Page 21 of Overwhelmed By Magic

“Choice for what?”

“For the new counselor position at Grimrose Academy.”

I feel the temperature drop several degrees as the world freezes around me. Dr. Bennington is saying this as if it’s a gift but he’s sending me to my death. There’s no good reason for a human to be anywhere near that place. It’s dangerous from the few rumors I’ve heard and I can’t imagine that I won’t get mauled by some unruly magic the moment I step onto the grounds. It’s already happened once and I have the scars to prove it.

Dr. Bennington knows what happened that day, that some idiot hadn’t cleaned up their magic, that I’m terrified of some shit like that happening again. He knows and he still thought I was perfect for this position. “I’m human,” I blurt out as if that wasn’t obvious.

“Which makes you the perfect addition to the staff. They don’t always hire a human counselor but seeing as how you’re close with one of the new Magila, your presence might make him and some of the others more comfortable. The task has always been to help them find out where they fit in this human world, Skye. Who better than you to do that when you’ve been dating one?” Dr. Bennington doesn’t say those words to hurt me but I know whoever planted that little seed in his head was trying to.

I just can’t imagine stepping into an academy full of unruly Magila who don’t know how to use their essence. No, that’s not fair. Harlow isn’t remotely like that. In fact, other than the few times his aura has turned to this black, silky color, he’s a rather normal Magila. He can just do different things than what his element and designation call for.

“You’re sending him to an academy of rejects? He’ll be dead within the year, Dr. Bennington. I may not really like the guy but giving Skye a death sentence isn’t necessary.” She snorts at her joke but I don’t find it funny.

Our professor doesn’t either. “I need you both to take this seriously. Neither one of your positions will be easy nor are they positions highly sought after. Yes, I know being part of the Magila council is a dream come true and working for Dmitri seems like the most amazing job but you will be a human in the midst of very powerful Magila who don’t take a liking to you. Being intelligent and pretty will not save you. Skye, your empathy will protect you but you will need to strengthen your resolve. I can’t imagine the trials either of you will face in your new positions.”

Victoria groans, finally understanding the weight of this meeting. “I’m assuming we don’t have a choice? Just great.” She turns to me and sticks out her hand. “I guess this is goodbye for a while. Good luck with your boyfriend.”

I shake it. This might be the only good thing about this assignment but I’m terrified of what I’ll find when I step inside. Excusing myself, I rush to the bathroom, furiously rubbing Harlow’s mark through my shirt.

Please, please, please.

My selfish ass is dragging him away from wherever he is but I need him more than I need air. I collapse to the floor, hoping that the mark works as he said it did. Harlow is there in the next second, wrapping himself around me as I take a deep breath. “What the fuck is going on?”

“I got my assignment.”

“That’s a good thing, right? You didn’t want to work for your mother’s company.”

“At Grimrose Academy.”

Harlow tightens his hold on me, neither of us speaking. I won’t be able to dismiss it or change my appointment. No doubt the Magila council had their hands in this. Saying no will only anger whoever was in charge of the decision and disgrace my family name.

I tuck my head into his shoulder as we sit there, only my ragged breathing meeting my ears.

Five years.

Five years of unknown.

Even with Harlow at my side, I’m terrified.

I think I’m more terrified at the little part of me that’s intrigued.

Goddess save me.

14

SKYE

“How the fuck could you let this happen?” My mother screams as I stuff the rest of my clothes in the last bag. I have everything I need and I’ll call someone to dispose of the rest. I won’t be needing anything in this room for at least five years anyway. Harlow hovers behind me, hissing every time my mother waves burning sage around her. “You were going to work with me! What do you mean you’re going to Grimrose Academy? It’s because of that little stunt that spirit played, isn’t it? Or do you love him so much that you would sabotage-”

“Darling-” my stepfather begins as he pulls on her shoulder but she shrugs him off. Just as she’s about to go into another rant, I stop her.

“Look, you have been better parents than I could ever ask for. I never knew my father and you stepped in seamlessly. However, both of you have disrespected Harlow with every breath you take. As his biological father, how could you? You hated him before he even became a Magila!” I angrily stuff a few papers in my backpack and then throw the bag on my shoulder before turning to them. “And you, Mom, you’ve hated him since the day he came back as a spirit. Why?” I’m shouting, pissed off that my last comfy moments out in the open are being used to argue with my parents.

The car will be here soon, my instructions in a very thick envelope that I’m supposed to be reading on the way over. A few of the other counselors will be receiving me away from the Magila students but that doesn’t make me feel any better.

Her lip turns up in a scowl as she waves the sage again. “Because he nearly killed you.”

I tense because that’s not true at all. I’ve explained to them what happened time and time again but they never listen. They think because Harlow asked me to go to a party, it’s his fault someone’s essence nearly dragged me under.

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