Page 78 of The Holy Academy of Witches

Cillian laughed and Teddy looked towards him, saw he was on the phone and leapt up, making his way over. I screamed, which of course is a perfectly normal and not at all crazy response, and threw my phone into the grass. Marginally missing the bonfire.

“Adeline!” Sage shouted, climbing out of her beanbag to pick up my phone. She avoided looking at Cillian and threw it back in my lap.

“Got to go!” I shouted in the direction of the phone and swiped at it till the call disappeared. I let my head fall back against the beanbag and laughed to myself.

“Music!” Dorcas shouted, and before long the night air was filled with rap music, students singing and dancing.

I staggered to my feet and began to dance, quite tipsily, with Dorcas. Sage looked on and smiled to herself, taking a sip of her drink. The dancing and drinking went on long into the night. The fires became smaller and smaller, now just little twinkles across the lake at the boys campus. We laughed and laughed, Sage told stories of her family’s adventures from the states which brought tears to our eyes and Gemma almost pee’d herself. It was a wonderful night and all the while my mind was half here by the fire with good company and half floating across the other side of the water.

Forty-Two

Sage

My feet felt heavy, as if every step away from Adeline’s bonfire haven was a monumental mistake. It had to be done unfortunately. I’d had one too many and couldn’t trust my ability to hold off any visions closer to losing consciousness. Besides, Adeline was texting her mystery man by the look of the goofy smile I’d only glimpsed a few times now and I didn’t want to keep her. She looked serene in the firelight, the secret smiles brightened her face. Highlighting the fact her dark circles were almost completely gone. I smiled to myself, grateful for the memories of tonight. It was by far the most carefree I’d felt on campus… although if I was honest with myself there was one moment off campus, in a small bar or cabin, that might have been able to compete.

Opening the dorm room, I felt any remaining buzz and warmth leave me. Silva and Marsha leaned against my door, whispering and waiting. At my entrance they stopped their plotting and stood up. Marsha was the only one close to my height and she levelled me with a quick glare before looking at Silva. Silva missed her deference however, as she was attempting to look down her nose at me from her stunted height.

“What do you want?” I asked, trying not to let my emotions spike in any way. Now would quite literally be the worst time to have a vision. These snakes wouldn’t hesitate to turn me in, they already looked hungry and tense as if they were about to…

They struck. Silva, quick as a whip, cast a binding spell that had my hands and feet immovable behind me. Marsha however used no magic at all, throwing a strong right hook that had me crashing to the floor. My head banged against the hardwood without mercy. Nausea got the best of me and I turned to my side to spew. I had barely any time to enjoy the squeal Silva let out as some of it splattered onto her shoes before Marsha was ripping my phone from my leather jacket.

“I told you to stay away from him you maggot. And yet I hear from the Ice Princess you’re practically lovers. I was already coming for you, after you cheated your way to third place… but now. Now, I’m going to obliterate you for touching what’s mine.” She pocketed my phone before casting an immobilisation spell. I felt my eyes freeze in the spot she soon vacated. A sharp pain came from someone pulling my hair, unable to scream as several strands were pulled free. No words were spoken before I heard the door shut. Hours stretched on and I grew anxious, unable to rest, or escape the ever increasing pain in my stiffening muscles. No friendly face likely to show, I began to descend into my rage. It was icy ink in my veins but for once I welcomed it. If they thought that they were going to get away with this they didn’t know me very well. Relying on underhanded tricks to overpower me while inebriated on one of their… our holy nights? I was still in the midst of my plotting when a familiar tattooed forearm came into view, Amelia.

She undid the binding spell, and then came into view. Moving her fingers back and forth she shook her head with disgust when realising what had been done. Speaking the counter-curse as she put her hands under my knees and head. She picked me up with ease as my muscles gave out.

“I’ll need you to dismiss the wards lovely, so I can put you down.” She muttered, placing my hand against the door and I let a trickle of my magic through. The door swung open and she placed me down gently as if I weighed nothing, despite our height difference. She was ridiculously strong. “I’m going to go and get a potion, don’t panic, I’ll be right back.” I let myself relax into the bed, knowing instinctively that I could trust Amelia. She came back with a dark green potion. Sitting me up before she broke the wax seal, she dribbled the contents into my mouth slowly, waiting for me to swallow. As I did so I tasted a rich variety of earthy greens. My strength returned to me with all the grace of a speeding train. Gasping at the onslaught of energy I sat up fast, knocking heads with Amelia. Grabbing my own head I moaned. When I finally dropped my hands I was shocked at the bruise already spreading across Amelia’s cheek.

“Oh my stars! I’m so sorry Amelia.” I raised my hand and let some of my magic trickle through in the form of a healing spell. She jerked away and I let the hand drop. “Sorry.” I whispered again, now feeling awkward.

“It’s best practice to ask or explain what bit of magic you mean to practise before casting. I know you mean well, and I thank you for the thought, but just be wary going forward. Not all of us have good memories with another’s touch.” She spoke gently but I felt downright awful at the reminder.

“I’m so sorry, I’m still… not quite myself.”

“I know. Sage…? I know you didn’t ask for any of this, that you’re doing your best… but I think you need to consider leaving.”

“You want me to drop out?”

“No! No, just move dorms. I don’t know what it is about you or what’s happened between you lot since our last chat but it’s driving them all mad. They’re not themselves. I thought this would all blow over, you seem like a good person and I know them to be decent folk… but it’s gone the other way. That being the case, I think it would be better for everyone if you request to transfer dorms.” She spoke softly but her suggestion came off like a judge with a verdict. I couldn’t argue, it was all true. I’d done everything I could to avoid the issues and I’d seen how well that had worked.

“I’ll do what I can.” I spoke softly, looking down at the floor.

She stood and left, hearing and accepting her dismissal. We were never going to be friends, not if I was enemies with her family. And despite my beginning hopes of belonging here I just didn’t. Not only that, I’d begun to dislike or mistrust most of them as well. The only person here I didn’t have a fraction of resentment for was Adeline. Was there any chance I’d be able to transfer to her dorm? That would be tempting fate wouldn’t it? Asking for too much?

Writing my official request to the secretary, I enchanted the paper aeroplane before throwing it out the window. Remembering I was without a phone I sent another to Theo and then Adeline explaining the situation. I’d get the phone back later I was sure, but no need for Theo to get expelled from following his overprotective instincts.

Let Silva and Marsha think they’d run me out. It would make my revenge all the sweeter if they didn’t see it coming. As for now I’d camp in the meadow if need be. There was only a little over a month left until Christmas break, I’d camped in worse for longer. How hard could it be?

Forty-Three

Adeline

*Knock Knock*

I continued to whisper the ritual, my blood running freely from my palm into the bowl.

*Knock Knock*

I opened my eyes, annoyed. The fire in front of me grew brighter with my frustration. I placed my knife down on the hardwood floor.

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