Undercover Witch Academy Box Set

by Rachel Medhurst

  “We've not even had that lesson.” Helissa got up to retrieve her class diary. “It's not until the second term.”

  Swallowing, I gulped air into my lungs. “I’m going to study it this morning. After I saw...”

  My pause made them watch me, their gaze narrowing. I didn't know how to do this, how to open up and not be guarded with what I told them.

  Isabel seemed to detect this, her eyes widening as I stuttered. “It's okay,” she said, patting the mattress. “You can trust us, we're not going to tell anyone or interfere with your plan.”

  Taking a deep breath, I exhaled as I sat on the bed. “I saw Dracian Dread use the vines. I want to memorise how to do it, but...”

  “But?” Helissa whispered.

  “I might have to steal some of Dracian's magic to take down the snake-killer.”

  Chapter Eleven

  My heart thudded deep in my chest, reminding me that I was alive as I peeked through the crack in the door. The ballroom was full of first year students, all dancing and eating together. It was strange seeing so many eighteen year olds not grinding up against one another. The one time I had snuck into a club, I had enjoyed the dancing, but any time a boy tried to grind on me, he got a spell or two up his butt. Well, not literally, but my little spells had made them need to retreat to the toilet. I wasn't some prime cow, ready to be plucked and taken home, thank you very much.

  Some would say that I was old fashioned, being that I didn't fit into English societal norms, but I didn't care. What was wrong with wanting to respect myself as a woman?

  “What are you doing, Magic Fingers?”

  His voice made me jerk back from the gap in the doors. Oops, my attention had been so focused on the ball, I hadn't noticed Dracian Dread creep up behind me. That wouldn't do, my agent skills had to be sharp, constantly on alert. Although, they were now fully alert.

  Dracian stood in front of me in a navy blue tux and black leather boots tucked under his trousers. The top button of his white shirt was undone, showing just a sliver of tanned skin. My gaze traced upwards, over his strong jaw and to his pretty brown eyes. Why did he have to be so bloody sexy?

  “I'm...” How did I get out of this one?

  “Why are you not dressed in a gown?” His gaze lowered, examining my jeans and jacket.

  It had seemed pointless wearing a pretty dress when I was banned from the ball, even if my stomach had dropped when I saw how stunning the ballroom was. The candles in the chandeliers burnt deep red, sending a glow over the students, who all looked glamorous in their different style of gowns and suits. A part of me wanted to waltz on the dance floor, arm in arm with a handsome man. Alas, I had a job to do... which was why I was actually quite pleased to have run into Dracian.

  “You heard Mrs Hinley, she banned me.”

  My plan to take his magic dropped instantly. How could I use my enemy? How could I use anyone that way? It would be going against everything my father had worked, and probably died, for. He wanted me to have the power of electricity to turn into magic. And, I had that, sitting in my jacket. So, why had I even contemplated the idea of taking Dracian's magic? Did I not trust my own?

  “You're an illusionist witch,” he said, trying to do up the buttons on his shirt cuffs. “Why not just pretend you're someone else?”

  For some bizarre reason, I hadn't even contemplated that. Again, it was because I would be using my magic for bad, not good. My mother had always preached that a gift should never be used for bad intentions, including my own. I had prided myself on not being too reckless with my magic.

  “I... can't, I actually have something to do.”

  About to turn to leave, I hesitated when he extended his arm to me. “Would you help me?”

  His cuff was still undone, hanging outside the sleeve of his smart jacket. Automatically reaching for him, I buttoned it, pulling back quickly. Before I could retreat fully, his hand turned, his fingers grasping mine. Heat exploded between our hands, his magic pouring into me. Trying to rip away, I frowned when he wouldn't let go.

  “It feels nice,” he murmured, releasing me when I growled at him.

  His hand stayed in the air as I tucked mine into my pocket. I stared at the ground, ashamed that I had allowed myself to take his magic when I had just vowed not to use him. Why was he watching me as if he could eat me? I wasn't tasty, that much I knew. And, he wasn't a vampire, so the longing was strange. He could have anyone he wanted in the school. Maybe he had cat traits. They always went to the people who hated them, determined to bring them around. Well, I wasn't about to start stroking Dracian. Oh man, bad mental image.

  “I need to go.” Spinning, I marched across the entrance hall and out onto the steps.

  My breath was uneasy as I glanced behind me. Good, the bastard man who had me tingling in all the wrong places hadn't followed me. Hopefully, he would go to the ball and have a grand old time while I got my shit together and somehow lured out the snake-killer. Once he was caught, I could concentrate on clearing my name.

  When my phone vibrated in my pocket, I jolted, grabbing it out. Answering it, I kept my voice low as I jogged around the side of the building, towards the rose garden. The ballroom doors opened out into the garden, giving me the perfect place to hopefully take down the boy. As long as we were hidden, which I was hoping I could achieve somehow, all would be hunky dory. Being an agent was harder than I had ever imagined!

  “Isabel?”

  “I swear, if I trip over this dress one more time, I'm going to rip it off and call myself a naturist.”

  Coughing, I shook my head as I neared the iron gate that led to the rose garden. “Come back to focus,” I said slowly. “I need info.”

  “Sorry!” she sang, her voice growing lower with her next words. “There's a guy with a phantom mask. He's looking around, inspecting the crowd. I know he told you to wear the same mask, but since you're not here, he's growing impatient.”

  “I'm going to sneak in from the back for a moment and lead him out.”

  “But you didn't get dressed up,” Isabel hissed down the phone. “Mrs Hinley might catch you.”

  Unclipping the iron gate, I slipped through. I had planned to go into the ball from the main entrance, using an illusion spell to hide myself, but Dracian had thrown me off guard, forcing me to change my plan. I couldn't risk him sticking beside me once inside the ballroom. Not that he would’ve done, of course. I was sure that as soon as he’d spotted the gorgeous ladies fawning over him, he would’ve dropped me like a hot potato.

  “Isabel,” I interrupted as she started to rant about danger blah blah. “I'll cast an illusion spell, okay? Where is he?”

  “I just told you, in the ballroom.”

  My feet skidded to a halt as I came into the rose garden. Her mind was either elsewhere or she was losing it. I didn't remember her being particularly - what was a kind word? - unfocused.

  “Oh, you mean...” She laughed at herself, the sound ringing in my ear. “Sorry, I'm such a numbnut.”

  Pressing myself to the side of the building, I watched the students through the glass windows. They were slow dancing now, their bodies swaying to the music. It was a good job I wasn't inside, I would have probably fallen over three times already considering I couldn't dance. Well, I liked to think I could, in my bedroom, all alone. But, in company...

  “He's standing by the fireplace to the right of the entrance hall, almost directly opposite the windows to the garden.” Isabel giggled at something someone said. “Shall I do anything?”

  “No,” I said, sticking my hand in my pocket. “I've got it from here. Enjoy yourself.”

  Hanging up, I tucked my phone away and pressed the button on my Witchy Wand, oh I liked that one. The surge of electricity made my body shake, my muscles tightening hard. I was supposed to relax and allow the energy to flow through me, but I was too nervous. As the electricity instantly transformed to a magical current, I cast an illusion over myself.

  A gown of baby blue encase
d my body, a mask of the phantom resting on my face. It was probably completely mismatched, like my fashion sense, but it would have to do.

  Wasting no time, I trotted up the small steps that led to the ballroom. Opening one of the doors, I peeked inside.

  Mrs Hinley and Professor Seaton were making eyes at one another as they spoke near the altar. My gaze sought the chaperones, who watched the dance floor religiously. My illusion spread to the door, making it look like I wasn't sneaking in as I slipped through it. The teachers wouldn't approve of my tricks, but I had to capture the boy who had killed Toby.

  Searching the room, I ducked my head when Dracian glanced in my direction. He was talking to a couple of his friends, including James Hinley-Seaton, who looked around urgently. Tension was in the air, but maybe it was just my own.

  When my gaze reached the fireplace, it landed on a boy who wore a phantom mask. He was staring straight at me, his blue eyes bright against the white mask. His suit was the same as the one in the film, although his smaller shoulders didn't match Gerard Butler's. In fact, nothing about him could compare to the hot Scottish actor who was old enough to be my father.

  Shaking my head of insane thoughts - who thought about Gerard Butler when in the middle of a covert operation? - I stared back, inclining my head to acknowledge him. He slowly lifted off one foot, starting his journey across the middle of the dance floor.

  My hands trembled as I turned and stepped back through the door that led into the rose garden. Keeping my arms to my side, I marched down the steps and across the courtyard, in an attempt to lead him into the roses and out of view from the ballroom. I would need all my magic for trapping the culprit, instead of hiding us from the other students.

  “You look pretty in that dress,” he called, his voice unfamiliar.

  Clenching my hands into fists at my sides, I kept facing forward and released the spell so my normal clothes appeared. His footsteps were loud, closing in on me. As soon as we were hidden from the windows, I spun and faced him. We weren't too far from the fountain, but I didn't want to get too close, just in case he used magic to drown me in it.

  “What do you want?” I barked, my voice shaking despite my efforts to calm myself.

  Coming to a stop, he crossed his arms over his chest. His clothes fell away from him, revealing ripped jeans and a dirty T-shirt. His hair was scruffy, as if he had been tugging at it relentlessly. Wait, was he a-?

  “I want your secret so I can use it for myself.” His gaze dropped to the stone under his feet. “And sell it on the black paranormal market.”

  Wow, it hadn't taken long for another illusionist witch to try and exploit me. My father had warned me of the dangers of going public. Maybe it was stupid of me to join the academy, I should've listened to him. This boy was the same one who had run away from us when we'd found him outside the bar.

  Swallowing, I bit my lip before I replied. “I won't allow that to happen. You have no idea-”

  “Do you think I care what you want?!” he shouted, his face contorting in rage as his cheeks grew red.

  He hadn't made a move towards me yet, but if his trembling was a sign of things to come, he was on the edge. It wouldn't be long until I had to use every part of my magic to bring him down. I just hoped Mother Earth was on my side. One illusionist witch against another was pretty unheard of.

  “I've been fighting this, every day, but I can't win!” Rocking from side to side, he clenched and unclenched his hands. “I need more.”

  Shit, I had heard of magic-addicts but had never come across one. And this particular boy was completely off his rocker. I had to bring him down before he could hurt me.

  “I'm sorry,” I said, even though I wasn't. “I'll help you, I promise.”

  Maybe placating him would lead him to trust me. That way, I could trick him enough to try and capture him. I would go to the professor after I'd caught him and ask for his help. He probably wouldn't appreciate that I’d kept it from him but needs must. So far, the so-called head teacher hadn't even bothered to update Helissa on any of their own investigations, which meant he was too wrapped up in the students who were losing their magic. I was doing him a service.

  Bulging eyes glared at me as the boy's body started to shake violently. “I'm all out, I need some... please.”

  His teeth were gritted, his tongue trapped between them. Blood slid down his chin as he stared at me, his breathing rapid and uneasy. He reminded me of a rabid dog my foster parents had tried to rescue. When it looked at me with sadness in its eyes, I had used my magic to put it out of its misery. The poor dog had rubbed his nose against my sleeve just as his soul went back to where it had come from.

  I couldn't do that with this boy, he was a fully grown living witch. One who looked like he wanted to murder me and eat me for breakfast. Or dinner, I was probably more of a dinner meat.

  “What's going on?”

  Dracian's unexpected interruption jolted the boy, sending him flying towards me. I threw up my hands, inciting a freezing spell. He froze in mid-movement, his arms and one leg raised. His jaw was the only thing that was free, allowing him to speak.

  “I'll get you!” he spat. “I told you to come alone!”

  Dracian came up behind me, his hand resting on my elbow. Pulling away, I glared at him before turning back to the snake-killer.

  “Leave us alone, we have business to discuss.”

  Who was I kidding? I needed Dracian Dread's help. My whole body was shaking as the boy swore at me, spittle flying from his mouth. If I didn't get him now, he would escape.

  “No way am I leaving you.” Dracian grabbed me back when I went to move towards the boy. “He's crazy!”

  Shrugging him off, I yelped when the freeze spell broke, releasing the culprit.

  Surging towards me, the boy brought out a gun and aimed it at my head.

  Ducking, I screamed as a bullet exploded from the barrel, missing me by inches.

  “Stay still, the pair of you!” he ordered.

  Both Dracian and I rose to a stand, our hands held up in surrender. The boy aimed his gun at Dracian, his eyes rolling wildly.

  I glanced at my apparent saviour, not saying anything when he shook his head curtly. Whatever happened would be my fault. Yes, I wanted revenge on Dracian, but I didn't want to stoop to his level. I would never kill someone to avenge my parents.

  “You said you'd help me,” the boy said, bringing my attention back to him. “But I know our kind. We’re only out for ourselves, never interested in helping others.” His arm shook so violently, the gun jerked.

  One wrong move and he would shoot. How was I going to get out of this one? I had never imagined that the snake-killer was a crazed boy, desperate for a hit of magic. My detective skills had led us into extreme danger. Maybe this would knock my overinflated ego down a peg or two.

  Taking a deep breath, I braced myself. “I want to help you get out of this.”

  “No!” he hissed through his teeth. “You want to get me into Paranormal Rehab and help me overcome my addiction. I don't want that, give me your secret. Now! Or, I'll shoot your boyfriend.”

  “He's not my boyfriend,” I said, wincing at my automatic reaction.

  “Seriously?” Dracian lowered his hands to look at me. “You're so repulsed at the thought of being my girlfriend, you'll risk getting me shot?”

  My mouth gaped open, but I had no reply. I couldn't pretend that it wasn't true, the evidence was in my words. However, maybe he was right about me being a little selfish in my reply.

  “Sorry?” I offered up, cringing when he shook his head.

  “Shut up!” Waving the gun again, the boy almost jumped in the air. “Tell me, bitch!”

  Oh no, he didn't just call me a bitch?

  “Vines,” I said through clenched teeth as I surged forward.

  Praying that Dracian had understood what I meant, I went for the boy, ducking when he aimed the gun at me. My run was swift as I threw up an illusion, hiding Dracian behind a wall
of fake rose bushes. If the boy concentrated on me, he was less likely to shoot considering he wanted my secret.

  “Fuck!” he cried, pulling the trigger.

  Shit, I hadn't expected him to actually shoot me, oops. Diving to the left, I managed to dodge the bullet, which thudded into the ground. My heartbeat was so loud in my ears, I couldn't hear what Dracian was calling. Ignoring him, I leapt towards the boy, who was trying hard to follow me with the gun.

  “I'm going to kill you!” His words were mixed with tears as they fell down his cheeks.

  As I managed to get behind him, I tried my hardest not to feel sorry for his plight. He had threatened my life, tried to kill me. And yet, my chest squeezed hard when he spun and we were face to face, gaze to gaze.

  Reaching forward, he planted the barrel of the gun straight into my chest. I took a deep breath before throwing an illusion spell around myself and stepping back. His eyes searched for me, but I was hidden by an invisible cloak of magic. He moaned low in his throat, the sound building as he threw his head back and screamed.

  Joining Dracian, I linked hands with him and chanted the spell I had learnt from the book in the library. He nodded, allowing me to use his magic to create thick green vines that surged up from the ground.

  “I can use illusion, too!” the boy shouted, shooting in our direction.

  We held our ground, dodging out of the way as the vines crept towards the boy.

  He turned and started to run, his footsteps pounding towards the grass section of the rose garden. Voices sounded behind us, alerting me to the presence of the professor and Mrs Hinley, who had just rushed from the ballroom, probably hearing the gunshots.

  “Keep going,” Dracian whispered.

  Dropping the illusion spell so the teachers could see us, I chanted harder and louder, willing the vines to catch the boy. As they started to wind around his ankles, bringing him to his knees, he lifted the gun, held it to his head and pulled the trigger.

  “No!” I breathed, releasing the vine spell.

  Other gasps came from the students as they filtered out of the ballroom.