Page 13 of Monster’s Magic

“Did you hear me? Earth to Teagan,” Evie calls out.

“What? Umm, nope.” I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment. “What did you say?”

She smirks. “Stop thinking abouthimfor a moment. I said, I overheard we’ll have unicorns in class today.”

My brows perk. “Unicorns? Like, from fairytales?”

She chuckles. “No, those are make-believe. I’m talking real unicorns. The ones from nightmares. The ones demons and shit all fear.”

And just like that, the fear returns. “Wait, what?”

CHAPTER4

Growing up,I always loved animals. I especially have a fondness for horses. Sometimes during the summertime, my parents would take me to the stables so I could ride the trails.

Today is nothing like what I grew up with.

Evie and I walk toward the open field. It’s a warm, sunny day. The breeze sweeps my hair across my face and I tug it behind my ears.

Most of the class has already congregated on the class grounds for Care of Magical Creatures. The scruffy Professor Reginald Wright, amongst the students, grins and rubs his hands together. The outdoorsman has a mirror stood next to him for the transport to wherever these dark unicorns are located… probably deep in the forest.

“Students,” he begins, and there’s a wicked twinkle in his eyes. “Today, we’ll begin our lesson in the forest with a massive treat! We’ve been able to round up enough animals for each of you today to study individually. Oh, and this is a handsome treat!” The professor giggles. He legit giggles.

I shake my head.

“Maybe he was a lonely kid who ate paint chips,” Evie whispers to me.

I stifle a small laugh, then cover it by clearing my throat. “Considering he can speak to the animals, I’m sure he made colorful friends.”

“Let’s line up and begin our transport, one student at a time,” the professor states.

The first time I ever passed through a mirror and came out on the other side, it felt like I had trodden into chilled water and I was held in suspension. Once I was on the other side and stepped out, it was as if I was never in water at all. It is thrilling and amazing all at once. I could be in the classroom and a second later, in Australia.

This mirror will lead us to the forest and on the other side, death by unicorn.

Bring it on.

I love the tingle the mirror gives the moment I place my foot on the ground to step through. I inhale the scent of earthy, woody, herbal aromas like damp moss, mud, and trees. The ground squishes under my shoes and I briefly think about having to wash the debris off later tonight in my room.

“Gather around,” Professor Wright begins. “Today’s lesson is on the dark unicorn. Now, this creature is nothing like what you read in the stories. Oh no, this is a very fearsome creature. The demons and devils of the underworld fear this being. So today, we will tread lightly. The unicorn you will meet today will be paired to you the rest of the academy school year, henceforth. He, or she, will be yours to care for. Is that understood?”

There are grumbles, some gasps, and others clap in glee.

“Right,” the instructor grumbles, and turns to face an open, empty area. “All right now, you can come on out.”

I’m not quite sure who he’s talking to as the space before him is empty, however, moments later, smoke begins to appear out of nowhere. It’s small at first, then, as it builds, the entire area where we stand becomes a foggy field.

Excitement and nerves ebb and flow throughout my body while I teeter on the edge of an adrenaline rush. The last time I felt this excited was the night before going to a major amusement park.

Then I hear them, the whinnies, the sounds of the unicorns. It’s one or two, then more join in. Hoofs stomp the ground and soon, shadows embark upon us.

I gasp and point. “Evie,” I exclaim. “There’s a unicorn!”

“No shit,” Dafni groans somewhere close by.

I ignore her. I don’t care. This is a first for me, and by the looks of many around me, a first for them as well.

“Exciting, isn’t it?”

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