Page 11 of Goody Magic Academy: Year Three

“I don’t shift when I get angry,” Kamaron said quietly. “I haven’t shifted yet at all.”

“That’s okay,” Jaxon said. “We have a witch that can help us.”

I turned to Rose, who had remained very quiet throughout all this. My eyes searched her face, looking for any sign of confidence. “Is that true? Can you help us, Rose?”

“M-maybe. I’m not sure.”

My stomach dropped at her uncertain response.

“You’re a powerful witch, my love,” Valentin said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He kissed the top of her head affectionately. “I know you can do it. Professor Eastey believed in you, and I do too.”

Rose sighed deeply and put her hand on his chest. “I’m glad you do, because sometimes I’m not so sure.”

Valentin brushed his lips over Rose’s pouting ones. “Just try, Rose. For me?”

Rose’s black cat, Bellona, padded silently across the room on velvet paws and sat in front of her. The feline’s tail swished once, twice, before curling neatly around her. Bellona’s golden eyes fixed on Rose solemnly, unblinking.

“Ohhh,” Rose breathed, her fingers twitching at her sides.

I leaned forward, transfixed, as Bellona stretched out a paw and placed it deliberately on Rose’s foot. The cat’s ears twitched, her gaze never leaving Rose’s face.

Rose’s shoulders relaxed slightly. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, there was a glimmer of hope and determination in her expression.

“Bellona always knows,” Rose murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

As I watched their silent exchange, my hand involuntarily moved to my side, my fingers grasping at empty air and causing a familiar ache to bloom in my chest.

“Midnight,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I glanced at Twyla, and she had the same gut-wrenching look on her face that I knew I did.

Valentin turned to me, eyebrows raised. “Your familiar?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “My cocker spaniel. She’s... She’s not here, is she?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, she’s not. Where did you last see her?”

“In my room with Twyla’s white rabbit, Ivory. Do you think they’ll be okay? I mean, the Bloodborne Brotherhood wouldn’t hurt them to get at us, would they?”

He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know. I sincerely hope not.”

My eyes stung as I pictured Midnight’s wagging tail, her sweet floppy ears perked up in attention. I could almost hear the soft jingle of her collar and feel the press of her warm body against my leg.

I clenched my fists, trying to focus, but my thoughts kept returning to my dog, desperate to know if she was safe.

Rose’s voice cut through my misery. “Okay, I can’t defy both you and Valentin. If you believe I can do this, then maybe I can.”

Bellona let out a soft meow of encouragement. It made me wonder where Midnight was, and if she knew how much I needed her right now.

Rose looked between me and Twyla. “I can cast a protective spell to keep them both safe, don’t worry.”

Rose’s fingers trembled as she picked up a small leather book from the counter. The worn cover creaked softly as she opened it, releasing a faint scent of musty paper and dried herbs. “This is my father’s old grimoire,” she explained softly. “He gave it to me as a wedding present.”

Her eyes flew across the yellowed pages as she flipped through them, the old paper rustling with each turn. The dim light danced over faded ink writing and cryptic symbols. “Maybe there’s a protection spell and one that will help you all with your shifts, too.”

I leaned in closer, straining to catch a glimpse of the spells. My heart raced, hope and fear battling in my chest. The bookbrimmed with potential, each page holding the promise of salvation or disappointment.

Jaxon’s voice cut through the tense silence. “You’d better hurry,” he urged, his words tight with barely concealed anxiety. He glanced nervously at the door, then back to Rose. “I have a feeling the high priestess will have the Bloodborne Brotherhood searching every apartment in this building pretty soon.”

At his words, a chill ran down my spine. I could almost hear the heavy footsteps of the Brotherhood approaching in the hallways, growing closer with each passing second. The walls of the apartment suddenly felt paper thin, offering little to no protection against the looming threat.

---