Page 89 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“So this is going to be a game of poke the bear?”

“Would you rather be caught unawares?”

“I’d rather not be bound in the first place.”

“Well it was bound or dead Sage. Either way we’re here and I for one will feel much better once I have more information in hand.”

I stayed silent, still too dazed to think of the mechanics of an experiment. Especially one that included consistent contact with the one person I was trying to avoid above all else.

“Should I ask Adeline to come and check on you?” His voice jarred me from my thoughts. Her potions had done an amazing job, but I was tired of feeling like I was on uneven footing with her.

“No, I can handle myself. It’s nothing major.”

“Okay… I’m just pulling up to campus. I expect a check in tomorrow morning or I’ll send Adeline regardless.”

“I’m not your property.” I spat.

“You owe me a life debt. I intend to use it for something a bit more meaningful than a night on the town. Take care of yourself or I’ll be forced to rethink our deal.”

“You bastard. This was hardly self-inflicted.”

“Be that as it may, neglecting yourself to save face is not an option, do you hear me?”

“Loud and clear, asshole.”

“Good, don’t forget to call.” And with that he hung up.

If my reserves were purely fuelled by rage, I’d be completely topped off. Insufferable man. Insufferable stars. Insufferable gift. Was it really so hard to be left to my own devices? To have one iota of freedom?

Turning to the stars out the window I queried out loud, “I’m more likely to kill him than to save him. Self control wouldn’t count would it?” Their silence didn’t surprise me. Fury might not fuel magic, but food did. It was no surprise that Amelia was waiting for me.

“That was one hell of a scream there.” She said, sprinkling flour on the counter top as if it wasn’t already witching hour.

“Bad dream.” I muttered, opening the fridge. My privacy wards needed refreshing it seemed. Mashed potatoes with gravy and Chinese noodles were the main contenders. Grabbing the noodles, I popped them in the microwave.

Amelia began kneading some dough, sprinkling in some plants I recognized as anxiety reducers. There was turmeric, dried mushroom, and something else I couldn’t place. The dough turned a bright yellow colour as she kneaded. The microwave finished and I moved to leave when she caught my arm in one of her flour-coated hands.

“Don’t underestimate the gift of life, Sage.” She said, her eyes boring into mine. I knew she’d faced horrors. But maybe I hadn’t asked enough questions on how she’d handled them. In those eyes I realised she thought I might have wanted to die tonight. And maybe in that split second of pain I had. How she’d felt it I didn’t know, but then I didn’t know any of their gifts.

“I don’t want to die.” I reassured her. I meant it, I just wanted to live without being afraid. And right now the only hope of that rested in a book that may or may not exist and was being guarded by riddles I barely had time to read, let alone solve.

Her hand stayed on my arm a little longer before she accepted my words and went back to her dough.

“Sleep well Sage, it’s always better in the light of morning.”

I walked to my room with my food, But something made me pause as I closed the door, sneaking one last glance at the one room-mate who hadn’t wished me ill. Her head was bowed, exhaustion in every line, but still she worked with dogged persistence. In that moment I mourned the friendship we might have had if things were different. Even sending a silent prayer for her protection to the Goddess I still knew so little about.

Forty-Eight

Adeline

“So, let me get this straight… You requested to transfer dorm rooms because Amelia told you to and my mother has put you in my dorm? …in Dorcas’ room?” I held the letter to Sage from my mother in my hands, what was she up to? I had roomed with Dorcas for the last three years. She would not be happy about this. “She’s not going to like it.”

“I know! I’m leaving one dorm where everyone hates me and just gaining another.” She sat down on the chair with an exasperated sigh.

“Well,Idon’t hate you and Gemma doesn’t know you well enough to like or dislike you and Lillian doesn’t hate anyone. So no, you’re certainly not trading dorms to be in the same situation. It will undoubtedly be better for you in our dormitory.”

“Yeah?” She asked warily.

---