Untouchable Witch: An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure (School of Necessary Magic Raine Campbell Book 7)

by Judith Berens

  “Just do it,” Raine said. “If it’s that important, I don’t mind being uncomfortable. I’m sure Professor Tarelli wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t for a good reason.”

  The look on the other two professor’s faces suggested that they didn’t agree with that assessment.

  The Nyran woman clapped her hands together. “Good girl. I knew you would side with championing knowledge.” She yanked a potion out of a pocket of her khaki shorts, twisted the cap off, and swallowed half the contents before she handed it to the girl. “Focus on the cavern you passed out in. I don’t care about anything else. Only that cave.”

  Raine brought the potion to her lips and closed her eyes. She imagined the strange pulsating cavern in her mind’s eye as she downed the potion. The thick liquid slid down her throat and she gagged and almost threw up again at its awful smell—like a mixture of old socks and a garbage dump.

  Pain spiked through her head, and she understood why people didn’t like it. She gritted her teeth and struggled to focus on the chamber.

  “I have it.” Professor Tarelli slapped something cool and smooth in Raine’s hand.

  She opened her eyes. It was another potion in a small glass vial.

  “Take that,” the professor said. “It’ll end the spell and the unpleasant side-effects.”

  She opened the potion and swallowed the contents eagerly. It didn’t taste any better going down, but her headache stopped instantly. She would take the small victories.

  Professor Tarelli took several steps back until she encountered the wall, her eyes wide. She stared at Raine and her mouth hung open. “Everything makes sense now. Everything makes perfect sense. I even suspected it, but I thought, no, it couldn’t be that, because it’s ridiculous even by the standards of this strange island. But I saw it because you saw it, and now, the truth is there and I can’t deny it, no matter how much it hurts my brain to admit it.”

  Professor Powell frowned. “Can you be a little clearer on what you’re talking about? Raine is suffering because of whatever happened down there, and we still have to address the problem of the earthquakes before this island destroys itself or we evacuate.”

  “No, no.” She shook a finger that trembled with suppressed excitement. “Not earthquakes.”

  He scoffed. “Yes, those were definitely earthquakes.”

  “No, that wasn’t plates shifting and ground moving. Sure, that happens, but it’s better to think of it as a frown or a disapproving growl.” The woman growled as if to clarify the point.

  Cameron strode forward and glared at her. “Will you explain what the heck is going on? What did you see? Explain it!”

  She laughed quietly. “The truth, Kyle. Oh—wait, is it Christopher?” She waved a hand vaguely. “No matter. It’s not important right now.” She rounded on the glaring Professor Powell. “It’s a mallaoch. It was an internal inclusion from a mallaoch.”

  The man stumbled back as if punched. Professor Hudson paled.

  “That’s impossible,” Professor Powell said, his face a mask of pure confusion and denial. “That’s completely impossible.”

  The shifter snarled with rising impatience. “What’s a mallaoch?”

  Raine nodded quickly. Everyone seemed keyed into the truth except her and her boyfriend, and they were the ones who had seen the stupid cavern.

  Professor Powell cut through the air with his hand. “You can’t know it’s a mallaoch. There’s no way one could be on Earth.” His tone suggested a combination of confusion and outrage.

  Professor Tarelli giggled. “Except what Raine saw matches an internal node exactly. Trust me. I’ve memorized what they look like from the records in the Great Library.” She rounded on Raine. “No one alive has ever seen one, and that includes the gnomes of the Great Library. Still, there are books that relate information about these creatures that are so rare and wonderous, even many Oricerans believe they are mere legend.” She threw a hand up to cut Cameron off as he opened his mouth. “New Firefly Island isn’t merely a boring island. It’s a mallaoch. They are massive creatures native to Oriceran oceans. Tens of thousands of years ago, they were more common, but they were rare even then. Most died even before the Great War, and that little event certainly didn’t help the few remaining. You have to understand. They aren’t simply rare. They’re rare, rare, rare. Super-rare. All but extinct.”

  Raine blinked several times. “I don’t understand. You’re saying the island is alive?”

  “No. Not at all. That would be silly. Well, depending on the circumstances. In some cases, it might not be silly, but in this case, it is. The island itself isn’t a living animal.” Professor Tarelli shifted from one leg to the other like an excited child about to open a present. “I can’t even begin to imagine how one might have ended up outside Maine. The only possibility is that it came over when the gates were last fully open, and maybe in the cycle before that. But how and why?”

  “The cycle before that?” Cameron shook his head, disbelief now mingled with his anger. “How long do these things live?”

  “Their lifespan is so vast, even gnomes are like mayflies to them.” Professor Tarelli’s breath caught, and she pointed at Raine. “It also explains why there is this strange combination of so many rare species that aren’t always together. It must have been the previous cycle, not the one before. They creatures accompanied the mallaoch when it came to Earth from Oriceran. Wait. No. That still doesn’t quite answer why they are here. The combination of species is still unusual, and it would have been even then. Huh. I still have to think about this.”

  Raine rubbed her temples. “Can we get back to what this thing is? Is it some kind of giant creature that effectively lives forever?”

  “Oh, the simplest way to think of it is that’s a massive creature made mostly of…well, I suppose you would say stone and minerals. They tend to generate islands around themselves with magic. It’s rather like a shell. In ancient times on Oriceran, some people even worshipped them and sought to purposefully live on one.”

  The shifter dropped onto the edge of a bed. “So this island is the shell of this super-creature, and it’s what? Angry that we’re here? That’s why we have the earthquakes?”

  The professor shook her head. “They aren’t intelligent as we would usually define it, but they are highly empathic and they have a natural ability with powerful magic, as you’ve encountered. I suspect the increased earthquakes before were in reaction to the actions of the poachers. It’s inevitable that there will be some minor quakes on a mallaoch island simply because of certain basic processes of life. That said, you have to understand that the creature itself doesn’t really perceive individual organisms like you and I as actual entities, but with enough pain and suffering, something becomes an irritant, and it can react to that. That’s why the quakes grew stronger. Increased and prolonged suffering triggered it, not the quick death of predator and prey or the natural cycle of life.”

  Raine took several deep breaths. “A living island.”

  “Of sorts. That’s accurate enough for now. Maybe.”

  She stared at the professor. “And, what? Cameron basically tickled its throat earlier?”

  Professor Tarelli laughed. “A somewhat accurate metaphor. Yes, that chamber is the equivalent of one of its internal organs. He tickled from the inside, and it wanted to throw up, I suppose you could say.” Her smile disappeared. “The only thing I still don’t understand is how it actually got to Earth. People are right to be skeptical in that regard. For all their powerful magic, they have no ability with portal magic. It wouldn’t even occur to such a creature to create something like a portal to Earth. I wonder if this has something to do with the random species distribution. There has to be a connection.” She paced in the small cabin and almost bumped into Cameron and the other two professors, although she showed no sign that she was even aware of it.

  Professor Hudson smiled gently. “I have a theory that might explain that.”

  The Nyran woman stopped
and pointed at the witch. “Your theory, please. I welcome it.”

  “Do you know the history of our school?”

  She shook her head. “Not particularly. I know it was established after the gates started opening. What about it?”

  “Tucker Underwood, the previous Fixer, donated the land we use.”

  “That’s very nice of him.” She nodded quickly. “Very nice. I’ve never met a fixer, former or current, but I’d like one if they gave me land.”

  “That’s less important than the fact that he has spent considerable time preserving magical species.” Professor Hudson smiled at Raine. “And he’s not the only Oriceran to ever have that idea. What if thousands of years ago, there was someone who had the same idea? Someone who wanted to preserve rare species and decided they would save one of the rarest of all by sending it to another world where it could act as a living nature preserve? They might have even done it because of the Great War.”

  Professor Tarelli tapped the side of her head. “Hmm. That might work. Obviously, the mallaoch has enough natural magic or absorbed enough that it’s—” She gasped. “It was probably hibernating before the gates opened. Enough to keep itself alive, and all the while, the animals and plants on it continued to live as usual, self-sustaining over the eons.”

  Raine shook her head. “But if that’s all true about someone purposefully sending it over, how can we ever verify it?”

  Professor Hudson shrugged. “Maybe, with enough time in the Great Library, we might find someone who talked about it in a brief footnote. But honestly, the fact that this thing exists is impressive enough. Not all mysteries need to be solved. Sometimes, their results are enough to bring satisfaction.”

  “I’m stunned,” Professor Powell said. “Floored.”

  A huge grin split Cameron’s face. “In other words, it’s the ultimate survey finding.”

  “That it is,” Professor Tarelli said with a nod.

  Raine looked at the professors. “If we don’t scare the animals or cause prolonged suffering, there’ll be fewer earthquakes, right?”

  Professor Powell nodded. “That would likely be the case.”

  “Then do we have to go?” She let the hope bleed into her voice.

  “No, all we have to do is respect the island.” He looked at Professor Hudson, who nodded calmly. “And if we do that, you could probably even play mazeball again.” He grinned.

  Raine lay back, her head swimming with all the information—an entire island that surrounded a gigantic long-lived creature that was to gnomes as gnomes were to normal humans. Every time she thought she had a handle on what it meant to be a witch in a world of magic, something new blindsided her and made her question everything.

  And that was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

  Chapter Thirty

  Her packing finished, Raine sighed and stretched. The last few weeks of the summer trip had gone without incident. As Professor Tarelli predicted, the earthquakes lessened, with only two minor tremors. Despite the fact that they hadn’t ceased completely, they were small enough that the professors allowed the students to resume their mazeball.

  The game was a fun distraction, although Adrien, Finn, Asher, and Philip all agreed that it needed too much refinement to be a sport played anywhere but on tiny islands during summer research trips.

  Evie zipped her suitcase briskly. “I thought I would be happy to leave, but I’ll miss this place. It almost feels like I’m leaving home, and it’ll take me a few days to process how I feel about that.”

  Sara nodded from her bed. “I feel the same way.”

  “We played a part in history here,” Raine said. “According to Professor Hudson, the US government and the UN are talking about how best to handle the island. It’s obviously in American territory, but it’s a unique lifeform on Earth, so everyone’s concerned that it be protected in the best way possible.” She laughed at a sudden realization.

  “What’s so funny?” The kitsune looked confused.

  “I thought about how no one knows how to handle Madelyn because she’s a too new type of life, and no one knows how to handle the mallaoch because it’s too old.” She smiled. “It’s interesting, is all.”

  “Life always is,” Sara said.

  The ferry extended its ramp to the dock. Both groups of students had travelled from the island together and now disembarked in Portland. From there, they would take the Starbucks train to their hometowns. Even though they would go to the same transit location, everyone used the opportunity to say their final goodbyes on the ferry, since they didn’t want to risk revealing the magic train. Someday, it might be a matter of public record but for now, it remained a semi-secret.

  Raine shook Silas’ hand. “It was nice getting to know you. Thanks for that list of books. I’ll read all of them.”

  “It’s always good to meet a fellow book lover.” The boy smiled before he added a final shy nod and headed toward the ramp.

  Finn fist-bumped Adrien. “Just so you know, bro, I won’t show you any mercy on the Louper field. Once I put the uniform on, I’m loyal to my team first and everyone else second. Even my family!”

  The Light Elf scoffed. “I would be insulted if you dared to show me mercy. The best way to show your respect is by attempting to destroy me, as I will you when we go undefeated next season.”

  “Yeah, I’ll personally make sure you have at least one loss next season.” He grinned.

  “We’ll see.” Adrien nodded and stepped away, a smile on his face.

  Josephine left her suitcase and walked toward Sara to pull her into a tight hug. “It’s been my greatest pleasure to spend these last two months with you, Sara. You’re a wonderful person, and I loved your sketches. I hope I can see your paintings in person someday.”

  The kitsune hugged her affectionately. “You’re great, too, Jo.”

  Evie came in for a hug with the witch. She’d finished her goodbyes with Heidi and Kelly. Tears ran down her reddened cheeks.

  Cameron shook Asher’s hand. “Go kick a few monster butts for me, or you could go a semester without getting wrapped up in some weird creature-related incident.”

  The Wood Elf grinned. “Same to you, Cameron. Try and avoid chaos witches for at least a few months or any killer game faeries who come to life. Heck, avoid any ferrets wearing fancy clothes too.”

  “I’ll try but no promises.” The shifter inclined his head toward Raine. “She ends up dragging me into any number of things, and I have to back my girlfriend, you know.”

  Asher’s grin managed to somehow grow even bigger. “Oh, yeah. That I do know.”

  Dnai smiled bashfully at Asher from the ramp. She turned and stuck her hand over her mouth.

  Cameron glanced from Asher to the Arpak girl. “What was that about? Wait. You and Dnai? I thought you weren’t dating anyone from your school?”

  “We’re a thing now,” his companion murmured with a shrug. “We always liked each other, but it never seemed to happen. But over those last few days on the island, I spent more time with her and we talked, and now, we’ll make it work at school. It’s not like we don’t both already know one another. I always thought my first girlfriend would be an elf, but it’s funny how life works out.”

  “It’s good that you’re together,” the shifter said a little too forcefully. “Very good. I’m happy for you.”

  The Wood Elf smirked. “You want me away from Raine, huh?”

  Cameron shrugged. “I won’t say the thought never occurred to me.”

  “She is a special girl, Cameron. Don’t ever let her go.”

  “I won’t. I can guarantee that.”

  “Good.” Asher gave him a little salute and turned away, a huge smile on his face. He headed toward Dnai and threw his arm over her shoulder.

  Raine sighed quietly and stepped away from all the hugging and handshakes. While she would only be away from her Trouble Squad friends for a few weeks, the weight of the summer adventure pressed heavily on her. She appro
ached the railing and looked at the water as she thought about how things had changed and how they had also stayed the same.

  Professor Hudson stepped out of the passenger area. She closed the door quietly behind her and moved to the girl’s side. “Is everything okay? You look somewhat pensive.”

  “It’s great.” Raine chuckled quietly. “Wonderful, actually. I’m eager to get back to FBI training, but we stopped poachers, I made new friends, and I helped discover a rare, ancient creature. It wasn’t a bad summer when you think about it. And no one had to die.”

  “Cherish these days, Raine,” the professor said gently. “Take joy in what it means to still be a young person experiencing so many of life’s firsts. I know you’re very eager to join the FBI, but you’ll have more than enough time to be an adult. Make the most of your last year at the School of Necessary Magic.”

  “I know.” She turned to gaze at everyone she’d shared the summer with. “Thank you, Professor, for giving us this opportunity. It was something I needed, but I didn’t actually know I did. I don’t think I’ll forget this summer for the rest of my life.” She wiped away a few tears that threatened at the corners of her eyes.

  Professor Hudson patted her on the shoulder. “That’s what we always strive to do as educators. Thank you for always being hungry for knowledge. Its students like you and your friends who refresh my love of teaching.”

  Raine drew a deep breath. “Um, I had a question. Is Madelyn…still at the school?”

  “Yes. She will be a sophomore next year and treated like any other, despite her…exotic origin.” The woman smiled warmly. “But I’m sure she could use a few upperclassmen friends, and maybe when she is a junior, she can have a wonderful summer trip as well that gives her great memories.

  “That would be nice.”

  Professor Hudson rested a hand on the railing. “You really can’t leave anyone alone when they’re in trouble, can you?”