Page 51 of Savage Hope

POLARIS

“Good morning, students. I believe we have three new witches among us. Please, make yourselves known.” The professor casts her gaze down the line of us waiting outside of her classroom, utterly oblivious to the other students hurrying to their next class. She makes eye contact with every single person before I have the strength to lift my hand.

D’s hand is up first, quickly followed by H, leaving me to trail behind, which earns me a few side glances from the other students.

My heart ricochets in my chest from everyone’s attention on us, but I focus on the new professor before us. Her long brown skirt reaches her ankles, and a white shirt tucked in and buttoned all the way up covers her to her neck. Her brown curly hair is pinned on top of her head, while her wide green eyes are framed by large circular glasses.

“Perfect, the three of you take your seats at the front of the class,” she instructs, waving everyone inside, but it's impossible to move with the feeling of all eyes zoned in on me. Since I've been at Trinity Falls Academy, I’ve learned that nothing good ever comes from everyone’s attention being focused on you, evenin simple situations like this. So now I'm anticipating something even worse.

“Unlucky, my friend,” Bryony says with a wince as she ushers me into the classroom, and a sickly feeling takes root in my throat.

How is this even my luck today?

D and H take the first two seats, leaving the chair closest to the door free for me, which almost feels like a blessing in disguise, assuaging a little of the discomfort that stirs inside of me.

The entire class gets seated, shuffling into the rows behind us as the professor seems to mindlessly rearrange the items on her desk for a moment. Thankfully, it gives me a chance to take in the space, which looks very similar to most of the other classrooms I’ve been in so far. There is dark wooden furniture and a soft coloring on the walls. In here, it's a pastel pink.

The walls are covered in shelves, with items crammed in and spilling out of little drawers, while some space holds glass jars, each housing God-only-knows. It’s weird and it’s different, but somehow, a bubble of what I can only assume is excitement fizzles inside of me as I consider what the items are for.

Magic is the obvious answer, but beyond that, I have no idea. I guess I'm going to find out, though.

“Are we settled? Perfect,” the professor says with a smile, not actually waiting for anyone to respond as she clasps her hands together. “To those that are new, my name is Professor Juniper. I come from a long line of witches, and I belong to the Serenity Coven.” She says the words with such pride, I almost feel guilty that I have no idea what she's actually talking about. But she doesn't seem fazed as she casts her gaze over me. “It is with great importance that I spend this first lesson with our new pupils explaining the importance of magic and what it means to us as witches. Along with that comes the importance of how magickeeps balance within the supernatural world. You will learn more than ever about the differences between our quadrants, not just on campus but across the globe. Can anyone give a brief overview of the wolves?”

She finally turns her attention from me and glances over the rest of the class, pointing at someone behind me.

“The wolves are very family-oriented. Bursting into their bubble is very difficult. They're almost impenetrable to anyone who is not a wolf,” someone explains, and the professor nods eagerly.

“Excellent. Excellent. And vampires, anyone?”

I don’t turn around, but I can practically hear the hands fly up for her attention before she chooses someone else.

“Vampires reign supreme, or they like to think they do, at least. However, they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer, politically speaking, of course. Once off campus, you don’t tend to find vampires gathered together. Not for very long, anyway.”

“That’s right, and can we have an assumption on the humans?” The professor swiftly points at another student as I try my best to absorb the information being offered.

“Although there are many human warriors and hunters that come from the blood-cursed line, they are still often left at a disadvantage, and that's where we come in.”

“That’s exactly right,” Juniper interjects before the person can say more. “Our magic can better anybody's chances, especially our own. That then leads me to the significance of witches. The importance of remaining unbiased is paramount. It's essential that we remain neutral among the other quads, not allowing our thoughts and opinions to waver under the lure of a vampire’s compulsion or a wolf's heated desire come the full moon.” She winks like it’s a secret and my cheeks heat, forcing me to dip my head to hide my face. “Although, not in anyofficial capacity, it is the job of the witches to maintain balance throughout each quadrant using the abilities we have in order to ensure an open playing field for all. Which simultaneously leads me to the importance of covens. A coven not only strengthens us as individuals as we connect with one another, but it also allows us to remain grounded. Leaning on one another is not a weakness for us. It is always our strength. Power in numbers, strength and abilities, and a handful of sand is exactly what a witch needs.”

A chuckle ripples around the room at her mention of sand, and I can't help but feel the corner of my mouth tip up too. I manage to lift my head again as Juniper continues.

“My job is to give you everything you need to be as strong as you can, but nothing will be achievable until the three of you figure out how to remove your sigils.”

The reminder of the barriers blocking my magic weighs heavy on my shoulders and I slump in my seat. My bangles are more prominent than ever on my wrists.

“If someone could help us with that bit, that would be great,” D says, a sigh passing her lips, and I hum in agreement.

Juniper offers a tight smile. “You will get there. Above all else, I recommend that you focus on your sigil classes and continue to understand, embrace, and learn who you are.” She clears her throat, her eyes dimming as she settles her gaze on me once again. “My sigil was removed when I found the strength to remember my mother's name.”

I gasp, my heart pounding in my ears, reading between the lines of what she's not saying.

She was a Florentine.

She was a Florentine just like me, and now she stands here as a survivor and a professor, all because she found the strength to remember her mother's name. Such a key part of her past. Possibly insignificant to most, but life altering to us.

My gut lurches as the desire to know such a thing burns strong inside my soul.

If she senses me crumbling, she doesn't acknowledge it. Instead, she waves a hand around the room, a soft, wistful smile on her face. “Today, we will focus on our more experienced witches, giving you examples of what we expect you to be able to achieve once you unlock your sigils. Three different sections fall under a witch's abilities, and they're broken down into potions, charms, and enchantments.”

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