gain enough force from Piper and Noah to conjure my flame. I just needed a little more and I'd have enough power to distract the entire arena with my fireballs. Pulling their attention away from Clayton was the priority.
In frustration, I turned to Josie, begging her with my eyes to stop her attack. If she called off the banshee, there'd be a chance to calm Clayton before he was fully exposed.
But instead of empathizing with me, particularly for Clayton's sake, she only grew more intense and obsessed with keeping the banshee's attack on me. It was her most effective way of keeping me from accessing my own element. If I had to defend myself from the demon-like creature, I'd have no time to focus on my fire. And Josie knew this would stop me in my tracks.
Another flap of the black cloak struck me across the face, leaving a burn that felt like acid on my skin. I cried out and pressed my hand to my molten cheek. Clayton's red eyes followed the flow of the black cloak and tracked the banshee like as stealth bomber.
She turned, leaving a streak of black in her wake, and flew toward me again.
"Evil witch," she hissed. "From a bloodline of the damned." Her voice scratched in my ears until it felt like they would bleed. "Your progress must be hindered. Dust is what you will be."
Mystic Coven: Fire Festival (Supernatural Academy Graduates Book 1) Page 14
