Page 88 of The Holy Academy of Witches

West Building, Fourth floor, Dormitory 6, currently occupied by Dorcas Anderson.

Move your belongings in after the Christmas Break. She will be notified of her new arrangements.

Headmistress Alva

Laying down I sighed, Christmas was close enough I supposed. Usually I would try to drown the visions out until I could make it to the meadow, but after the explosion it felt like a selfish thing to do. Maybe this time the visions would show me something useful? Something I could act on rather than dread. From the conversation I’d had with Adeline and Cillian, even ifIcouldn’t do anything, they might be able to. Steeling myself I shrouded the window, sealed the door and any other nook or cranny that might let out the light. Laying down on my bed, under the covers, I popped the bubble.

A kaleidoscope of shadow and shouting filled my brain. I saw miles of file cabinets, broken glass littering a side walk, steel counter tops dripping from overturned containers, a mother and child screaming holding their ears as blood dripped through their fingers. All of it and more streamed past me. I wanted it to stop. I needed it to stop, but it was too late.

I was caught in a current now, only able to see flashes before going back under. Through all of it I tried to keep my mind’s eye open. Pleading with whatever forces that directed the chaos that I’d seesomethingof importance. Something that would make the constant risk worth it. But life isn’t fair. Bad things happen to good people, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. As my consciousness started drifting I knew I’d get nothing more from this dive. It was too much, and I was too inexperienced. I let go of my grip on myself, this time embracing the awaiting darkness.

* * *

Sitting up with a gasp, I doubled over onto my wrist, as if by enclosing it into myself it would stop the mind-crushing agony radiating from the concealed mark. Gasping for breath, I tried to tether myself to reality. My mind was slow to answer, still weak from the visions that had thrown me into a dreamless sleep.

This burning. Thistorture. It needed to stop. Cillian. Falling off the side of the bed I scrambled for the phone. The sensation’s claws continued uninterrupted, a slashing torch in my veins. It took several attempts to pull up his contact with my shaking hands, so by the time he had answered there was no way to disguise the raw pain in my voice.

“Cillian. Please.”

“Sage? What’s going on?” He spoke softly, I heard an icy voice in the background asking who on earth was Sage and why was she calling her son at this hour.

“The pain.” I croaked, answering both of them. “Everywhere.” I struggled for more words but they wouldn’t come. I needed to go to him, to save him, but I couldn’t move. Could barely speak.

“Are you hurt? Where are you?” His voice seemed louder, perhaps he’d left wherever he was? Or maybe my brain was shutting down.

“Home.” I managed before a mangled sob left me. “Cillian, why?” A hot poker was down my throat and I screamed before losing my grip on consciousness.

My phone was buzzing like an angry insect under me. I went to answer only to find my mouth was swollen and tasted distinctly of blood.

“Sage?? Are you okay?” Cillian’s panicked voice rang through me.

“Imokay” I slurred.

“I’m almost back to Campus, is the pain gone? Was it the bond again? Tell me, what’s your birthday?”

“Ummm yes, the stupid bond… wait, my birthday?” I muttered, confused.

“Just answer.”

“June 12th,” I breathed.

“Good, what day is today?”

“November something?” I say.

“Shit, you really don’t remember the date?”

“It’s fine, Cillian. I never remember the day.”

“Anarchists, you and your brother both.”

“Where the fuck did you go?” I asked, head finally clear enough to respond.

“My parent’s estate, they heard about the attack and wanted reassurance that their sole heir was unharmed during his ‘unnecessary outings’.”

“Maybe warn me next time you plan to leave campus?” I croaked.

“Yes… I think it’s for the best. We’ll need to get a more accurate reading of the bond’s limits.”

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