Page 127 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Gee, thanks.” She laughed, but the sound lacked her usual warmth.

“Sage, I’m all for people keeping themselves to themselves if they aren’t ready to share but… you took my car.” At that she passed me the keys she had been clutching. She opened her mouth to speak when Gemma burst into the room.

“Have you seen the news?!” She grabbed the remote for the television and clicked it on.

“Gem-“

“Shh!” She interrupted, flapping her hand in my direction and gestured towards the blonde woman who now filled our screen.

“We are live, at the scene of what could have been a devastating and fatal accident. Police investigations are underway but early reports suggest a gas leak is responsible for the destruction of this, usually busy, urgent health clinic, along with nearby housing.” Footage of a smoke-filled street littered with debris and half collapsed buildings repeated on the screen as the news reporter spoke to the local chief inspector.

“That’s so close to the Academy,” Gemma whispered as we watched the screen. I turned to look at Sage who had grown paler than she had on entering the dorm.

“It says it was an accident?” Lillian questioned.

“It’s not.” I stated. “You were there?” I directed at Sage. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with fear. I noticed the soot in her hair and tensed.

“My… someone I knew was… they called for help.” She explained and averted her eyes from the screen.

“Did you see anything good?” Gemma asked.

“Gods, Gemma. Go lay down Sage. I’ll bring you a drink and some sleep draught.”

“Sorry.” Gemma whispered.

“Whatever…” I got the things I needed for Sage and went to her room. Knocking softly, I entered without permission on seeing her lying fully clothed on her bed with her hands over her face. I shut the door and placed a mug of hot chocolate on her bedside table, along with a vial of sleep potion. “I know you might not want to talk right now but I need you to tell me if he’s safe…” I asked as I sat on the edge of her bed.

“How?” She shifted her hands in surprise.

“I recognised what was left of the clinic he volunteers at… is he safe, Sage?” I pressed.

“Yes! Sorry, yes… I should have said that straight away.”

My shoulders relaxed. “Good. I just… good. Is he back at his dorm?”

“I think so. He drove us back to the academy gates… I hope that’s okay… I couldn’t… I couldn’t drive after that.”

“He’ll be thrilled. He’s been trying to drive that car since I bought it… Are you okay?”

“I was in the woods, I had a vision. I saw the clinic. I saw the explosion tear through it… saw Cillian…” her eyes filled with more tears. I swallowed, my own fear swelling inside me at what she must have seen. “You saved him?” She nodded at my words. I pulled her to my chest in our first hug. She tensed in my arms before squeezing me back. “Thank You.” I said into her mop of curls.

We parted and a thought occurred to me, “your life bond?”

“Broken.” She stated, showing me her arm. An eight pointed star now inked upon her wrist.

Two neatly-folded black paper aeroplanes flew into the room, passing straight through the glass. They hovered, mid-flight, one before Sage and one near me. Recognising my mothers usual method of communication I grabbed it and unfolded it with a frown. Sage looked warily between the one in my hand and the one now shaking in front of her.

“Adeline!” Dorcas’ shriek rang through the dormitory. Not just us then, I thought to myself. I peered out of the window, the letter still unread in my hand, as hundreds of black planes soared through the campus, some dropping onto the heads of unsuspecting witches walking to their next class, others flying straight through glass or brick.

“Umm…” I tore my eyes away to see Sage shrinking away from the aeroplane which, clearly fed up of waiting to be read, was now opening itself.

Message to all students,

Due to the close proximity of recent terrorist activity to the Academy, I have taken the serious, but necessary, decision to enforce a school-wide curfew of 7pm.

Effective immediately.

Any students found out of their dormitories after 7pm will be punished. This was not an easy decision and there will be no leniency.

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