A Witch’s Beating Heart

by Kasey Mackenzie

  The most disturbing dreams saw me trapped inside a macabre trophy room of shelves containing countless beating hearts that glowed with myriad magical signatures that blazed in lifeless mockery of their owners. A strange mirror that seethed with a dark black fog instead of showing true reflections dominated the room. I couldn’t say why, but that mirror disturbed me even more than the tick-tock of the witches’ beating hearts.

  A second yawn escaped my lips, and everyone laughed. Including me. “A morning person I am not, so think I will turn in early tonight. You headed back to the dorm now?”

  She shook her head. “Nah. Cayenne and Del got invited to a beach volleyball game over at the sand courts, so I think we’re gonna head there. Unless you really want me to go back with you?”

  I waved that suggestion off. “No worries. Go have some fun. And we both know you’re relieved for me to turn in early. I’m a colossal jinx on the sand court.” On pretty much any court, truth be told. Group sports were usually not my forte. Now bowling and mini-golf, on the other hand...

  Everyone bid me goodbye when I excused myself. The sun was still burning brightly as I strolled back to Artemis House. The Gloaming’s climate patterns were very similar to southern Florida in the mortal realm for most of the year, with a New England-esque autumn for 6 weeks around October and November and then a period of mild winter through the first half of January. We pretty much always had snow for the couple weeks surrounding Solstice and Christmas. Our days consisted of the same 24-hours of daylight and nighttime as the mortal realm, with the same sun, moon, and stars lighting our skies.

  The Gloaming’s creators had done awesome things as far as our weather patterns went.

  Autumn was my favorite season. I just loved the crisp bite to the air and dressing in warm sweaters and boots. Then again, I was the type to wear boots in the heart of summer if I felt like it. I didn’t give a crap what other people thought about my clothes. Which was one reason I let Misty take me shopping. She somehow always managed to come up with outfits that I loved in a fraction of the time I could.

  I had just turned onto the path leading toward Artemis House when the temperature plummeted 10 degrees. Unnatural darkness swept across the sky, and a howling wind kicked up the dust around me. My eyes widened as I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth and tried to figure out what the hell was happening.

  Cresssssssiiiiidddddaaaaa...A soft, sibilant voice hissed in the wind, making my mouth open as wide as my eyes.

  Darkness became pitch black, unrelieved by the slightest spark of light. I froze, not wanting to slam into anything. I sent a silent cry for Pixie through our link, praying she could break through whatever magical spell had obviously swept me into its grip. In the meantime, I would not just stand there meekly. I gathered the strands of my own magic. My personal reserves had been topped off thanks to Pixie the night before, leaving me enough energy to wrap a shielding spell around my body and summon a strong ball of witchlight, colored a brilliant teal by my magical signature.

  ((Who’s doing this?)) I demanded mentally, throwing it out in a wide telepathic shot that any witch or magical being would be able to hear. ((And who is Cressida?))

  No way in the Infernal Blazes would I admit even mentally that I had even an inkling just who Cressida was. Much less that I was her.

  Pixie wasted no time in appearing nearby even though she had been Eternal-side when I sent my plea. However, something blocked her from materializing directly onto my shoulder. Her frustration that she couldn’t immediately poof to my side flared across our link. She mentally snarled at the magical barrier keeping us apart. I felt her beginning to beat against it using the overflowing stores from her recent trip to the Eternal Realm.

  A disembodied voice spoke into the air. Your false hearts...Their beating slows...Soon she’ll know the truth!

  That had my real heart beating triple time, as the voice spoke the truth that nobody except my adoptive family, Misty, and me should know. Well, and the mystery benefactor who had arranged for us to attend Eternal Academy. Unless this voice was from the benefactor? But that didn’t make a lick of sense. That person could just contact us the same way as before rather than scaring the bejesus out of me with the creepy darkness, spooky wind, and melodramatic voice seeping into my mind.

  Bluffing still seemed the safest option. ((I have no idea what you’re talking about! Now let me go!))

  Time grows short...This reflection imprisons me. Keeps me from saying more. I may not have the strength to do this again. Do not trust the one who…

  Suddenly Pixie managed to bash her way through the magical barrier and appeared atop my shoulder, snarling and spitting at my unseen captor—except the darkness, wind, and voice immediately dissipated as if they’d never been. Leaving me to comfort a worried familiar and nurse my own terror of having our not-so-secret known by yet another—entity? I wasn’t sure if that voice had belonged to witch, Eternal being, or Infernal being. And I had no clue what they’d meant by this reflection imprisoning them. Perhaps worst of all, whoever or whatever had tried to warn me had never even finished saying who the one I shouldn’t trust was.

  * * *

  All traces of my frightening experience had been wiped away except for the fact my messy bun had been obliterated. Vanity had me trying to repair it as I jogged the couple dozen feet to Artemis House’s front door, but it was hopeless. I finally gave up with a sigh, pulling out the ponytail holder and combing my fingers through the mess. I could tell just by the feel that it resembled nothing so much as a rat’s nest, so I just secured the mass into another messy bun, this one low on the nape of my neck.

  The front door swung open immediately this time, courtesy of the fact the entry ward could now identify me much faster. That stray thought reminded me that I still needed to register Pixie with an RA. Since she was on my shoulder now anyway, I told her what was up and then wandered across the atrium to the front desk.

  Steph smiled as I stepped up, but Zane was nowhere in sight. Probably for the best, considering the sad state of my hair.

  The senior RA nodded toward the cat perched on my shoulder, the fact her fur was still ruffled a clear indication she was one unhappy familiar. Steph was prudent enough not to even comment on that. “I assume you’re here to register your Eternal?”

  “Hey, Steph. Yep. This is my most excellent and awesome familiar, Pixie.”

  She added Pixie’s magical signature to the security system so the entry ward would always recognize the familiar, regardless of whether I was present. Considering how bored she got in classes that didn’t involve actual spellcasting, it was a good thing she’d be able to pop back home for catnaps.

  Steph flashed a smile once she’d finished working her RA magic. “So, did your sister head off to that sand volleyball game with Del and Cayenne?”

  Her voice remained casual—way too casual. It was adorable that she thought she was hiding her romantic interest for my sister. “Yep. I am a literal jinx when it comes to group sports, so I’m going to hit the hay early. I guess you have to miss the fun because you’re stuck here?”

  “Only for another 15 minutes. Then we officially close up shop except for emergency calls. I’m going to grab a bite to eat and then head over for the last hour of volleyball. Oh, by the way. Zane asked me to give you this.”

  She handed me a folded piece of notebook paper that had me flashing back to high school. I thanked her and waved before heading down the hall toward the Northwest Tower. Pleasure that Zane had thought to leave me a message helped chase away some of my unease over the spooky-ass encounter I’d just had outside the dorm.

  Pixie dug her claws into my shoulder noticeably but not painfully. ((You gonna open that note from your new boyfriend or what?))

  I scowled and made a point of not opening the note even though I was dying to see what it said. Pixie huffed out a mental snort as I approached the suit of armor I’d nicknamed Sir Stalwart. I said a quick prayer that the teleporter would actually work
this time since I so did not feel like hoofing up eight flights of stairs after a long first day. Fortunately, it worked like a charm.

  I unlocked the door to our room before responding. ((He’s not my boyfriend.))

  ((Oh please. Only because he hasn’t worked up the cajones to ask you to be his twue wuv foevah just yet.))

  Her overuse of mortal slang had me rolling my eyes, but there wasn’t much I could say to that since I was hoping like hell she was right. Not about the twue wuv forevah part; just that Zane eventually would become my boyfriend. Once we had our first actual date.

  The door clicked shut behind me, and I couldn’t wait any longer. Not even to torment Pixie. I leaned against the door and opened Zane’s note. Pixie had shrunk her size slightly so she could lean forward to read along with me. One of the joys of having fully sentient familiars who could both shapeshift and read: a complete lack of privacy.

  Zane’s note was brief but sweet. Hey Crystal Clear. Sorry to miss dinner with you, but I got caught working late. I’m pretty busy with work and classes tomorrow, but I’ll try to meet up with you for lunch or dinner. In the meantime, I’m brainstorming some awesome plans for our big date Friday night. Can’t wait to finally say I’m dating the girl of my dreams. Hugs, Zane freaking Anders

  I burst out laughing at his closing, and a goofy grin curved my lips as warmth filled me. I leaned against the door for several moments, until Pixie broke the silence. ((That boy has got it bad for you.)) Smugness dripped from her voice. ((Just like I told you that first month you joined Computer Club.))

  Zane’s words had me so happy I didn’t even mind her I told you so! I pushed away from the door and focused on the task I’d set myself for the evening. Filling out the library’s online application so I could start earning enough money for future date clothes. Misty would have gasped to hear my thoughts in that moment. For what had to be the first time ever, I was blowing off homework to focus on my social life. I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time in my college career, either…

  * * *

  I convinced Misty to fill out an application herself as soon as she got home from sand volleyball and showered. We had different reading tastes, but our mother had instilled a love for books in us both. The beauty of public libraries was that they didn’t discriminate. Our lack of money never prevented us from losing ourselves in fantastical tales of swashbuckling pirates and fire-breathing dragons. My twin hadn’t worked in the high school library like me, but she had worked in a bookstore. Hopefully that plus a good word from my new friend Penny would tip the scales in her favor.

  The next day passed just as quickly as the previous one. Misty and I shared an 11 o’clock College Algebra class (Math being one of the few subjects that came more naturally to her than me made me very grateful for that fact!) and a 3 o’clock Intro to Potions class. Turned out Miranda and Adri shared our Algebra class, so we enjoyed walking from that one to lunch with the usual crew. Zane did manage to put in an appearance, though not for long. Still, it was good just to spend a few minutes with him before he had to rush off.

  By then, almost everyone else had, too. After he ran off, Misty glanced at me and smiled. “Since we still have almost two hours before Potions, I’m going back to the room for a quick nap. Stayed out too late last night. Mind if I just meet you there?”

  I smiled. “That’s fine. I think I’ll treat myself to a frozen lemonade and read outside till then. After all, I did just win $20 off you and Cayenne.”

  She punched me lightly in the shoulder. “You mean Pixie won that money. Just don’t go blowing it all now or you won’t get something cute to wear for your big date.”

  We exchanged waves and I made good on my plan. I bought my frozen lemonade and started to cross the walkway toward the oak where Zane and I had made out just two days earlier. I was now thinking of it as Our Tree, something that had me wearing a goofy smile and barely paying attention to my surroundings. Which was when I somehow tripped and went flying. Frozen lemonade splashed down the front of my shirt, making me gasp at its icy temperature. My knees banged into the ground painfully as I skidded across the walkway, currently made of unyielding gray stone.

  Adrenaline flooded and I pushed back to my feet, skinned knees and palms making me wince as the initial rush of energy began to fade. I looked around to see what I’d tripped over, only to realize it hadn’t been a what. It’d been a who.

  Witchy old Brittany, to be precise.

  “Oh dear, how clumsy of me!” she said with mock apology, hands crossing over her pristine white uniform shirt. Whereas mine was now much the worse for wear. “I’m so sorry!”

  Selina stepped up beside Brittany, an equally fake look of concern on her face. I noticed Jackson at her side, trying to hide an amused expression. Maxim stepped out of the coffee shop, loaded down with a tray of four frozen lemonades. His eyes widened when he saw the mess dripping down my shirt. He opened his mouth to say something, but I wasn’t interested in hearing. The fact his brother made xenophobic comments and these two girls they actually chose to hang out with were bitches who’d stoop to tripping someone just because she’d talked to someone they considered theirs, then I definitely wanted nothing to do with any of them.

  In fact, from now on I’d just call them the Bully Brothers instead of the Beverly Brothers.

  “Don’t think about it for a second,” I said with quiet strength, my eyes locking straight on Brittany’s. “You can be sure that after I turn around to go change, that’s exactly how much thought I’ll be giving it.” My And how much thought I’ll be giving you! hung in the air; unspoken, but the tightening of her lips and daggers shooting from her eyes proved that she picked up on it crystal clear. I just smiled and walked off without another word.

  Misty shared in my righteous anger when I related the story to her after returning to our suite to change, but she agreed not to go all overprotective big sister on Brittany’s ass on my behalf. “I’ve learned from the best when it comes to holding my own with bullies like that, Misty. I’ll handle it myself if necessary.”

  She crossed her arms across her chest and nodded. “Of course you have, and of course you can. Just say the word if you need someone to help you hide the evidence.”

  I reached out for a hug, but she wrinkled her nose and pointed to my bedroom. “Go change first. We have like an hour before class starts.”

  The rest of the week flew by in a blur of classes, mealtimes, homework, and impatient waiting. Both for news about the library jobs and for my date with Zane. Misty and I didn’t get quite as much together-time as we were used to outside of our shared classes and most meals, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Just a part of learning how to adult properly. We couldn’t always be attached at the hip.

  Luckily I didn’t have any more run-ins with the Bully Brothers (as I now thought of them) or their girlfriends. Misty did unfortunately relate the incident to Steph, who apparently let it slip among the rest of our friends. On the one hand, Steph now viewed the Beverly Brothers with much less of a rose-colored filter. On the other hand, I would have preferred keeping the whole embarrassing incident on the hush. Especially from Zane.

  Friday morning dawned with a gorgeous sunrise I caught by virtue of pulling an all-nighter to finish that week’s Infernal Magic reading that was required to have a good handle on my 9 am Lab with Professor Roseberry. No way was I willing to get on her shit list the first week of class. But I’d also let Misty talk me into hitting the sand volleyball courts a couple times too many this week. Not to play, but to cheer from the sidelines with other observers. Including, more often than not, Zane freaking Anders.

  A yawn cracked my mouth open as gorgeous streaks of pink, purple, and gold painted the Gloaming’s sky. I had curled up in the window seat to finish reading, and the breathtaking sunrise claimed my attention for several minutes. Finally, I glanced back down at my textbook and finished the last few pages.

  Once done, I stepped across the room to stare at my ex
hausted face in the full-length mirror hanging on the bathroom door. Shadows rested beneath my puffy eyes, and my hair sprang every which way as if I’d stuck my finger in an electric outlet. This was so not a good look for me. Not if I wanted to impress Professor Roseberry in our first lab session and most definitely not if I wanted to blow Zane’s mind on our first date.

  This was also so beyond what a hot shower and caffeine binge could fix. Desperate times called for desperate measures, so I was going to have to resort to a tricky little spell I’d only dared use twice before. Once before I’d taken my toughest final exam in high school and once the morning I’d taken the Witching Entrance Exam. The witch world’s version of the ACT or SAT and bearer of the unfortunate acronym WEE.

  I gathered the spell components I needed from my meager stash inside the bedside altar every witch kept for personal spellcasting. My hands shook slightly as I ground several herbs and powders with the mortar and pestle Daddy had made for my twelfth birthday. That’d been just after I claimed Pixie as my familiar—and she claimed me as her witch.

  My nose twitched as the scent of allspice, cardamom, and coriander wafted into the air thanks to my grinding. I added a dash of cinnamon, a spoonful of honey, and then poured in a can of Dr. Pepper. Kneeling before the altar, I began chanting the charm that would mix the components into a bubbly potion that would fortunately taste mostly like its liquid base. Charmed potions always tasted way better than cursed ones.

  I glanced over to where Pixie still dozed peacefully atop one of my pillows. There was a 50-50 chance she’d wake when I siphoned magic to activate the potion. If she did, I’d also get the typical lecture that casting this Pep Up Your Step charm always earned from her. The side effects meant I’d crash pretty hard once it wore off, but that was a chance I had to take. I cast this spell rarely, and only when the benefits outweighed the downsides.

  Pixie and I just never agreed when those times where.