by ERIN BEDFORD
After the class settled down from their initial reaction, all eyes turned to Calliope. Though none of us had been brave enough to ask, we had all wanted to what the rules were, how far we could go before we were getting cuffed and thrown out on our asses.
Calliope watched us all. Her smile never wilted, but the way her eyes hardened made us all stiffen in our seats. “There are many things one can do with magic. You could make yourself appear however you wish. Taller. Smaller. Even more attractive. You could make yourself rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
These words made a few people smile and relax a bit. Calliope was saying all the right things, but I wasn’t naïve enough to know there wasn’t a catch. There was always a catch.
“However ...” That single word resonated throughout the classroom, killing any whispers or giggles. “Magic has a price. Many of you might have noticed that ball of energy inside of you. As bright as a sun and let me tell you that it’s just as lethal. If you misuse it or go farther than you are capable, you will wish that a little hexing was all you had to worry about.”
She didn’t have to say it. The implications were clear. Push too far, try for too much, and you will die. As I said, there was always a catch.
Calliope looked around the room with cursory eyes, studying each and every one of us. The room held their breath as if expecting her to continue her chastisement. However, she simply gave a wistful smile and closed her eyes briefly.
“Thankfully, none of you possess such a level to perform any of those kinds of magic.” Her words made most of us sink in our seats. We were really the lowest of the bunch at Winchester Academy. We really couldn’t expect to be able to do whatever kind of magic we wanted at the beginning.
Moving through the desks and back to the front, Calliope held up the bronze coin she had used on me earlier. “Before you are able to touch the stars, you must first be able to make the lowliest of magic. An energizer charm, the same in which I have used on Miss Norman, is one of the most basic of the charms out there.”
She swept her hand out across the room. “On the table in front of you, you will see a tray of coins just like this one. I want you to spend the rest of the class replicating the spell I used. If you don’t finish today, it will also be your homework for next time.” She paused in her speech and then her soft smile turned into a cruel smirk. “After all, you are the least of us and have a long way to go. Better to have a handful of these now, or you will surely fail.” Her steel blue eyes locked onto me.
I tried not to let her look affect me as I worked on my charm, but I couldn’t forget the message she had been clearly telling me. If I couldn’t do this charm, I should give up. Even the weakest could do such a small charm.
But I’m not weak! I’ve already done many spells that were quite powerful. Of course, most of those weren’t on purpose, but still ... Who is she to think I deserved such a look?
However, when the bell chimed that the end of class had come, I still hadn’t cast the correct charm on the coin in front of me. I had one coin left. I had blown through the majority of the dozen she had given us to practice on already and all that was left of them were molten metal and ashy dust.
“Wow, you really suck at this.”
My head jerked up from the table and met with Paul’s brown eyes. I scrambled to throw away my failures and gather my things before he could see how horrible of a witch I really was.
“I’m still new,” I muttered, keeping my eyes down. “I’ll get it, eventually.”
Paul chuckled and shook his head. “Not like that you won’t.”
My eyes filled with fire and shot up to meet his. “What’s that supposed to me?”
Lifting his hands in front of him, Paul shook them slightly. “Woah, no need to get snappy. I’m just saying that, based on your failures, it seems like you lack focus.”
My eyebrows raised. “I was focusing. I focused for almost an hour and only ended up with a bit pile of crap.” I gestured wildly at the trash can.
Paul lifted a shoulder. “It takes more than just saying you are focusing. Magic isn’t something you can just think about, and it happens.”
I snorted. “It’s always been that way before.”
“But it wasn’t the thought that did it, was it?” Paul asked, leaning a hand against the table. “You weren’t really focusing on that thought. You were focusing ... here.” He touched his finger to where my heart sat beneath my chest.
His touch startled me enough that it took me a second to realize what he was saying. When he dropped his hand, I placed my own hand over my chest. “So, you’re saying I’m thinking too much about and not feeling it?”
“Exactly.” Paul grinned, causing that lickable dimple to show back up on his cheek. “It’s not enough to want it in your head. You also have to want it in your heart. You have plenty of power, but if it doesn’t have a direction, then that’s what you’ll get. A big pile of crap.”
Hope swelled inside of me where there had been defeat and failure. So, I wasn’t a bad witch after all.
As I sat through my next class, I thought about what Paul had said. Focusing with my mind wasn’t enough. I wasn’t putting any heart into it. I was just doing what I always did in school. I relied on my mind rather than my heart to get me through it. This wasn’t high school or even a human school. I couldn’t let myself think that I could do what I always did. I didn’t know anything about being a witch so why would this be any different?
It was like I was trying to move a mountain with a bicycle. Brain power and drive wasn’t going to be enough to get me where I needed to go. I had to prepare myself emotionally as well.
With my spirits lifted and a new determination in me, I made my way to lunch. There were only two more classes today and then I could work on making magic with my heart, not my mind.
“There you are!” an overly cheery voice cried out, and an arm looped through mine before I could react.
My head turned to find Sabrina latched onto my side with a smile on her face like we were best of friends. I didn’t trust it.
“What do you want?” My body stiffened as she only smiled brighter.
“Can’t I just want to say hi to one of my best friends?” Sabrina tilted her head slightly, giving me a confused look that most would find cute, but it only made my skin crawl.
I withdrew my arm from her and headed toward the lunch line, not even bothering to answer her.
“Oh, come on.” Sabrina sighed, coming up behind me. “I’m not that bad once you get to know me. Really.”
I couldn’t help but snort-laugh. “Really? Because I was thinking you were less Sabrina the Teenage Witch and more Wicked Witch of the West.” I smirked at her obvious distress.
“I am nothing of the sort.” Sabrina flipped her hair over her shoulder with a huff. “We just got off on the wrong foot you mean. After all, if my Paul thinks you are worth talking to then obviously, I’m missing something.”
Ah. That’s it. Sabrina’s only talking to me because she’s threatened.
“So, can we start over or what?” Sabrina continued when I didn’t respond. She picked up an apple and palmed it in her hands before taking a bottle of water as well.
That’s all she’s going to eat? I gaped at her and then looked down at my chili cheese fries. Compared to her I must look like some kind of enormous pig. Forcing back the sudden need to grab a salad, I grabbed a can of soda and a piece of chocolate cake just because. She would not make me feel bad about myself!
I scanned my card at the register and then turned to Sabrina. “I would be willing to start over.” Sabrina opened her mouth, but I stopped her. “If you apologize.”
Sabrina seemed taken back and then let out a groan of annoyance. “Fine, whatever. Sorry, I made fun of you and your little friend. Are we good?”
Smiling tightly, I nodded.
“Good, then come eat with us.” She grabbed my arm once more without warning and dragged me toward a table where Libby and Monica alre
ady sat.
My eye caught Trina a few tables over, and she made an obvious come-hither motion. I gestured my head toward Sabrina’s table, and Trina gave me a confused look. I shrugged, not understanding it any more than she did. I’d have much rather sat with Trina that the trio before me, but I also didn’t want to watch my back every second of the day.
“Hey, Max.” Monica grinned, picking up her diet soda. Her plate only held a small salad. Did these girls not eat? Just looking at their lackluster plates made me want to die.
“Hey,” I replied back and took a seat between Sabrina and Libby.
Libby smiled at me and then turned her eyes to Sabrina. “Did you hear? Lester Picarski and Rachel Boomtic were caught doing it in the potions lab this morning.”
“No!” Sabrina gasped and then shook her head with a look of disgust. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Rachel is as desperate as her mother, and Lester will fuck anything that has a slit between their legs.”
Libby and Monica giggled along with Sabrina, and I faked a chuckled. Picking at the food on my plate, I half-listened to them gossip about this student or that. Mostly they just picked apart people’s outfits and talked crap about them. Then it was my turn.
“What about you, Max?” Libby asked, her eyes wide and blinking. “Is there a guy here you like?”
I swallowed the food in my mouth, almost choking on it. Quickly picking up my can of soda, I got the food lodged in my throat down and turned to their expectant faces. “Uh, no. Not really.”
“Oh, come on.” Monica smiled secretly. “You can tell us. We’re your friends.”
I eyeballed them and knew a trap when I saw one. “Uh, I’ve only been here a few days, I’d rather focus on getting caught up to everyone else’s level than think about guys.”
“Oh, so you like girls then?” Sabrina stated matter-of-factly.
“No, no. I’m not like that.” I quickly answered, my face getting red.
“So defensive. Are you homophobic?” Sabrina continued her brows furrowed as if she actually believed it. “Libby, I’m sorry it seems Max hates lesbians. You can’t be friends with her.”
Libby frowned and started to stab her salad.
“I didn’t say that!” I protested grabbing the edge of the table. “I don’t hate lesbians. Lesbians are great. I think everyone should have more lesbian friends. We should all be lesbians. Really!” I didn’t know what the hell I was saying, but I didn’t want to get labeled as someone who hated others because of their sexual orientation. I didn’t really. It wasn’t any of my business who people loved.
“So, you are lesbian.” Sabrina shot and then looked over my shoulder and said, “Sorry, Paul, looks like Max doesn’t want your penis. So, shoo.” She waved a hand in a shooing motion, and I slowly turned to see Paul standing behind me with a confused expression.
Turning back to the table, I buried my face in my hands. What the hell had just happened? I’d gotten stuck in a mean girl trap is what happened. I knew sitting with her was a bad idea. Why couldn’t I have just said no and gone to sit with Trina instead?
“That’s okay, Sabrina,” Paul said, making me peek up from my hands. “I’m sure Max would still be a better girlfriend than you. At least, she wouldn’t cheat on me.”
Everyone at the table and around us stopped talking and stared at Paul. My eyes, however, were on Sabrina. Her face grew redder than the apple half-eaten on her plate. Then, all of a sudden, Sabrina stood to her feet and stomped out of the cafeteria. Her minions abandoned their food and ran after her, leaving me gaping at the table.
Paul sighed and then sat in Sabrina’s abandoned seat. “Do you mind if I sit here? It seems anywhere else everyone will talk my ear off.”
“No, no. Go for it.” I nodded and turned back to my own tray.
After a few minutes of us silently eating our food, Paul glanced up at me. “So, to set the record straight, are you really not into guys?”
I giggled nervously. “Uh, yeah, about that ...”
Chapter 12
Sweat beaded on my brow and my head started to ache, but I kept going. I could do this. I had to do this.
I stared at the bronze coin until my eyes crossed but still nothing. I sighed and leaned back in the chair I had claimed in the corner of the library. Rubbing my temple, I pulled my charms book closer to me and reread the passage Calliope had assigned us to study while we worked. Well, while those of us who couldn’t charm their coin worked.
To cast a charm, one must focus their magical intent on the object. While bronze works best for charming at the beginning, other objects work as well as long as the intent is clear.
My intent was clear. My intent couldn’t get any clearer even if it were made of crystal. What was I doing wrong?
“Still not getting it, huh?”
I glanced up from my book to see Paul leaning against the table with his arms folded over his broad chest. I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander down his chest and to his long legs where he had his black boots crossed over the other. When they came back up his muscular form and met his bemused eyes, I blushed.
“So,” - Paul flipped the pages of my book, his eyes scanning over the words - “Calliope is still spouting this crap.”
“Crap?” I arched a brow.
Paul smirked. “Calliope is a great teacher, but she’s not very good at breaking things down. She expects everyone to figure it out for themselves. She thinks anyone who can’t isn’t worth teaching.”
I groaned in despair. “So, I’m doomed.”
“Now, I wouldn’t say that.” Paul pulled out the chair next to me and sat down in it. “Okay, so show me what you’re doing.”
Glancing sideways at him, I hesitated. I wasn’t getting anywhere on my own let alone with an audience. Though, having him watch might give me the extra incentive to get it right this time.
Scrounging up my courage, I took a deep breath and let it out. Turning my eyes back to the coin, I focused on that ball of light inside of me. I pulled at it, commanding it to move some of that energy into the bronze metal in front of me. It spiked for a moment or two, getting brighter, but then it settled once more as if it was too tired to be bothered.
I opened my eyes and sighed, not even looking at Paul to see what he thought.
“So ...” Paul smacked his lips. “You forgot everything I said before, didn’t you?”
My head swiveled in his direction. “No, I didn’t. I’m doing like you said. Focusing my emotions on putting the magic into the coin.”
Paul chuckled dryly. “Well, if that is what you call emotion, I feel bad for your boyfriend.”
I licked my lips and shifted in my seat. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Ah, it all makes sense.”
My eyes widened, and I scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Have you ever had a boyfriend?” Paul asked, his expression not taunting but full of interest. “Or someone you liked a lot?”
I shifted even more in my seat. “I’ve dated. I had a long-term relationship up until the end of high school.”
“What happened?”
Hesitating to answer, I watched Paul’s face. I couldn’t tell if he was asking because he wanted to know or if it was still part of the lesson. Either way, I wasn’t getting anywhere staring at the coin. If the only way I was going to figure out how to finish my assignment was to give up a bit of personal information, then I guess I could play ball.
Turning my face away from him, I stared down at the coin. “It didn’t work out.”
“Oh please, stop. You are a fountain of information.” Paul held his hands up and leaned back in his chair, the sarcasm in his voice not amusing.
My shoulders sagged. “What do you want me to say? He was my first real boyfriend. We dated. I thought I loved him and he loved me. Then out of the blue, he wants to break up. We were both going to college on opposite sides of the country and as he said, ‘Long-distance relationships are too hard.’”
&nbs
p; Paul was quiet for a moment and then placed his hand on top of mine. “I’m sorry that happened to you. That’s a shit way to get dumped. Especially by someone you really cared about.”
I offered him a weak smile, trying to force back all my feelings of Jaron. “Thanks.” Clearing my throat, I moved my chair closer to the table. “So, not that talking about my love life isn’t fun, but was there a point to all this?”
Giving me that dimple-peeking grin, Paul leaned his face on his arm. “Can’t I just want to know about you? Weighing what kind of guy I’m up against?”
I threw my head back and laughed. “You are a charming one, aren’t you? But rest assured there’s no competition. Jaron made it clear where we stood.”
The image of Jaron’s robe catching on fire filled my head. I’d wanted for him to hurt. To know how much it had burned me for him to drop me so easily. I’d thought he loved me. He’d told me he loved me.
“I feel there is more to that story, but I’ll let it go.” He winked at me. “For now.” Moving off his arm, he picked up the coin and placed it in my hand. My skin warmed where he touched me. “But I have to admit I do have an ulterior motive for asking. You see, that emotion you were feeling just now?” Paul brushed my hair away from my face as I tried to hide. “That emotion is what will make or break your spells.” He brushed his thumb against the curve of my cheek, making my heart jump in my chest.
“See, people think magic is all about some fancy words or a piece of wood focusing the energy, but really it’s the emotion. That’s what makes us magical. That’s what gives our intentions life. Use that emotion, Max. Feel.”
He leaned forward until our nose brushed against one another and my breath caught in my throat. Just for a second, I almost leaned into him. Almost let our mouth meet, but then the coin in my hand warmed and then burned hot enough that I had to drop it.
“Crap.” I shoved my chair back and bent down to pick up the coin. Paul moved back to his seat while I tested the coin to see if it was still hot. Surprisingly, it was cool to the touch now. Frowning, I put the coin on the table. “Does it always happen like that?”
