Page 72 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“You need to feed it your power. Relax and focus on your intentions.” Adeline instructed.

Closing my eyes, I let out a trickle of my raw power. When I opened them however, I saw dark drops of blood mixing with my magic’s glow before they were both sucked into the book. The words vanished and for a moment Adeline and I looked at each other in panic. Though why she was panicked I couldn’t say, she hadn’t just seen me do forbidden magic. And shedding your own blood or any blood for a spell was specifically dark magic. Perhaps I’d missed something that requested blood? Should we have clarified before acting? Before either of us had time to speak, the book became scalding hot.

I dropped it instinctively, but Adeline was ready. Despite the book glowing red she held the book gently, casually even. Was her gift the inability to feel pain? Lines of flame flickered over the page and I moved closer to see it leaving behind a script of charred ink to form another riddle.

A maiden full in dying light.

A curse, a sign, or blessing?

Solace found in kins own sight,

Seek out the holy dressing.

“It’s shorter.” Adeline stated, the book now resembling a flickering ember in her hands. When it was completely black she passed it to me, hiding her hands behind her back.

“Yes, but somehow more confusing,” I mused. Staring at the page I wondered if I stared long enough the words would sink into my brain and an answer would become clear. A greenish glow interrupted my process however and I looked up just in time to see Adeline healing her hands. The edges of a burn disappearing before me.

“Yes?” She asked, her brow daring me to speak the questions written on my face.

“How did you keep a hold of it when it was burning like that?”

“I was worried dropping it would break the enchantment. All magic has a price… I figured maybe it required pain as well as magic.”

“Yes but Adeline it wasn’t just hot, it was… Are… are you okay?” I put the book into my bag and took a step closer.

She stepped back, “I’m fine Sage, I promise I didn’t do anything I wasn’t willing to do.”

Making a placating gesture I stepped back, “Alright, just thought I’d ask. Felt rude to look at a third degree burn and talk about the weather.”

“You’ll find most British prefer the latter over the former.” She walked past me before throwing back the words, “Riddles are far too much on an empty stomach, shall we take this to the music room?”

On the walk back we debated what foods to order, Adeline had more of a sweet tooth than I’d anticipated, her first requests consisting of hot chocolate and biscuits. I’d been convinced she only ate salads from her physique but was all too happy to suggest that cheesecake was an excellent addition as well when the campus came into view.

“What do you think the second line means?” I asked, mind jumping back to the riddle at the first lull in conversation.

Adeline massaged her temples, “Like I said before Sage… Food first.”

That was fair enough, after all we’d broken the first rule of magic, always have snacks.

Forty

Adeline

As my mother concluded her lesson, she cleared her throat to get the students attention. Everyone dutifully paused getting ready to leave and sat back in their seats, giving her their full attention. Next to me, Sage closed her textbook and watched my mother with rapt attention, hands clasped in front of her. For fear of being accused of doing anything but listening. No one could accuse her of making the same mistake twice, I supposed.

“As you are most certainly aware, this evening is Samhain. The usual traditions will take place on the lawns and in the dining hall but may I please remind students that, in the interest of student safety, communications with the dead should be kept to a minimum and non-corporeal. Enjoy and be safe.”

The students buzzed excitedly as they left the room, Sage turned to me, a look of apprehension mixed with quiet hope on her face. “Yes?” I asked her, packing my belongings away.

“What are the usual traditions? …And will you be doing them? I don’t… I’m not…” She trailed off flustered.

“There is a feast in the hall to celebrate the end of the harvest and the beginning of the long night… Winter.” I explained at Sage’s expression, “The students then go out to the field near the lake. My mother lights the wheel and then all the groups gathered take some of the fire to start their own bonfires. All the teachers then bugger off and it turns into one giant piss up, basically. The boys campus does the same and you can see all the fires across the water. Usually the girls get drunk enough they try to sneak the boys onto the campus but they nearly always get caught.” Sage looked quite pleased at my description, “…And yes, I’ll be joining in. It’s tradition.”

We walked out of the main school towards the dorm building we shared, “Will you be going with your room mates?”

“I suppose so.” Sage nodded and looked down at her feet as she walked, deep in thought. She chewed at her fingernails.

“Do you want to join us?”

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