by Evie Wilde
We left the chamber in silence, but outside the building the chatter began. I listened to everyone the best I could but found myself enamored in the fact I was “The chosen one.” But most importantly, I knew all those accidents with my magic were not necessarily my fault. Someone else may have been involved. My confidence in myself and in my magic was increasing by the day.
“I always knew,” Oliver said.
Kyler laughed. “You didn’t know shit,” he said. “None of us did until we got here.”
“The chosen one,” Dash said. “And we’re supposed to protect you.”
Braeden seemed to be deep in thought and then stopped. “We need to post a guard outside her room.”
“I’ll go first,” Dash chimed in. “I can even sit in her room.”
Braeden shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“We’re bodyguards,” Oliver said as if it was the coolest thing ever. “I’ll setup a spreadsheet outlining everyone’s shifts. I’ll include day and time, and account for meals and class work.”
Dash shook his head and clapped Oliver on the shoulder. “You need to get out more.”
When we got to the dorm, Dash stepped in front of me while the others lagged behind and placed his hands on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes. “How can you be the one?” he said. “It’s really you?” He grabbed my hand and placed it against his chest over his heart, but then removed it when the others caught up, frustrating us both.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I said.
I noticed Kyler smiling at Dash, proud of his lifelong friend. Oliver patted Dash on the shoulder, and Dash turned red. They were having a good time at Dash’s expense. I had to admit it was good to see they were such good friends. It showed loyalty. It showed that if they were really here to protect me then they would take it seriously and do what they had to do.
“Okay, okay,” Braeden said to everyone. “It’s late, and everyone needs their sleep.” He held my hand. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
Braeden didn’t say much on the way to my room, wearing jealousy on his face and not knowing the disappoint I had when I thought Dash was about to kiss me, and he stopped it. Before I closed the dorm room door, Braeden kissed me on the cheek like he had so many times in the past when he was saying goodbye. I was beginning to hate the gesture because I wanted more than a peck on the cheek.
I laid in bed staring at the ceiling. So much had happened in the day. I'd been called the chosen one, and I’d almost had my first real kiss. I curled up under the covers with a smile on my face. The four guys were my protectors. They were supposed to serve me, to make sure I had everything I needed. The possibilities were endless. With thoughts of the four guys dancing around in my head, I dreamed dreams I never had before.
CHAPTER TEN
Cassandra
I entered my first class of the Spring semester and, like everyone else, was surprised to find the headmaster standing at the front of the class, his large arms crossed, his beady eyes staring down a crooked nose. He stood at least six and a half feet tall and weighed nearly 300 pounds. He stared down at me, the student he was forced to take because of some favor he owed from too many years ago to count. None of the other students at the academy need worry about me being his teacher’s pet.
All the usual suspects were in the class: Kyler, Oliver, Braeden, Ruby and Dash. And like all our other classes, there were a smattering of other students who pretty much kept to themselves. I guessed our little group seemed a bit intimidating to them, though we never treated anyone disrespectfully. Occasionally one of the other students would ask Oliver, Kyler, Ruby or Braeden for help, but not me. Most students stayed away from the destructive witch. Of course, I saw the way they looked at me, and sometimes I’d hear a whisper or two. In my defense, my magic had yet to kill anyone or destroy anything at the academy. I tried not to let the naysayers bother me because I believed redemption held a spot in my future.
Dash glanced at me and then looked away. We hadn’t found ourselves alone again over the winter break and therefore never came close to finally putting our lips together, though I was still hopeful. It seemed where ever there was Dash there was also either Oliver or Kyler or both. I didn’t mind having everyone around at once. In fact, those were the most fun times. But I still longed for the one-on-one connection with each of them.
The guys also appeared to have found a fashion advisor over the break because their new clothes were more fashionable than last semester. They were also cleanly shaven, though at some point I’d suggest at least one of them grow a beard. Maybe Kyler would grow his back some day. There was something about a man and a beard. I often heard some of the girls talk about the tickling of beards.
“Well,” Headmaster Eliphas began. “You all came back. A glutton for punishment you are.” Everyone laughed, and he raised an eyebrow, making the laughter stop. “Each additional semester at the Enchanted Academy becomes progressively more difficult. This semester will challenge you both physically and intellectually.” He paced the front of the classroom, his hands clasped behind him. “Your intellect must stay sharp!”
Oliver’s smile brightened the room. He loved a good intellectual challenge. I was much more a doer than a deep thinker, though I enjoyed that side of Oliver. Though he often talked way above our heads, his attempts at flirting were both fun and enduring. It was drawing us closer in a way the others didn’t understand. I desired what the guys laughed at.
“This semester you’ll learn more about the history of your elements.” He turned to the board and wrote: wind, fire, light, water and earth. He underlined each word, and the chalk screamed against the board. “Cassandra, let’s talk about fire. Where does it come from?’
“From within,” I said. “Like all the other elements.”
“That’s true, and it emerges from the core energy of your soul, calling upon the molten core of the earth to support your core energy … if your element is fire.” He nodded, enjoyment on his face as he filled us with his knowledge.
I’d never thought of my fire in the way he described. Each of our elements brought us closer to the planet because they came from the planet. “So, everything we do when we are casting a spell comes from both within and without?” I asked.
Headmaster Eliphas’ face filled with satisfaction. “I think we have a breakthrough,” he said, and everyone laughed. “You’re correct, Cassandra.” He motioned for me to come forward.
I stood and passed everyone, stopping next to Headmaster Eliphas. Several of the students who found us intimidating began slowly backing away. The destructive witch was at the front of the class. He held out my hands, my palms up. He placed one of his hands palm down, over one of mine. I tilted my head so I could see between our hands where the tiny fireball was building. The energy from Headmaster Eliphas created ten times the power than did the energy from the guys.
“As far as fireballs go, size doesn’t matter,” Headmaster Eliphas said. “The tighter the fireball is wound the more destruction delivered.”
“I’ve never been able to do that,” I said. “They’re always bigger balls. And almost always uncontrollable.”
“That’s because bigger balls are harder to squeeze in your hand,” Headmaster Eliphas said, and the guys in the class burst out laughing. I looked up at Headmaster Eliphas and he nodded, okaying me to laugh with them. He let us have our laugh for several minutes before he returned class to order. Maybe he wasn’t all bad.
He stepped away from me as the tiny ball of fire rotated in my hand. “There’s energy coming up from the floor,” I said. “Directly to my hand.”
“Aye,” Headmaster Eliphas said. “Hold it steady.” He pointed around the classroom. There are six mirrors along the walls. Three on the left, three on the right. Each mirror is tilted at an exact angle.”
He didn’t even have to tell me what was about to happen. The first real classroom test of my magic skills was about to happen. The mirrors had been strategically
placed at a height where the fireball should not be able to hit one of my classmates. Should not was the key word. “Which mirror first?” I asked.
“Shit,” Dash muttered.
“Shush,” I said. “First one on the right,” Headmaster Eliphas said.
I wondered why he chose me to go first. My reputation was one that suggested I always go last and there should be nobody around to witness the impending doom. But I wanted to prove him and everyone else wrong.
“When the fireball returns, you’ll need to catch it with your other hand,” he said and I nodded.
I didn’t bother to look at anyone, especially not the guys. I didn’t need the extra pressure. And then Headmaster Eliphas added the extra pressure. He moved next to me.
“The trick is to hit the first mirror square in the middle. If you don’t, well, it was good having you here.” He moved away and crossed his arms over his hefty chest.
I steadied my feet and concentrated on the fireball, impressed I’d been able to maintain the tiny size. I pulled back the hand holding the fireball and then thrust it at the mirror.
It happened so fast that I had no time to react. I later learned if I had reacted, things could have gone bad quickly. The fireball hit the first mirror dead center, the angle sending the fireball from mirror to mirror before returning to my other hand. I’d done it. Fucking done it right in front of everyone too. I turned to Headmaster Eliphas and blew out the fireball.
Headmaster Eliphas clapped and for once I thought he was actually pleased with me.
“Nice work,” Oliver said when I returned to my seat.
We then went over the other elements, Headmaster Eliphas using each student as an example, Oliver eventually drenching both him and the headmaster in a water spell. Headmaster Eliphas left the classroom for several minutes before returning in dry clothes. I wondered why he didn’t just use magic to dry himself off, but I sensed he needed a break from us.
When he returned to the classroom, Headmaster Eliphas went to the board. “You’ll be working in pairs this semester. Pairs are as follows: Oliver and Ruby. Braeden and Kyler. Dash and Cassandra.” He faced us and seemed to be waiting for a reaction. Dash gave one by sighing. “Each pair will be assigned a wizard or warlock. You’ll treat him or her as you would treat me. They are your mentors for the semester. Treat them right, and you’ll do fine. Be a bunch of jackoffs, and you’ll be in my office.”
Dash raised his hand, and I could sense his question before he even asked. So could the headmaster. I looked down at the table and steeled myself. It didn’t seem to matter how many times I proved myself, my past would always be part of my present and my future.
“Because you’re both fire,” Headmaster Eliphas said to Dash. He then addressed the entire class. “As you develop the understanding of your element, your strength in that element will grow. Knowing the history and understanding the power you carry will go a long way in securing your place in witch or warlock history. You have to understand where you came from in order to get to where you’re going.”
“Some of us have two elements,” Oliver said. He tapped a few keys on his glass computer and waited for a reply from Headmaster Eliphas. He looked to be prepared to compare Headmaster Eliphas’ answer to some file he had on his little computer. Oliver was a fact-check maniac.
Headmaster Eliphas moved in front of his desk and sat on the edge. “Then you’ll have double the work, Oliver.” Laughter filled the classroom again. “Enough.” He wagged his finger. “You need to take your studies seriously. I’ll have no goofing off or insubordination. I don’t need one of you blowing up a building. Am I understood?”
Everyone muttered in understanding. Headmaster Eliphas wasn’t as big a pushover as the other instructors. I felt like he did this for my sake. Let me think I had some wiggle room with my magic and I may just blow my opportunity.
“I heard we’re assigned a city to practice in,” Kyler said. “Do we have choices?”
Braeden glanced at me, and I shrugged. I was no longer afraid to use my magic or my elements. I was convinced Edius had some kind of involvement in all my screw ups. They were too often and too extreme for someone like me. But the cities I'd damaged when I was supposed to help were sure to not allow me back inside their walls. I understood why and wanted nothing more than to fix the things I'd done wrong.
“You heard correctly, Kyler,” Headmaster Eliphas said. “So, let’s talk about that.” He returned to the board, his blue robe dragging the floor. “There are continued reports of magic thieves, therefore, I’ve arranged transportation into the city for the entire group. While in the city do not separate from your partner. And keep your eyes and ears open.”
Braeden raised his hand. “Headmaster Eliphas, why don’t we just go find Edius?”
“You don’t think we’ve already tried that, Braeden?” Headmaster Eliphas said, obviously irritated by the question. His phone rang, and he returned to the seat at his desk. He turned his back on us.
“Can’t wait,” Oliver said. “I’ve been looking forward to working with another wizard or warlock. I’ve been working on a magic book and need the input.”
I imagined someday Oliver would be writing the very manuals future students would use and learn from. In fact, I imagined him right here in the academy teaching classes ten years from now.
“Such a nerd,” Dash said. He glanced at me, and the corner of his lip curled. He was pissed about us being paired together.
“I know what I’m doing,” I said. “Stop acting like I don’t.”
“I can’t wait to combine our elements,” Ruby said to Kyler. “They won’t know what hit them.”
Dash pushed away from his desk and walked toward the door. I needed him to understand I was not a threat to screw things up. I needed him to understand a lot of things, so I followed.
“Class is not over,” Headmaster Eliphas said, but Dash left anyway, me still following. I closed the door behind me. I wanted to tell Dash about all the potions I’d made back home, most of which were successful … sort of. I needed him to accept the real me.
“Dash,” I said and grabbed his hand, stopping him. The hallway stood empty. His hand felt amazing in mine.
“What do you want, Cassandra? Gonna turn me into a steak or hamburger?”
“Really?” I began. “That’s the best you got? I wanna know what it is I’ve done to you to make you hate me. Every time we’re paired to do something or have to work as a team, you act put out over it. Why?” I stood close enough to feel his warm breath against my face. He licked his lips and stared into my eyes. A delicate glimmer of hope eased its way into my mind. Inside, I pleaded for him to kiss me.
“Whatever, Cassandra. You just don’t get it,” he said.
“But I want to get it,” I said and clenched my fists, frustrated and confused. I took another step forward, our toes touching, my nose almost against his. He still looked into my eyes, intimately massaging my soul. “I don’t get why it’s so hard to care about someone else, Dash. Help me understand.” My voice was almost a whisper, desperation filling every word.
His face lost some of its intensity, and his voice lowered. “You just wouldn’t understand, Cassandra. That's all.” His body language said he wanted to run and hide. Whatever was on his mind was heavy and troublesome.
“You don’t know that, Dash.” My fingers found his. “I want to understand you. I want to know more about you. One minute I think you want to kiss me, and the next minute I think you want me dead.”
“I don’t want you dead,” he said, meaning he did want to kiss me. “I just…”
We were both startled from our conversation when the bell to release classes rang overhead. Before we had a chance to move, the classroom door swung open, causing me to jump. My face turned red as the others stared at us. Dash moved back as if our conversation never took place, the kiss I was hopeful of never happening.
“See you all at the academy gates tomorrow,” Dash said and walked away. Be
fore disappearing around the corner, he gave one last look and, for the first time since we met, I felt like I'd gotten through to him, that maybe he understood I truly cared about him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cassandra
“Old Chicago,” Dash said, standing next to me while the others chastised each other over what each decided to wear on the trip.
“My parents brought me here when I was seven,” I said. “It was the first time I visited the Museum of Magic.”
I remembered the museum as if I’d visited it yesterday. The halls were lined with portraits of famous witches, warlocks, and wizards. One entire floor of the building was dedicated to the history of magic, dispelling some of the negative beliefs about the profession. Another floor housed a plethora of ancient artifacts dedicated to the craft. Remembering the museum reinforced the reason I was at the gates to the city, I wanted to be the best. I wanted to someday have my picture hanging on the wall in the museum.
A man passed by and looked at us, eying me especially hard. I knew why, but I had hoped people would have forgotten by now. Two years ago, Braeden and I came to Old Chicago to attend a magic convention. We were heavy into Cosplay and really reveled in the fact that so many non-witches and non-warlocks wanted to be just like us. At the convention, we performed small tricks, avoiding anything where I had to use my expansive powers, the ones I'd yet to learn to control.
On day three of the convention a young woman decided to flirt with Braeden, hanging all over him while he walked with me. The woman suggested the two of them go off together and leave me behind. She called me a two-bit, rabbit out of a hat magician. She said the real witches and warlocks were gathering across the street at a sports stadium called Soldier Field. The stadium was famous for its design, and the team that played there during the winter months. We followed the girl to the field and found thousands of people in the stands, watching the witches and warlocks perform. The young woman again urged Braeden to shew me away. She also suggested that I was not in the same league with the other witches and warlocks who were performing. So I decided to prove her wrong.
