Page 33 of Drawn in Blood
Professor Eid smirked as she tilted her head. “It’s harder than you might think, Mr. Kitt,” she replied. “There is a basin at each of your pillows. Take a seat with your partner, and please begin.”
Ember walked back to her seat, Odette sitting quietly beside her, and watched as each water-filled basin around the room began to churn, waves slapping against the edge of the clay.
“Would you like to begin, or would you like me to?” she asked Odette.
“Why don’t you try, and I’ll follow your lead,” she replied sweetly, eyes trained just above Ember’s head. She ran one hand around the diameter of the bowl and nodded with a smile. “Not too big, so it should only take a few tries.”
Ember breathed a laugh as she nodded. She shook out her shoulders and took a breath, before resting her palm just above the churning waves.
“Mal,” she whispered, but the waves only calmed to a dull roar. She furrowed her brow and huffed.
“Let me try.” Odette smiled. Her hand hovered above the basin, and like it was second nature, she confidently said the incantation, and the water stilled.
“You’re so skilled at incantation,” Ember said, as the water began to bubble and churn again. “Where did you learn to do it all so seamlessly?”
Odette laid her hands in her lap. “My mum immigrated here when she was a little girl. She’s from Honduras. All magical language originated from her tribe in Ocotepeque. They’re one of the oldest known users in the world. We grew up speaking Spanish in the home, so it makes pronouncing incantations a little easier.”
Ember’s brow rose. “Spanish? Our spells are Spanish?”
“Aye.” Odette nodded with a smug grin. “Most spells are of Spanish origin. Some societies use Latin, but most are the original dialect.”
“Huh,” Ember breathed, as she leaned back on one arm. Before she could reply, a yelp sounded from the set of pillows beside her. She looked over her shoulder to see Killian with his jaw on the floor and staring at the other side of the basin. Ember followed his line of sight to where Fen was sitting on his pillow, completely drenched from head to toe.
“Not as easy as it looks, is it, Mr. Kitt?” Professor Eid said from the center of the room, eyes closed as she hovered above her pillow. She held her hand out and mumbled something under her breath, and Fen was hit with a quick gust of wind that immediately dried him off. His cheeks were stained crimson, and he dropped his head as Killian barked a laugh.
Ember laughed as she rolled her eyes and turned back around, trying the charm a few more times before she felt like she had it. Professor Eid walked around to each pair, having them demonstrate for her, and then walked back to the center of the room.
“Please practice your incantation at home and read chapter thirteen before Thursday. You are dismissed.” She waved her hand, and the doors at the back of the class were flung open, light pouring in from the windows in the corridor. The classroom erupted in conversation as everyone gathered their things and began to walk to their next class.
Ember threw her bag over her shoulder and headed toward the door when she felt a hand wrap gently around her wrist.
“Off in a hurry there, Starshine?” Killian smiled beside her.
Ember rolled her eyes as she slowed down, and Fen came running up behind them. He furrowed his brow as he looked between the two, and Killian quickly dropped his hand from where it was still gripping Ember’s wrist.
“Why are you acting weird,” Fen prodded. “Where are you two going?”
“The only weird one here is you, Fenrir,” Ember hissed jokingly. “I have a free period and thought I’d spend it outside. You’re both more than welcome to join me.” She turned on her heels and walked out the door, turning toward the steps that hugged the edge of the large tree and led out the double doors.
“Outside? You mean to relax?” Killian asked, as he quirked his brow. “Are you feeling alright? Coming down with something?” He held the back of his hand up to her forehead, and she quickly swatted it away.
“Of course I am,” Ember huffed. “I just want to spend some time outdoors before it starts getting cold again.”
“You mean you don’t intend to study yourself to death this year?” Fen asked jokingly.
Ember rolled her eyes as she shoved the doors open, taking in a deep breath as she walked into the sun. She walked through the grass and up to the creek that ran through the grounds, Odette already sitting under the large oak tree that was nestled on the bank.
“Mind if I sit?” she asked quietly.
Odette smiled as she nodded. “Of course not,” she replied. “I’m just studying.”
“Oh great,” Fen mumbled. “That’s exactly what she needs, a study buddy to make her even less fun.”
Ember ignored him and charmed the napkin in her bag into a blanket. After she sat down, settling herself onto the blanket, she quickly pulled a book out of her bag.
“Ah, yes, that makes more sense,” Killian chided. “Less relaxing, more reading.”
Ember glared at him but chose not to respond. These boys were not going to ruin her relaxing afternoon. She glanced over at Odette, who was reading very intently out of her Galdrtextbook, when she noticed the raised bumps on the pages that her fingers were moving briskly over.
