Page 48 of Overwhelmed By Magic

The mage scoots closer until he’s on my other side, not touching but close enough for me to relax. My hands are firmly gripping the key to Harlow’s existence and as much as I want to delve into more of what a wraith is and what it can do, this isn’t the time. “What does this book really signify, Ambrose?”

“You have one of the books of old. Mother Nature’s knowledge itself. I didn’t know Silas but from what Rumi has mentioned in bits and pieces, you could have his same abilities. You have his essence after all.”

“Do you think that he’s the one that reached across to grab my wrists?”

“Maybe? It would make sense and whatever he’s trying to say got jumbled up on your skin.” He gently rolls up a sleeve and runs a finger along my wrist. “This could hold a key to what we’re looking for or it could be gibberish. What I do know is that I don’t think all of us being here was an accident. I also think this might be the last year we’re stuck in this academy.” Ambrose leans his head back against the headboard, lids closing as he places his hands in his lap.

He can’t rest, though. I have more questions. “Why would it be the last year? Just because we figure out what you are-”

Harlow presses a kiss to my cheek. “No, babe. There’s more to it than just our designation. If we discover the truth about Mother Nature and her gift, it’ll blow everything the council has taught out of the water. Grimrose Academy’s entire existence rests on the fact that there are Magila that don’t deserve essence and don’t fit the mold. But if there’s no mold…”

Then there’s no reason for any of us to be here.

32

RUMI

Stellan and Jade are walking hand in hand behind me as we stalk down the hallway and into the main area. Cute as they are, they’re terrifying. I’ve seen their essence individually, and seen what harm can come from their lack of control—Stellan I haven't seen in full force but I can imagine. Finding out their designation and a little bit of training would turn them into entirely different beasts. Hell, I’d love to find out what I am because these fluffy white wings are doing me a goddamn disservice when it comes to wearing a mean mug.

The only reason why most people avoid me is because my gold essence isn’t something they’ve been taught to understand.

I sincerely hope that the final goal is dismantling the council and their ideals but someone like Harlow would never survive the outside world. People are already uncomfortable around spirits but a wraith? The public would never allow it. I’ve heard age-old stories and nightmares about wraiths and the extent of what their essence can do. Harlow hasn’t exhibited any of those qualities but dragging that vampire out of existence is a catalyst into the very behavior that will get him locked up in the real world.

Add in the fact that there’s a high likelihood not everyone here is a failed Magila and Harlow might be held accountable for the lives he takes here. Hell, so would Jade.

I keep myself facing forward so he doesn’t catch the slip in my expression but there’s no hiding the way my aura sharpens and then relaxes. “Rumi? Would it help to talk about it?” Goddess, Jade is adorable and I don’t deserve him. Stellan, either, especially after seeing those fading bruises along his shoulder and stomach last night. He didn’t want me to focus on them so I didn’t but fuck, if I ever get out of here—truly get out of here—his father is going to have to answer to me.

“Let’s just grab this amulet before Ambrose’s essence decides that it wants to run free again.” Finding Ambrose completely sane in his room isn’t where I expected to find him. No one knows but the fact that Skye came out with only being choked is a miracle. The mage usually works a lot quicker and his tactics are generally a lot more destructive. Whatever Skye’s hold on Ambrose is, it saved them both.

I move through the main area, eyes peeled for the amulet. One of many abilities I have include returning things to their rightful place. Focusing on the item takes me to it but it’s not always a good thing. I can’t tell where it is, just that my essence can draw me to it. There’s been a few times I nearly stepped off a sharp dip outside or walked into a wall because what I needed was on the other side.

My essence draws me into the lounge that most of the younger Magila relax in. It’s been upgraded since I used it last, some fifty years ago. The lounges are a cream color, thick pillows and blankets draped over every armrest. The rugs are dark blue, the décor and curtains the same color. However, my attention falls on the vampire off to the right, inspecting the amulet as it dangles from her hand.

“It’s supposed to open,” Liz growls. “But there’s no seam in this thing. Let’s just smash it?”

“Don’t fucking smash it. Pawn it. It’s probably worth a billion dollars. That mage is old as shit.”

A chorus of laughs meets my ears, the sound dying off as I make myself known. Liz lets out a ragged sigh, dangling the amulet with a little more force. All that talk of trying to destroy it means nothing. We’ve tried, many years ago when we wanted to figure out what it was made of. I want to say it’s a diamond of some kind but at that size and green? It’s just another one of Mother Nature’s mysteries.

“What was the point of stealing it? Amusement? Someone told you to?” I demand.

“No one tells me to do anything but maybe I just wanted to nip a few things in the bud. I don’t know whoever made the decision to bring the human here but it was stupid. And ya’ll are just running around trying to find answers. It’s cute but you mess with the routine and we’ll all be paying for it.” She plops into a chair, still dangling the amulet like one does a treat for a dog. A few other Magila are strategically stationed around the room so one wrong move and I could end up in a situation I’m not prepared for.

It's a good thing I have a few aces up my sleeve.

“That’s a fantastic story but you could have gotten someone killed and then where would that have left you?” When she merely just tilts her head to the side, a sly grin spreading across her face, I know that that was the plan. That someone has her in their pocket and doesn’t want us anywhere near the knowledge we’ve discovered. If Ambrose had ripped Skye apart while searching for answers, there would be no further answers to have.

Just the thought of Skye in harm’s way again has a growl ripping from my throat as my wings make an unscheduled appearance. They flap at my sides, the gust of wind brought on by the movement making Liz brace herself. Her eyes are wide as they stare at my second form, a form I rarely unleash on this academy. Other than flying, the wings are useless most of the time except for the occasional Halloween party I’ve slipped into when I left the grounds more often.

They beat of their own accord as I step toward her, my essence swirling in front of me, threatening Liz and everyone else in this room to stay where they are. There might be a Versipellis or two in this room and a few elementals, none of which I’m remotely threatened by. However, they approach, intent on protecting her when I throw up a hand to stop them. "Come closer. I dare you. Unless you'd like this discussion to include you, my fight isn't with you." My essence swirls around them, threatening to bar them from movement. I've done something similar but only one person was involved.

One of them doesn't see me as a threat, pushing forward. "Look-" His words are cut off when he hisses and jumps back, smoke rising from where the Magila had just been standing, Stellan looking up at me sheepishly when I feel his hand on my arm. It seems that the fire elemental can direct his essence with a little bit of control. Fascinating.

I return my attention to the vampire, feeling less stressed already. “Now, Liz, I knew I wasn’t going to like you the first time I saw you, however, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt that you just didn’t know what your existence was going to be like here on out. Now that things have changed a bit, I see that I was right. You’re annoying, entitled, and you believe whatever is said to you. You might not be wrong regarding the words you shared with Ambrose but you will be giving the amulet back.” I hold out my hand, my essence reaching forward for her to place it in.

She laughs and shakes her head. “It’s not that fucking easy. We all want answers. The human has it and using the mage-”

I open my mouth to cut her off when an animalistic sound erupts behind me, Jade prowling up to Liz. She’s not expecting the meek Incubus’ outburst, shock written all over her face. “You will not be using anyone. Not Ambrose. Not Skye. And definitely not Rumi. There will be no agenda.” His jaw tenses, his teeth bared and for a moment, I think he’s going to growl when every Magila in this room save for Stellan and I cringes.

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