Page 38 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Everything okay?” Cillian asked, his voice growing serious with concern.

“Yeah, yeah,” I dismissed, “I’m just -“

“Hey Adeline come suck my-“ there was a muffled sound followed by Cillian’s deep voice, “Finish that sentence Marcus, I fucking dare you.” Cillian sighed into the phone, “sorry about that, you know what he’s like.”

“A pig?”

“That’s a nice way of saying it, yes. Listen, you should know I’m going to see our mutual friend again.” He said changing the subject.

I sat up more, “Yes?” Would she tell him about the book? I had explicitly told her not to tell anyone.

“I’m going to tell her that you saw us speaking by the lake.”

“And?”

“…and that’s it. I just wanted you to know in case she mentioned it.”

“Oh. Good… good. No, that’s fine. So, are you going to tell me about your first secret rendezvous with her?” I asked, settling back down as I looked back across the lake at the far off figure doing laps.

“There’s nothing to tell. I saw her out by the lake with her brother. I told her she shouldn’t be fraternising with the boys without permission and she… well, she didn’t agree to that at all actually, come to think of it.”

“Ha!” I barked a laugh, “yes that sounds like her, she’s a force unto herself.”

“… Did she… Has she…”

“What?”

“Nothing, never mind. It slipped my mind.” I frowned at his abrupt coyness.

“No, she hasn’t mentioned you.” The silence was painful. I heard him swallow. “…But we’re not close, Cillian,” I continued, “I’m just her tutor remember? I hardly think she’s going to start talkingboyswith me!” I rushed to reassure him. God, he was never like this. She must have really gotten under his skin.

“Yeah…” He cleared his throat, “…Anyway, where are you sunbathing? Paint me a picture that lets me envision I’m anywhere but stuck in a greenhouse with Marcus and some first years.”

“At the lake,” I laughed.

“Oh you might be able to spot my room mate if you squint.”

“Damn, I should have borrowed Marsha’s stalker binoculars… Wait, which room mate?” I asked, straightening up to see better.

“Marcus! I swear to the Gods… Adeline, I have to go, Marcus has just poured soil down my back.” The call ended abruptly before I could even reply. Staring across the water, I wished Marsha really did have binoculars for spying on people… Hell, she probably did!

I lifted my mobile phone up, clicking on the camera. Swiping on the screen, I zoomed until I could see the boy currently hauling himself out of the water onto the embankment. My heart jumped as I saw a glimpse of blonde hair. It was him. I lowered my phone, resisting the urge to take a picture to obsess over later. I looked at the time on my phone and swore under my breath. Stupid lessons.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and lingered a moment longer, looking at the handsome stranger pulling his black shirt back on. I would have to try and get some information from Cillian about this mysterious room mate of his. He clearly hadn’t told anyone about seeing me covered in twigs and blatantly crying, it would have been the subject of gossip for months.

Walking back to class, I regretted my decision to not take a picture but at least I was fully distracted from the still-healing wound on my arm and the dark magic which still simmered beneath the surface.

Twenty

Sage

Agroan left my lips as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, each muscle protesting the movement. The visions had drained my magic reserves, leaving me hollow, sore, and weak. Perhaps I should go to the infirmary, say I’d exhausted myself on a spell. The idea of word getting out, and the corresponding smug looks on my peers made me stop. So long as I rested now I’d be fine. I just wouldn’t let them build up like that again. Now I had my clearing, I could work them into my meditation, but perhaps a trip to the spa would be smart too. I grabbed my phone off the charger and booked a recurring appointment. Looking down, I saw I had fallen asleep in my regular clothes, something that would have been worse if I’d still had my combat boots. Swallowing my pride, I sent a message to my dad asking for a new pair.

It was a small favour, but it was hard to admit I needed them. Hard to not feel angry about the lies, about believing I was losing my mind for so long. But I wasn’t always angry, I also felt undeniable guilt. They had sacrificed everything they had to keep my secret, and I wasn’t ever going to be able to repay them or Theo for that. As the message was marked “read” I felt the debt I owed them weigh a little heavier on my shoulders.

I showered quickly, sending a boon to whoever invented the endless hot water that existed in the United Kingdom, and a curse to whoever was gate keeping the technology for the United States. Rushing to get dressed, I approached the windowsill. I’d had two potions charging under the full moon, but between the pink and blue liquids was wedged a dark paper aeroplane… Cillian. Inside I found instructions to meet at the furthest edge of the woods on the boys side of campus. A map was drawn detailing which trails to take along with landmarks, as if he believed I couldn’t follow a map. He must not have researched my parents’ jobs. I packed my compass, protractor, along with the potions and half-completed Ritual’s assignment.

Amelia was the only one in the common area and she nodded to a tray of blueberry muffins amicably. I took one, gratefully, before heading out the door, crossing my fingers that I’d find what I needed on salt types for the unfinished assignment in my bag.

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