by Evie Wilde
We started to move forward, but then the floor beneath Challis started to crumble. The rocks from the ceiling had worked a little too well.
“Oh shit,” Braeden said. He grabbed my hand, always trying to protect me.
We backed away into the darkness and the hall with no exit. Moments later as the floor crumbled toward us, we hit the back wall.
“There’s only one way out!” Kyler yelled.
“What the hell is that?” Dash said and pointed at the aspen beginning to cover the walls, heading toward us.
“One last trap with compliments from Challis,” Oliver said. “Our magic isn’t going to work.”
The floor continued to disintegrate, dropping into a chasm that looked to have no bottom.
“Hold hands!” Ruby said, and we did right before the floor collapsed. We fell, but not very far as we landed on our feet in front of the castle.
“What the hell happened?” Oliver questioned, none of us used to him using such language. He whipped around and looked at the castle as it crumbled inward. A cloud of dust rose toward the sky. “That was epic!” He turned to Ruby. “You’ve gotta tell us how you did that!”
Ruby laughed and made guns with her thumbs and index fingers. She blew them as if smoke was rising. “My teleportation spell,” she said.
“Oh man, you gotta teach me that one,” Oliver said and placed his hand on Ruby’s shoulder. He realized he’d touched her and jerked his hand away. He turned red and then looked at me. I winked, and it calmed his growing nervousness. “That was intense.”
“It’s over,” Braeden said.
“No,” I replied. “It’s not. She was working for Edius, and we’re going to deal with him eventually. We need to continue our training and make sure when the day comes, we are ready.”
“She’s right,” Kyler said. “We don’t let our guard down. It took the group of us to defeat her, and it’ll take the group of us to beat Edius.”
I didn’t say anything about it, but felt defeating Edius was going to fall on my shoulders and my magic. He’d singled me out, though, he’d also made a point of talking to Ruby.
As we started back to the academy, I dropped back a few steps with Dash. “I’m really sorry that had to happen to Challis,” I said. “I wish it didn’t have to be that way.”
Dash shook his head. “We’re all responsible for our own actions,” he said. “She was misled by Edius, but ultimately she chose her own fate. I’m just glad it was her instead of us.”
“You know what happened between Braeden and I?” I asked. There was no good time to talk about it.
“Yeah, I do,” he said.
“You okay with it?”
He chuckled. “I’m sure he wasn’t as good as I was. So, yeah, I’m good with it.” He grabbed my ass, and then we caught up with the others. We never discussed Challis again.
We entered the dorms around midnight while everyone else was sleeping and headed to the room Ruby and I shared. The five of us, tired and needing sleep, sat on the floor in the living room.
“I need a shower,” Oliver said, interrupting the silence.
Kyler tossed a couch pillow at him. “You needed a shower before we went to the castle.” While everyone laughed, I noticed Kyler staring at me, the one guy who had yet to lay a kiss on my lips. I recalled the night we were sitting on the couch together, probably the one time it should have happened. It felt good to be next to him, warm and inviting. “There’s something I need to ask you,” he said to me, and everyone became quiet.
“I know,” I replied. “Go ahead.”
“You know we all have a connection to you,” Kyler said. “A strong connection. So, it begs the question, are you ready for a relationship with all of us, treating us all as equals?”
All eyes and ears fell on me. It didn’t take me long to answer because I’d already made that decision. “I am ready,” I said, and Ruby hugged me. We’d talked about this very thing. She said go for it when it happened.
Ruby leaned over, placing her lips next to my ear, “I told you so.”
“But I have a condition,” I said. “A condition you each have to agree to.” They nodded, and then I looked at Braeden and Dash. “Everyone has to get along, and nobody bickers. Including you two.” They looked at each other and then started laughing. “Why’re you laughing at me?” I demanded.
“That serious look on your face doesn’t fit,” Braeden said, and the two laughed again.
I frowned and then playfully shot forward, grabbing both guys and dragging them to the ground. I looked into their eyes and then looked at the others.
We were going to get along just fine.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Cassandra
“So, you found graduation,” Headmaster Eliphas said and the crowd laughed. “Most of you had trouble finding your own dorm room for four years.” The crowd laughed again. Headmaster Eliphas enjoyed being the center of attention, though when we pressed him for answers about Edius, he had none. If you spent enough time around someone you learned their poker face. He needed to work on his.
There were almost 150 students graduating in the senior class from the academy. The split between witches and warlocks was almost dead even. Several students believed the last semester had been the most exciting of their four years thanks to us and Challis. A few of those students sat in the front row wearing casts, slings or stitches, all from Challis’ attack on the campus. Almost a thousand family and friends sat around the rest of us while we watched the center of the arena and the graduating class. The arena brought back memories of fighting with Nicolette who seemed to be better adjusting to us and the academy. She still walked around with a chip on her shoulder but none of us were in a hurry to ask her why.
Ruby sat three rows in front of us, all four guys sat to my right. We’d gotten over our bumps and bruises with Challis, though Kyler swore he would never shapeshift into a rat again. He said memories of him rolling around in urine in Braeden’s cell left a lasting impression.
Two seats over from Ruby sat Hannah Storm, a girl who’d been admitted to the Enchanted Academy for the summer semester. She was from a small city in the northeast, sent down by a guild who thought she had potential but was short on confidence. I knew that feeling and the feeling of needing others to care and to help. Shortly after we returned from the battle with Challis, I was walking alone between two buildings and heard a girl making fun of another girl. I rounded the corner and found Hannah, lying on the ground, tears running down her cheeks. The girl standing over her was a junior I was familiar with. She loved to pick on students whose powers were still being developed or weaker than hers. I’d stayed out of the confrontations because I was always on the edge of being kicked out of the academy. I couldn’t help anyone from the outside. Hannah saw me coming and stopped crying. The other girl turned and crossed her arms, not about to back down. I suggested she leave the girl alone. She suggested I mind my own business. She proceeded to tell me all the horrible creatures she could turn me into. When she drew her wand from its sleeve, I knew I would have to fight. The girl fired one spell and one spell only. I blocked it with a counter spell and then cast another, trapping the girl in a ring of fire. As far as I know, she never bothered Hannah again and Hannah and I agreed to hangout.
Hannah looked back at me and waved, the guy sitting next to her, according to Hannah, her boyfriend. She said the two were heading to New Australia for the summer to study under the aborigines. I told her if things didn’t work out there that she was welcome to hangout with us.
I wished I could say I had won over everyone who saw me as a liability but it just wasn’t true. There were still news story about Wayfair City, the fae kingdom and a few of my other disasters. Occasionally, I’d find a note on my dorm room door or in my mail calling me a fraud, reminding me that although I help kill Challis, she was after me in the first place which meant all the damage to the campus and to some students was my fault. The guys told me to let it go. There would always
be naysayers.
“Everyone’s talking about you saving the academy,” the guy next to me said. I recognized him from one of my classes but couldn’t recall his name. Some people were a lot friendlier since Challis had been defeated. Me having something to do with that went a long way in burying with most the reputation I had when I joined the academy. No one was calling me to my face the witch of destruction anymore. The guy leaned forward and looked at Kyler, Dash, Braden and Oliver. “They’re also talking about them and you being together.”
Of course they were. We were the talk of campus. But if they thought I had done anything with Oliver or Kyler, they were completely wrong. Oliver was still a bit nervous and Kyler was being Kyler. He was the most private of the four guys. There were a few evenings when I saw him sprint into the woods, shapeshifting before hitting the trees. On one occasion, I tried to follow but soon lost his trail. From my dorm window, I watched him return from the woods, returning to his human form before hitting the campus. He still didn’t talk about what he was doing and I still didn’t feel right prying, though I was sure the invitation to join him was still open. I didn’t want to invite myself, however.
“We’re a team,” I informed the guy, not that it was any of his business. “Everything we do we do together.” I gave him a wink.
“Everything?” he asked and smiled and then elbowed the guy next to him.
I nodded and placed my hand on Braeden’s knee. Braeden leaned forward and saluted the guy.
“Everything,” Braeden said and moved his hand up my leg.
A girl in front of me turned. I recognized her from my Hexes and Potions class, though I couldn’t remember her name. She was one of the students who always seemed afraid of me. That had changed as well. “We’re headed to the beach for summer break. You guys are welcome to come.” The girl next to her agreed. Things had changed drastically since the day we walked onto campus.
“Thanks,” I said but didn’t commit. We had no idea what we were doing over the break, maybe training. Maybe heading back to our guilds, though I wasn’t sure if Guildmaster Ren would have me back for the summer. I hoped so since I missed so many people. Kyler mentioned heading back up north to the woods to visit his pack. Oliver let us know his parents were coming to visit if his dad could get off work. Neither Dash nor Braeden had any plans, which meant we probably had plans together. The thought made me smile. I was still having dreams about both men visiting my dorm room. The fun that followed was indescribable. Several students from class were heading to Europe for a summer semester of study abroad. I thought maybe the five of us would do that one summer but not anytime soon.
There were still a lot of unanswered questions about Edius’ whereabouts. He’d been oddly quiet and absent from the academy since we did away with Challis, though none of us thought he was gone for good.
“Without further ado,” Headmaster Eliphas announced, “I present to you this years Enchanted Academy graduating class.”
For nearly forty-minutes, we watched and listened as Headmaster Eliphas called out names and handed students their diplomas. Some names I recognized some I didn’t. I spent most of the semester with Ruby and the guys, occasionally doing things with other students most of whom were freshmen. The older students saw us as a threat, because our powers were so strong.
Headmaster Eliphas handed out the last diploma and everyone stood, applauding the latest graduating class. He held out his hands and tried silencing the crowd. When everyone returned to their seats, Headmaster Eliphas fell silent, his hands grasping the lectern. He looked toward us and I began slinking in my seat. The guys said it might happen, but I argued I would leave the stadium.
So many screw ups in my past made be shy away from attention. Give it to someone else. Let me do my thing and go about my way. I had no interest in being called out for positives or negatives. But Headmaster Eliphas had something to say and he wasn’t going away until he said it.
“Everyone knows it was a rough semester at the Enchanted Academy,” he began, and students whispered to each other. “We had some great challenges from external forces.” He looked at each of the injured in the front row. “If you’re a student at this academy then you are a witch or warlock who wants to serve the greater good. And therefore, I would like to recognize a group of students who personify exactly what the academy is trying to produce in its students.” He looked directly at me. “Cassandra Clarke, please come forward.” He stepped away from the lectern and waved me forward, stopping to clap. The smile on his face was for the fact he absolutely knew I didn’t want to go up on stage.
An applause erupted across the arena and everyone stood, turning in my direction. The boy next to me patted my shoulder, congratulating me. I looked at the guys and shrugged. Then the chants began. I hated being the center of attention.
“I can’t do this.” Panic began to set in. “Get me outta here, Braeden.”
Braeden chuckled and stopped clapping. “I don’t think you have a choice,” he said. “And I’m not taking you anywhere. All the shit you’ve taken over the years? You deserve this.”
“Come on, Braeden. Go represent me!”
Braeden shook his head. “Not happening.” He started clapping with the others.
“I’m going to get you for this.” I stood and the clapping became louder.
“I’m counting on it,” he replied and patted my ass when I scooted by.
I looked at Dash, hoping he would save me but he winked, giving my ass a pat as well. At the end of the row, I stopped and turned to the guys. “I’m not going without you, so get your asses up.”
The students around us began encouraging the guys to join me, giving them no choice. The five of us walked onto the stage and the applause wavered. I looked out at all the people and froze. The last time I saw so many people, they were trying to string me up because I destroyed too much of their city.
Headmaster Eliphas reached back to a table and turned with a plaque in his hands. “I would like to present the Enchanted Academy Citizenship Award to Cassandra Clarke.”
The cheers erupted again and I stepped forward, hoping to get my ass off the stage as soon as possible. The guys followed and stepped behind me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to their energy constantly bombarding my body. I felt everything they did even if I weren’t near.
Headmaster Eliphas leaned close. “Say a few words and then you’re gone for the summer,” he said and then began clapping with the crowd.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I whispered and smiled at the crowd. I wanted to run and hide.
“For being a pain in my ass,” he said and moved away.
I moved to the lectern and adjusted the microphone. A loud screech echoed across the stadium. “Hi,” I said and people cheered. I looked at the guys and they nodded at the microphone. “First off, thank you Headmaster Eliphas. I just want to say I’m glad things worked out for the academy and nobody was seriously hurt. It just goes to show what teamwork will do.” I turned to the guys. “Believe me, I couldn’t have done anything without these guys.” I began clapping for them and the crowd joined me. I stopped clapping and the audience followed. I introduced each of the guys and then looked toward the stands. “Ruby? Where are you?”
Ruby yelled my name and waved. “Love you!” she screamed.
“Love you!” I yelled and everyone applauded. “Thank you,” I said to the crowd once more, raised the award and started to leave.
“Cassandra,” Headmaster Eliphas said and pulled me aside. He glanced at the guys. “I need you and the boys to stop by my office to discuss an urgent matter.” His face suggested the news was grim.
“Tell me now. What’s wrong?” I glanced at the guys to see if they had any idea what was going on.
“In my office.” He returned to the lectern.
I stood on the stage watching him until Braeden pulled me away. “What the fuck was that all about?” I said to Braeden.
We left behind the stage and headed straig
ht to the admin building, none of us knowing what Headmaster Eliphas had to say. I walked in silence while the guys joked with each other, though I knew Braeden was perfectly aware of my concern.
The admin building was empty when we entered through the front door. Even the servants had taken the day off. In Headmaster Eliphas’ office, we found Aurelius waiting for us.
“What’s going on Aurelius?” I asked impatiently. His face appeared as grim as Headmaster Eliphas’.
“We need to wait for Headmaster Eliphas,” he said. “He wanted to be here before we started.”
“Before we started what?” I asked, but he wasn’t giving in, so we waited in silence.
We sat in Headmaster Eliphas’ office for nearly thirty minutes before he showed. When he did, he walked grimly to his desk and sat. He looked at me and asked me to sit. I did and waited for the bad news.
“We were notified shortly before the graduation ceremony your guild was attacked.” Headmaster Eliphas swallowed hard and was visibly upset. I sat shaking my head not wanting the rest of the news. “Everyone, including Guildmaster Ren, were killed.”
Braeden moved next to me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Headmaster Eliphas said. “I sent a wizard to the guild and he reported back a few moments ago that it was true.”
“We need to go,” I said, and stood. “They need our help.”
Headmaster Eliphas quickly moved to his feet. “No!”
“What do you mean, no.” I glared at the man who was supposed to be our leader “We have friends there.”
Aurelius joined Headmaster Eliphas at the desk. “We know you do.” Aurelius stared at me for a long moment. “But we need to find out what happened before you run off to save people who are dead.”
Braeden put his hand on my shoulder. “We both want to leave,” he said. “But this time I think they’re right. We need to stay here and let The Council and the other guilds figure out what happened. Then we’ll decide what to do.”
“The five of you have grown stronger.” Aurelius came around the desk “And you’re familiar with the campus. Stay the summer and train. For now, there’s nothing you can do to help your guild. Stay.”
