Magic Bound

by Theresa Kay

  I don’t stay to see what effect, if any, my words have on him, simply grabbing Isobel’s arm and pulling her out of the dining hall and back to our dorm room with Adrian not far behind.

  As of this moment, Tristan St. James no longer exists to me.

  Midterms week is hell, full of back to back days of exams and skill evaluations and, by the end of it, I’ve barely seen my bed, barely seen my roommate, barely seen anything but my textbooks, teachers, and tests.

  But . . . I think I do okay. Using the new method Penny taught me, I’m able to fly through my Potions exam and successfully infuse the required potions during the skill section. Wards doesn’t go quite as well, but my lines and angles for the drawing portion are pretty good. I ace the PE exam—if target practice can be called an exam—and I just finished Basil’s exam. Now, all I want to do is crash.

  Too bad I find a note summoning me to Burke’s office as soon as I get back to my dorm. Getting called to see the director right after finishing the last midterm? Not the most confidence-inspiring thing. Have grades already been tallied? Not everyone has finished taking their midterms. The advanced classes still have a couple tomorrow. But maybe . . . I have no freaking clue what this could be about. And I’m too tired to debate with myself about the possibilities. No matter what, this meeting probably doesn’t mean anything good.

  I sigh and make my way to Burke’s office.

  Seth is on the phone, but he hangs up when he sees me and gives me a weak smile. “He’ll call you in soon.”

  Great. I’d prefer Burke not call me in at all, but I’m not going to tell Seth that. All I do is smile back. Well, I try anyway.

  Another ten minutes pass before Burke’s voice comes echoing out of the intercom on Seth’s desk. “Send her in.”

  Deep breath. I can do this. The distance to Burke’s door suddenly feels much too short, and all I want to do is turn around and run out of here. Another deep breath. I open the door and walk inside.

  Burke’s at his desk, elbows resting on the wood and fingers steepled under his chin. He doesn’t smile.

  My stomach drops. This is looking worse and worse.

  I slide into the chair in front of the desk and twist my fingers together in my lap. “You asked to see me?”

  “I’m going to get straight to the point, Selene. Your grades, though improved, are not up to par, and at this point, I’m worried under the new policy I’ll be forced to dismiss you from the school at the end of the semester.”

  “But . . . I’ve been trying. I don’t know what else I can do. I don’t understand why it’s all so difficult for me.” Exhaustion and disappointment add a pleading note to my voice.

  His face softens, and he leans back in his chair with his intertwined fingers resting on his chest. “There’s an option we haven’t explored yet, but the situation is delicate, and based on my previous observations, I wasn’t sure if it’d be something you were open to.”

  I huff out a laugh. “I’m open to pretty much anything at this point. This isn’t my favorite place in the world, but I’d like to stay to protect my parents if nothing else.”

  Burke nods. “I’m sure you’re aware of the rumors that a few well-placed . . . donations can improve your standing in the ranks, correct?”

  “You mean the bribes paid to OSA? Yeah, I’m aware.”

  He grimaces. “I suppose that would be the more accurate term, yes.” A pause. “But it is what it is at this point.”

  “My parents can’t afford to bribe my way up the list, and neither can the pack, so what exactly are you suggesting?”

  He sighs. “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you, and I apologize for not informing you of this earlier, but I didn’t want to make things even more difficult.” His gaze goes to the top of his desk, and he leans forward to slide a file folder across to me.

  “What’s this?” I pick it up and shoot him a questioning look.

  He merely tilts his head at the folder.

  Okay . . . I open it and skim the single sheet of paper inside. It’s contact information and some general background on Nikolas and Thea Andras. Who are apparently my biological grandparents.

  Burke waits until I glance up at him to speak again. “As I told you when you first arrived, the Andras family is old and powerful. Nikolas has the financial means to make the expected donations in order for you to maintain your place here.” He pauses. “Nikolas is aware there is a student here using the Andras name, but he, like everyone here besides Basil and myself, is under the impression you are something like a third cousin who is using the name with my approval. I have not disclosed your true relationship to him, nor will I if you request me not to, but if you decide to accept his help, you will need to reveal your true identity. He and Thea might expect a relationship with you. Helen was their only child, which, technically, makes you their only heir.”

  “I . . .”

  “You don’t have to decide right now. If nothing else, I believe you are safe this quarter, but it is a near thing. You certainly wish to consider entering the tournament next quarter to help boost your rank.” He clears his throat and stands. “Now, I need to check on a few things down the hall.” He makes a pointed glance at the phone on his desk. “I’ll be back in about ten minutes.”

  I’m still trying to put everything together when he walks out of his office and shuts the door behind him, leaving me to watch after him completely confused. Did he want me to call them now? That can’t be right. He said I didn’t have to make this decision yet.

  I’m safe this quarter, so maybe I should leave my . . . grandparents out of it unless I absolutely have to contact them.

  I place the folder back on the desk and twist my fingers together again. The room is too quiet for my racing thoughts. Maybe there’s something else he wanted me to see? I pull the folder toward me, but something catches my eye before I can open it. There’s a sticky note by the phone’s handset that says A & G M with a phone number I don’t recognize.

  Is that . . .? Did he . . .? It couldn’t possibly be . . . I pick up the phone with shaking fingers, press the button for an outside line, and dial the number on the sticky note.

  The call is answered almost immediately. “Selene?”

  “Mom?” Her name is barely choked out past the lump in my throat.

  “It’s so good to hear your voice, baby girl.” Hearing hers is even better.

  “Is Dad with you? Where are you? Are you safe?”

  She pauses. “He is, but it’s better that you don’t know where we are for now. We are safe though.”

  I want to argue that what would really be better would be me with them instead of here, but I don’t. Because as long as they’re safe, they’re where they belong. And maybe I am too? “When can I see you?”

  She sniffles, and her voice goes thick with heartache. “I don’t know.”

  “I miss you,” I whisper.

  “We miss you too. I’m so sorry this—”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. You’re my parents, my family; you did what you thought was in my best interests. I can’t blame you for that.”

  She’s crying now, and I hear Dad’s voice in the background as he takes the phone from her.

  “Hey there, sweetheart,” says Dad. “How are you holding up?”

  I let out a sad laugh. “Not so well, but I’ll live. Director Burke . . . how?”

  “Desmond has been passing us information since you arrived, but he wanted to give you a chance to adjust before letting you know he could contact us.”

  “But I haven’t done very well at adjusting, right? That’s why I’m getting your phone number now.”

  Dad laughs. “We always knew you were different. Helen told us as much, but no one understood what she meant. We still don’t. I know everything there is not what you’d like it to be, but you can trust Desmond. He’s on your side.”

  “But he’s a witch, and he’s good friends with the St. James family.”

  “I kno
w, but he’s not a bad person. Let him guide you. He knows what he’s doing.”

  I’m not going to be buddy-buddy with the guy, but if Dad says Burke is okay, then I guess I’ll go along with it. “He’ll be back soon, so my time’s about up—or does it matter? Since he already knows and all that.”

  “If he were to be questioned, he has to have plausible deniability. Lying isn’t an option in the face of a truth potion. So, yes, it matters. And you can’t discuss this conversation with him or specifically tell him you’ve spoken with us at this point.”

  Footsteps approach the office door, and Burke loudly says something to Seth from right outside.

  “I’ve gotta go,” I say. “I love you both.”

  “We love you too. Take care of yourself.”

  I’m hanging up the receiver just as Burke walks through the door. I swipe at the tears on my cheeks, and Burke gives me a knowing look. Clearing my throat, I snatch the folder off the desk and jump to my feet. “Thank you . . . for the information.” I wave the folder around. “And I’ll think about what you said.”

  “Good,” he says. His lips curl into a warm smile. “I want you to succeed here. There is a lot of good you could do for the Order. OSA needs open-minded people like you.”

  “I’ll, uh, be going back to my room to think about things now,” I say awkwardly. “Have a nice evening.”

  He dips his chin in acknowledgment as I rush out the door.

  The trip from the main building to the dorm is a blur, and it isn’t until I finally lie face down on my bed that I allow myself to really consider the effects of tonight’s events. I’m so, so grateful I got the chance to talk to Mom and Dad, but I have no idea what to do with this other information on my grandparents. I wish I’d had time to ask my parents what they thought about it. All of a sudden it’s like, ‘yeah sure, Selene, buy your way to the top with the grandparents who know nothing about you.’ How selfish is that? Am I willing to essentially sell my integrity, sell my soul even—the same thing I accused Tristan of doing—in order to make it to the top of the class, or even just to make the cut?

  I might end up not having any other choice. If I don’t get my grades up on my own, I’m going to have to call these unknown people and throw myself on their mercy. Their financial mercy, which is even worse.

  But I want to talk to Isobel about all of this first. She hasn’t steered me wrong yet. I haven’t seen her since breakfast, but she should be wrapping up the last of her midterms soon.

  I sit up and drag a hand over my face. My stomach rumbles. Too bad dinner is almost over and I’m not in the mood to make a mad dash to the dining hall. Chips for dinner it is. I walk over to my desk to grab my last bag, and a sheet of paper with Isobel’s handwriting on it catches my eye.

  Meet me at the library tonight at 7:45. I found something—something that could change everything. And good luck on your midterms!

  -Isobel

  I glance at the clock. There’s almost an hour until I’m supposed to meet her so I lie down on my bed with one of the books Basil gave me, intending to finally try to decipher it . . . and jolt awake what feels like seconds or possibly centuries later.

  My mouth is dry, my eyes gritty, and my head foggy. I have enough brain power to look at the clock and process the fact that I’m almost thirty minutes late to meet Isobel.

  Crap.

  I grab a hoodie and dash out the door and down the stairs. The quad is empty, and in the dark night air it’s almost eerie. I run across to the main building, unlock the ward, and let myself in. The path I take to the library is also deserted as is the library when I reach it, a sign on the door proclaiming the library is closing early today. As in it closed thirty minutes ago.

  So where the hell could Isobel be? I glance up and down the hallway. Empty. I slowly make my way down the stairs while my mind churns with questions. The no cell phone policy has never sucked more than right now. If this place didn’t have to be warded all to hell, then I could just text her, but no, it has to be all difficult.

  Where the hell is she? She said she found something big . . . What if something happened to her? What if she found something that put her in danger?

  No use getting worked up until I’m sure. I run back to our dorm room, my heart pounding in my chest. She’s not here. Nor is she in any of the common rooms downstairs.

  Where else would she go? The boys’ dorm? Not likely. The practice field maybe? The physical stuff has never been her forte, so she might want to get in some extra practice or something since she hasn’t taken her PE exam yet.

  The field is as deserted as everywhere else, and I’m turning around to leave when a flash of movement catches my eye. On the far side of the field, there’s someone—no, multiple someones—running through the woods. A place they definitely don’t belong.

  Moving closer, I squint, trying to make out who it is. There are three of them, one supported between the other two. I don’t recognize the others, but there’s only one person I know of small enough stature to be the person in the middle: Isobel.

  “Hey!” I yell. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  Yelling is a dumb thing to do. I would have been better off following them to see where they were going, but I can’t take it back now. I run full out toward the figures in the woods. They break into a run too, practically dragging Isobel along between them.

  They’re fast, but I’m faster, and I quickly gain on them. They must notice because one of them pauses long enough to rip some magic from the air and toss a blast at me. I dodge to the side and throw myself to the ground, but it’s a close miss, and the smell of singed hair tickles my nose. That was definitely an energy ball, but way more powerful than any I’ve been dealing with in class. Who are these people?

  I shove to my feet and continue chasing them. I can’t let them get away with Isobel.

  It’s witch number two’s turn to toss something my way, another energy ball, large enough that it hits my side even as I dodge. But that’s not the worst of it. The worst is the second bit of magic thrown by witch number one that I dodge directly into. The force of it spins me around and sends me to my ass. Not a shot to kill—thank God—but definitely a shot to stun.

  And stunned I am. That second burst of magic has all my nerves jolting with energy, but in a completely useless way. Like I’ve been hit by a freaking taser or something. I manage to get my hands under me and try to stand, but my legs give out, and a hot wave of pain crashes against my spine. What the actual hell? That wasn’t just an energy ball. It was a spell. I didn’t even hear the witch say anything. How powerful does someone have to be to cast without words while running? I’m clearly way out of my league, but I can’t let them take Isobel.

  Another attempt to stand brings yet more pain.

  They’re getting away.

  I raise my hand and send a burst of wild magic in their direction, but my aim is off. Way off. And the spell is messing with my muscles. They’re slowly freezing up, starting in the area where the spell hit and spreading outward, and every movement brings a jolt of pain.

  Another wild burst of energy flies from my hand, but the action does little more than rustle the leaves in the vague direction of where the two forms run off with Isobel. Then, the muscles in my arm freeze and I fall face down on the ground, dirt pressing against my lips. I can’t even see the witches anymore, but I know they’re gone.

  And they’ve got Isobel.

  I’m not sure how long it takes all my muscles to freeze. I don’t have a watch, and most of my attention is on trying to make sure some of the more important muscles are working correctly. Like my heart. And my diaphragm.

  Is my pulse slowing? I swallow, and my throat feels thick. Oh shit, that’s a muscle too. Saliva pools in my mouth and drips from the corner of my lips into the dirt. My breathing feels too fast, but I can’t tell if that’s a physical symptom or my slowly growing panic.

  Throwing a spell that could kill me wouldn’t have been so easy
. . . right?

  Black spots linger at the corner of my vision, and the best I manage are shallow pants. The weight on my chest, imagined or factual, gets heavier and heavier by the moment. If I could just . . . I try to buck my body so I’ll roll over, but the action doesn’t work how I meant it to. Instead of being on my back, now I’m on my side.

  Still, breathing seems a little easier.

  Who knows how long passes before my chest expands in one full, real breath and then another and another. I’m so grateful for the air I barely notice the dirt in my mouth.

  Another unknown length of time passes before my fingers twitch, followed quickly by muscle spasms that aren’t pleasant but are strangely welcome all the same. Eventually, I shove up onto my hands and knees and then onto shaky legs.

  Night has fallen, and I can barely see anything around me in the woods. The air is quiet, only the sound of bugs and an owl or two breaking the silence.

  I scrub at my eyes with the back of one hand. What do I do? How in the hell am I going to figure out where they took Isobel and get her back?

  Why did they take her? Could it have been because of me? It certainly wouldn’t have happened if I was there, so it’s at least partially my fault.

  Stray tears track down my cheeks as I shuffle toward the dorms, my thoughts scattered and half nonsensical. There has to be someone who knows what to do. Shouldn’t there be? Basil or Desmond or . . . someone.

  Over an hour after I ran into the woods, I finally make it back to the quad. My legs are still stiff and not working right, though the paralyzed feeling is fading away. Where to first? What do I do? I pause to rest, one hand gripping the back of a bench.