Blackwood: The Dynasty Series Book One

by Marian Gray

  I couldn’t fathom what was going on. My hands worked with speed, tearing open the first letter.

  Dear Kim Blackwood,

  How are you? I've read that you are struggling in several of your classes. If you aren't ashamed, you should be. I'm honestly surprised your family hasn't disowned you yet, for its ignorant summer witches like you that hold back our community and destroy our culture.

  Maybe you should spend more time with your head in a book.

  You are a stuck up fraudulent frog turd.

  Sincerely,

  A Proud and Capable Witch

  The note fell from my hands in shock. My eyes roamed to the other letters. They were all from strangers littered across the globe.

  “All right,” Hanover said, gathering the students’ attention. “It’s about time for us to begin. Please settle in.”

  I swept the envelopes into my bag and returned to my notebook and pen.

  “Since you have an exam tomorrow, I thought I’d spoil you all with a review day. Everything discussed today will appear on the test.” She flashed her narrow teeth behind a forced smile. “The first section will cover basics. The overall setup of the International Chamber of Magical Affairs. You will need to list the six countries with permanent chairs inside the organization: USA, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Egypt, and Colombia. As well as the six temporary countries that were recently voted in: Canada, Italy, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Chile. Together these twelve countries pass new laws and oversee the different committees beneath them that maintain specific industries in the magical world. Can anyone name the industries that are unique to the magical world?”

  My pen scribbled on my page as fast as the ink would run, but the well dried mid-sentence. I reached in my backpack for another pen, and something unfamiliar brushed against the back of my hand. It was a thick, scratchy paper. My fingers reached for its edge, wrapping around a large, thick envelope. I pulled it out of my bag. The kraft casing held something inside. I pulled the metal clasps up and retrieved a folded copy of Sunday’s issue of the Emporium. There was no other note inside, simply the paper. I thumbed through the pages and stopped on a page that was marked with blue ink. The sender had highlighted a particular article. Certain phrases had been circles, words underlined, and personal annotations added.

  Failing Fledgling: Kim Can’t Cut It

  By: Ida Rivera

  Alchemy and Casting: the cornerstone of holmgang. So what does it mean when this generation's Blackwood is failing at both?

  As some were distraught to learn in a previous issue of the Emporium that the Blackwood Dynasty was coming to an end, it appears to be worse than we all were led to believe. According to fellow students, the flup-raised witch is anything but gifted and failed to brew a simple belching tonic.

  The paper was ripped from my grip.

  “It appears class that reading about yourself in the newspaper is more important that paying attention during test preparation.” Professor Hanover stood over me with a spiteful grin. “I wonder what could be so interesting. Why don’t we share with everyone, Kim?” She stretched the paper out and gave it a snap, straightening the flimsy spine. “Failing Fledgling: Kim Can’t Cut It,” she began. “Alchemy and Casting: the cornerstone of holmgang. So what does it mean when this generation's Blackwood is failing at both?

  “As some were distraught to learn in a previous issue of the Emporium that the Blackwood Dynasty was coming to an end, it appears to be worse than we all were led to believe. According to fellow students, the flup-raised witch is anything but gifted and failed to brew a simple belching tonic. Her creation even made the tester pass wind. ‘She didn't seem ashamed at all. It's like she's above reproach,’ recounted a classmate. ‘She believes that she's better than all of us.’

  “To add injury to insult, Kim performed at subpar levels during a recent casting practical. She struggled to fire off several primary spells and was knocked off her feet when she failed to cast a basic block. Academic sources report that professors are less than hopeful of her powers and say to ‘look elsewhere if you want to find the next Berenger’. One particular administrative official, who has requested to remain anonymous, stated, ‘Even though [Henry Blackwood] accomplished nothing in life, he still had the ability to do so. No one can deny that. Kim however doesn't possess any of the revered strength her ancestors exhibited’.”

  Professor Hanover peered down at me with a fake frown pulling on her lips. “Perhaps if you spent more time paying attention to lectures and less time worrying about your public image, articles such as these wouldn’t be written about you. Tuck away your vanity, Ms. Blackwood. It’s rather unbecoming.” She tossed the paper back on my desk in a dismissive manner.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I can’t believe she did that,” Sara shook her head. “Beyond unnecessary.”

  I sighed, sipping my cup of tea. The dining hall was mostly empty and served as an excellent escape from the other students. “I accept that I’m not best student nor am I even close to being the best witch, but why? Why do they have to constantly attack me? And why did Professor Hanover have to ridicule me? What point was she proving? I don’t walk around the halls believing I’m infallible—it’s the exact opposite, actually.”

  “I wouldn’t put much thought into it.” The pages of the Emporium splayed out on the table before Eddie. “She’s a chamber rep, who teaches a class that’s not even a part of the university’s core curriculum. None of the fall freshmen will ever have to attend a Chamber class for the entirety of their academic careers here at Ivory. Her sole purpose in this school is to feed you a bunch of propaganda. She can’t do that if you’re not paying attention. That’s why she crucified you.”

  Sara slid the paper to rest before her. “I wonder who’s idea it was to run this.”

  I shrugged. “Probably Adriana Ojeda. She was the journalist that interviewed me for the first article.”

  “Ida Rivera penned this one.” Sara pointed to the name listed below the title. “I bet Ojeda shared her notes in order for Rivera to write this smear.”

  “Those names are familiar,” Eddie added. “Why do I recognize them?”

  “Because a few years ago they were both slapped with huge libel lawsuits in multiple countries, but the Emporium refused to fire them since they’re prominent figures in the Latin American world.”

  “So they know what they’re doing?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “The Emporium often does this to celebrities. It’s a control thing on the Chamber’s part. They’re showing that despite any possible fame you may gain or sway you may have with the general public, they’re the ones in charge. They can make or break you.”

  Sara rolled her eyes. “Let’s not swing completely into conspiracy theory craziness. Have you ever thought that the first article sold well, and therefore they figured a more gossipy piece might sell more? Maybe it’s just a profit thing.”

  “Whatever the reason, steer clear of the Emporium.”

  Sara opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes lifted from my face. A mix of terror and shock washed over her. Something behind me had caught her attention.

  “Hey.” It was Elijah.

  I sat up and ran a hand through my hair, grooming my brown locks. “Hi.” My chest twisted into knots at the sight of him. “Do you want to join us?”

  Sara’s eyes shot to me. They shone with disbelief over my audacity.

  “No, thank you.” He rubbed his lips. “I was walking by and saw you. I just wanted to come over, and well, I read the article.” My shoulders drooped. I doubted his opinion of me was very high. “I’ve had a couple unsavory articles published about me. They’re always filled with a nice combination of twisted facts and brazen lies. Don’t let them crush your spirit or color your own opinion about yourself. Everyone has to walk before they can run.”

  “Thank you for the advice.” I didn’t know what else to say. “I’d be lying if I said I knew how to deal with this.�
�

  He offered a sympathetic smile. “Rivera and Ojeda tend to be cruel when writing about women.” His hand locked around his backpack strap. “Focus on your studies and on passing the summer semester. Put in a temporary mail stop with Chamber Post if it becomes unbearable. I’ve had to do that a few times even with a mail holder already in place. You’ll get through it. Anyway, good luck with your studies. I’ll see you guys around.” His lips spread into a glittering smile as he waved his farewell.

  My heart beat in my chest like a hammer.

  “Well that was interesting,” Eddie commented once the man was out of earshot.

  Sara’s jaw dropped. “How do you know Elijah Harlow?” Her head cranked around to catch one more glimpse.

  “I randomly met him in a bookstore when I was buying school supplies. He didn’t know my last name until casting class though.”

  “How do you randomly meet one of the biggest names right now?”

  “Biggest names?” My tone filled with skepticism.

  Sara nodded. “He’s trendy to say the least. Around the time of his signing, his name popped up on everything.”

  “So many endorsement deals—it’s obnoxious,” Eddie added.

  I shrugged. “He doesn’t act like it though. He’s seems like a down to earth, normal guy.”

  “That’s because you don’t know him.” Eddie shifted in his seat. “He doesn’t have the best history with women. His last girlfriend went running to the Emporium to decry him for cheating on her.”

  I scoffed. “We’re just friends—not even that really, more like acquaintances or colleagues.”

  “It doesn’t matter what you two are. All I’m saying is that you should be careful with him. The last thing you need is to be seen with him.” His lips spilled over into a knowing frown. “You think everyone is gossiping now?”

  “Thank you, Father Tutor Eddie.” The words shot from Sara’s mouth. “Kim, I think you should do what you want. If you want to chase after Harlow. Chase after him. Just live your life.”

  “With some discretion.” Eddie stressed the final word. “You’re being chewed up by the Emporium, and it’s making you miserable. Why add more fuel to the fire?”

  “Because playing with fire is fun.” Sara grinned with a wild look in her eyes.

  Eddie shook his head. “I know it’s a cheesy line, but in your case it’s true: with great power, comes great responsibility. Every move you make and everything you do will be scrutinized by the public eye. And because you have Blackwood hanging on the end of your name, your bar is raised to monstrous heights—average is failing; good is disappointing; excellent is acceptable; great is the true achievement. That’s why your uncle is so demonized. He wasn’t a bad student. In fact, he was a good student, but that’s disappointing.”

  My arms folded across my chest, and I sunk in my seat. “I’m never going to be great, Eddie. It’s not possible. I’m barely passing all of my classes except augmentation that one I am surely failing.”

  “Well, you’ll never know unless you really try. Be honest. Are you truly applying yourself? Are you putting in maximum effort? If you’re not, you need to reconsider how badly you want to be a witch, because your life in our world will be tragic as it currently stands.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  I took Eddie’s advice to heart. I did want to be a witch. But a life of misery was no life at all.

  For the last month of the summer semester, I flooded my brain with material. I indexed potions and their ingredients into my memory. Oracular became another language to me—reciting tea leaf omens and counting people’s futures. Eddie rehearsed my wand strokes, allowing me to hurl any object across the room.

  Casting unmasked itself as the true struggle though. During the holmgang off-season, the school opened the arena to all students for practice. Those circular walls witnessed my nightly struggle. It was odd that spells were my weakness when history dictated them a strength.

  But despite my regression into my schoolwork, the press continued to roll out papers. The following week a small piece appeared surrounding Elijah Harlow and I. Needless to say our conversation within the cathedral had been chopped and minced for them to get their story.

  Harlow to Blackwood: Focus on your Studies and on Passing the Summer Semester

  By: Ida Rivera

  Add another name to the list of heartbroken ladies. Kim Blackwood has set her sights on the newest Boston Sons' star, Elijah Harlow. Unfortunately for Blackwood, Harlow holds high standards and she couldn't reach the bar. In rebuff to Kim's advances, Harlow told her to "focus on [her] studies and on passing the summer semester".

  The week after my pretend rebuff, the Emporium featured a more damning article on the third page. Due to my previous request for an official mail stop with the Chamber Post, I spared myself all accusations and a guaranteed reprimand from my uncle.

  Kim Caught Red-handed

  By: Adriana Ojeda

  By age fifteen all wizards and witches are required to pass a test in order to acquire a junior wand. Then, at the age of seventeen, a final test is administered that allows our youth to acquire their first adult wand with a full range of capabilities. These guidelines and regulations were passed by the International Chamber of Magical Affairs in 1927. They have functioned to serve and protect our community as well as those that reside outside of our circle. All wizards and witches must abide by them, and those that attempt to break these mandates will be met with arrest and possible criminal charges.

  But one failing star has slipped through the cracks. Reputable sources claim that Kim Blackwood is not only practicing magic without a license but using a restricted wand as well. Restricted wands are only permitted to magical users who have demonstrated an outstanding amount of control and ability, as restricted wands tend to be both powerful and unwieldy. When we reached out to the Committee of Defense for a statement, they denied the allegations and refused to even discuss the matter. Moreover, the Committee of Education and Spell-craft refused us access when we requested proof of Kim Blackwood's wand license, claiming that private citizen records are not for public inquiry and will not be released without a court order.

  Until members of the high society are required to answer for their crimes, injustices such as this shall continue.

  The Committee of Defense never contacted me over my lack of license, but I was informed by the Committee of Education and Spell-craft that there would be small audit to investigate my grades thanks to the following story published that semester.

  Blackwoods Bully Banach

  By: Ida Rivera

  With the Ivory summer semester coming to a close, Notices of Progression Denial are being delivered to families far and wide. But there's one family you may be shocked to learn will not receive notice: the Blackwoods.

  Having gained authorization by the Committee of Education and Spell-craft to access the official list of students registered to attend Ivory University of Magics for the fall semester, we were able to verify that Kim Blackwood has been granted placement in the continuing semester. This is odd considering recent accounts from students and professors alike have all claimed that Blackwood was failing.

  While there is no hard evidence to confirm, we have reason to believe that the Blackwoods may be in fact pressuring President Ailis Banach into allowing Kim to proceed with her studies. It is well-known that the Blackwood Family is one of the largest donors to the university and has maintained this position of power for centuries. While neither President Banach nor Henry Blackwood could be reached for comment, it is easy to conclude that grades have been altered to ensure Kim Blackwood educational progression.

  The audit returned nothing but a jump in grades due to my heightened effort. President Banach swooped to my defense once the issue was dismissed and claimed the entire debacle was disgusting. The committee had acted on a hunch, publicly calling into question both the student’s and the institution’s integrity. Needless to say, the Emporium did not run a follow-up
article clearing the university or me of disparaging remarks.

  One warm August evening, Eddie, Sara, and I celebrated not only our summer success but the announcement that the university was seeking legal action against the Emporium.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “All right.” Professor Dart placed his hands upon the back of the worn chair. “That should be it for today’s lecture.”

  The room erupted into a shuffle as the students packed their instruments into their backpacks. I hoisted mine from the floor and slipped it over my shoulder. In one smooth motion I rose from seat, but stopped when I met a pair of caramel eyes. At the end of my row, stood a girl in a plum a-line skirt and white button-up shirt. Her sandy locks were twisted into a tight bun upon her head that stood without a strand out of place.

  Putting one foot before the other, I closed the gap between is.

  “Kim Blackwood,” she said as I approached. It wasn’t a question. She recognized me.

  “Yes?” I stopped so that we stood just two feet apart. I had never seen her before in my life, but she readily knew who I was.

  “I wasn’t expecting us to have a class together, least of all casting. What luck, no?” Her lips shined as she spoke through a thick layer of chapstick. Other than the clear shade across her mouth, her skin was bare. Not a drop of makeup graced her skin.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not sure who you are.”

  Her face widened into a polite smile, and she stuck out her hand in formal greeting. “Lili Banach.”

  My heart seized as I stared at her, yet my hand found hers. This was the girl the entire world expected to become my enemy. “It’s nice to finally meet you. How did you know who I was?”