Page 14 of Magical Mission
My grandma touched my arm gently as I passed. “Maeve…”
“I know,” I whispered. “I’ll be careful.”
I hurried down the hallway, the library’s warmth fading with every step, replaced by that cold, eerie silence that only the Academy’s entry hall seemed capable of conjuring.
The summons echoed again, closer this time.
My heart pounded against my ribs as I reached the heavy doors.
Who would it be this time?
A lost traveler?
An enemy?
I took a deep breath, trying to steady the whirlpool in my chest, and placed my hand against the old wood.
It pulsed warm under my palm.
The Academy was awake.
And it was waiting formeto open the door.
Another breath.
I pulled.
The doors creaked open, the wind curling inside like a curious cat.
And I froze.
Because what I saw on the other side of the door was the last thing I had expected.
Chapter Four
The heavy doors groaned as they swung open. What I saw took my breath clean away.
They were everywhere.
A line of people,creatures, stretching down the steps, winding along the path, curling like a colorful living ribbon through the courtyard and beyond.
All of them standing, waiting.
For me?
For the Academy?
For the hope that new beginnings bring…
Some women were dressed in flowing robes embroidered with starlight and ancient runes. Others were wrapped in patched cloaks and threadbare boots, eyes wide with hope and fear in equal measure.
It was a sensation I related to far more than I realized.
A trio of towering centaurs with garlands braided into their tails took my breath away. I’d read about such creatures but never expected to see them.
It was a sensation that was happening more and more in my new world, sort of like the dragons…
A gaggle of wide-eyed witches in mismatched shawls clutching satchels stuffed with yarn, plants, and notebooks looked at me as if I had the answers.
