Page 57 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“No, just tapped out and feverish.”

“I don’t believe you, send proof.”

“Come on over, I’m happy to cough on you.”

“That’s fine by me,myreserves are perfectly fine.”

“Sure sure, next time I’ll do the impression of a monkey and you can conjure 10,000 vines.”

“You must be very sick to have forgotten all those high school science classes. With my physique I’m much more of an ape.”

“Come on coach, can’t lessons and training wait till after I feel better?” I moaned. Trying to channel his level of drama, it came out more like a croak than anything.

“It’ll be my pleasure,” he said darkly. Maybe reminding him of football had been a bad idea. Tyler was, after all, a key player in every sports-related memory for Theo.

A knock came at my door and through the brain fog, I felt anticipatory dread. Three of my four room mates had problems with me. I’d done everything in my power to avoid them. Skipping the dining hall, sneaking in and out of the dorm at odd hours. Even stashing food in the meadow. But now I was bleeding in the water, it was too much to hope that the sharks wouldn’t circle.

Marsha’s lean figure took up the doorway. We were likely the tallest girls on campus, each of us closer to six foot than five. One of the few people whose gaze was level with mine. But where mine likely showed weariness hers was filled with a vibrant rage. “I’ve been told you were at one of Cillian’s concerts,” She hissed.

“What?”

“Cillian’s concerts! You saw one.”

“I did?” Better not to confirm anything.

“Shut up, I trust my source. So I’ll just say this once. Stay away from him. He’s mine.” She bared her teeth, the incisors surprisingly sharp. Had she filed them?

“Believe me, the only interaction I want to have with him is beating him at The Run.” I yawned, angry at the mere mention of him.

“You’d have to qualify first, and in case you didn’t know we’re slotted to run against each other.”

I was too tired for this shit.

“Then I guess you have nothing to worry about. Now if that’s all?” I began closing the door. Her hand shot out, stopping it in its path. ?

“If you see him again, I’ll know. And I’ll make your life Hell for it.”

“Thanks for the warning.” I yawned, closing the door with a bit of force. Whether she let me or just always skipped arm day I didn’t care. I just wanted to sleep. Her threats were the least of my problems right now. I needed to beat this virus before the trials or there would be no point in any of this ridiculous training.

As I turned, I saw the empty vials had disappeared, a tray of full ones in their place. Their soft blue glow illuminates a note. Crossing the room to open it I saw a familiar scrolling font.

‘Take these on schedule, I don’t take kindly to cancellations’.Signed,Adeline. Picking up my phone I set a series of alarms matching the schedule she’d detailed below and fell into my bed with a smile.

The first alarm went off but it registered slowly, muted, as if underwater. Opening my eyes I saw the glowing vials illuminated further by my phone’s light. Rising from the bed I couldn’t withhold a groan as I rose and reached for a vial. Downing the cool liquid I shivered, both from the potion and the cold air hitting my sweat soaked clothes. Looking down, I saw I had passed out before changing into my pyjamas.

Stripping quickly, I jumped into the shower, letting out a hiss as the water hammered my overly sensitive skin. Washing slowly, I began to hum the lullaby my mother always sang to Theo and I when we were ill. The emotions had my eyes glowing a similar blue as the potions, and I allowed myself the indiscretion. It was a nice moment, letting the memories of her voice envelop me. Back when love was simple, untainted by the secrets kept and the risks of my gift.

Towelling off gently, I pulled on my favourite sleep shirt. It’s worn fabric settled nicely, soothing rather than stimulating my now red skin. Settling in, I took a deep breath, and another, and… another.

The next alarm was clearer and though my head hadn’t stopped pounding I was able to drink the potion quickly and without coughing. My temperature had dropped to a low fever in the last few hours and my chest was clear. Whatever Adeline had put in these potions was far exceeding the batch sent previously by the Academy’s staff. Laying down again, I wondered if she’d share the recipe with me later.

The last alarm came through clearly, my head and body aches gone. Somehow in the span of a night she had addressed all my major symptoms. Before her potions I was worried if I’d be able to make my own trial. At this speed it looked like I’d only need another day of rest and I might even get to watch the first trial happening tomorrow. With that I quickly downed the potion with a toast to Adeline in the upper floors.

“Here’s to making friends with a mad genius,” I whispered to myself before drifting off into a, for once, deep and dreamless sleep.

Thirty-One

Sage

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