Page 44 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Yes! Oh would you?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh… Why not?” I tried not to mope.

“Because if you don’t have feelings for him, you should just ask him yourself.” My heart dropped as she began inspecting her nails in a clear end to the topic. I guess I should have seen that coming.

I was still embarrassed two hours later as I passed the rows of neatly trimmed hedges that lined the path to the spa. I pounded the heel of my hand into my head, of course she would have seen through my stupid playlist idea. ?

I leaned my pounding head on the cool black and gold marble counter top while they began checking me in, inhaling the misty cucumber scent that clung to every surface. I muttered and groaned my responses to their unending questions until I was finally led to a room with two large black pedicure chairs. I sighed, dipping my feet into the perfectly hot foamy water and leaned back with a damp lavender towel across my eyes.

After a few moments, I heard a door open followed by a very familiar sigh. No. Nononono why? My cheeks coloured red waiting for the jokes or pokes that Theo would have thrown my way, but nothing came. I peeked out from under my towel to see she had taken on a similar stance, feet in the water, eyes under the towel.

“What is it, Saffron?”

“Oh, I’m just surprised to see you is all.”

“Then cover your eyes.”

I snorted and Adeline smirked. Maybe having a female friend was simpler than I’d originally thought it would be. I leaned back, content in that idea. We sat in companionable silence as we got our pedicures, the witches imbuing the paint with an enchantment which would speed our magic’s recharging. Looking down, I wiggled my toes happily, watching the purple and gold paint flash back at me, looking at Adeline’s I saw black with silver glitter winking back.

“Are you going to do anything else while you’re here?” I asked.

“I’ve booked a private meditation room.”

“Ah, that’ll be… fun?” I guessed, disappointed it wasn’t something I could join in on.

“If you promise not to talk too much, then I suppose you can join in.” ?Huh, maybe I did talk a lot.

“Okay! that sounds nice!” I replied, trying not to sound too eager but failing.

We walked down a series of tiled halls, their unnatural warmth making me giddy. As we passed the front desk I yelled out for Adeline to go on ahead while approaching the desk to make my request. The lady smiled and nodded so I skipped down toward the room she’d mentioned.

Adeline had changed into comfortable clothing that also looked like it cost more than the family car, per the norm. I went to the stall and changed into a set of clothes I’d most definitely stolen from Theo. Oh well, they were comfortable.

We sat in silence, Adeline mostly meditating in earnest but occasionally glancing at her phone. I resisted the urge to ask what she was looking at, instead practising building up my walls rather than fully meditating. After I was satisfied with that I began reciting the riddle in my head.

The answer to this riddle lies

where the moonlight slowly dies.

Where the shadows dance and play

on a night as dark as day.

Follow the path that leads you through

the woods that lay so close to view.

Where the trees stand tall and proud

beneath the light of the moon’s bright shroud.

‘Night as dark as day’ had to be a full moon right? So somewhere in the woods where the moonlight dies, but also under the moon’s shroud? Shrouds are usually used for rituals, maybe we needed to do a ritual under the full moon? We’d just had a full moon so it would be another month before we could be sure. Definitely needed to figure out if there was such a place. I looked to my left and saw Adeline was still deep in meditation. Her magic simmering beneath her skin with enough intensity I knew that I was looking at a force of nature equivalent to the Moon. I knew without a doubt she’d be able to change any tide in her favour, I just hoped I was on the same side because… well, I kinda enjoyed hanging out with her. Hopefully she felt the same… or would soon.

Twenty-Four

Adeline

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