Page 75 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
They break apart and I unlock the witch’s manacle as we speak.
“Where are Leander and Tudor?” she asks, rubbing her wrist.
“Patrolling the grounds,” I respond. “And there’s another wolf shifter, from the Houndsville pack. He could return any minute.”
“And the other students?”
“The mermaids and the witches are in the other cells. I think Hallie is in the crypt somewhere.”
Rory nods. “I saw them bring her down. She was struggling and the other vampire locked her in her coffin. I didn’t know vampires could do that.”
“A crude, but effective, way to punish a young vampire,” Lydia says. Her mouth is set in a firm line, her light brown eyes narrowed. I had never noticed that they’re the same as Maggie’s. “You all must listen very carefully. You’ve been tremendously brave so far and I need you to be brave for a little longer. I can hold Leander and Tudor back myself, but not for very long. I’ll guard the entryway while you four rescue the other students and escape from the northern exit. Go immediately to the Hecate coven and tell them what’s happened. June, can you lead them there?”
June nods, trembling.
Lydia looks to each of us in turn. When our eyes meet she pauses longer. We recognize a sameness in each other. I don’t know much about Lydia Hall, but I know that the witch covens have been fighting battles with each other for generations. We’ve both known war, and we both want to avoid it.
But we’ll both fight to protect those we love.
“Respectfully, Vice-Principal Hall,” I tell her, my eyes steady and sure. “I won’t leave you or Maggie. It was my pack thatattacked the castle and captured the students. I’m going to stay and ensure that they can all get to safety.”
Lydia’s brow furrows. Maggie takes my hand.
“I’m not leaving, either,” she says. “I’ll stay and help you both defend the school until the Hecate witches arrive.”
There’s a sigh from behind both of us.
“Ok,fine, I’ll stay too,” June groans. “I can’t let you two get all the glory.Plusyou need my incredible magical talent!”
Despite the fear and tension in the air, the four of us can’t help smiling slightly.
“And I’ll-” Rory starts, their eyes shining in the torchlight.
“Absolutelynot,” I interrupt immediately. “I won’t have you risking your life, you’re still underage.”
“Agreed,” Lydia says with a nod. “Rory, you can help guide the other students to the safety of the Hecate coven. I’m sure another witch will be able to show you the way.”
Rory looks disappointed but they don’t push it.
We’re short enough on time as it is.
“Work quickly, and stay in your pairs!” says Lydia, as she hurries with her familiar down the dungeon hallway to guard the entrance.
“I think I remember where Hallie is,” says Rory, pointing the torch to the other end of the long stone hallway.
“Rory and I can find her, you and June rescue the other witches and the mermaids,” I say to Maggie, giving her the keys to the dungeon cells. June summons a light spell to guide their way. “I’ll be able to sense if you’re in danger.”
She nods, and squeezes my hand with a tight smile before she departs. It’s agonizing to leave her, but our fated mates bond will connect us and warn me if anything happens.
Rory leads us down a hallway to the vampire crypts. I’ve never been down this way. There are strange, elaboratelydecorated dungeon rooms packed with strange magical paraphernalia. One room has an ornate, claw-foot bathtub at its center.
“This one!” Rory says, swinging open the door to a dungeon room. Although I usually run hot, I get an overwhelming chill as we enter. The room is stone and bare, with three coffins in a line. The coffins are wood, and etched with elaborate designs of running vines and roses.
A loudhootstartles both Rory and I. On the third coffin sits a large, metal birdcage. Inside the birdcage, rustling its feathers and staring at us with round, dark brown eyes, is a barn owl.
Rory and I look at each other in surprise.
“Principal Vyas?” I call out. My voice echoes eerily throughout the crypt. “Are you in there? We’re here to rescue you!”
