Outlast: Spellslingers Academy of Magic (Warden of the West Book 3)

by Annabel Chase

  “This way, they’ll know I mean business when they see me coming,” Dani said, twirling the axe with expert precision.

  Mia said what I was thinking. “Is there anything you aren’t good at, Dani Degraff?”

  “I’ll let you know when I find it,” Dani said.

  Mia contemplated her choices. “Remind me what kind of demons again?”

  “Your magic will be the best defense against demons,” Robin said. “The weapons are for backup.”

  “You’re good with a crossbow,” Dani told her. “Take that.”

  Mia continued to investigate her options. “I think the crossbow will be too unwieldy.”

  “I agree,” Robin said. “You need to be able to react quickly with it.”

  “How about a staff?” I suggested. Chancellor Tilkin’s staff doubled as her wand and a walking stick. I had no doubt she’d used it in her younger days to give some paranormal a well-deserved beatdown.

  Mia brightened. “I do like the simplicity of it.” She plucked one of the staffs from its place on the wall. “Your turn, Bryn.”

  “Bryn doesn’t need a weapon,” Dani said. “She can just slice open a vein.” Everyone fell silent and Dani’s confident gaze swept the room. “What? We’re not supposed to acknowledge it. I’m not suggesting that she should run around the underworld creating blood puppets, but it’s nice to know the option exists.”

  I laughed despite myself. The image of me, skipping through the underworld and controlling vicious demons with my blood, struck me as absurd. How was this my life?

  “Your power is no laughing matter, Bryn.” Robin’s tone was somber. “Need I remind you that we are standing in the academy armor in the middle of the night, stealing weapons to take into a dangerous underworld to rescue our friend from the clutches of a psychotic demon?”

  Dani shrugged. “Well, when you put it that way…”

  After much deliberation, I chose a dagger that I could easily conceal. It would give me the option to nick myself if a desperate situation arose. My preference was to avoid the dagger and my blood. I wanted nothing to do with the Shadow Sorcerer’s malevolent brand of magic. Resorting to blood magic felt like one step closer to the darkness that claimed my father. Just because his powerful blood flowed through my veins didn’t require me to use it. I had plenty of other talents I could call upon that didn’t involve turning creatures into my personal slaves. I still considered water magic my specialty, and I was growing more comfortable using ‘regular’ magic every day. The academy was critical to that transition. In the human world, I avoided magic like the plague, except under extreme circumstances. I’d been too worried about drawing my father’s attention. With each lesson at Spellslingers, I became more confident and secure. Spellcasting could even be fun—a far cry from the girl who’d been afraid to create heat in a bitter cold alleyway because I’d hoped to avoid alerting my father to my existence.

  “What about you, Robin?” Mia asked.

  “My wand is sufficient,” the prefect replied. “My magical training is more advanced than yours, don’t forget.”

  “True, but your natural talent isn’t as strong as ours,” Dani shot back, conveying what we were all thinking.

  Robin opened his mouth to argue, but then seemed to acquiesce. He knew Dani was right. He openly disliked the idea of becoming a warden. It was simply the means to an end. If Robin Chambers wanted a career as a justice, then he had to work in the field for a few years—and survive his missions, of course.

  “You should probably ditch the tweed and bow tie,” Dani advised. “I doubt you see a lot of that in the underworld. We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”

  “You think paranormals in the overworld are the only ones with fashion sense?” Robin queried.

  Dani suppressed a laugh. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

  We slipped out of the armory with our weapons and Robin reset the ward behind us. Due to the late hour, we passed no one on the way back to our room, which was for the best. While we could explain Mia’s possession of a staff, I had no clue how Dani would justify a double-sided axe.

  “I feel like we should go now,” Dani said, swinging the axe impatiently.

  Robin dodged a blow. “Sleep is a necessity.”

  “Rescuing Cerys is a necessity,” I countered.

  “And you increase the likelihood of that happening with proper rest and hydration,” Robin replied.

  Dani groaned. “Next, you’ll be asking me whether I’m sure I don’t need to use the bathroom before we head out.”

  Robin held up a finger. “On that note, do be sure to use the facilities before we leave. There are no public restrooms in the underworld.”

  Mia grimaced. “Demons are very unhygienic.”

  “Are you sure you want to come, Robin?” I asked. “Don’t feel obligated because you helped us prepare. I don’t want you to jeopardize your career.”

  Robin rolled up his sleeves. “Miss Davies is one of us. I have no interest in waiting around here to see whether your rescue mission has been successful.”

  “Where’s Gray meeting us?” Dani asked.

  “At the Tree of Life just before dawn,” I replied. “The oracle is expecting us.”

  “Because they saw it in a vision?” Mia asked.

  “No, because I sent Icarus with a message,” I said. An owl was good for more than keeping our room rodent-free.

  “What do you think our professors will do when they realize we’re missing lessons?” Mia asked.

  “We’ve stolen weapons from the armory and are sneaking off to the underworld,” I pointed out. “I think skipping class is the least of our concerns.”

  “Professor Langley would love a reason to fail you,” Dani told me.

  I shrugged. “I’ll take my chances. Cerys is the priority, not my grade in Arcane Rites.”

  “I’ll meet you here in a few hours,” Robin said, and returned to his own room.

  Once my roommates settled into their beds, I sat at my desk and opened the drawer where I’d stored my father’s healing stone. I’d stolen the stone from a vampire called Anton Harrington, and we’d made a deal where I could keep the stone in exchange for retrieving a book for him. The healing stone was incredibly valuable, as it contained a small amount of my father’s potent blood. I’d felt an instant connection to the stone when it was presented at auction, and I both feared it and desired it at the same time.

  I slipped the stone into my pocket, so that I was sure to have it for the journey. I didn’t know how to use the stone or what power it really possessed, but there was something comforting about having it with me. I was convinced that my father had this stone with him when he met my mother in the emergency room of the hospital where she’d been working. It was my only physical connection to both of them. Dani had a beautiful ivory-handled knife as a family heirloom; I had a blood red healing stone with a dark past. I climbed into bed, stroking the smooth surface of the stone in my pocket.

  It was enough.

  The Tree of Life was even more impressive up close than from the oracle’s deck. The trunk was easily six feet in diameter. The top was invisible from where I stood on the ground—it seemed to extend into the sky.

  Peggy stood at the base of the tree, wrapped in a peach-colored terrycloth robe and matching fuzzy slippers. Despite her sleepwear, her makeup was expertly done.

  “Thank you for meeting us so early,” I said.

  Peggy yawned. “It’s no trouble, doll. We understand the urgency. My sisters apologize for staying in bed. We had a few dwarfs over last night, and things got out of hand.” She laughed to herself. “Word to the wise. Don’t ever try to drink a dwarf under the table. They may be small, but they’re half hollow.”

  “Duly noted,” Dani said.

  “This is quite a party you’ve organized,” Peggy said, surveying the group. “You won’t be able to sneak in undetected with this many of you.” She eyed Dani’s axe. “Or with such obvious weapons.”
<
br />   “I have a couple of ideas,” Gray said.

  “Good,” Peggy said. “You’ll need them. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this underworld isn’t bursting with butterflies and rainbows.”

  “Are any of them bursting with butterflies and rainbows?” I queried.

  Peggy fished a berry-flavored chapstick out of her pocket and swiped it across her lips. “Let me put it this way: the butterflies in this underworld would have claws and fangs and the rainbows would blind anyone brave enough to look upon them.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I already knew this rescue mission was dangerous, but, somehow, having Peggy chime in made it seem worse.

  Dani stepped back to admire the tree. “This really connects to the underworlds?”

  Peggy followed Dani’s gaze. “Abso-posi-lutely. It serves as a doorway between the overworld and all the underworlds. This is one of the trees said to be as old as creation itself. Life flowed from here in all four directions.”

  “North, South, East, and West,” Mia said. “Like the quadrants.”

  Peggy peered at Mia. “And which one will you protect, honey?”

  “Keeper of the North, ma’am,” Mia replied proudly.

  Peggy regarded my roommate. “Your heart is a blessing and a curse. Guard it well.”

  Mia blew a stray hair out of her eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “If you’re all set, then we can get started,” Peggy said. She motioned to the branches above our heads. “Just be sure to each take a sprig of mistletoe. It serves as a key to gain entry, as well as offers you some protection from dark forces.”

  “What happens if we lose it?” Robin asked.

  Peggy arched an eyebrow. “Are you that irresponsible?”

  Robin straightened his shoulders. “No, not at all. I was just curious about the ramifications of such an act.”

  Peggy laughed softly. “Of course you were.” She patted the side of Robin’s head. “Just don’t lose it and you need never find out.”

  “How will we know we’ve arrived at the gateway to the right underworld?” I asked. “What if we take a wrong turn or something?”

  Peggy shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way. The tree delivers you.”

  “We don’t descend steps or anything?” Dani asked.

  A cryptic smile formed on the oracle’s lips. “You’ll see, doll. Best get a move on. Sun’s almost fully up.”

  “Is that bad?” Mia asked. “Do we need to get to the nether before then?”

  “No, but it means I need to get busy on a hangover potion for my sisters,” Peggy said, and rolled her eyes. “You do not want to bear witness to a grouchy oracle.”

  I moved closer to the trunk in search of a door. “Is there a doorbell? A handle?”

  Peggy laughed. “Wouldn’t that be convenient? Nope. Use the mistletoe to make a sign of the tree of life on the trunk.” Peggy demonstrated with her finger in the air. “That’ll allow you to pass through. All you do is step forward, like you’re crossing a threshold.”

  I stared at the mistletoe in my hand. “So it’s not a metaphorical key?”

  Peggy gripped my chin affectionately like a doting older aunt. “I adore having you around, Bryn Morrow. Good luck!”

  I glanced anxiously over my shoulder at my friends. “Ready?”

  “I’ll go first, if you want,” Gray said.

  “I can do it.” I faced the tree and quickly made the symbol with the mistletoe before I lost my nerve. I closed my eyes and stepped forward. The inside of the tree trunk was pitch-black, so I couldn’t see my surroundings. I didn’t experience a falling sensation, like I did the last time I came to see the oracle. This time reminded me of stepping onto a moving escalator. My body jolted slightly and I fought to regain my balance. At times, I thought I felt hands reaching for me, but later Gray said I’d imagined that part. That there were no souls trapped in the Tree of Life. The darkness dissipated as a multitude of colors washed over me. Scenes flashed before my eyes, not of my life but of…life. I saw evidence of growth, death, and regrowth. I hoped my friends were close behind because I lost all sense of their presence. I seemed to be moving swiftly, yet standing still at the same time. Finally, the image of a burning phoenix rose up in front of me and wrapped its fiery feathers around me. I felt more intrigued than frightened. The feathers faded away, and I was engulfed by charcoal-colored smoke. Only when it finally drifted away could I see that I had arrived.

  “Morrow?”

  I whirled around at the sound of Gray’s voice. “I’m here.”

  Slowly but surely, each member of our party was accounted for.

  “We’re in a forest,” Robin said.

  I began to take stock of our surroundings. “I wouldn’t call it a forest exactly.” Pale white stems dotted the otherwise barren landscape, giving the area a haunted look.

  “Are we in the underworld?” I asked.

  “Almost,” Gray said. “We should see a gateway soon.” He started to thread his way through the ghostly trees, and the rest of us followed.

  “It’s quiet here,” Mia said.

  “Too quiet,” Dani said, brandishing her axe. “What kind of guardians can we expect here? The powers-that-be aren’t going to let mortal souls—” She glanced quickly at Gray—“or the immortal soulless just waltz right into the underworld.”

  A skittish Robin produced his wand and held it against his chest. “According to the books in the library, the border of this underworld is protected by several demonic beasts.”

  “And did any of these books tell you how to defeat them?” Gray asked.

  “Of course,” Robin replied. “It’s always good practice to learn your opponent’s weaknesses.”

  Gray’s mouth twitched. “You don’t say? Tell me more about fieldwork. I’d love to hear your take.”

  The echo of a strangled howl made us freeze in our tracks.

  “One of your demonic beasts, library guy?” Gray asked archly.

  Robin cleared his throat. “Most likely, yes.”

  “Any idea which one?” Dani asked, holding her double-sided axe at the ready.

  Multiple cries pierced the air, and I realized it was coming from above us. I scanned the air for signs of the guardians.

  “I don’t see anything,” Mia said.

  And then they struck.

  A pair of triple-headed flying hounds swooped down from the sky and attacked. They looked like a cross between hellhounds and bats, except with three heads each.

  Dani swung her axe at the empty air. “I chose the wrong weapon for this one.” She tossed the axe aside and pulled out her wand.

  Mia hefted her staff, ready to strike if the creature flew low enough.

  “Can you capture one in a bubble, Bryn?” Dani asked, her eyes fixed on the guardians. “That would stop it from attacking us.”

  “They’re too fast,” I replied, ducking as one zipped over me, the fangs of the middle head close enough to scrape my hair.

  “Mia, blow them back,” Dani said.

  Mia dropped her staff and retrieved her wand. “I think one of your fireballs might be better.”

  “I’m going to try a firebomb.” Dani took aim and blasted one of the guardians with a direct hit. Flames exploded, and the air sizzled. Before we could let loose a cheer, I quickly noticed that what I assumed were the remaining pieces of the guardian weren’t pieces at all. There were now three smaller versions of the guardian. And they looked pissed.

  “Spell’s bells,” Mia breathed. “Don’t use any more firebombs.”

  Robin snapped his fingers. “They reproduce when the attack isn’t enough to kill them.”

  Dani’s brow lifted. “Now you tell us? Kind of a critical fact to leave out.”

  Robin pointed his wand at one of the smaller guardians and yelled something in Latin. He sounded so nervous that I couldn’t understand the words. The guardian crackled and blistered before turning to ash and scattering in the wind.

  “That’s how yo
u do it,” Gray declared. “Good work, library guy. They’ll make a warden out of you yet.”

  Robin’s cheeks reddened. “You don’t make it to fourth year without learning a few things.”

  Mia pointed her wand at one of the other small guardians as it weaved its way between thin branches. Her wand trembled. “If I don’t kill it, it’ll multiply again?”

  “Most likely, yes,” Robin said.

  “Have confidence, Mia,” Dani said, and extended her wand at the guardian. A line of fire streaked toward the flying hound, engulfing it in flames. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to kill it.

  “Hold on,” Mia shouted, channeling her wind magic. A force burst from the tip of her wand, sending a pulse of energy toward the burning guardian. Mia’s magic reached the creature before it had a chance to multiply, and its body disintegrated into tiny pieces of ash.

  Gray picked up Mia’s staff and whacked an incoming guardian with such force that all three heads were detached from the body.

  “Another one bites the dust,” I cheered.

  Dani eyed me curiously. “Bites the dust?”

  “It’s a Terrene expression,” I explained. “Like you say ‘stars and stones’ and ‘minotaur shit.’ We don’t have those expressions in the human world.”

  “Still need to deal with the big guy,” Gray said, spinning around to pinpoint the guardian’s location. “We don’t want to help this one multiply.”

  It should have been easy to spot the large three-headed hound with wings amongst the skinny trees. The silence was ominous, and I began to get a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  “Could he be fetching a few friends?” I asked.

  “Not sure,” Robin replied. “But that alliteration was beautifully done.”

  Dani rolled her eyes and groaned. “No one cares about that right now, Prefect.”

  “I care,” he shot back. “Which is why I chose to comment on it.”

  We were too immersed in their bickering to notice the stealthy return of the underworld guardian. A slight breeze was the only indication that anything was amiss. I turned around just as the guardian appeared between the trees behind my friends. Three fanged mouths opened and latched onto three collars, dragging Robin, Mia, and Dani into the sky. Gray missed as he leapt up and reached for Dani’s dangling leg. He dropped to the ground and grabbed the staff, swinging at the guardian but to no avail. The creature was too high. I called to the air in an effort to use magic to blow them back to me, but it was too late.