by Olivia Ash
His eyebrows stitch themselves together. “You really think it’s going to help?”
I nod. “I think so.”
He sighs. “You’re probably right.”
“Of course, I am.” I smile.
“I suppose you are going to find out eventually.” He runs his hands through his hair. I can tell he’s mentally preparing himself for the emotional blood-letting.
“True. Best to treat this like a band-aid and just rip it off.”
He nods. “We better take a seat.”
Chapter Two
We sit on the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean as the sun rises above the trees. Soren has a knee propped up with an arm draped over it, and for a while, he is silent. I watch birds dive and swerve over the water while mermaids poke their heads above the surface, their shimmering, beady eyes staring curiously back at us. They remain at a distance. Thankfully.
I’m a bit leery of them since my interaction with them during my fourth trial.
“There was this girl Gideon and I grew up with,” Soren begins. “We were close. Even loved her. Her name was Nadia. She was the youngest of the three of us.”
I turn my attention to him. His amber eyes are focused on a single point in front of him, somewhere in the ocean, but they are distant. Almost like he is reliving the memory as he speaks.
“For the most part, we were inseparable.”
“What happened?” I ask.
“I came here. We lost touch, weren’t as close as we used to be. Gideon was off doing his own thing, becoming the headmaster of the school. He was older than Nadia and me. And he attended here at a younger age than most.”
“Ah, that explains things a bit more.”
He nods. “Nadia didn’t want to come to the academy, even though I desperately wanted her to. She didn’t have a lot of formal training. Her parents weren’t very wealthy. They were well-off, but not enough to afford the education she needed. They instead hired my family to tutor her once a week.”
He swallows hard as he digs into his story, reliving the pain as his eyes start to gloss over with tears. I reach over, grab his hand, and give it a loving squeeze.
“I went home on break and wanted to visit her. But when I saw her, something was off about her. Different. Almost like she wasn’t the fun, spunky tomboy I knew and loved. I tried to reach out to her, but that’s when I saw the signs of her uncontrolled power. It was like being near her sucked the life out of me. I hated that feeling. Hated the change between us. We had always thought it was going to be us versus the world.”
I lean against him, wrapping my arm around his, hoping he would take the gesture as me letting him know he was safe. He flexes his bicep as he takes my hand into his.
“Things got worse with her each time I came back home. Until she killed her family.”
I gasped. “What? How?”
He shrugged. “No one really knows. Just that she lost control of herself.”
“That’s horrible. You know she killed her family for sure?”
“Yes. And that’s not the worst of it,” he says, shifting his pain-filled eyes to me.
What could be worse than killing your own family? I purse my eyebrows and shake my head.
“At the time, my family believed there was a gas leak in her house. One spark, and it set the house aflame. But I knew there was more behind it. But, like me, my family loved her. They loved her so blindly that they didn’t see the things I did. I tried to warn them, but they insisted she come and live with them.” He shakes his head, hands formed into fists. “They wouldn’t listen to me.”
He goes silent for a while. I can tell he’s warring with himself, reliving the painful past that initially put a wedge between us. I wonder if he will tell me more. Or is it too painful? I open my mouth to tell him that we can stop, but I can’t force the words from my mouth. I want to reassure him, but don’t know how. I’m stuck in a place of loss with him. All I want to do is hold him close. Make it all go away.
“They said I was just paranoid. Kept saying nothing would happen. She just lost her family and we were the only ones she had left. Thought it would make me happy.”
“But it didn’t?”
He shakes his head.
“Did you tell Gideon?” I ask.
“As soon as I got back. We planned to go back the following weekend just so he could see for himself. Even he had a hard time believing that our old friend was as dark as I saw her. But he was called in to work, and I had to go alone.”
“What did you find out?” I ask, voice soft as a whisper.
“I was too late.” His voice cracks. He sucks in a deep breath as he tries to fight back tears.
Tears sting my eyes as I feel the pain of his loss stab through me. His loss. I wrap my arms around him tightly as his body shakes from the memory.
“My family was gone. Half the block was gone. The news painted it as a gas line explosion. But I knew better. And as soon as I saw her, I knew beyond a doubt she had gone dark and became a shadow mage.”
“My God, Soren. I’m so sorry. What did you do?”
“I killed her.”
That was it. It was flat, blunt, and emotionless. A stone-cold fact.
“Oh, Soren. I’m so very sorry. I had no idea.”
“How could you?” He stares at me with his pained expression.
I finally realize why he had a problem with me and my powers when we first met. “I promise things are different with me.”
He cups my cheek. “I know they are.” His voice is soft, tender.
Clearing his throat, he looks away. “We need to practice honing your magic.”
I want to comfort him, but I also know when to leave things alone and let him process his feelings. He told me his story. Now that I know, he can heal from it again.
He stands and returns to our training circle. Magic pulses in his hands and he creates small targets of purple light that hover in the air. I feel my own magic coursing through my body, ready for me to call on it.
He nods toward the target. “Try to use one finger and shoot through the center.”
“Okay.” I point a finger and take a calming breath as warm pressure builds in my wrist, thrumming with my heartbeat. Focusing on the center of the target, I shoot out a stream of white light, obliterating the target.
“Not bad.” Soren steps forward and draws a new one. “Try again. But this time, really focus. Control it.”
I do. My shot hits dead center.
We repeat the process using smaller targets each time. Some I obliterate, others I don’t. Before long, Soren dissolves the targets and faces me with a devious smile. “Time to get ready for school, little girl.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.” I narrow my eyes on him, even though I can’t help the smile tugging on my lips.
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Never gonna happen.” He gestures toward the path leading out of our little area.
As we walk, we enjoy a peaceful, comforting quiet. We hold hands until we get to the stone path that leads up toward the castle. A figure leans against the stone wall at the base of the stairs. Within moments, I know who it is.
Jesse.
He turns his attention to us. “So this is where you run off to in the mornings.”
Soren growls.
I cross my arms. “Sneaking around, are we?”
He shrugs. “I might be.”
Soren steps forward. “Apparently, you have nothing better to do than spy on people. That can change really quick.”
If Jesse was fazed by that not-so-subtle threat, he doesn’t show it. “Just curious on what our girl here can do.”
He’s feeding Soren’s anger. I really don’t want to see the mess Jesse makes, so I step in. “You really shouldn’t sneak around like that. Those woods are forbidden without special permission. Come on Jesse, I don’t want to see you hurt.”
He covers his heart with a hand and smiles in the way that makes my toes curl. “I’m touched by your con
cern.”
“What she means is, stay away. That is for her training. You’ll only get in the way, and I won’t be held responsible for any injuries you acquire breaking the rules.”
Jesse winks at Soren. “I never had you pegged for a guy to worry about my bodily harm. I really am beautiful, thank you for noticing. Though a few scars would be neat.” He bobs his eyebrows and I have to force back a chuckle.
Soren steps forward, fire igniting over his hands and crawling up his arms. “That can be arranged.”
“Oh. Promise?”
I clearly need to set some guidelines for these men. Though I know better than to believe that any set of guidelines will ever prevent Jesse from breaking them. He sees rules as challenges to overcome, and he makes it a personal goal to bend every single one with loopholes and clever wit. Still, I need to stop this little interaction from getting further out of hand.
“All right now, look. As much as I would love to see you two wrestle it out right here, I am going to be late. I still need a shower before class. So, can we just wave the white flag of surrender for now?”
Jesse shrugs. Soren huffs out a sigh and shakes out his hands. The fire dissipates.
“Thank you.” I start climbing the stairs. Jesse and Soren follow closely behind.
“You know, I could walk Wren to her room.”
“No,” Soren says.
“Seriously, I didn’t get the chance to check it out yet.”
I look over my shoulder. It’s true. Not since I got it all set up anyway.
“No.”
“Come on! Pretty please with a cherry on top?”
“You’re not going to leave this alone, are you?” Soren’s voice is deep and sharp.
“You know me so well,” Jesse says.
Soren sighs. “Fine. I have another stop I need to make anyway.”
I turn and face him. He pulls me in and lays a deep kiss on me. “See you later.”
“Uh-huh.” I’m breathless, and my head feels like it’s covered in fog.
He steps around me and walks off. I stare at Jesse as the fog clears. He smiles. “Bout time I got a turn to play, don’t you think?”
I shake my head. “Pushing your luck with him, don’t you think?”
He waves the thought off. “Nah, I just like to get a small rise out of him.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “You’re such a dork.”
He chuckles. “I prefer the term joker. But, perhaps, I can be a dork, just for you though. Gotta protect my reputation. Care for a demonstration?” He steps closer and brushes the backs of his fingers along my cheek. He sniffs. “You stink.”
I laugh and try to playfully smack his arm, but he rushes out of my reach. “I already told you I need a shower.”
“Fair enough. Shall we?” He gestures toward the main gate of the castle.
I turn and continue toward my room. As I move, I catch a glimpse of Anderson, watching from the side of the castle, hidden in shadows. He knows I see him. He smirks at me, just before disappearing from my view. I let out a deep breath. At least he didn’t see me train. That would be problematic. Though one thing is for certain, he is turning out to be more trouble for me. Hopefully, I can make it through the year without too much nonsense from him. Otherwise, I will have to hurt him. Of course, I would rather avoid conflict at Blackbriar, but if I get backed into a corner… powers that be, help him.
But the more I see him, the more I realize that thought may just be wishful thinking.
“Come on slow poke,” Jesse calls from over his shoulder. “Thought you were in a hurry?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I step after him.
Chapter Three
My first official class is Introduction to Magical Runes.
The room is in a traditional setting, with a dozen tables sitting four to one, and they line the grey stone floor of the room, all filled with students idly chatting about their schedules. The cream toned walls are a stark contrast to the dark cherry finish of the tables. Windows line the back wall, and paintings of various magical creatures litter the spaces between the panes. The professor’s desk displays an intricate design and reminds me of ivies growing up the trees back in the troll village. But this one is more beautiful. The dark stained wood reflects the light shining through the windows. A box sits on the top of the desk. The whiteboard that covers the wall on the other side of the desk is pristine, giving it a brand-new, shiny look.
Jesse, Milo, Savannah, and I all sit next to each other as we wait for the professor to arrive. The class is full of students chatting. Every single face holds an air of a lifetime of knowledge. More knowledge than I was given. Things passed down from generation to generation. Family secrets. I only see one other person who looks like a deer caught in headlights, and he’s a thin, short little guy. He huddles in the corner of the room. I don’t know his name, and I’m not sure I ever will. But one thing is for certain, I’m nervous about this first class and really want to put my best foot forward. However, Jesse won’t stop making jokes. I have a feeling we’re going to be separated if he doesn’t learn to focus.
“The smell was just awful. I thought girls were supposed to smell like flowers.”
I smack him on the arm. “Girls sweat too, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I’m just glad you showered. Because the smell was worse than a men’s locker room. I feel sorry for everyone who smelled you on the way in.”
I have a mind to demonstrate a few moves I learned earlier today with Soren.
“Men can be immature,” Savannah says, shaking her head. “No offense, Milo. You’re pretty mature.”
He grins. “No offense taken. I tend to agree with the sentiment.”
He and I share a glance, and I smile. He smiles back, shoving his glasses up the bridge of his nose as he leans back in his seat.
A flash of golden light enters the room, and when it fades, a beautiful woman stands at the head of the room, looking over all of us. She’s tall with skin that glows with a soft silver aura, almond-shaped brilliant green eyes, and pointed ears decorated in golden leaves and ivy. Her white hair is pulled back from her face and fastened with strips of gold. She’s dressed in a white, loose-fitting gown with golden lace down her arms and a golden belt.
Whoa.
Savannah leans in close. “She’s a woodland elf, a fae race. Isn’t she beautiful?”
I can’t seem to take my eyes off her, a real fae standing just feet away from me. “Very.”
“My name is Lady Nimue. You may call me Lady or Lady Nimue. Never Nimue. And certainly, don’t call me professor.” Her voice, despite its sharpness, carries a melodic edge with a touch of enchantment in it. The hairs on my arms raise in response to the latent magical energy in her voice.
“Good morning, Lady Nimue,” everyone in the class says.
She nods regally. “I will be teaching you the basics of runes, an earth magic.”
Jesse leans back in his seat. “Teach me how to plant herbs for smoking so we can all mellow out. That’s the earth magic I want to learn.”
I stare wide-eyed at him as the room erupts in a cacophony of laughter.
He winks at me.
Oh. He’s just joking.
Lady Nimue sets her glowing green eyes on Jesse. “Perhaps Mr. Taylor would like to demonstrate his knowledge of runes to the class?” She makes a sweeping gesture with her hand.
“If I had anything to demonstrate, Lady, I wouldn’t need this class.”
“How unfortunate. I thought with your wit and apparent intelligence, that you would be able to show us what you could do. Since that is clearly not the case, perhaps you should pay attention.”
Both Milo and I shake our heads.
“Making friends everywhere you go,” I whisper.
“It’s my magnetic charm. No one can resist me.” He gives me a smoldering look.
I giggle. “You’re impossible.”
He shrugs. “I’m not hearing any complaints.”
“Let’s g
et started,” Lady Nimue says.
With a wave of her hand, several stacks of books piled in a corner of the room lift and hover, setting down in front of everyone. “You will not lose these books. Do not mark in them or deface them in any way, or it will result in a deficit in your scores.”
The box that rests on the desk in front of her opens with another wave of her hand. Small black pouches rise from the box and drift toward us, setting themselves down in front of each student. “In addition, you are each given a set of runes. These are yours to keep. Don’t lose them, as they are required for every assignment in this class and will be a necessity during your studies in the future.”
A notebook bound in soft, light brown leather materializes out of thin air in front of us. “Use these notebooks to keep track of important concepts in this class as well as your experiments. Your assignments will also be done in your notebooks, which will be turned in at the end of each class.”
I flip through the first few pages of the book and browse the detailed illustrations of various runes and their descriptions. It’s not very thick, but the information in it seems complex. Two runes that look similar in shape and design could actually mean completely different things, and a slight change to one could ruin a spell.
“Can anyone tell me what runes can be used for?” Lady Nimue asks.
Savannah raises her hand.
The lady nods at her. “Miss Fey.”
“Runes are used for many different things depending on the skill of the mage, the intention of the spell, and ingredients needed.”
“Very good, Miss Fey.” Lady moves through the room as though she glides on air. It’s mesmerizing to watch. I wonder if all fae races are so elegant and enchanting.
“Thank you, Lady Nimue.”
Savannah and I share a look. I give her a thumbs up. She smiles.
“Runes can be as powerful as a hurricane…” she moves over to the white board and draws a rune that looks like a slanted, lowercase “N” and rests her hand over the symbol. A soft, silvery blue light glows from under her hand as she imbues it with magic. Wind fills the classroom, loud and roaring. Rain mixes in with it, and though I can feel the water pelt down and hit my skin, I don’t get wet. Murmurs rise from the rest of the students in the room, mixing in with the foray of thunder and lightning strikes in the dark clouds that formed beneath the ceiling.
