“Tell me more about the girl. Did anything happen before she passed out?” Mrs Hinley sounded like the one in charge, not Professor Seaton.
Coughing, the professor answered her in a strained voice. “Apparently, she had been in potions class, making a liquor for pain. Halfway through class, she asked to go to the restroom and never returned. The tutor sent her friend to find her.” A shuffle was followed by the flick of a lighter. After an inhale, the professor went on. “She was found passed out on the bathroom floor. When taken to the infirmary, the nurse confirmed that her magic had gone, she was almost empty.”
“Empty?” Mrs Hinley whispered loudly. “She could've died on the first day of school!”
If a witch was drained of their magic, they would die. It was their life-force, the thing keeping them alive. Unlike me, who had no real magic, I would die like a human did, of old age and shit. Hopefully. I didn't want to live fast and die young, it wasn't my motto.
“Was Alishia Jones in the class?” Mrs Hinley's voice shook as I gasped a breath, trying to stay silent.
Why would she ask if I was present? Surely, they didn’t suspect me? Would they really think that I would be brash enough to come straight in and steal someone's magic on the first day? They had no idea who I was, just that I had something they wanted.
“No, she skipped class with her friends.” The professor sighed. “Besides, she seems like a nice girl, even if she was involved in the other two incidents. She's had a tough time, I'm not going to assume the worst.”
Shuffling of feet made me take a few steps back from the door. “No, you're right, I shouldn't just blame the poor girl. She seemed very eager to help on the first day. Let's get our team onto the case, maybe the witch had come into contact with someone before she came into the academy.”
A hummed affirmation accompanied their footsteps as they approached the door. I couldn't run, they would see me. Why had I stayed frozen to the spot? Just because my name was mentioned? Of course, they would blame the illusionist witch, it wasn't a surprise, but my chest squeezed hard anyway.
“The snake will be found,” Professor Seaton said as they came closer.
Pushing myself into the wooden wall as much as I could, I touched my phone, pulling on the energy and draining the battery. Imagining myself as part of the wall, I held my breath as the teachers went past, not even turning to look in my direction. They marched across the entrance hall towards the classroom hallway.
“Of course it will,” Mrs Hinley said. “Otherwise, our reputation as the best academy for training crime hunters will be ruined.”
My breath rushed out of me as my stomach almost dropped to the floor. My magic had come in handy, but boy, it had been close. If they had caught me listening in, they would've instantly assumed that I was guilty. Why else would I be skulking in the hallway, listening to their conversation and perving at their kiss?
Shaking my head of the memory, I hurried across the floor, heading towards the steps that led to the platform above the entrance hall. The library beckoned me as I tripped up them, my heart still pounding hard.
Slowing when an instinct stronger than survival kicked in, I glanced over the stone bannister. A shadow moved in the corner of the entrance hall, near to the learning wing. Was that someone watching me? It sure felt like it. The dimness made me doubt myself. I was probably making it up in my head.
Laughing to myself, I clenched my hands and tried to shake the feeling that someone’s gaze followed my every move. Turning my attention back to the note, I resumed my ascent up the steps.
What would I do with the note in my pocket? I wasn't about to send my secret out into the ether, straight into the hands of an unknown assailant. I hadn't banked on people being so interested in me and my gift. I was just plain old Alishia Jones, blonde hair, blue eyes, five foot seven wearing an Undercover Witch Academy green and navy checked skirt with a black leather jacket. See? So dull, so-
“Hello, Alishia.”
As I came to the top of the steps, I almost tripped over. His voice had startled me, making me almost drop my backpack. It was the boy who had comforted Helissa when Toby was first taken.
“Hi, errr...”
“James.”
“James.”
“You're up early.” Putting a book in his own bag, he watched me, his bright blue eyes appraising my figure. If he wasn't careful, I would poke his eye out with a... well, I didn't have anything but my finger. That would have to do. It was at times like this that I wished I had more magic. My battery would need charging before I could steal any more electricity and transform it into magic. Otherwise, I could have pulled an illusion of me being a teacher, not Alishia Jones.
“I missed a class yesterday-”
“I heard you skipped it.” His eyebrows rose, a smile quirking his lips. “I don't blame you. I suppose an illusionist witch is too cool for potions.”
Raising my own eyebrows, I crossed my arms over my chest. “What you mean to say is that I have no use of potions because I can't use them.”
Shrugging, he shook his head. “You can think what you like, I mean what I say.” Coming closer, he bent so his head was near my ear. “Or... do I?”
When his breath hit my earlobe, I shuddered. My intuition ran amok when boys were around. I couldn't read them at all. He had shown a ton of interest in Helissa on the night Toby had been taken, but I hadn't seen him since.
“If you need help finding the snake, let me know.” Without looking at me, he trotted down the steps, his feet loud on the stone.
Pushing my way through the stained glass double doors, I entered the library and study hall. Rows of dark wooden bookshelves separated the library into sections. I almost squealed when I saw how many books there were. Illusionist witches were rarely allowed to read magic books. If a witch knew spells, they could cast them with their own magic, but an illusionist witch would have to steal it from somewhere else before they could conjure them.
That was why I had instantly assumed that James' words had an ulterior meaning. Not many witches encouraged our studying. I had heard of a few illusionist witches training to become investigators for the agencies, but they were always stuck behind a desk, never out in the field.
I wanted to be out in the field. After I had calmed yesterday, a rush of energy had lifted my spirits. The adrenaline had helped me to feel alive. Chasing the boy who had Toby had given me a reason to live. It was sad, that little old me had nothing to live for, but it was true.
“Are you just going to stand there?” the librarian asked as I stood, staring, lost in thought.
Smiling at the homely woman, I made my way to the corner where there were sofas and a coffee table. Taking out my book on potions, I opened it and laid it on the table. My hand brought out the note and placed it on top of the page.
They wanted my secret. Everyone. The professors, the institute, and even a random stranger, who would stoop very low to get it. Surely, they wouldn't kill Helissa's familiar?
If I gave up my secret, which wasn't really a hard secret, just practicing channelling electrical energy, I wouldn't be relevant anymore. I would probably be chucked out of the academy. I wasn't prepared to tell others how I did it. I just couldn't give that part of myself away, even to save a snake.
Did that make me a bitch?
Chapter Seven
Banging jolted me out of sleep. Who the hell wakes up so early in the morning? Oh yeah, I had the day before. But, that had worn off quickly.
Helissa jumped up from her bed, clasping her chest and falling to her knees. Her sob rent the air, forcing me up to my feet. Huh, that was a little dramatic, it was only someone at the door.
“What is it?” I asked her, putting my hand on her shoulder before remembering not to touch her.
Tears poured down her face as she clutched herself, unable to talk.
Isabel shouted from outside the room making me rush to the door.
When I opened it, I froze. Several students stood on th
e other side, their expressions full of concern.
“What's going on?” I almost shouted.
“It's Toby,” Isabel said, thrusting into the room.
Looking down at my PJs when the others stared at me, I quickly shoved the door closed. What was wrong with unicorns? Just because I wanted to be one, didn't make me twelve.
Isabel joined Helissa on the floor, her arms instantly going around her. I couldn't quite clear my sleepy head. What was going on?
“I... what happened?”
Ignoring me, Isabel hugged Helissa tightly, almost cooing. My friend had done the same to me when we were thirteen, sitting in my living room, waiting for the coroner to take my parents’ bodies away.
“Go to the ballroom, use your magic to cast an illusion,” Isabel ordered me.
Taking out my clothes from the rickety wardrobe, I donned them quickly. Bending back into the wooden wardrobe, I crouched to access my bag. I hadn't shown anyone my power packet, which was basically a portable power generator. It was part of the secret that I was trying to hide. The pack was made of plastic, but the button released high voltage electricity when pushed. It would kill a normal person, but not me. If anyone knew I had it, the powers that be would confiscate it. The invention was too dangerous to not only other witches and humans, but to their rule. If illusionist witches could find a way to permanently have magic, they would form their own covens. That would be extremely daunting to the institute.
“Get to it!” Isabel clutched Helissa to her, waving me away.
I didn't understand, why was I being dismissed? Pushing the button of my plastic gadget, I closed my eyes and allowed the electricity to filter into me, transmuting it to magic instantly.
Once full, I packed it away, quickly hurrying from the room.
There could only be one reason that Helissa was so cut up. Toby was dead.
My heart thumped as I rushed down the hallway, dodging the other students, who stood around, watching our door as if some miracle would emerge. Unfortunately, although I was pretty cool sometimes, I was no miracle.
“I found it,” Dracian said, joining me as I jogged past him.
Blinking, I almost tripped, my legs turning to jelly. If he had found Toby, he was instantly the prime suspect, I would make sure Helissa knew that.
Trying to take my arm, he let go when I frowned at him. “Don't touch me, remember?”
He fell back as I skipped down the steps, sneaking a quick look at him when I reached the bottom. He watched me, his dark eyes narrowed on my back. I couldn't help it, he had no right to touch me. Although, that hadn't really been why I snapped at him. No one was allowed to touch me, it was too dangerous.
“Alishia?” Mrs Hinley called as I approached the ballroom doors.
One stood open, revealing the crowd that had gathered in the room.
I paused as Mrs Hinley dashed out of the teaching wing. Her hair was a mess as she tugged at it, trying to make it sit on the top of her head. Her small frame swayed as her high heels made the most awful racket. Why did she have to wear the annoying stilettos? They made more noise than a plane going overhead.
“I need you,” the teacher said, gripping the edge of my jacket and pulling me into the ballroom.
My eyes instantly lifted to where everyone was staring. A beautiful golden chandelier hung from the painted ceiling. The cherubs above poured water from their hands, straight onto the light fixture. A cascade of real water fell down the long metal rope holding the chandelier. The twinkling crystals looked liquescent as they reflected the light that streamed in from the floor to ceiling windows on either side of the room.
Hanging from one of the arms of the chandelier was Toby the snake. His body limp, blood dripping from his lifeless head.
“I need you to hide him.” Mrs Hinley licked her lips as she glanced around, speaking quietly. “Your magic leaves no trace, so it won't affect the imprint of the killer.”
Students whispered amongst themselves, their eyes wide as they pointed at the familiar.
Poor Helissa. No wonder she was in a lot of pain, her main source of magic had been severed. A familiar helped a witch ground her magic, creating a bond stronger than any other. I hadn't been jealous of that bond, no, not ever... not me. Bitches.
“I could hide him, but he still needs to be collected. It's not fair that he's dangling up there for everyone to see.”
Nodding, Mrs Hinley put a hand to her chest. “You're right, of course. Parents are about to come in for the first quarterly coffee morning, so we'll hide him for now. Once they've arrived, we'll escort them out the back of the ballroom to the rose garden. Will you stay and get him down then? Professor Seaton will tell you what you need to note down before you touch him. This is a formal investigation now, my dear, your first one!”
I had never imagined that I would be on the job as soon as I walked through the academy doors. It was interesting that Mrs Hinley wanted me to use my magic to hide the snake because it didn't interfere with the magic already on him. Maybe an illusionist witch, namely me, could do well for herself as an agent after all.
“Okay, I'll do it. Can you call the students? Distract them while I make it look like he's not there.”
Moving away from the teacher when she nodded, I circled around the outside of the gathered crowd. Several other teachers were intermingled with the students, not doing a very good job of drawing their attention away from the slaughtered familiar.
My mind slipped back to the note that was tucked into my jacket pocket. This was my fault, it had to be. Panic started to rise, making my hands shake as Mrs Hinley called for everyone's attention.
As soon as they all turned to her, I lifted my arm and whispered a cover spell, aiming it at Toby. My heart squeezed in my chest as he disappeared. Well, it looked like he did, I could still see him faintly, but others wouldn't be able to.
My first job was done, but the second... that would be hard. Helping to take down the familiar that had been murdered because of me didn't sit high on my feel good radar.
If the person who had threatened me was the same boy who had killed Toby, then they might indeed blow up the school. What did I do? Who could I trust? If I told Helissa and Isabel about the note, they would blame me for Toby's death. I wouldn't blame them, either, I blamed me. Ugh.
“Parents are just arriving for our introduction coffee morning. Once you've greeted them, please make your way to class!” Mrs Hinley called, dismissing them.
As they turned back to stare at the chandelier, some of them gasped. They couldn't see where the snake had gone, some even shook their heads and frowned.
Good, my spell had worked. At least I could save Helissa the embarrassment of the whole school staring at her poor familiar. It would make up for my mistake, right? Probably not, I had-
“Alishia?” a familiar voice shouted from the entrance hallway.
Freezing, I muttered an invisibility spell. There was only a small amount of magic left in me, but I used it to hide from them. Everyone else would be able to see me, which didn't bloody help. Hardly any of the students would know who I was, but there was a couple standing nearby who knew me from our classes.
The students watched as my foster mother and father stormed into the room, shouting loudly between themselves. They were obviously still pissed that I had done them over when I had run away from the institute. Maybe the institute had offered them a hefty sum for turning me over, although, I wasn't that much of a catch, so I didn't see the big deal.
“Alishia Jones?” the woman called, almost screeching. “I know you're in here, I saw you come in a moment ago!”
Swallowing, I backed away from the students. A couple looked in my direction, their eyebrows raised. I shook my head, putting a finger to my mouth. If the bastards ratted me out, I wouldn't forgive them. Surely, they wouldn't expose me during such an embarrassing moment? No student would appreciate- Oh crap.
“Can I help?” Mrs Hinley approached my ex-foster carers.
; Dracian walked in behind the pair, his lips pulled into an amused smirk. His eyes sought mine, his smile brightening when our gazes clashed. He was about to turn to the three adults when I shook my head roughly. What would he do? Would he dob me in?
“She was here a moment ago,” Mrs Hinley said, searching the hall.
Extending my spell out to her, I channelled my magic. My arms shook at the effort, I was running low. I could always feel when my magic started to evaporate, it felt like I hadn't eaten in days. If I wanted to keep Toby hidden, I had to hide myself.
“I think I saw her go out back.” Dracian swept into their conversation, giving them all a charming smile.
Typical of him to use his smarm, but I had to be grateful, it helped distract them. In fact, all three of them fawned over him. What was it with him attracting everyone to him? Couldn't anyone see that he was fake?
Instead of standing there, ruminating on his very existence, I had to find somewhere to hide.
Looking around, I spotted an old altar made of stone. It was at the head of the ballroom but was no longer in its proper place. I hadn’t known that the academy had been built around a church. It certainly wasn't as sacred as it would've been back in the medieval times. Almost everything had been taken out, even the stained glass windows at the sides. However, a stained glass rose was high above the altar, the sun’s rays reflecting coloured light onto the stone floor.
Running over to the altar, I pushed out as much magic as I could, but the students’ eyes followed me, their frowns full of confusion.
Once I reached my hiding place, I ducked down behind it and let go of the spell, sighing in relief.
Mrs Hinley called my name once more, asking if anyone had seen me. No one replied, which made a bloody lump come to my throat. Were the students of the Undercover Witch Academy helping me? I would have to swallow all my bitter pills about the students of society after today. Well, maybe for today...
Looking to the left, I stared through the tall window that led to the rose garden. A dark shadow hovered by the glass, drawing close to it and – A chill went up my spine as bright blue eyes appeared in the shadow, watching me closely. Who was it?
Undercover Witch Academy Box Set Page 7