Page 12 of Magic in My Bones

Saffron Emberleaf rolled her eyes. “You just want someone to do your conjuration theory homework for you. I'm hoping for an adder.” She inspected her emerald-painted nails. “Of course, I'll adore whatever creature the spirits grant me. I’m sure it’ll be something good.”

Easy for her to say, I thought. Saffron was a psychomancy major and basically had “future valedictorian” stamped on her forehead. I'd be lucky to make it to sophomore year.

I slunk into a seat in the back row, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible. Maybe if I was quiet enough, the spirits wouldn't even notice me and I could slip out without summoning anything at all. It's not like I needed a familiar anyway, right? Plenty of great mages got by without an animal companion. Though if I was being honest with myself, I'd always dreamed of having one. Back home, I used to leave little offerings for the neighborhood strays, hoping one might choose to be my friend. None ever did, but I kept trying anyway. Maybethat's why this felt so important. If I could just get this one thing right, maybe I'd finally feel like I belonged here.

My hopes were dashed as Professor Orla Dance swept into the room, her flame red hair in twin pigtails down her back. She shuffled to the center podium and adjusted her too-big glasses. “Good afternoon, everyone, and what a lovely day! I know you're all eager to meet your new partners, so let's not waste any time. When I call your name, please come to the front, and we'll begin the summoning ritual.”

My heart sank. There went my plan to hide in the back and pray that I turned invisible.

I watched as my classmates were called up one by one, each returning to their seat with a new creature perched on their shoulder or coiled around their wrist. Jasper, much to his delight, did end up with an imperious-looking raven. Saffron got a sleek black cat with knowing yellow eyes.

A girl with rainbow-streaked hair practically bounced up to the front, her excitement palpable. After a few moments of chanting, a tiny iridescent hummingbird appeared, zooming around her head in a blur of jewel tones before landing delicately on her finger. The girl beamed with delight.

Next was a stocky guy I recognized from my Introduction to Sigils class. He performed the ritual with a quiet intensity, and was soon rewarded with a small red fox that curled itself around his neck like a living scarf. The fox fixed the room with a gaze that seemed far too intelligent for an ordinary animal.

As I watched, I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. What I wouldn't give to have a majestic hawk or a clever weasel as my magical companion. With my luck, I'd probably end up with a dung beetle.

“Ren Wickens,” Professor Dance called out cheerfully. “You're up!”

I gulped and stood, making my way down the narrow aisle. As I passed Tad Morrowell, the bully who had made it his mission to torment me since day one, he stuck out a foot and sent me stumbling.

“Oops, sorry,” he said with a smirk that suggested he was anything but.

I righted myself and shot him a glare, but kept moving. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing how rattled I was. I finally reached the front of the classroom, my face burning with embarrassment.

Professor Dance gave me a concerned look. “Are you all right, Ren?” she asked kindly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I was pretty sure if I opened my mouth, I'd either throw up or start crying, and I didn't particularly want to do either in front of my entire class.

“Whenever you're ready, dear,” Professor Dance said with an encouraging smile. “Just like we’ve been practicing.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to remember the words of the summoning ritual. I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on me, waiting for me to fail. My tongue felt thick and clumsy as I stumbled over the unfamiliar syllables.

Nothing happened. No flash of light, no dramatic puff of smoke. Just me, standing there like an idiot, my arm outstretched toward an empty summoning circle.

Snickers broke out among the watching students. My cheeks flamed even hotter, and I wanted to sink into the floor. This was my worst nightmare come to life.

“Hey, it's okay,” Professor Dance said gently, laying a hand on my shoulder. “The first time is always the hardest. Clear your mind and focus on your intent. Picture your familiar in your mind's eye.”

I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, trying to block out the whispers and snickers.You can do this, Ren.

I pictured the summoning circle in my mind, glowing with arcane symbols. I imagined a connection, a gossamer thread linking my magic to the spirit realm beyond.

Please, I prayed silently to any spirits who might be listening.Please send me a familiar as incredible as I know I can be. A dragon would be ideal.If I summoned a dragon, no one would ever doubt my abilities again! It could perch majestically on my shoulder, its iridescent scales shimmering under the classroom's conjured light globes. I'd call it something powerful and mysterious, like Obsidian or Nyx.

But who was I kidding? I’d settle for anything. Even a dung beetle would be better than standing here like a tongue-tied idiot, the sniggering of my classmates burning my ears. I swallowed hard. It was now or never.

This time, when I spoke the incantation, it was with crisp, sure pronunciation and a strong force of will behind it.Please send me a dragon.

A sudden gust of wind whipped through the classroom, extinguishing the candles with a hiss. Tendrils of smoke curled upward from the summoning circle, glowing with an otherworldly light. My heart hammered against my ribs as I felt the magic surge through me, crackling along my skin like static electricity. It felt different from normal magic, warmer somehow, like sunlight filtering through leaves. The air filled with dancing motes of light that smelled like honey and storm clouds, and somewhere in the distance, I could have sworn I heard bells ringing. Not church bells, but something older, something that spoke of ancient pacts and promises exchanged between mortals and magical creatures.

The circle beneath my feet began to glow with symbols that weren't part of the original design, delicate spirals and curves that looked like fragments of a language I almost recognized.Each one pulsed with a different color, creating a rainbow of magical energy that made my skin tingle.

This was it. Any second now, my magnificent dragon familiar would emerge from the ethereal mists, its scales gleaming like polished onyx. I held my breath, barely daring to hope.

The smoke slowly dissipated, revealing... a fat, wriggling caterpillar. It was an unpleasant shade of pea soup green, covered in wrinkly folds and tufts of wiry bristles. The creature inched along the summoning circle, leaving a trail of slime in its wake.

My heart plummeted to my scuffed sneakers. A caterpillar? Seriously? This squirming grub was supposed to be my incredible magical companion?

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