Page 69 of The Holy Academy of Witches

“Oh, ‘recherché,’”

“Recherché?”

“Yes it means rare, obscure…”

“Oh!” She looked down at the paper, “how many gifts arethatrare would you think?”

“Difficult to say,” I pondered, “probably less than a handful? I suppose there could be gifts that no one has ever even heard of… or few people, considering those who do may keep it secret.”

Sage studied me with a look which felt altogether too inquisitive. I held her gaze, which usually intimidated those weaker than myself. Sage clearly wasn’t one of those people.

“Would that be possible?” She cocked her head to one side, her eyes still penetrated my own as though she could identify my gift by staring at me hard enough. Perhaps she was a mind reader, I checked my already solid mental barriers just to be sure. She looked away as though she knew how she was coming across.

“Of course.” She wouldn’t ask me outright what my gift was, which was good as I wouldn’t like to make her feel uncomfortable by not sharing, especially if she told me her own.

“I can’t imagine how dangerous someone’s gift would have to be for them to never tell a soul…” She looked at the mirrors with an expression I couldn’t quite identify.

I shifted on the bench, “mmhmm,” I replied nonchalantly as I began to pack away my belongings, “I think I’m done for tonight.” I grabbed my bag which contained my uniform from changing into my leotard and tights, slinging it over my shoulder along with my school bag. “See you tomorrow.”

I left before she could reply.

I brought up Teddy’s message and continued to text with him for the rest of the walk, and beyond. Until I reached my dormitory, until the light dimmed below the horizon and the stars observed as we continued to talk long into the night. Until I tumbled into my bed and him into his.

I laughed openly at his jokes and rolled my eyes at his playfulness. I was in awe of his intelligence and strength of character and shed tears into my pillow when he told stories of his best friend, and more when I recounted precious moments with my sister - lost and buried in years of bitterness and pain.

I woke up in the early hours of the morning with my phone clutched to my chest. I turned it over, looking at the open thread of messages.

Teddy:I would if I could… haha x

Teddy: I’m serious btw, if we were at the same Academy you’d never have to do anything like that alone. I would always be there… for the hard stuff and the good x

Teddy: Addie?

Teddy: Hello??

Teddy: Did you fall asleep?

and then a final message…

Teddy:Good night beautiful x

I placed the phone back against my chest face down and closed my eyes, my heart impossibly full, and slept till the morning.

Thirty-Eight

Sage

Walking down the clearly forgotten trail, I kept my eyes on the uneven path ahead, the last gasps of sunlight casting shadows across the leaf-coated and root-gnarled ground. The forest’s bare fingers reached for the burnt orange sky, as if certain the dusk was its recently lost canopy. Hopefully we could make it to our destination before it grew too dark, as I wasn’t certain the waxing moon was going to grant as much light as I’d prefer when dealing with the unfamiliar. Adeline wasn’t having nearly as much difficulty navigating as I was, stepping confidently without much visible effort. I decided it was because her smaller feet fit better into the gaps between roots, though it probably just came with familiarity.

It had taken several perfect scores on Ritual essays, and several memorised scales to convince Adeline that we could use the entire tutoring hour for this errand. Although perhaps with her impossible schedule she was simply uninterested in tasks that took her too far out of the way of her other demands.

I was feeling awkward after the conversation in the ballet room where I’d almost foolishly revealed my gift again, and had defaulted to nervous small talk. After reporting that I’d loved the custard creams she only nodded thoughtfully and continued walking. I really needed to get better at starting conversations.

“Do you like Winter? Or I mean, do you have a favourite Season?”

“Spring.”

“Really?”

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