Page 87 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“I’ll catch you up in the car, come on.” I replied.

“What car? I came in a cab,” Sage asked.

“I drove.” I answered, gesturing up the street to the underground car park I’d used.

“You… drive?” Sage asked, bewildered.

“Yes I drive Sage, why wouldn’t I drive?”

“I dunno,” she shrugged, “I guess I took you as someone who gets driven… not as the driver… the drivee, if you will.”

“I will not.” I replied, walking briskly up the street with Cillian sauntering behind.

“Of course,” Sage muttered, “Are you coming too?” She looked to Cillian out of the corner of her eye. He was still hovering over her protectively.

“Yes, although I can’t promise you’ll get home in one piece. Adeline drives like a lunatic.”

“Idonot.” I protested, shoving him. “You’re welcome to walk, you know Cillian.”

“No, no… I’ve already come to terms with your reckless speeding. I’m converted.” The hypocrite, like I hadn’t seen him drive his motorbikes.

I rolled my eyes and pulled my keys from my bag, pressing the lock on my key fob. My black sports car blinked its lights.

“Thisis your car?” Sage asked, her eyes wide.

“One of them, yes.”

“Shotgun!” Sage called and hurried over to the passenger side.

“Really?!” Cillian called after her, “I’m Six foot three! You’re going to make me squeeze myself in the back?”

“Yep!”

I laughed as she slid into the passenger side with grace, “Go on, get in long legs.” I pushed Cillian towards my side. He grumbled the entire drive home as I filled Sage in on everything we knew about the attacks… Well, noteverything. But everything which was readily available in the news… Nothing of my own personal research.

Forty-Seven

Sage

Casting a protection and soundlessness charm, I walked into the dorm. I kept my eyes on my door as I passed several figures. I was too tired to look or care who was there before I entered and sealed my room. The visions sparked by my adrenaline strained against my mind, the wall waned to the thinness of a bubble, anything now could make it pop.

I walked through the chaos of my half lived in room, the laundry flickered into the crouched figures from the bar, my wrappers now broken glass. Shaking my head against the sound of their screams I ran into the en-suite to throw on the shower. Cold. All the way cold.

I stripped quickly, before stepping into the icy stream. It battered against my sensitive skin, and I gasped, clenching my jaw as I reminded myself this would help. The water had no red tinge as it circled the drain, and I focused on it. Watching it turn from a murky brown to clear. Slowly I washed my body, letting myself grow numb until the suds were gone as well.

All the time reminding myself.I am safe. I am safe. I am safe.

Shutting off the water I wrapped myself in my warmest robe, the soft orange fluff was ridiculous. Theo said it made me look like a scared cat, but I loved it. It always made me smile, until today. Today I couldn’t look into the mirror, couldn’t condition my hair, could barely but one foot in front of the other as I went to collapse on my bed.

Before I could lay down though, I saw a new folder on my bedside table. There in bold red were the words “Transfer Request Results.”

I’d waited two weeks with no word. Leave it to the Headmistress to send it when I had the least emotional stability to deal with whatever result lay inside.

Knowing I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew, I opened the folder. There in Headmistress Alva’s flowing script were the words:

Your request has been approved, conditionally. Due to the end of term approaching we ask you finish this term in your current dorm before moving.

Your new room assignment will be in:

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