by c a king
“Gotcha.” Thomas’s goofy grin matched the useless bobbing of his head. “No clues are being provided. We have to find them.”
Frankie’s glare shot daggers across the room. “I’m not going back to the entrance. We are here. Let’s just find a way to the school and go our separate ways.” Her fingers traced the dust on the bookshelves. “The cleanliness of this place didn’t change any.”
“Go back to the beginning... Ageis’ Stones.” Makayla rushed to the shelf she’d found the odd book on the previous year. It wasn’t there. “I suppose that was way too easy.”
“Of course that won’t work,” Thomas said. “We have to solve the current mystery, and end this case before we can move on with our lives. Am I the only one who knows anything about crime stories?”
A bubble popped, echoing. “In case you didn’t notice, we are trying our best to figure out how to get out of here,” Frankie scoffed, gesturing around the aisle. “I’d prefer not to miss the opening ceremonies.” She leaned back, shoulders propped against a wall-mounted bookshelf.
“No,” Thomas complained. “You have it all wrong. Simply getting out of the library isn’t the issue at hand.”
“Then what is?” Makayla asked.
“I don’t know.” Thomas shrugged. “Once we figure that out, solving the case will be easy breezy.”
“Great.” Frankie blew a large bubble, popping it perfectly back into her mouth. “So not only do we have to solve the crime, we have to find it as well.” Her eyes rolled. “That makes perfect sense. The headmistress must have thought up this plot.” One hand waved at the other two. “Let’s fan out and see what we can learn.”
“It’s a library,” Thomas snorted. “There are books. We could learn a lot.” He dashed down an aisle, making a quick getaway.
There was nothing—not so much as a book out of place—the dust proved it. Makayla’s cheeks puffed out, air escaping slowly. Her gaze fell on Frankie, still leaning against the back shelf. “Did you stay here the whole time we were checking things out?”
“My money is on yes,” Thomas said, huffing and puffing.
“I never said I agreed with your analogy,” Frankie snickered. “The only crime here is the way you two dress... and your missing first-year illusion.”
“Wait,” Makayla said. “What did you say?”
“About your outfits?”
“No,” Makayla said. “The other part.”
“Oh,” Frankie chuckled. “That you’re delusional... seeing things... unstable... completely lost your marbles, but still trying to play, and even worse, believe you can win.”
Thomas crouched down, inhaling the fog. “There’s no need to be so harsh.” Puffs of smoky air released as he spoke, pipe dangling from one side of his mouth. His brows waggled.
“What?!” Makayla exclaimed. “No. You have it all wrong. The girls I saw must be some sort of a clue. They might be our ticket out of here.”
“Okay,” Frankie said. “How?”
“I don’t know.” Makayla’s brow furrowed.
“Aha!” Thomas exclaimed, grinning.
“Did you find something?” Makayla asked.
“No, but I think I understand.” Thomas paced back and forth, notepad in hand. “Tell me, what did these first years look like?”
Makayla shrugged. “I did get a good look at them all. I really only saw their backs.” A single finger rose. “Except the one girl. She was a blonde bombshell... the perky type.” Her eyes rolled. “The sort that would fit right in at my brothers’ school.”
“So... the exact opposite to us,” Frankie smirked. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that doesn’t help us any.”
“Actually,” Makayla said, elongating the word, “maybe it does. We’re in the wrong section.” Dust scattered as she rushed to another aisle.
“What magic are we looking for?” Thomas asked, following closely.
“The curriculum is pretty balanced at Marsh Academy for the Gifted, albeit advanced.” Makayla stopped in front of the only spotlessly clean shelves in the library. “Here.”
“Okay, genius,” Frankie scoffed. “Which book should we start with?”
Makayla's cheeks puffed out, air escaping slowly. “I have no idea, but this is the best chance we have.” She sank to the floor, pulling her knees into her chest.
“All right,” Frankie sighed. “Was there anything special either of your brothers was studying recently?”
Makayla shook her head. “We were on break. Besides, they don’t talk shop with me. I’m a lowly Grave Digger, remember?”
“There must be something,” Thomas blurted out. “A new spell maybe.”
“No,” Makayla sighed. “The whole break was all about the stupid driving test.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “It was all about driving.” Her head tilted to the side. “That one!” One finger caressed the spine of a large book.
“Transportation, Magic, and Portals?” Thomas read out loud. “I don’t get it.”
Makayla finished scanning the rest of the shelves. “It’s the only one dealing with that type of magic in this section.”
Frankie nodded. “If you are wrong, anything could happen. We might end up in a different country.” She glared down, hands placed firmly on her hips. “You don’t even know if that girl is attending your brothers’ school.”
“True.” Makayla shrugged. “Since they practice all types of magic there. I don’t think it matters. This whole situation is designed to lead us to the right book and I am certain this one is it.”
“Does anyone actually go to the library to read these days, or is it just me?” Thomas huffed. “Well, go on. Pluck that sucker right off the shelf. After last year, what’s the worst that can happen? Don’t answer that. I’m not really interested in hearing any negative possibilities.
The book barely moved before the fog began to rise, circling into a black-and-white mini tornado. Books, shelves, and even the walls were sucked into a forming black hole. Wood creaked as it splintered, disintegrating before their eyes. The very air around them stretched, their own bodies distorting as they too were pulled into the spinning vortex.
Chapter Four
It was a new record. Makayla landed safely on both feet, for the second time in one day, without so much as a wobble. Breathing normally was the new problem. She’d taken air for granted, expecting it to always be there; that was until the incident in the library. It wasn’t only the surroundings and people sucked into the black hole; her breath was stolen as well.
“Are you okay?” Thomas asked, his face overtaking her personal space. “You don’t look well.”
Makayla gasped, short shallow breaths following. “Yeah.” One hand covered her chest. “What was that?”
“I’m not sure,” Thomas admitted, cupping his chin with forefinger and thumb. “I spent a bit of time learning about portals from my parents over the break, but I’ve never seen that sort of magic before.”
“That’s because each type of magic has its own spells for travelling,” Frankie huffed. “I thought everyone knew that. There are literally hundreds of types of portals a wizard can manifest. Usually, adults know three or four they use regularly.”
“What type was that?” Thomas asked, upper lip arching.
Frankie offered a fake smile in reply, shrugging her shoulders. “You should research it in a book... say about portals. Oh, wait... you dropped it again, didn’t you? Bad luck there.”
“Maybe,” Makayla muttered, glancing around. “This is the path to the bridge. Why were we dropped off here? Seeing as we were summoned a week early, I thought I’d have time in town for a bit of shopping. That’s what my brothers do during first year orientation.” She tried backtracking, only to hit a wall. “Ow!” One hand caressed her forehead.
“Guess we aren’t allowed in town,” Thomas said. “That’s why we ended up on this side.”
Frankie huffed, “No one is going to forget last year.”
“I don’t expect t
hem to. I certainly won’t...” Her eyes locked on a cloaked figure, holding a staff in one hand and something burning in the other. The mere memory of the vast cemetery from one year ago was strong enough to knock Makayla on her butt. Her necklace swung free the moment she pulled herself up, a grey mist swirling inside the small crystal ball. “Do you think that’s him?” Both companions followed her gaze.
“No,” Frankie chuckled nervously. “There’s no way he’d be in the open like that. It’s probably an everyday ceremony. They still perform them, right?”
“Right,” Makayla agreed, still frozen on the spot. “They might have him in custody already, too.”
“You think that’s Professor Woolly, don’t you?” Thomas’s eyes widened with awe. “We should check and see.”
“How do you plan on doing that?” Frankie squared her stance to him, one hand on each hip. “Run over and ask? What then? If it is Woolly, we would be in a world of trouble.”
“What about Puffer?” Thomas asked. “He’s in your pocket, right? Have him fly over and take a peek.”
“Not happening,” Makayla said, starting the long walk toward the school. “He’s not here.”
“Why?” Thomas asked, taking two steps for every one of her own. “Did your helper abandon you?”
Makayla slowly cocked her head. “No. It’s nothing like that. He’s just not a baby anymore.” She shrugged. “He grew.”
“How big?” Frankie asked, staring.
“I don’t know,” Makayla answered. “I’m not exactly well versed on the growth patterns of dragons. Compared to his mother, he’s still quite small, but the pocket deal is done. I have to summon him now. Until then, he lives in his own home.”
“You can summon?!” Thomas exclaimed. “That’s amazing! We don’t learn that until next year.”
“Hmph!” Frankie flipped one of her pigtails. “What about the other one... the stone creature? As I recall you had the two.”
“You mean Gargle?” Makayla’s lips curled upward. “It’s daytime. He’ll be asleep until dusk. Neither of them will be much use in this situation.”
“I’d love to help,” Frankie snickered, “but we followed the rules and our helpers stayed at the school during the break.”
“It wouldn’t matter much for mine,” Thomas said. “Unless there are nuts involved, I doubt she’d be interested.”
“Are you sure that squirrel is an actual helper?” Frankie chuckled. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. A rodent like that is perfect for you.”
“Thanks,” Thomas beamed. “You’re still walking. Are we really abandoning the investigation so easily?”
“There is no investigation,” Makayla snapped. “I’d rather not start this year off in trouble right off the bat... and I don’t mean Boris.”
Thomas sighed. “I suppose you are right. Besides, your pendant isn’t filling with green like before.”
Makayla glanced down at where the crystal ball rested against her chest. The grey swirling smoke inside hadn’t stopped, reminding her of the library portal. “It’s probably still reacting to our irregular transportation.” She tucked it inside her shirt. “I still don’t know what any of the colours mean, either. There were no instructions.” She stopped at the bridge, glancing back. One more step and she’d be on safe ground, even if there were still six hundred and sixty-six stairs to climb before the home stretch.
Chapter Five
The castle they were heading to was exactly as remembered, as dismal as the weather and in the same state of repair as the cobblestone road beneath their feet, littered with broken rocks and pebbles. A set of iron gates squeaked closed behind them, locking. Gone were the weeds and brush, replaced by plots of land readied for burials. Stone markers lay by the side of freshly dug ground, shovels still stuck in the displaced dirt.
Climbing the front steps, Makayla glanced at a pillar to her right then the other on the opposite side of the stairs. Atop each sat statues of the monsters she once considered foul enough to be cursed to stone during daylight. That wasn’t the case anymore. She’d learned not to judge a monster by its appearance.
The air changed the moment the doors to the great hall opened, smacking students in the face with a bout of stale stuffiness.
“Welcome Back!” Miss Tallen exclaimed with open arms. “As you know first-year students normally have the premises to themselves this week. We’ve also summoned your class as well. I’ll let Headmistress Meet explain those details to you later. Hurry along and join the others.” One hand shooed them into the dining room.
Cali’s hand bolted straight up, waving. “Over here!” She’d managed to snag the same table they’d sat at the previous year. “We were wondering when you two would show up.”
Frankie stuck her nose in the air, departing from the side of her travelling companions without so much as a goodbye.
“We had a library incident,” Thomas whispered.
“Not again,” Leo huffed. “Do problems follow you around?”
“That’s a great way to say hello,” Cali scoffed.
“You’re thinking it too,” Leo snapped. “The only reason I’m stuck in this hole in the ground is because of the shenanigans she pulled. I’m surprised they are letting us speak to one another again.”
“Ahem.” The headmistress stood at the front of the room, freshly plucked feathers pinned in her tidy updo—a type of extravagance the woman normally avoided, even if they were all raven black.
Silence.
“For those who don’t know, I am Headmistress Mary Meet,” she announced, folding hands together in front of her. “I have a few announcements to make. The south tower is still closed for repairs. The stairs on that side of the building are off-limits and quite dangerous. Students should avoid the area altogether.” She paused. “Your personal belongings have already been delivered and are awaiting you after the conclusion of this assembly. I recommend you spend the rest of the evening unpacking. We’ll now hear a few words from Ms. Moth.” She turned to retake her seat.
“Thank you,” Ms. Moth said, accepting the spotlight. “In each of your rooms you will find a list of school rules. Please make sure you read and understand each of them. In particular, please study the restrictions on travelling off the grounds. Such activities are strictly prohibited without a special pass signed by a minimum of one teacher and the Headmistress. Punishment for failing to comply is expulsion.”
“Thank you, Ms. Moth,” Mary Meet said, exchanging places with the instructor. “There is one further announcement: Inter-Academy Games are being held this year. I hope each of you will consider participating on behalf of the pride in your school. The final standings weigh heavily in each institution’s standings. As you can imagine, Grave Digger Academy would prosper from moving up a few notches. Of course, more information will be released as the time approaches.”
“I’m in!” Thomas announced, standing. “Sign me up!”
Cali tugged on his shirt sleeve. “Stop! Everyone’s staring.”
“Aren’t you joining the team?” Thomas asked. “I bet there is a good prize for the winners.”
“Yeah,” Makayla snorted. “The winners. We don’t have a chance. My brothers are already planning on crushing us.”
“You never know unless you try,” Thomas complained.
“I do,” Makayla argued. “There’s no way I am joining the Grave Digger Academy team... not a chance in hell.”
Chapter Six
Makayla sighed, staring at the spiral staircase. The headmistress’s office was at the very top of the school’s tallest tower and there hadn’t been anytime to locate another way in or out, even if she knew it existed. That left one option—climbing stairs—a lot of stairs. Muscles complained bitterly, equivalent to completing a thirty-minute workout in less than half the time. They deserved a rest at the top, as did her laboured breath.
The door squeaked open. “Don’t dilly-dally,” the headmistress ordered. “Come in. We have quite a bit of ground to cover be
fore I can set you free.”
Beady black eyes stared down at her from the rafters. “Hello, Boris... Headmistress. I hope you both had an uneventful break.”
“How kind of you to put greetings to my bat before me,” the headmistress scoffed. “Boris is quite fine. I, on the other hand, could use an actual vacation. The past few months have been spent tidying up last year’s mess.”
“Was Woolly apprehended?” Makayla asked, stance stiffening.
“Please sit,” the headmistress replied. “You’re making me nervous just from looking at you.” She waited for her student to comply. “See, that’s much better. As for Woolly,” she sighed, “he’s still on the most wanted list. There’s been no sign of him. On the bright side, it’s unlikely, with all this fuss, he’ll show his face around here anytime soon.”
“Forgive me if that doesn’t make me feel any better,” Makayla snapped. “What about Ageis’ stones? Were any more found?”
“I’m afraid not,” the headmistress sighed. “The whole area has been searched, most thoroughly. It appears the one which surfaced last year was a fluke.”
Makayla shifted her weight, crossing her legs. “This is the part where you tell me my restrictions for the year. I suppose I can’t speak with my friends again.”
“Now that depends on you,” the headmistress said, removing her glasses, “and it’s actually why I called you here.”
“Intriguing,” Makayla chuckled.
“I’ve signed you and your class up for the Inter-Academy competition on behalf of Grave Digger Academy,” the headmistress said.
“What?!” Makayla’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief. “There is nothing you can say to make me take part.”
“Tsk.” Mary Meet’s tongue clicked on the roof of her mouth. “That’s a shame. I worked so hard to get back your liberties, too.”
“What do you mean?” Makayla’s lips curled down, lines forming between brows. “How does one affect the other?”
