Academy Obscura

by J. J. Krzemien

  “I’m so sorry,” I said in a hushed tone.

  She glared in response.

  For the next forty minutes Jaxon lectured on the wars between the supernaturals and the Tromara, apparently there had been several wars fought before the one that led to the Truce.

  “With the Truce came the Supernatural Council, whose job it is to uphold the terms of the Truce. The Council Queen’s role is to oversee the other members, and she holds the ultimate authority in all decisions…” Jaxon continued.

  I chewed on the pen cap. Council Queen? I didn’t remember seeing her in the church with the rest of the members. If Jaxon wasn’t the teacher for this class, I would have raised my hand and asked about her. But there was no way I was drawing attention to myself like that. Not from him.

  “Since the Truce, there have been several rebellions.” Jaxon’s eyes took on a distant look, like he was remembering a specific incident. “They have all ended with the Tromara overpowering us. Each time they could have annihilated us all, but they didn’t. It is by their mercy that we live. After the last rebellion, we were warned, that if another one followed they would enslave us all.”

  Jesus. These people must live in constant fear.

  The bell rang, and it was on to Magic 101. Which had my gut all knotted up. I left the Gi Hall to walk next door to the Aeras Hall. Even though it was midnight, the campus was well lit with closely placed lamp posts. The four classroom buildings formed a square around the open lawn in the middle. The outer perimeter, where the dorms were, was thick with towering pines and cedars.

  The Magic 101 classroom was a long, open space with benches down one side. Against the far wall were floor to ceiling cabinets with wooden doors and locks.

  I sat just inside the door, at the end of a bench. Since no one else had come in yet, I snapped my fingers, willing them to spark, or flame, or anything.

  “What are you doing?”

  I glanced up into Madison’s round eyes. “Nothing. Just trying to get a flame to light.”

  “Oh, you mean like this?” She snapped her fingers and a perfect orange and yellow light danced to life.

  I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest. “Exactly like that.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.” Madison sat next to me. “I’m so excited, aren’t you?”

  “For what?”

  She gave me a startled glance. “This is where we get our wands. I’ve been dreaming about this day for years. I wonder which one will call to me. And which one will call to you. They’re all unique, no one will ever have a wand like either of ours.”

  Great. I felt like no magic ran in my blood, and I was supposed to have a wand call to me.

  The room quickly filled with students. A couple seconds before class started, the teacher arrived. She was a short, round woman with deep lines on her face and electric blue hair.

  “Oh, my students,” her voice boomed, “how wonderful. Look at you all. I know this day has been a fantasy for all of you for so long. Now it is finally here.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Today, you become true witches. Today, you take the power of wielding magic into your own hands. Today, is your day.”

  I regarded her with a slightly cocked head. Cray-cray. The Shakespearian troop left town without their lead witch from Macbeth.

  “As I call you forward, please step up to receive your wand.” She walked to the far wall, pulling a long blue object from her flowy dress pocket. With a swish and a muttered word, the cabinet doors unlocked to reveal a wall of wands.

  Each hung horizontally on the wall from a two small brackets. Although long and tapered, they weren’t made of wood, as I’d expected. Instead they came in all colors, some had multiple colors, veins, or flecks. They were made from a variety of crystals and stones.

  “Now,” said the teacher, “I’m Ms. Duinn. And I’m going to start at the top of the alphabet.” A long scroll unrolled in her hand. “Mr. Aimes.”

  A boy with short reddish-brown hair stood up from the bench. He must have been related to the councilor Aimes. Probably his son.

  Ms. Duinn waved him forward. “Young man, you must stand here in the middle, facing the wall of wands. Now close your eyes and reach out your hand. Let your wand call to you. Don’t fret, just let it happen. Good, good.”

  A hush fell over the benches. Aimes stood silently for several long seconds. His feet shuffled to the left, then forward until he almost bumped into the wall. Several feet above his head, a clear wand with black flecks began to glow. As the glowing intensified, it wiggled out of its brackets, plummeting toward the boy. He caught it.

  Turning to face us, he held the wand high. Everyone around me cheered and clapped. Getting your wand was a big deal. Even Madison beamed, squirming excitedly in her seat.

  It took a while to get to the S section of the alphabet. I was up first with Sorrentino, next would be Madison Swan. By the time Ms. Duinn called out my name, I was nervous as all hell.

  “Sorrentino?” someone whispered the question. “Where’d she come from?”

  I rose, wiping the sweat from my palms onto my jeans. Going to stand in the middle of the room, I followed the protocol. Eyes closed, hand reaching toward the wall of wands. Besides that, I didn’t know what else to do.

  I stood there for what seemed like forever, but it was probably about thirty seconds. A couple of people started murmuring behind me, as my face grew warm from embarrassment. I didn’t feel anything. No urge to walk forward. Nothing.

  Peeking through my lashes up at the well, not one wand glowed. This was useless. I lowered my hand.

  “Have no fear,” Ms. Duinn said. “This happens sometimes.” She leaned close to my ear. “Stay a while after class.”

  I nodded, going to retake my seat.

  “Don’t worry, Caprice,” Madison said, “you’ll get one too. I know you will.

  She was up next. Of course, immediately a purple crystal wand glowed and took flight from the wall.

  She returned to the bench, her doe eyes wide as she studied her wand. “Isn’t this amazing? Look at all the little white veins in the amethyst.”

  I admired her wand. It was pretty.

  Once class was dismissed, and everyone had their wands except me, I approached Ms. Duinn.

  She took me by the arm. “You need to relax to hear the call. Come. Stand here, close your eyes, and reach out.”

  I did as she said. With deep breaths in, I tried to relax and let something—anything—happen. Nothing did. I felt nothing just like before.

  Ms. Duinn clucked her tongue. “Open your eyes, Ms. Sorrentino. Let’s go with this one.” She waved her own wand at the wall, dislodging a piece made from obsidian. It didn’t glow as it floated toward me, instead it was a shiny black.

  I reached out, and plucked it in mid-air. “But it didn’t call to me.”

  “No worries. The connection between witch and wand is strongest when it is naturally formed, but any wand will do. I think this one suites you fine. After a time you may even bond with it.” She smiled, showing small white teeth. “Now off to lunch with you.”

  I grabbed my backpack with my free hand, and left the hall. Outside, under a light post, I studied the obsidian wand. It was uniform in color, so shiny that it reflected like a tiny mirror along its roughly eight inch length.

  “Did that one glow for you or whatever?” Angel asked, coming up to stand next to me. He wore slacks and a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I wondered which subject he taught, imagining the students in the front row of his class eating up the sight of him.

  My breath hitched as his dark gaze met mine. Regaining my composure, I asked, “Or whatever? You’re not a witch are you?”

  One side of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “No.”

  When he didn’t say more, I hesitated. “Uh, do I even want to ask?”

  “I don’t know, do you?” He shoved his hands in his pockets, moving closer. “Are you curious?” His breath rustled my hair. A shiver ran
down my neck. But my eyes never left his for a moment.

  I sucked in a breath. “I am curious.” My voice came out in a whisper.

  His gaze darted to my lips. He growled low. It was an animal sound, no human could make that noise.

  I took a step back, my heart beating against my ribcage. Oh my God, I knew what he was, what he had to be. I didn’t want to believe it. Swallowing hard, I said, “You’re a werewolf. Aren’t you?”

  His amber eyes had taken on a golden glow, turning them almost yellow. Without a word, he turned, and hurried away, shoulders taut and hunched.

  I stared at his back. What had just happened there?

  Potions class was an herb soup disaster. I’d measured out everything, followed the instructions in the textbook, but my stupid wand wouldn’t work no matter what I tried.

  “Miss Sorrentino, you need to channel your inner magic through your wand. It won’t do anything on its own,” May said. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, she was also kind, giving me most of her attention during class. Her strawberry hair hung down her back, growing frizzy in the humid air of surrounding bubbling cauldrons.

  “I don’t think I have any magic in me,” I muttered, pointing my wand at the big black pot again. I was holding a rock. A cold, black rock that was completely useless in this magical world.

  “You need to take some time to unlock your abilities,” May said. With a sympathetic smile she finally gave up on me, moving on to evaluate the next student.

  I left class feeling absolutely defeated, slowly making my way down the rapidly emptying hallway. Maybe I was a dud. Were dud witches a thing?

  A large body slammed against my shoulder, pushing me into another large person.

  “Hey!” I said, trying to keep my balance.

  Three guys blocked the hall in front of me, arms crossed over their chests. I recognized Aimes from Magic class. The other two sat with him in there and in Potions.

  “Sorrentino,” Aimes said. “You’re a real loser aren’t you? Can’t summon a wand. Can’t brew a basic potion. You’re a disgrace to your family name.”

  I didn’t have to stand there and listen to him. I moved to push past the three big brutes. Mean boys, just like mean girls, were best left alone and ignored.

  Aimes caught my arm, digging his fingers into my flesh. “I can’t wait to see you get culled.” His buddies laughed, clapping him on the back. Aimes shoved me away. “See you around Sorrentino.”

  I rubbed my sore arm, sure there would be a bruise. My eyes stung, watching them joke with each other as they rounded the corner. I’d never done anything to them. Why were they being so mean to me?

  Flashes of old memories came to me. Each new school brought a new group of bullies, whether they were guys or girls. The lonely, sad foster kid was an easy mark. Most of the time I just ignored them, not letting their insults get to me. At least that’s what I’d told myself. That I didn’t care. But every word they spoke had cut me deep and left a scar.

  I sniffed, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I wasn’t the outcast anymore. I had a family now. Now, I belonged somewhere and with someone. Which made what Aimes said hurt even more. Was I a disgrace to the Sorrentino family name? I had a sinking feeling that I was.

  I straightened my spine, walking with purpose toward my next class on third floor of Gi Hall. I couldn’t let them get to me or I’d never survive.

  The bell rang, and I sprinted up the stairs to Mythology. Damn, I was late. And on the first day, too. Wrenching open the door, I peered inside. Then paused as my gaze locked with Jaxon’s other friend, Liam.

  The class turned to glance at me. Horrified, I quickly sat down just inside the door.

  “Nice of you to join us, Miss Sorrentino,” Liam said. “Normally tardiness is a five point deduction. Since it’s the first day of classes, I will let it slide.”

  I nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Now where was I…ah, yes. In this class you’ll learn what is real and what is myth.” Liam paced the front of the classroom, making eye contact with the students. His tousled red hair fell into kind green eyes.

  I slouched in my seat, this disastrous day replaying in my mind. The more I thought about it, the more a sense of doom crowded into my consciousness. If I didn’t get it together and find my magic soon, I was going to be handed over to the Tromara at the Culling. I shuddered.

  The Culling seemed like a vague concept rather than reality. These people didn’t really sacrifice their kids to a bunch of supernatural cannibals. Did they? It seemed impossible. My brain refused to grasp this idea.

  Liam’s lecture returned to my awareness. “…and the like. Then there are some that are debated to this day. For example, dragons or dragon-shifters. Some say they are myth, while others disagree…”

  How could I find my magic? I should have asked Isabella more questions about witches. I could talk to her on the weekends, but that was it. She was limited to telling me things, she couldn’t show me how to do anything.

  If the situation was different, I’d turn to Jaxon for help. But…that wasn’t likely to happen. Besides, why would he help me? I was practically a stranger to him and the rest of these people. They had no reason to care whether I lived or died. Only Isabella cared. I was sure of that.

  “Miss Sorrentino?” Liam asked.

  I startled. How long had he been calling my name? My face heated, but I sat up straighter. “Yes, sir? Sorry.”

  “I need you to stay after class.” Liam pursed his lips, then went back to lecturing.

  I buried my face in my hands. Now I was in trouble. Great. This day could not get any worse.

  10

  Caprice

  The class emptied out. My stomach twisted up so tight, I thought I was going to be sick.

  Once the last person had left, Liam strode up the aisle and closed the door.

  I frowned up at him. “What are you—?”

  “Don’t worry, Caprice, I just want to speak with you.” He sat down on my desk. His gentle moss-colored eyes held concern. “You’ve had a rough day.”

  I opened my mouth, then closed it when nothing came out. I tried again. “How do you know that?”

  “I’m a fae. We have empathic abilities.” He folded his hands in his lap. “I can feel all of the fear, worry, anger, and sadness that you’re feeling right now.”

  I ducked my head. I didn’t want anyone to know how I felt, it was embarrassing.

  “Do you want to tell me what happened today?” Liam asked. “Did something in particular upset you?”

  If he thought I was going to open up to him, he was way wrong. I shook my head. “Just first day at a new school kinds of things. I’ll be fine.”

  Liam sat quietly for a long moment. “As your teacher, I care about how you’re doing with your classes. I want you to know that I’m here for you, whenever you need to talk to someone.”

  I gave him a dubious look. “Right. Thanks.” I didn’t know him. Or trust him. Plus he was Jaxon’s friend.

  He stood up, going to open the door. I followed, darting out of the room as soon as he unblocked the way. What a creep.

  The dining hall, which was on the second floor of Sorrentino Hall, showed how cliquish this school was. Madison caught my arm as soon as I finished going through the dinner line. Dinner at five in the morning would take some getting used to.

  “You’ll want to sit over here,” she said, steering us toward a table in the corner. As we passed the other tables, she murmured, “vampire table, werewolves, shifters, second years…us.”

  We scooted in at one end. The table was filled with other witches that I recognized from both Magic and Potions. Though, luckily, Aimes and his crew were not among them. They sat two tables over with a bunch of other witches.

  “What’s up with the two witch tables?” I asked Madison, while digging into the mashed potatoes.

  “Oh gosh, you really don’t know anything.” Her round eyes searched my face. “There are two witch cliques, and yo
u’d better be in one of them. This table is for the Italian clique, that other one is for the UK. Aimes, MacTavish, and Bennett lead the United Kingdom witches circle.” She made a sour face. “Watch out for them, they’re not nice people.”

  I was already well aware of that. “And who leads the Italian circle?”

  “Traditionally, the Sorrentinos.”

  I choked on my potatoes. “What?”

  “I know you only just came out of the foster system, but I would’ve thought your grandma would have told you all of this. Even my family knows about it and we’re rather ordinary in the witch community.” Madison sighed. “But since you don’t know, and no one else seems to be telling you anything…I guess I will.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “The Sorrentino family is a big deal because they’re—you’re—the royal line. Right now your grandma is the Council Queen, and you’ll take her place some day. If you survive this year, of course, which I hope you do.”

  My mouth hung open. Isabella was the Council Queen? When she said she wanted me to be her heir, she didn’t just mean the house and her wealth. She meant heir to the council position that she held, too. Why hadn’t she told me?

  I let my fork fall onto the tray. This whole day was too much to take. Suddenly, I felt exhausted, and no longer hungry. “Is there anything else I should know?” I asked.

  “Probably lots.” Madison stabbed at her salad. “We can do a kind of a current events 101 together over the weekend if you want to. Mama is always up on the latest events and gossip and everything like that, so I know more than most people about the council and their families.”

  “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks, Madison.” My brows pulled together. “Your last name’s Swan, isn’t that English? Why aren’t you part of the UK witches?”

  Madison waved a dismissive hand. “Like I said, my family is a bit weird. Our ancestors sided with the Italians, and now the UK circle calls us traitors. But it’s okay, because I like this side much better. I mean, have you met Aimes?”