Page 126 of The Holy Academy of Witches

My dread became a living thing, wrapping its claws around my throat, squeezing until I was gasping. I scrambled to close the vision, unwilling to see any more than what had been implied. I broke into a sweat at the effort. The only effect was that the vision slowed to a snail’s pace.

The scene zoomed in on a hallway now splattered with blood and choked with smoke. Through the haze I saw his familiar figure curled protectively over the patient he’d brought back. His dark hair hung in defeat while a menacing shard of metal protruded from his back. It split the river of smoke around it allowing me a clear view of Cillian’s blood slowly dyeing his lab coat a dark red.

I don’t know how long I was forced to stare at the image of his lifeless body, but as I stood there unable to escape I recalled every last fact he made me memorise over the past month. Like how he preferred crumble over pie. That he’d learned to play cello at the age of nine but preferred bass by thirteen. I learned he’d been closer to his grandparents, who were estranged from his parents, and took the train to their house every weekend he could. I remembered everything I could before I unlocked the gate that held every unnamed emotion I’d felt with him,forhim. I stared at the man I’d grown to admire, the man that seemed to know the country by name. The man that knew me better than I ever wanted him to… and I cried. I cried and sobbed and screamed at the Goddess to let me fix this. To free me from this hell of a vision so I could dosomethingbefore it was too late. And with that final plea I was dropped back into my body.

I was surrounded by smoke and fire. I fell backwards, coughing. Somehow during the vision my body had leaned over the campfire, kept from falling in completely by some unknown force. Rubbing the smoke from my eyes as best I could, I thanked the streaming tears for their protection. Looking at the sky, I realised that the lack of colour in the vision had robbed me of any sense of time, had it already happened? Was I too late? When I could finally stand I grabbed my phone and began to run. I called Adeline sobbing that I needed her car, and where were her keys? She told me and I ran faster. I ignored the looks of concern Lillian shot me when I tore them and their hook from the wall. I ran to the gates of the Academy, threw myself into her fancy car, screaming when I couldn’t fit my long legs in with her small pre-sets. Not bothering with the seat belt after I could reach the pedals, I cast an unnoticeable spell before speeding away, I could not afford to be stopped by any law-enforcement. I whipped around each corner with the precision only a car of this calibre could afford me while thanking every star for Adeline and this ridiculous speed machine.

I drove until I knew I was well past the apparition wards before screeching to a halt. I jumped out then and apparated to the alley by the clinic, allowing a choked sob when there was no sign of smoke or screaming. I burst through those doors yelling Cillian’s name. He came through the swinging door I’d seen blasted off its hinges.

I ran towards him and grabbed his arm, trying in vain to pull him away from the many witnesses that could under no circumstances see me apparate him away.

“Sage? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? What’s happened to your face?” He cupped my soot and tear streaked face, obvious concern widening his eyes. My heart stuttered in my chest at his touch. He was alive.

“We need to go! Cillian, it’s not safe!” I shook with fear, that swinging door looming larger in the background.

“What do you mean it’s not safe? Sage? Look at me!” My eyes were locked on the door, swinging, back and forth, every second here bringing us closer to the death I’d seen. I could almost smell the tang of his blood.

He began leading me toward the door, as if he’d examine whatever had gone so very wrong to make me act the way I was. I dug in my heels, panic raising my voice to a screech.

“No, Cillian, it’s not safe! It’s not safe!” He froze, reading the unbridled terror in my face before the understanding dawned on him.

He spoke loudly but calmly, “We’ll be closing the clinic early everyone. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience but we’ll pick up where we left off tomorrow. Please see yourselves out.” As he said this he walked us through the revolving door, passed where I saw his dead body, and into an empty room. As soon as I saw no one was around I disapparated us both back to where Adeline’s car was parked. Tossing him the key, I collapsed to the floor.

As I lay there we heard the unmistakable echo of an explosion, which was followed by a searing pain in my wrist. Looking down I saw that the manacle was gone, and in the place of the four pointed star was now an eight pointed one, as if our two marks had melded into one. Looking up, Cillian showed me his mark, it was identical to my own. The debt… had finally been paid.

Sixty-Seven

Adeline

“Iswear if you don’t answer this phone I will hex you!” I threw my phone onto the sofa in frustration as I paced back and forth.I am NOT calling Theo… I don’t care how many voicemails I have to leave her.

“Everything okay?” Lillian walked into the dorm carrying her little terrier under one arm.

“Have you seen Sage?” I asked.

“Oo yes! She was here maybe an hour ago? She took your car keys, you know!”

“I’m aware.”

“Which did she take?” Lillian asked, peering at the pile of keys on the floor, still on their brass hook which now too laid on the floor.

“The McLaren…”

“You never let me drive it!”

“One, I didn’t let her drive it. She sounded scared and in a hurry and I didn’t have time to specify… and Two, you’re a terrible driver.”

“Can Sage even drive?” Lillian asked, screwing up her button nose.

“…Gods, I hope so.”

The dormitory door flung open revealing a dishevelled Sage. Her eyes were bloodshot and red rimmed. I gave Lillian a pointed look and she retreated to the bedroom she now shared with Dorcas.

“Explain,” I demanded.

“I…” she began and sat down on the sofa, bursting into tears.

I sat beside her and, unsure what to do, patted her back gingerly. I’d never dealt with a hysterical Sage before. “Do you want a cup of tea?” She sniffed and shook her head. I passed her a tissue as she raised her head, smiling in thanks she dabbed at her eyes. “You look horrible.”

---