Page 33 of The Holy Academy of Witches

I kicked the flats off my aching feet, gladly tucking them under me with a sigh. I needed to ask my parents for new combat boots as soon as possible.

“So, Miss Williams, it looks like you and your brother, despite having magical parents, were discovered casting magic only recently. Is that right?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“And despite having the option of finishing your year at Stanford, you and your brother decided to drop out instead?”

“That’s correct.”

“And would the reason for your dropping out have anything to do with the death of a… Tyler Newman?” She read from the pages in front of her. I made an effort to slow my breathing.

“No, my Uncle was dying and we were already planning on dropping out to move closer to him.” Not technically a lie.

“I see here you were sent to a counsellor following his death?”

“Yes ma’am, all his friends were.” I clenched my hands to hide the trembling. The guilt and hopelessness still flooded me as my mind forced me to remember. Theo, crouched into the corner of his bathroom crying. Theo, knuckles bloodied from another fight. Theo, no longer recognisable in the dark shades of his grief.

She looked at me carefully, slowly standing before grabbing the soft grey throw from the couch. She offered it to me, her expression calm and completely devoid of pity or judgement. I wrapped it around me, already warmer from her wordless understanding.

“We don’t have to talk about it, but I would feel better if we had regular appointments.”

“Why?” I asked, checking my shields were still in place as I became worried my trip down memory lane had been broadcasted or forced by some charm.

“Well love, your history suggests a lot of sudden change. Not just the long trips for your parents work, but in the last couple of years you’ve gone through quite a lot. There was the sudden latent magic of you and your twin emerging, the death and burial of your friend, the dropping out of a competitive college, followed by your moving to another country. It would be a lot for anyone, let alone someone that’s trying, and by all indicators succeeding, in quickly learning three years worth of magic on top of her current courses.”

The unexpected praise was more than welcome, and I wondered if I should be so easily won over. Still, she had a point, would meeting with her help? Or just force me to hide what I was dealing with more? She couldn’t know about the life debt, she’d have to report it. And time was something I did not have much extra with, what with the book’s mystery and piano lessons being added to my schedule.

“How often?” I sighed. Shrugging off the blanket as I began mentally preparing for the redirection.

“I’d like every week, but I can see you already have several daily tutoring appointments on top of your common courses… so I’ll settle for every other week for now,” she nodded to herself before opening a file on her computer, “Mondays or Tuesdays I have an opening?”

“Tuesdays then.” My stomach growled.

“Go on to dinner then love, we can talk properly next week.”

I smiled, slipped my flats back on, stupid flimsy shoes, and rushed out. Sliding on the freshly polished wood, I hit the bannister with a bang. Ignoring the pain, I continued running.

By the time I reached the dining hall it was mostly empty, the only occupants the ghosts that had taken up the recently abandoned seats. A very young ghost saw me and stood, she looked to be nine or ten and was dressed in well-worn Victorian clothing.

“Are you needing assistance madam?” She asked, her thumb in the pocket of her small waistcoat.

“I just need a plate of something. Maybe even to go?” I asked, looking at the smeared plates at her table.

“I’m sorry madam, you’ll have to go to the Kitchens for a plate, we just finished the clearing.”

“Oh okay, where are they?”

“Umm…” she looked to the group of ghosts she’d been with. A lady with a feathered hat waved her on. “Yes okay, I can take you. Just follow me.” The ghost pivoted away and began marching past tables till she came to a hallway. She glanced back to make sure I was following, “This way lady, keep up!”

“Right!” I quickened my steps.

“Okay, so have you met Wilma yet?” She brought her hands to mime large swishing skirts.

“I don’t think so.”

“Well she’s the boss, so you have to mind your manners.”

I nodded solemnly, “Okay I’ll try.”

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