Outbreak
Page 17
“That ends now,” I said. “We’re taking you to the academy where there’s a room for you until you’re ready to go out on your own.”
“Hazel will wait on you hand and foot,” Bryn said.
“Not that she’s a slave,” Mia added quickly. “She loves to dote on us.”
Brittany frowned. “Why are you all being so nice to me? What’s in it for you?”
“I want to know that you’re living your best life, Brittany,” I said. “The one you deserve. That’s what’s in it for me.”
Her jaw tightened and she turned to face out the window. I could tell by her stiff posture that she was trying not to cry.
“May the gods bless you all,” she whispered.
Chapter Seventeen
We safely installed Brittany in a room at the academy and a tray of Hazel’s specialties. Then we returned to our room for showers and a happy reunion with Clementine. Although she tried to act nonchalant about my return, I could sense her relief. She even escorted me to Chancellor Tilkin’s office, where we were asked to give a full report. She and Hestia gave each other haughty looks before settling at opposite ends of the office.
The chancellor’s usually smooth face seemed to have aged ten years since my disappearance. “I cannot express how it feels to have you both back at Spellslingers,” she said. “I am not one who often feels helpless, but, suffice it say, it was a frantic time for everyone here.”
“Now that the AMF has the roster of paranormals sold into slavery from the Liberty Project,” I said, “they should be able to reunite all of them with their loved ones.”
“And shut down the fighting pits,” Bryn added. “For good.”
The chancellor tapped her slender fingers on the desk. “So many lives lost and upended and for what? Money? Power?” She shook her head. “These are troubling times we live in.”
“It’s still hard to wrap my head around,” I said. “The Samodivas were willing to sacrifice their own sister because they felt betrayed by her when she wanted to do the right thing.”
“It is good that Brittany is here with us,” the chancellor said. “Alana can help her. Even though she had a troubled relationship with them, I have no doubt she has conflicted emotions over the death of her sisters.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I wasn’t about to argue. “I didn’t know for certain the Samodivas would die without their hair,” I said. “I thought they might just lose their powers.”
“You fought honorably,” the chancellor said. “A trial isn’t always possible and death is part of the job. It is something all field agents learn soon enough.”
“The market was pretty chaotic,” I said. “It would’ve been impossible to control every outcome.”
“On that note, I understand you maintained excellent control over your magic,” the chancellor said. “The board will be pleased to hear it.”
I shot a quick glance at Bryn. “It was touch and go, but I think I’ve turned a corner.” I clasped my hands in my lap. “I’d still like to have regular appointments with Alana, though, if only to keep me on track.”
“An excellent suggestion,” the chancellor said. “You should be proud of yourselves, witches. Some agents wait their entire careers for a mission like the one you’ve completed.”
“Lucky us,” I said wryly.
“I didn’t mean to imply that you were fortunate to be subjected to such horrible situations,” the chancellor said. “But you turned a personally devastating situation into a cause for celebration. You have saved hundreds, maybe thousands of lives.”
I felt a surge of pride. “It was a team effort.” The more years that passed, the more it seemed to me that life itself was a team effort.
“Now comes the fun part,” Bryn said.
“Two days of sleep?” I asked.
Bryn grunted. “Paperwork.”
“I recommend a good night of sleep,” the chancellor said. “Tomorrow night is the End of the Beginning ceremony and the orchard dance. You won’t want to miss the festivities.”
“Fourth year trainees are so lucky to be done,” Mia grumbled.
“Your turn will come soon enough,” the chancellor said. “I wouldn’t advise rushing through your time here. You’ll miss it when it’s gone, child. Mark my words.”
“And there’s still so much to learn,” Cerys added.
“Always,” the chancellor said. “There will always be more to learn. Such is life.”
The End of the Beginning ceremony took place in the Great Hall. The event signified the end of formal training for the Year Four class and their official entry into the Agency of Magical Forces. Bryn, Mia, Cerys and I sat in a row, and I tried not to feel envious of the soon-to-be agents. Despite the chancellor’s nuggets of wisdom, I was itching to start my life as a sentry.
Chancellor Tilkin presided over the ceremony, standing on the platform in her purple cloak with a stitched ’S’ across the front. Hestia rested on the far corner of the platform. As usual, she was completely disinterested in the activity around her. It was hard to believe she was the chancellor’s familiar. Clementine would have been strutting across the platform like she owned the place.
We sat through a hundred names of Fourth Years as they were called up to receive their certificates and their assigned divisions at the agency. There was a wide variety this year—it seemed to be agents from all four quadrants in equal measure. Last year, it seemed to tip in favor of wardens.
Professor Mayweather was given the honor of reading aloud the names of distinguished scholars and everyone laughed when Hestia accidentally tripped one of the recipients on his way to receive his award. Well, it seemed like an accident anyway.
“I like that cat more every day,” Bryn whispered. “That wizard was a wereass.”
Mia snickered. “Bryn, you used a paranormal term. Normally, you say jackass.”
“I guess I’m finally getting the hang of things here,” Bryn replied.
Once Professor Mayweather finished her list of names, Professor Langley stood behind the podium to address the crowd. He looked like he’d rather be trimming his nose hairs than talking to us. In other words, his normal expression.
“I know you’re all anxious to head over to the orchard for the formal celebration. Before we conclude this year’s program, however, we have one final award,” Professor Langley said. “As you know, the Chancellor’s Star Award is typically awarded to a deserving Fourth Year. Not this year. This evening, I have the pleasure of honoring a future agent who has demonstrated admirable fortitude, courage, and control. She is a credit, not only to this academy, but also to her family, her friends, and, as she still has two years remaining at Spellslingers, I do hope this award doesn’t go to her already substantial head. If it does, I shall remain ready and willing to put her in her place.” He managed a small smile. “It is my great privilege to present the Chancellor’s Star Award to Danielle Montrose Degraff.”
I remained rooted to the chair, stunned. I was receiving an award? My head swiveled from side to side, trying to digest the moment. Professor Langley stood on the platform, motioning for me to join him.
“Go on, Dani,” Bryn said, nudging me.
I’d never forget the sound of the ear-splitting applause. I forced myself to my feet and squeezed past my friends to the aisle. The walk to the platform seemed to take forever. When I finally arrived at the podium, Professor Langley presented my award and said, “I expect great things from you, Miss Degraff, now that you’ve shown you are truly capable of them.”
“Thank you, Professor Langley.” I accepted the award with a shining star on a wooden background. The star shimmered as though it had been plucked down from the sky and mounted on the plaque.
I stared at the award, speechless. “You’re not worried about me?” I whispered. “About my legacy?”
Professor Langley placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Your legacy is that plaque in your hand. You are much more than a name here, Miss Degraff, and we are honored t
o know you.”
I faced my peers and was overwhelmed by the tidal wave of love and support that I felt from them. My friends were my rock—my adopted family—and I was grateful for them every day.
I stepped off the platform and into the excited arms of my friends.
“This is amazing,” Mia said.
“You’ll be able to request any division you want in two years,” Cerys added.
A sad thought occurred to me. “But we’ll be in different quadrants. I won’t have you in the field with me.”
Bryn squeezed my arm. “Don’t worry, Dani. You’ll be sick of us by the time we leave here.”
Cerys could barely contain her horror. “Bryn! That’s a terrible thing to say.”
Bryn laughed. “What? I thought it would make her feel better.”
“I know what would make her feel better,” Mia said, her smile broadening. “Dancing in the orchard.”
“I do like to dance,” I said.
“And get dressed up,” Mia pointed out.
“That, too,” I said, and I knew exactly which dress I wanted to wear.
By the time we arrived, the golden apple orchard had been transformed into a festive party atmosphere. Strings of fey lights glistened on the branches and music emanated from a live band set up in front of, appropriately enough, Poseidon’s Dance.
Alana hovered near the garden, chatting with Professor Mayweather. They both rushed forward to congratulate me.
“Thank you,” I said. “It was a huge surprise.” I inhaled the fragrant scent of the flowers behind her. The smell instantly took me back to my family’s estate. I’d spent countless hours outside, practicing for every conceivable magical scenario. My parents had been desperate for me to liberate them from their societal exclusion. They’d poured all their hopes and dreams into me, as though I were merely a vessel. Well, I was much more than a vessel—than an object. I was taking ownership of my magic—of myself—and no one could take that away from me.
“Have a wonderful time tonight, my dear,” Alana said. “You’ve earned it.”
My thumb moved along the seam of my dress. “Would you mind if I came to see you tomorrow?” I thought it would be a good idea to talk about recent events rather than keep my emotions bottled up.
The druid didn’t bat an eye. “I’m sure I have room in the schedule. Shall we set up a standing appointment?”
“Yes, I think that would be good,” I said. I didn’t need to elaborate. The druid seemed to understand.
Alana took a step closer and smoothed back my hair the same way my grandmother used to do—a familiar yet long-forgotten gesture. “If you apply the same determination to our sessions as your professional life, then you will heal. Of that there is no doubt.”
“Did someone say healing? Because I happen to be somewhat of an expert in that area. Well, half of me, anyway.”
A thrill shot through me when I spotted Peter lingering in front of one of the apple trees. His hair was neatly combed and he wore a perfectly tailored suit. The grin on his face when he got a full look at me was the kind of memory that could make a girl’s legs wobble for years to come.
“How about that?” Bryn said. “Someone’s Prince Charming decided to make an appearance.”
“Hers isn’t the only one,” a voice said. Gray appeared behind us, looking every bit the sexy vampire that he was. He kissed Bryn lightly on the lips. “If I’m Prince Charming, what does that make you?”
“Hungry,” Bryn replied.
Peter sauntered over and kissed my hand. “By the gods, there’s a beautiful woman in that dress,” he said, still gazing at me.
“Thank you,” I said, smoothing the front of the icy blue gown. “It belonged to my grandmother. I thought I would honor her tonight by wearing it.”
“You don’t need to wear her dress to honor her,” Peter said. “You do that every day, just by being you.”
My heart melted. “Thank you, Peter. That means a lot.”
“My mom was wondering if you’d like to make Sunday dinners a thing,” Peter said.
Bryn raised her hand. “I vote for Sunday dinners.”
“Come on, Morrow,” Gray said, tugging her toward the dance area. “Let’s work off the food you plan to eat tonight.”
“My mom would love to have everyone,” Peter said. “She always wanted a big family. Instead, she got me.”
“I’m sure you were a handful,” I said.
Peter grinned. “You have no idea. Not like you, Wonder Woman. You were probably perfect every step of the way.”
“Is this another Terrene reference?” I asked.
“Of course,” Peter said. “In fact, I’d say you’re like Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and Storm combined.”
“Storm?” I repeated.
“Well, only if you work on your lightning skills,” he said.
I laughed. “I don’t have lightning skills. That’s the power of Zeus.”
Peter shrugged. “All the more reason to work on them then.”
I pressed my lips against his. “I’d rather work on my dance skills right now.”
“Go dance,” Mia said. “Don’t hang around here on our account. Cerys and I want to live vicariously through you.”
“You can hex Priscilla when she tries to kiss that poor wizard,” I said, inclining my head to where Priscilla was pulling on the neck of some poor Third Year.
Peter guided me between two apple trees on the fringe of the orchard, away from the rest of the crowd. “It’s not a peach orchard, but I suppose it’ll do.” He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me against his chest. I felt soothed by the steady beat of our hearts.
“Anywhere is good as long as you’re there,” I said.
He lifted my chin. “Do you mean that?”
“I do.” I did. My separation from Peter made me realize just how much I missed him—how much I loved him.
“In a couple of years, we’ll be celebrating your graduation,” Peter said. “You’ll be starting a whole new life.”
“Not a whole new life,” I said, gazing up at him. “Some things will stay the same.”
He gave me a quick kiss. “You sure about that, princess?”
“When am I ever wrong?”
He grinned. “There’s the confident witch I’m head over heels in love with.”
I leaned my head against him and sighed, wholly content. Ever so slowly, I danced the night away in Peter’s arms, surrounded by my friends—my chosen family—and there was no place in the world I’d rather be.
Also by Annabel Chase
Thank you for reading Outbreak, the final book in the Sentry of the South trilogy. If you enjoyed it, please consider signing up for my newsletter here http://eepurl.com/dsug5j and receive 2 FREE short stories-one set in the Spellslingers world and one in the Magic Bullet world. You can also like me on Facebook.
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