Page 49 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Ah ah, no spoilers. You’ll have to read it yourself,” he said, mocking my usual line when I came to him with less than subtle demands to read a book I’d enjoyed.

“Yeah yeah, okay. Just don’t expect me to read it anytime soon,” I quoted back to him. His smile was bright, and despite it not reaching his eyes I took comfort in it. It was all I could do since he’d long since refused any aid I offered.

“I heard you put your name into the trials for The Run?” He asked, his voice smooth.

“I did, have you?” I replied, examining my nails to hide my bubbling concern.

“Of course I did, I’m dying for some action.” I wasn’t surprised but the phrasing still had my heart sinking.

“Not enough going on in the Boys’ school for you?” I managed to keep my voice steady as I reclined against a stump.

“No, Mr. Perfect has everyone afraid to step a toe out of line.” He snorted, rolling his eyes at me. I kept my expression smooth, hoping my emotions were still locked down.

“Oh? Why do they all listen to him, do you think?”

“His parents are both big in philanthropy, have their hands in every pie from what I can tell… probably a popularity thing.”

“Do you think they knew Uncle Matt?”

“Could have, but I doubt it. He hated fussy stuff like that, always preferred to be in the orchard or the lab. But anyways, what’s going on with you? We’ve barely talked at all.”

“Oh you know me, I know how to stay alive.”

“You still trying to keep to yourself then?”

“No, I decided to take a page out of your book and try to run the place.”

He laughed disbelievingly and I joined in. With the memories taunting me at night I couldn’t help but compare the carefree laugh of before to this jaded, darker laugh. Still, it was a laugh. I’d take it, no need to tell him I’d gotten on the Headmistress’s bad side. He’d only worry.

“Oh man, thanks sis. I needed that.”

“Sure thing, shit head. So, what do you think? You wanna help me train?” I flexed my arms, the muscles I’d built rock climbing over the summer bulging slightly. He leaned over to squeeze them good naturedly.

“Sure thing, I can meet you here if you want?” He looked around the clearing, already plotting how to morph it into a death trap of some sort. I laughed.

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Has your tutor mentioned any extra curricular courses?”

I swallowed, trying to keep my rising panic buried. Did he sense something was off? He could not know about the book. I looked into his eyes wishing for the kids we used to be, for the care-free adventurers that believed there was nothing we couldn’t do together. No one tells you how much your life can change in an instant.

Allowing my grief to rise, I masked my guilt and panic. “No, nothing out of the ordinary. I’m struggling enough with catching up, that it takes up most of our time.”

His face was pinched. He reached out a hand and I huddled into the crook of his arm and allowed myself to shed a few tears. For him, for me, for the life we all could have had.

“The visions getting any worse?” He murmured.

“No, about the same,” I whispered hoarsely.

“Good, that’s good.” He rubbed my arm till the grief faded.

“Thanks, Theo. You’re a good brother, you know that right?” I looked up and saw his mouth tighten before breaking into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Yeah, you’re alright too.” He said, removing his arm before standing, “Well I best get back, just thought I’d check on you when you didn’t message back.”

“Thanks bro, I’d just skipped a couple days is all. I should be fine tomorrow.”

“Good, okay.” He plucked a few hairs from his head and passed the bundle to me, sheathed in his magic. “Add me to the wards and I’ll meet you here anytime you’d like. In the meantime, start doing the exercises I used to do at home.”

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