Academy of the Elites: Broken Magic

by Alexis Calder

  Raven

  Luka and I walked into the cafeteria together and were barely in when I noticed we were getting stares from some of our classmates.

  "Hey look, the incubus has a new favorite," someone called.

  I glanced over to see one of the sirens just as she cat-called us. "Jealous?"

  She grinned. "Oh, sweetie, we've all sampled that. And trust me, you can do better."

  "Ouch, Delores," Luka called. "That's not what your mom said."

  I rolled my eyes and kept walking. "Seriously? A mom joke?" I glanced at Luka. "It was a joke, right?"

  He laughed. "Yeah, it was a joke. Delores and I go way back. She's not as bad as she comes across. And no, I've never actually fucked her. We have made out a few times when we were drunk."

  "You know, you don't have to give me your sexual history," I said. "We're not a couple and to be honest, I don't really want to know anyway."

  I navigated toward my usual table with the shifters and set my tray down next to Makayla.

  "How was your first day back?" She asked.

  "Fine so far." I turned to see Luka standing behind me, his tray in his hands. "You going to sit?"

  "We're doing this now?" Starla asked. "We're friends with the incubus?"

  "Hey, you're friends with a mage, aren't you?" I asked.

  "Any friend of Raven's is welcome here," Makayla said. "Right?"

  "Sure," Jamal said through a mouth full of food.

  "They're not so bad," I said to Luka.

  He set his tray down next to mine and took one of the plastic circles that barely passed for seats at the round lunch table.

  "I always wondered if incubi ate real food," Jessica said. "Or if sex was enough."

  "Sex just powers our magic," Luka said. "We need food to live and stuff."

  "See, not much different than us," I said.

  "What drives a mage's magic?" Jamal asked.

  "You know, I have no idea," I said, feeling stupid. It seemed like a simple question, something I should know considering I was a mage. But once again, I was reminded of how little I knew despite the fact that I'd now been here a while.

  "No Ben again?" I asked, changing the subject. Makayla knew most of the details about my past, but nobody else did.

  "He's probably at the gym." Jamal stood, picking up his now empty tray. "And I really should be too. Only a couple months till the Wolf Moon. Gotta bulk up before the big night."

  "Wolf Moon?" I asked.

  Jamal shook his head. "You have so much to learn, little mage."

  "I got this. You go lift those weights. I can still see some of your neck so you're not full Coach Miller level of beefcake yet," Makayla said.

  Jessica lifted her shoulders to her ears and put on her best angry Coach Miller expression. "You dumbasses have no discipline. You're all soft."

  Everyone laughed.

  "Joke's on you," Jamal said. "You'll see, come Wolf Moon, you'll all be blinded by my sexiness."

  He winked and walked away while the rest of the table laughed again.

  Luka set his fruit cup on my tray. "Since you love strawberries."

  My brow furrowed and I turned to him. "I never told you that. How'd you know?"

  He shrugged. "Lucky guess."

  I accepted the fruit. The lunch lady had given me a paper cup of grapes instead. "Want mine?"

  "Sure," he said.

  I passed my grapes to him. "Thanks."

  "You two kind of make me want to throw up," Jessica said. "Are you officially a couple then?"

  "Um no," I said. "We're friends."

  "Well I don't see you batting your eyelashes at Makayla," Jessica said, eyebrows raised.

  "You don't see us in private," Makayla said, sweeping me into a hug. She planted a kiss on my cheek. "We're very close."

  We all laughed again. For the first time in my life, I felt like I fit in someplace. Was this what other girls felt like growing up? It was nice to have friends. Though, I couldn't help but miss Ben. Why would he tell me he doesn't want to see me one minute then jump to protect me the next?

  "What's wrong?" Makayla asked as she let go of me.

  "Just worried about Ben," I said. "He doesn't seem happy right now."

  "He did meet with his dad last week. Don't worry, he'll come around. He does this every time his dad visits. He'll be back to normal soon," she said.

  I could appreciate that. My aunt was toxic enough to throw me into a tailspin every time she was around. When she passed, I spent weeks wrestling with the fact that the only emotion I felt was relief. She'd had a hard life and despite my attempts to help, she never overcame her addiction. Though, the alcohol wasn't what did her in, technically. She'd stepped in front of a bus on her way home from church. She didn't drink before church, but the reports said she was drunk.

  I didn't want to think about the fact that it might not have been an accident now that I knew the truth about my parents. She had treated me terribly but at least she managed to keep a roof over our heads until she passed.

  I shook the thought away. I hated thinking about my life before the Academy. Now that I was here, things were easier in some ways and harder in others. But unlike my life before here, I wasn't alone.

  "So tell me about this Wolf Moon thing," I said, changing the subject.

  "Are you Raven Winters?" Someone asked from behind me.

  I turned to see a brunette with pigtails holding a piece of paper. She blew a bubble of bright pink bubblegum and it popped before she sucked it back in and chewed it. "Well?"

  "Yeah, I'm Raven," I said.

  She snapped her gum as she passed me the paper. "They sent me to give you this."

  I took the paper from her and glanced down at it. When I looked back up, she was already walking away.

  Luka snagged the letter out of my hands. "What's this?"

  I grabbed it back. "I haven't even read it yet."

  "Report to Dr. Green's office," Makayla said, reading it over me.

  "Hey!" I said. "Can you two let me read my own mail?"

  "You get out of gym class again?" Luka asked.

  "Lucky girl," Makayla said.

  "I don't know about that," I said as I skimmed the note. "Apparently, I'm meeting my parole officer."

  My stomach twisted as apprehension mixed with fear. Last time an authority figure aside from the staff at this school met with me, I'd nearly died. What if this parole officer was another attempt on my life?

  "It'll be alright," Luka said.

  "I'm sure it will be," I said, feigning nonchalance. "Hey, look at that. From a double murder where my punishment is this school to fighting for my life where I get my very own parole officer."

  "They have seriously messed up priorities," Makayla said.

  "That about sums up the way it works around here," Luka said.

  "You'll be in the main office this time, though," Luka said. "Not hidden away in the basement."

  I nodded, feeling comforted by his words. He was right. There would actually be people around to hear me scream if the parole officer tried to attack me.

  "Well, us non criminals have to go to class," Makayla said, nudging me with her elbow playfully. "You need me to walk you to the office?"

  "Nah, you guys should go, I don't want you to be late. Especially not to gym."

  "I'll send your best to Coach Miller," Luka said.

  "Oh, do not do that," I said. "With any luck, he won't notice I'm missing."

  "He'll notice. And I'm sure he'll have lots of laps for you to make up tomorrow."

  "Can't wait," I said.

  "I'm sure it'll be over before you notice," Luka said. "Meet you in the common area after last period?"

  "It's a date," I said.

  6

  Raven

  Dr. Green stood outside his office when I arrived which totally threw me off guard. From what I knew of him so far, he loved that office. I wondered if him standing out here meant that he'd been kicked out by my parole officer or if
something else was going on. Was he going to let me be alone with this person? After what happened with the last official visitor I had, I didn't trust anyone.

  "Ms. Winters." Dr. Green inclined his chin. His fangs were showing clearly today over the slight scowl on his face. I had to hope that it was better than a full scowl.

  "Dr. Green," I said.

  He opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I followed and after taking a few steps, I stopped walking to take in the large man sitting at Dr. Green's desk.

  The visitor was a pale, balding man with a red face and a bulbous nose. He had squinty eyes so pale blue they were nearly white. I balled my hands into fists, forcing myself to go tense rather than shudder at the odd, uncomfortable feeling the stranger gave me.

  The man, if he was a man, slid a pair of circular wire rimmed glasses onto his face. He smiled, showing a row of sharp, yellow teeth. He definitely wasn't human.

  "Ms. Winters, how lovely of you to join us," he said with a wheeze.

  "Hello," I said, doing my best to be polite.

  "Come in, please," the man said.

  I inched toward him, surprised that he didn't stand to greet me. My aunt may have been shit in terms of raising me but at least I'd learned basic etiquette over the years spent in public school thanks to a few well meaning, old school teachers.

  Once I was in front of the desk, I extended my hand. "Raven Winters."

  The man behind the desk glared at my hand as if it were something dirty. "Have a seat, Ms. Winters."

  I lowered my hand and glanced back at Dr. Green for confirmation. Go figure I looked to the massive demon with the horns on his head for comfort. When I'm telling my friends about this later, I'll be sure to let them know that I'd rather be spooning Dr. Green in a twin bed than sitting in a chair across the desk from this - whatever he was.

  Dr. Green nodded.

  Slowly, I took a seat in one of the two empty chairs in front of Dr. Green's desk. I looked over at the tree clock and noticed that it now had several bright orange leaves on its branches. I was sure it had been bare of leaves before.

  "You may go, Dr. Green," the stranger said.

  "No, I'll stay," he said.

  "That's not necessary."

  "Under the articles of this institution, I am the legal guardian of all students under my care until they graduate or reach the age of maturity, whichever comes first. Given that, I am permitted to be present at any and all meetings that pertain to their wellbeing."

  The red-faced man's brow furrowed, and I could see perspiration beading on his shiny head. He was flustered by Dr. Green and he didn't want him in here. I wanted to give Dr. Green a high five. Something told me this man was rarely made to feel uncomfortable and rather enjoyed being the one to do it to others.

  I pressed my lips together, trying to avoid the smile forcing its way out.

  "Fine, you may stay," he said. "Sit."

  To my surprise, Dr. Green took the seat next to mine. He barely fit in the chair, his hips expanding beyond the seat and his knees nearly up in his chest. It was easy to forget just how large he was compared to the human men I'd grown up with. Dr. Green wasn't fat by any means, he was just twice the size of a normal human man.

  "Well, now that that's settled," the stranger said. "We should get to business." He looked at me as he opened a folder in front of him.

  "Raven Winters, underage mage, student at the Academy of the Elites. Classified as a fire elemental mage. Is that correct?"

  "Yes, I think," I said.

  Dr. Green cleared his throat. It was as if he was telling me not to argue.

  "I mean, yes," I said. "Sorry, I'm nervous. Last time I met someone official they tried to kill me." I laughed.

  The man in front of me scowled. "This is not a laughing matter."

  "Of course not," I said.

  "You have a formal charge against you of using time magic illegally," he said. "Because you are a minor, instead of serving time, you are on probation with a warning. You are my responsibility now,"

  I opened my mouth to say something but felt a jab in my knee. I glanced over to see Dr. Green bouncing his foot and staring at the clock.

  Taking the hint, I kept my mouth shut.

  "My name is Officer M and we're going to see a lot of each other over the next six months."

  I nodded, keeping my thoughts about how insane this whole thing was to myself.

  "You will meet with me weekly for the next month. I will be in contact with Dr. Green regarding your use of magic and keeping tabs on you," he said.

  "I don't even have any magic right now," I blurted out.

  Officer M cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean that you have no magic?"

  "The time thief seems to have temporarily halted her magic," Dr. Green said.

  "So you can't do any magic?" Officer M asked, looking skeptical.

  I shook my head. "None."

  "That's not what I was told on my briefing," he said.

  "Were you told that a government official was the one who took my magic?" I asked.

  "Raven," Dr. Green chided.

  "I'm sorry, Dr. Green, but how the hell did she even get in here?" I asked.

  "I'm afraid that's a rather gruesome tale," Officer M said.

  "What do you mean?" I asked.

  "We found the real agent dead in her home. The thief broke in and stole her identification documents and her magic. We suspect she then shifted into her appearance before coming here," he said.

  It felt like the air had been knocked from my lungs. I blinked at the officer as I tried to process what he just said. Not only was this psychopath after me, she was able to shift into other people's forms?

  "Why wasn't the school informed of this attack so we could have increased security?" Dr. Green asked.

  "I'm afraid that's above your clearance level," Officer M sneered.

  Dr. Green stood so quickly I thought he might attack the other man. Instead, he set his hands on the desk and leaned over until he was inches away from his face. "These students are my responsibility and you will inform me if something like this happens again."

  "Just because you used to be someone important doesn't mean you always get your way. I know what you did to get sent here. Your glory days are long gone, sir."

  Tension hung thick in the air and I held my breath. My fingers hurt from the grip I had on the arm rests but I didn't ease up. I was ready to jump out of this chair and run if these two got into a brawl. I didn't have any magic and I sure as hell wasn't going to get into the middle of a scuffle between them. Dr. Green could probably crush a skull with his bare hands, and I didn't want to think about the sharp teeth on the other guy.

  "That may be the case, Officer, but this is my school and here, I call the shots. And if any of my students are attacked because of your agency's inadequacy, it will be publicly announced when our board meets.

  "You can't say a word," Officer M said through clenched teeth. "You know this is confidential."

  "There are ways around every rule, you know that, don't you?" Dr. Green said.

  Officer M looked back at me. "Ms. Winters, if you are caught using time magic again, you will not have a warning. You will go right to prison. No matter who is paying your tuition."

  He stood, then slammed the folder closed. "Dr. Green, keep your students in line."

  Dr. Green didn't say anything, but he took his hands off the desk and walked to the back of the room. He opened the door and held it, clearly signaling that the meeting was over.

  I stood and waited for the officer to go first. He walked out from behind the desk and paused in front of me. He smelled awful and my nose wrinkled.

  Officer M leaned so close to me, I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. I shuddered but didn't back down. After watching how Dr. Green stood up to him, I had a feeling that was the only thing this putrid man responded to.

  "I look forward to our next meeting," he whispered.

  I tensed, gritting my teeth. "I'
m sure you are."

  I held my ground as he backed away from me.

  Officer M inclined his chin and walked past me, so close his body pressed against my ass. He paused, leaning closer to me, obviously copping a feel. Gross. I fought the urge to vomit as I took a step away from him. "Until next week, Ms. Winters."

  The disgusting man walked out the door and as soon as Dr. Green closed it behind him, I let out a sigh of relief. "He's a piece of work."

  "Careful," Dr. Green said. "He might be a waste of skin and bones, but he's got more authority over you than you know."

  "Thanks for standing up for me," I said. "And everyone else."

  "It's my job, Ms. Winters," he said.

  I had a feeling it was a little more than just about a job. He might come across as scary, but he at least cared enough to want to keep me alive.

  "Ms. Winters, I've been thinking a lot about your lack of magic."

  "Right back at you," I said.

  Dr. Green frowned briefly then his expression settled. "It doesn't do for a mage with no magic to be attending this school."

  My heart hammered against my ribs and I held my breath. This was it. He was tired of me. Whoever was funding all this was sick of paying for someone to attend a magic school who couldn't do magic. They were going to kick me out.

  Magic jail, magic sweatshop, back in the human world? I had no idea where I would go.

  "I think it's time we take your training to the next level."

  My jaw dropped open. That was not what I was expecting. "What do you mean?" I asked. I had no magic. Which meant I wasn't even at a level to start with. Unless zero was a level.

  "From now on, you will have private lessons with Professor Halifax. Your other activities will cease until your magic returns."

  I scrubbed my face with my hand. She was the one who sent me to the library to research on my own. "I don't think it's going to help."

  "It has to help. You don't have a choice. You came in untrained. If you can't get control of your magic, you're considered too high of a risk..."

  I waited for him to finish the thought. I could tell there was more he wanted to say but he just sighed and looked at the desk.

  "What do you mean I'm too much of a risk?" I asked.