Improbable Ally (Magical Arts Academy Book 4)

by Lucia Ashta

  Arianne slowly lowered herself to the floor, moving so as not to startle the creatures. When she arranged her skirts so they would allow her to sit, the dog closest to her popped one eye open.

  My breath hitched. Of all the people at the academy, I liked Arianne most—besides Nando, obviously. She was generous and kind with an additional je ne sais quoi that drew me to her. If I hadn’t wanted to see Madame Pimlish mauled by the dogs, I certainly didn’t want to see Arianne hurt.

  But she continued her descent, and settled herself on the wood floor, something I didn’t think I’d ever seen a lady of a manor like this one do.

  “You’re such a fine animal, so powerful, so strong.”

  Yes! And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be getting any closer to him. Any calm I’d managed to accumulate left in a rush. I was a mass of nerves, digging a hand into Nando’s side.

  “You did such a good job defending Marcus. That’s exactly what you should have done.” It seemed as if she’d forgotten the rest of us were in the room with her, and I caught Walt and Marie exchanging a look with each other.

  The dog popped open its other eye, and others around the sleeping circle came awake. Fierce, dark eyes opened everywhere.

  I drew in a thick, chunky breath.

  Arianne started speaking so softly I only managed to make out the suggestions of words. Then she stilled and held the gaze of the dog closest to her. She appeared to be waiting for something, and while she did, I barely breathed.

  Whatever it was arrived, though I noticed not a thing, and she began to lower her forehead to the dog’s.

  “She can’t do that,” I told Nando with extreme urgency. Why was I the only one who realized she was effectively committing suicide?

  “But she is” was his unhelpful response. I wanted him to lunge at her and pull her away from danger, to talk sense into her.

  But he, like I, just watched as the beautiful grandmother with the long, red hair braided atop her head, leaned her porcelain forehead toward the hairy beast’s.

  The dog whipped his head up toward her, and my breathing ceased entirely.

  She alone didn’t seem worried. Even Gustave had taken a few steps toward her, as if to intervene, and Mordecai held his hands out to the side, a spell at the ready, I imagined.

  Marcus watched with extreme interest, and Count Vabu’s eyes were as wide as I’d ever seen them, looking down at the lady of the manor from his towering height.

  Arianne’s lips stretched into a placid smile, she emitted a contented sigh, and she rested her forehead against the beast’s.

  And... nothing happened. There were no sudden movements nor harsh sounds of attack. The dog allowed her to press her forehead against his.

  Moments passed in which I discovered my breath again, and then the dog pushed up to meet her forehead better. All at once my shoulders relaxed and I slumped into Nando’s side. If every day at the academy was going to be as stressful as this one, I didn’t know if I’d make it.

  Then whimpers began to saturate the space as all the dogs—nine of them by my count—began to unfurl and push their way toward Arianne. The ferocious beasts transformed into licking, tail-wagging dogs, whining for her attention.

  She laughed as dogs licked, pushed, and piled up all around her.

  “That’s shocking,” Wizard Meedles said. “I wasn’t sure that was going to work, despite her reputation as a miracle worker with magical creatures.”

  “You didn’t know if it was going to work, but you let her do that?” Count Vabu asked. Though his words were accusatory, his tone wasn’t. I didn’t think I’d heard emotion from him yet.

  “She’s a woman with a mind of her own. I’m not her guardian. Besides, haven’t you learned anything in your long life, Vlad? Never tell a woman what to do. It never works out well. Let them do what they wish, and admire them while they do it.”

  Hunh. I might be starting to like this Wizard Meedles’ attitude.

  Count Vabu laughed. “I’ve missed your irreplaceable wisdom.”

  “I’m sure you did. How long has it been since we saw each other? Ten years?”

  “At least.”

  “Then I’m glad we’re here together. This academy is bound to be quite the adventure, wouldn’t you say?”

  “That of a lifetime. One we’ll either survive, or we won’t.” Count Vabu didn’t sound worried that the SMS wanted to kill us. Perhaps that’s what came of being a vampire, a disregard for life.

  But then, Wizard Meedles didn’t seem particularly worried either. He clapped Count Vabu on the back with a thud. “We’ll give as good as we get.”

  Arianne giggled and rolled around on the floor with the dogs as if she were a child playing with her pets, not minding their drool and other filth marring her dress. She was beyond a miracle worker with animals. I didn’t recognize the playful dogs as the same vicious creatures poised to attack.

  “It looks like Arianne has my friends well under control,” Wizard Meedles said to Count Vabu. “Why don’t you show me around?”

  “Do you think it safe to leave them with her like this?”

  “Only if you’re seeing what I’m seeing.”

  Count Vabu nodded, his black, slicked-back hair reflecting the light, which filtered through the nearby open window, and led Wizard Meedles over to where Mordecai stood.

  “Greetings, Mordecai,” Wizard Meedles boomed. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

  As Gustave moved to also greet the wizard, and they lowered their voices for polite conversation, Nando led me over to where Marie and Walt observed the scene. Neither of them seemed shaken like I was, though they did appear amazed at Arianne’s interaction with the hounds. Whether it was due to her ability to interact with them, or her behaving most unlike a lady of her rank, I wasn’t sure. Neither of the siblings was as affected by the magical displays we’d seen as Nando and I were.

  They’d seen magic before arriving at the academy. That alone would drastically contrast their experience with ours.

  “Is it always like this?” Marie asked, surprising me.

  “So far,” Nando said.

  “Then maybe it won’t be so bad here, right, Walt?”

  “Maybe,” he admitted with reluctance, but I didn’t miss the sparkle of intrigue in his bright eyes. I didn’t make out exactly what color they were—a mixture of green, blue, and brown—but they were clearly intelligent. Walter didn’t miss much.

  “I thought the dogs were going to eat Madame Pimlish,” I said. “And then Lady Acquaine.”

  Walter nodded seriously. “It was very likely.”

  “Very likely,” Marie seconded.

  “Have you never seen ‘dogs’ like these before?” Walter asked.

  I shook my head while Nando said, “Hunting mastiffs?”

  Walter chuckled sardonically. “Not quite. Those are hellhounds.”

  My heart thumped loudly enough I thought they might hear it. “What?”

  He outright laughed at me then. “You should see your face! I don’t mean hellhounds as in they are the hounds of the Devil or some sordid nonsense like that.”

  “Then why are they called hellhounds?”

  “Because they can only be kept by very powerful wizards. Ones able to handle them. They’d tear anyone less powerful than Wizard Meedles to shreds.”

  “Or Lady Arianne,” Marie said, awed.

  “Right, well, that’s unusual, no doubt about it.”

  “Back to the hellhounds,” I said right away. I needed to get answers about so many things, I’d start here.

  “The hounds sniff out dark magic. They detect it, no matter how well hidden. And they’re called hellhounds because when they discover sorcerers using dark magic, they give them hell, and make them wish for a quick trip to an eternity of torment, just to get away from their maws.”

  “I see,” I squeaked.

  Nando, who always retained his composure far better than I, said, “It sounds like these hellhounds are a great
addition to our team then. We are going up against dark sorcerers.”

  Walter nodded. “There’s no better creature to oppose them. Just be thankful they’re on our side, and that Wizard Meedles knows how to control them. Because, trust me, you don’t want to face down one of these hounds when no one’s around to help you out.”

  I didn’t need Walter to tell me that. I’d probably be looking over my shoulder the entire time we were at the academy. And it wasn’t just the hounds I’d be watching for. I was starting to think these walls contained as many dangers as the outside world they sheltered us from.

  Walter, Marie, and Nando continued conversing, but I was lost in thought, wondering what had happened to my life since I’d arrived at the academy, and what it would look like once I left it. I had no doubt I wouldn’t recognize myself. I just couldn’t decide if that was a good or bad thing.

  Chapter 4

  Marie, Walter, Nando, and I wove our way back through the empty halls. The siblings’ manner was easy going, and I’d begun to hope they might become our friends. It would be so great to have friends in this place, especially ones who understood magic.

  I assumed we were headed toward the dining hall as it was near time for luncheon when Walter said, “Anyone up for a quick jaunt outside? I hear the gardens are lovely here, and after those hellhounds, I could use the feeling of sunshine on my face.”

  “Oh yes!” I exclaimed before anyone else. “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Marie said. “They’ll probably expect us to eat so we can be ready for our next class.”

  “She has a point,” Nando said, and I suspected he said it mostly to support her. “I don’t think we’re allowed to wander.”

  “Nobody will even notice,” I said. “We left Lady Acquaine plenty occupied with Lords Gustave and Mordecai, Count Vabu and Wizard Meedles. That only leaves Lord Marcelo and Lady Clara, and we haven’t seen them since we broke our fast.”

  “And Brave and Gertrude?” my brother asked. “If they see us they might not like that we disobeyed and went outside.”

  I brought my hands to my hips. “Who exactly are we disobeying? No one’s told us what to do, everyone’s too preoccupied with whatever the SMS is scheming. Besides, I doubt Gertrude or Brave would care. Gertrude doesn’t seem particularly concerned about following any rules, and from what I’ve seen, Brave does what she does.”

  I wasn’t sure why I was battling Nando like this, but it felt important, as if my freedom to go outside when I wanted to was enough to afford me some semblance of normalcy.

  “Come on, Nando,” I said. “You know you want to.”

  “Of course I want to.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  My brother cast a look at Marie, who was already looking at him.

  I was about to take Nando’s hand and lead him to the gardens no matter what his exchange with Marie suggested, when Walter beat me to it.

  He grabbed Marie’s hand and pulled. “Stop being silly and come on. No one loves the sunshine quite like you. You’ll feel better once you’re out there.”

  With the siblings leading the way, Nando no longer resisted me.

  We were halfway down the long hall that placed us between the entry hall and the exit to the gardens when I heard Sir Lancelot’s voice ringing out behind me. “Lord Mordecai! Lord Gustave! Lady Arianne! Where is everyone?”

  I pretended I hadn’t noted urgency in his voice and picked up the pace to the outdoors. If we didn’t make it soon, I had no doubt another catastrophe would unfold and we’d be stuck inside. “We need to hurry,” I called up the single file line.

  Walter moved faster. Finally someone who might share my priorities.

  In a few more minutes, Walter burst through the door and the sun melted on us. Immediately I began to relax. “Ah, what a good idea, Walter. It feels heavenly out here.”

  “It does feel good, doesn’t it? And please, call me Walt. I’ve never been a fan of formality.”

  Marie made a sound that seemed an awful lot like a snort, though she hid it quickly. “That’s quite the understatement, my dear brother. You’ve never been a fan of anything but exactly what your heart desires in that moment.”

  “True enough, something I’m quite pleased about. What’s the point of life if not to enjoy it?”

  I was starting to like this Walt. He talked like I wanted to think.

  He caught me taking in his sandy brown hair, youthful face, and shining eyes. He smiled.

  It was infectious, and my lips turned upward all on their own. Yes, Walt and I might become fast friends... if he wanted my friendship.

  “Let’s put a little more distance between us and the manor, just in case,” he said, and he was off and away, running across the garden, weaving between rows of manicured bushes, brushing his hands along them.

  I took off after Walt, carving out my own path across the gardens.

  Marie laughed behind me, a kind of tinkly, pleasant sound, and she led Nando to join us.

  I felt entirely free, incredibly normal, and fully wonderful. I laughed, forgetting for a few glorious moments that anyone else was there with me, and reveled in the sunshine and fresh scents of flowers.

  Then I heard a sound that was already becoming familiar.

  Chapter 5

  “Where’s it coming from?” Nando asked.

  “I don’t know. I can’t see anything,” Marie said.

  “It must be coming from behind those big shrubs.” Walt pointed at a dense wall of green.

  “Let’s go see.” I resigned myself to yet another commotion as one of our teachers appeared to be arriving via portal to avoid the attentions of the SMS on the roads. The crisp sounds, like a large, thick bubble popping over and again, were unmistakable. Mordecai had sent out missives to a list of teachers and protectors—oh, maybe this would be another protector! We could use more of those, I was sure of it.

  I trudged toward the shrubs. My step, which had been so light just moments before, was leaden. As much as the novelty of the academy’s magic intrigued me, it was beginning to feel like too much. We couldn’t even escape to the gardens without seeing more of it. How do magicians get used to it? Always having strange things happen? I felt nearly dizzy at the excess stimulation.

  Walt rounded the shrubs, and I went to follow, but Nando put an arm out to stop me. “Let me check it out first to make sure it’s safe.” He included Marie in his statement, hand moving to the hilt of his sword.

  “Thank you,” she said prettily, as if my brother were the most gallant in the world. He was, but I still bit down on a groan.

  I tapped a slipper against the grass until he returned.

  “It’s fine. It’s just another staff member. But she says she needs our help.”

  “What could a teacher or protector need with us?” I asked, but Marie had already joined Nando, and they were both rounding the shrubs that concealed this portal from sight of the manor.

  “Any academy staff capable of portaling shouldn’t need our help for anything,” I mumbled to myself. “Unless it’s to help them carry their trunks or something.”

  But by then I’d rounded the shrubs. Any complaints fled as I took in the stunning witch leaning halfway through the portal.

  “Thank you so much for coming to help me,” she was saying, her voice melodic. I wanted to do whatever she asked of me. I drew as close as I could, eager to help.

  The portal sparkled in a show of lights and sparks. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the light show, which sliced a neat hole in the garden scene, as if a god took a big pair of scissors and cut out a piece of our world, opening our reality up to another.

  But even though the portal itself was mesmerizing, the witch who leaned her upper body out of it was more so. Her features were perfect; they struck just the right balance. They weren’t too beautiful as to seem unreal, but I couldn’t think of anything to adjust on this woman to make her more alluring.

  Her hair
was a color I was having trouble pinpointing. Was it silver or gold? Silk or shimmer? It fell loose like fluid waves across her shoulders. Her eyes swirled as much as the portal, drawing me in. I didn’t want anyone to be my friend but her. With this witch at my side, everything would be right in my world; it was a guarantee.

  Her cherry-red lips, smooth and plump, formed words. I yearned to absorb every single one as if anything she offered were the world’s greatest treasure.

  She batted long, silky lashes. “You all seem so strong. Would you be kind enough to help a witch carry her trunks to your fine school? I worry that I’ll strain myself.”

  Walt and Nando ran toward the portal. Marie and I were right behind them.

  “You’ll have to come through the portal, as my luggage is on this other side, too heavy for me to move.”

  Nando, a gentleman through and through, nodded. “Of course, but will we hurt you if we come through the portal with you in it?” He was already moving a foot toward it.

  “Not at all. You’ll be helping, not hurting me. Besides, I’ll make room for you. I’ll make room for all of you.” She looked up at Marie and me, and my feet drew me closer, all on their own. Her voice was like a fine dessert I’d desired all my life. I stared into her swirling eyes, an array of colors, until she directed them back to the boys.

  “Join me now. We should hurry.” The lovely witch stepped to the side, making room, so that only her face peered at us from the portal. Her hair whipped in the vortex of the portal, as if blown by a swift breeze.

  Nando stepped inside first. He was there one moment, as if suspended. Time froze just for him... and then he was gone. The portal continued its swirling and flashing, but Nando was no longer where he’d just been.

  Walt didn’t hesitate to go in after him. The portal sucked him through it in the same way.

  With a lingering gaze at the witch, Marie went next.

  I had a foot already inside the portal when I heard people shouting. I sensed that the voices were familiar, but I didn’t register whom they belonged to. I didn’t make out their words either, but I looked to the witch for reassurance. The shouts felt wrong—panicked.