Page 111 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“You and I are the only ones that have been there, so yes, why?”

I turned the camera so he could see the glowing floorboard.

“I need your help with breaking into some wards.”

“Lillian leave something of value behind?”

“Oh definitely. But this isn’t from Lillian.” I then filled him in on the vision, leaving out the bit about the book instead focusing on the events of the vision itself. “If what I saw is accurate then it’ll have something to do with our bond, that or something about seers. Either way it’s something I need to get to, but I’m just… I’m apparently the only person not at mastery level.” It killed me that I felt so behind.

“Adeline and I are the only students at mastery level, as far as I know. Take me closer to the floorboard?” Cillian spoke calmly. It didn’t escape my notice he’d settled my insecurities in a way that didn’t require thanks.

“Is that close enough? Do you need me to cast a different diagnostics charm? I just made some more moon water and–”

“No, no. This is fine. Do you have the – wait yes, I see it there, grab the red book and open it to page 124. Good, look at those ingredients. Do you have them on hand? Excellent. Okay go grab something to cook them in. Adeline usually has a cauldron she keeps under the sink for emergencies.” He paused as I bit my lip in indecision. “Just clean up after yourself and I doubt she’d hex you for using it. She’s only hexed me a few times and I deserved all of them.”

“Adeline’s hexed you?? I thought you two were friends?”

“We are. Adeline shows her love in unconventional ways, and I wasn’t always this wise. But that’s a story for another day. Go get started, I’ll have to walk you through the trickier bits and I’d like to sleep sometime tonight.”

I hustled about, grabbing things as quietly as possible. Which meant that everything I touched was in danger of falling and clanking as loudly as possible. Once I had the cauldron set over a magical flame I arranged the phone so Cillian would have a good view of what I was doing, to make the potion I meant.

I grabbed the spell book and began reciting the words out loud until Cillian confirmed I’d said them correctly. I added the ingredients then, double checking each measurement before letting them drop accompanied by their required words into the simmering liquid.

“What colour is the potion? Good, give two more clockwise stirs and then show me again. Excellent, now ladle it out onto the borders of the ward and recite the words backwards.”

As I finished the last syllable the wards disappeared with a hiss. Yellow and black smoke winding up into the room like a lazy poisonous serpent.

“Bottle that smoke if you can and you’re done.” I rushed to grab some empty vials from my shelves. I was able to fill three before the snake disappeared. Heating some wax, I sealed the vials under Cillian’s watch. I tied a bit of ribbon around each, the black fabric annoyingly similar to his polished hair. Sitting back, I looked at the floorboard and then back at Cillian. Did I want him to see what I uncovered?

“Before we see what is hiding… Why don’t you tell me about this boy that’s asking about your… relationship status?”

“Oh… Right. Um, well his name is… Ribbo– Rob. His name is Rob, and he’s… very sweet.” I said, tearing my eyes from the distracting black ribbon.

“Sweet?” Cillian’s voice was disbelieving. I’d need to work harder to sell it.

“Oh yes, very considerate. He’s been an absolute rock for me.” I blinked away some conjured tears. Theo would be proud.

“Mmmmm, what’s his last name? This… rock of yours?” Cillian lips were pressed together tightly.

“I… don’t think I’ll say.” I said cleverly.

“Why’s that?” He leaned forward, the screen filled only by his face now.

“You… You’d torment him. I couldn’t repay his kindness with torture.”

Cillian leaned back now, an odd sort of tone colouring his next words. “No. No, of course not. It would hardly be fair to reward kindness in such a way.”

I felt as if those words should mean something… but the meaning felt dangerous. So I stuffed it away, along with the ribbon and the dream to think about later. When everything wasn’t so new and overwhelming.

“Well I think we’ve waited long enough. Let’s see about this scroll.” I said, returning to the floorboard with a huff. Grabbing a crystal from my pocket, I tested the board to see if any other nasty surprises were waiting. I ignored the sound of approval that came from the phone. I didn’t need his acknowledgement, not if it came with confusing words.

The floorboard came up easily, and under it was the scroll I recognised, as well as two others and a book. The book was marked with a star surrounded by various knots. The title read: ‘The stars and their bonds’in gold stamped leather.

“Sage?” Cillian breathed in wonder.

“Yeah?” I replied softly, looking at the gold flecks that clung to my fingers.

“I hope you have a good reading voice, because I’m not going anywhere.”

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