Scholomance 4

by Jacobs, Logan

  “Now, who wants to go first?” Luna asked as she clasped her hands together. “I’ll summon a mock shadow, and you can try to control it. Come on, now, don’t be shy! Someone has to go.”

  No one bothered to raise their hand, and even the ever-ambitious Morgana remained tight-lipped. So, I rolled my eyes before I slowly raised my hand into the air and waved.

  “I’ll do it,” I offered.

  “Ah, Cole.” Luna grinned. “Come up here then, don’t be shy now.”

  I pushed myself out of my seat and then headed toward Luna, and her bright violet eyes were filled with excitement as I slowly approached her.

  “Now then,” she said as she placed a hand on each shoulder. “You must stand perfectly still and free your mind of all fear. The more afraid you are, the more violent the shadow will be. Keep in mind, of course, that this is only a mock shadow… the real one will be far more terrifying, feral, and bloodthirsty. Oh, and mock shadows have only been known to kill once in a while, so I think you should be fine.”

  “Good to know,” I muttered under my breath.

  The eccentric professor ignored my sarcastic remark before she stared deeply into my eyes and smiled even wider.

  “Alright, Cole, I will summon the shadow, and you will command it to do your bidding,” she explained. “Trust me, this will be easy squeezy pumpkin peasy. Just aim your wand at the shadow and say ‘vinculum.’ Understand?”

  “Sure,” I chuckled, and I was half-amused by her childish anticipation. “Yeah, let’s do this.”

  “Excellent,” she squealed as she bounced on her feet.

  Luna cleared her throat and took a small step away from me. Then she raised her wand above my head, and her purple eyes were filled with determination and something else I couldn’t quite detect.

  “Inludere ne umbra!” she roared.

  The room darkened, and the chandelier shook violently as a black smoke seeped out from the tip of her wand and extended upward. A shadow began to form, and although this shadow didn’t wholly resemble me, it did have a similar build.

  The smoke-filled shadow slowly waved at me, and then its face broke into a wicked grin. It cackled and flew around the room in circles as it continued to maniacally laugh, and witches gasped and screamed as the shadow reached down to pull hair, knock over books, and smash vials and cauldrons.

  “Well, go on, for hell’s sake!” Luna cried out. “Try to control it!”

  I cleared my throat and then tried to aim my wand at the moving shadow, but it was a pain in the ass because it kept swishing from one corner of the room to the next. It swirled over to my desk and then tried to pull Faye’s red hair, but before it could reach for her scalp, the redhead quickly ducked, and I aimed my wand in that direction.

  “Vinculum!” I shouted.

  The shadow looked in my direction right before a neon green light hit it right in the chest. It released a long, drawn-out shriek, and I gritted my teeth as I struggled to hold on to it.

  “Great, now think of something!” Luna screamed. “Make it do something! Anything!”

  “Like what?” I grunted as sweat dripped down my face. “It’s hard enough holding onto the bastard.”

  “Make it clean up the mess it made,” she urged. “Go on, Cole. Just picture the shadow doing your bidding. You can do this!”

  My temples throbbed as I tried to imagine the shadow cleaning up glass from the floor and picking up knocked over books. I knew the shadow was pushing against my will because I could feel its resentful and stubborn energy radiating through the room, but I refused to be beaten by this lesser copy of me.

  “Pick up Morgana’s book,” I muttered, “and place it back on the table.”

  The shadow squirmed and wriggled in the air until it finally came to a slow and steady stop. Then we all watched as it gently floated over to my table, swiftly picked up Morgana’s fallen textbook, and placed it back on the desk.

  “Um, thank you,” the brunette breathed.

  The shadow slowly nodded and then hovered over toward me like a dark ghost. I took in a long deep breath before I raised my wand even higher and repeated Luna’s earlier command.

  “Forma reditus!” I commanded.

  The shadow screamed a low-pitched screech as it slowly returned to my wand and became nothingness, and the class oohed and ahhed before they slowly clapped their hands together.

  “Oh, well done,” Luna giggled. “I forgot to mention that last bit of the spell… good thing you were paying attention, eh, Cole?”

  “Sure…” I replied as I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

  Luna then allowed the rest of the class to pair off into groups to practice with mock shadow doubles and soon, the room was an echo of chaos. Shadows ended up breaking vials, smashing cauldrons, and tearing out witches' hair, but as chaotic as it was, Luna seemed to enjoy every moment of it, and by the end of class, most of the students were at least beginning to learn how to control their menacing faux doubles.

  “Well, then, class.” Luna clapped. “I dare say that’s enough excitement for one day. Off with the lot of you! Those of you who need to stay behind, you know exactly who you are.”

  The rest of the class all groaned in disappointment as they shoved their books into their bags and then headed out the door.

  I slowly walked back to my own table and then sat down as the rest of the students quietly left the classroom.

  “Wasn’t that fun?” Luna asked as she stared at my table and then at Penelope’s.

  “It was… educational,” Morgana replied after no one said a word.

  “And incredibly intense,” Faye gulped. “Almost like taming a wild beast.”

  “It certainly was.” The professor nodded in agreement. “Now, just wait until you all get to try the same thing with your own personal dark forms!”

  A heavy silence filled the air as we all exchanged confused looks with one another.

  “Um, Professor… ” Akira said slowly. “I thought you said it was too dangerous to summon your own shadow unless you were a highly experienced Wicca?”

  “I did say that,” Luna replied with wide, innocent eyes. “What’s your point? You’re all preparing to fight in the final game, aren’t you? We need to practice the impossible! Now, stand up! I’m going to teach you how to split into halves, and you’ll die trying! Sorry, I meant, orrrrr you’ll die trying.”

  As we slowly stood up and exchanged panicked glances with one another, a small voice inside my head told me Luna would be alright with either outcome.

  Chapter 5

  “Don’t dawdle now!” Luna sang over her shoulder as we struggled to keep up with her. “Move it along, for hell’s sake. We have important things to accomplish today, and I won’t be held back by your painstakingly slow pace… Satan, it’s like I’m leading a row of baby ducks to the sacrificial slaughter shed. Keep up! Keep up! Keeeepppp uppppppp!”

  Professor Luna led us through the black forest, and the air was especially chilly and numbing this morning. Pale sunlight streamed through the woods and cast a soft glow on the root covered soil and naked trees, and as we walked, both groups of witches pushed onward with deep frowns and furrowed eyebrows on their beautiful faces. Clearly, no one was pleased about Luna’s decision to drag us through these woods for another perilous private lesson.

  “Sweet baby Satan,” Akira panted as we treaded through the forest. “I know I’ve said it before, but she’s fucking insane.”

  “I’m inclined to agree with you,” Morgana added, which caused all of us to stare at her in surprise.

  “You are?” Akira breathed in disbelief. “Did you hit your head on something?”

  “Shadow splitting is no joking matter,” the bookish brunette hissed. “I cannot believe we’re actually doing this. We should be in the classroom’s confinements if we’re going to practice such a dangerous spell.”

  “Well, we’re not,” I added, “but I’m sure that whatever we’re going to be doing, Luna will have it under c
ontrol.”

  “But, Cole, do you think Headmistress Theodora knows?” Faye asked, and the freckled witch chewed on her lower lip. “I mean, she must know, right? Luna wouldn’t bring us all the way out here in case we die, or worse?”

  “Of course, the headmistress knows,” Penelope spat before I could respond. “I’ll bet you a purple frog-leg this was her idea, and why the hell are you so worried, anyway? You have a freaking blood pact to keep you safe… the rest of us are royally fucked.”

  “I hate to admit it,” Akira sighed, “but carrot-top is probably right… no offense.”

  “None taken,” Penelope grunted, but a faint smile flickered around the corners of her mouth. “At least you’re admitting I’m right. It’s about damn time.”

  The black-eyed witch opened her mouth to argue, but instead, she clamped her full lips tightly shut.

  “Whatever you say, Penelope.” She smiled sweetly.

  “Let’s just stay focused, shall we?” I sighed. “We don’t need to be worrying about what could possibly go wrong. Instead, let’s just focus on the lesson.”

  “Yeah, but, Cole --” Penelope started, but she was cut off.

  “All that chitter-chatter back there is slowing you down!” Luna interjected as she continued to walk straight ahead of us with no problem at all. “Less talk, more movement! I can feel the wrinkles on my skin increasing as we speak. Ewwww. So wrinkly.”

  “How does she always have so much fucking energy?” Iris mumbled as she flicked back her pink-streaked fringe.

  “I’m starting to think she spikes her tea every morning,” Vesta grumbled.

  “And every evening.” Beatrix smirked.

  The witches all giggled under their breaths as we pushed onward, and as we walked deeper into the black woods, the air grew thicker and less inviting. A pale white mist was beginning to cloud our feet and ankles as Luna dragged us further into the belly of the forest, and for a moment, I wondered if we would all make it back in one piece.

  Finally, we reached a small circular patch of land, which mostly consisted of moist, rotten earth. Black, naked trees surrounded the patch of dirt, and even though the sun was still shining down on us, the light felt cold and dead. Soon, darkness would engulf us all, since the sunlight barely graced the deep woods for long.

  “This should be a perfect spot.” Luna grinned as she came to a stop and stood on the patch of soil. “Now everyone, stand in a tight-knit circle. Oh, and before I forget, be wary of venomous butterflies… sometimes, they sprout out from the ground when you least expect it. One little nibble can turn your skin green and make blood shoot out of your ears, eyes, mouth, and… other parts. Actually, they are considered a rare delicacy in some realms if you pluck their wings correctly. Tee. Hee.”

  “Butterflies are the least of our worries,” Akira muttered under her breath.

  “Actually, they are no joking matter,” Faye warned in a low voice. “I’d be very careful if I were you. I have an entire book on the different species and types of lethal insects--”

  “What was that, Miss Akira? Miss Faye?” Luna asked in an innocent tone of voice.

  “Nothing, Professor,” Akira quickly responded.

  “Ah, well, then, get into your circle,” Luna ordered as she clapped her hands together. “Quickly now.”

  We all sighed quietly under our breaths before we gathered into a circle, and then we waited for Luna’s next kooky command.

  But she simply blinked at us, and a long, pregnant silence followed.

  “Are they ready?” a familiar voice asked from behind me.

  Several witches jumped up in surprise, and when I whipped around, I spotted Headmistress Theodora situated in between the trees with her hands folded in front of her.

  “Ah, Headmistress,” Luna said, “I thought that was you! I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up at all.”

  “But of course,” Theodora elegantly drawled. “This is one of the most important tasks they’ll have to master before the final game.”

  “No pressure,” Akira whispered.

  “Miss Akira,” Luna said suddenly, and her lilac eyes shot toward the smart-mouthed witch. “You seem to be very talkative this morning. Would you like to go first? I’m actually curious to see what your shadow will look like.”

  “There’s probably no difference between them,” Morgana muttered loud enough for some of the other witches to snicker.

  “Very funny,” Akira grunted as she scrunched up her small nose. “Alright… I’ll go first.”

  “Perfect,” Luna answered. “Headmistress Theodora, would you like to take a step closer?”

  “No, thank you, Luna,” the older woman responded. “I’d prefer to keep my distance, just in case I need to step in. I have a better view of each witch from here.”

  “Very well.” The pale blonde witch nodded in agreement. “Alright, Akira, are you ready?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” the short-haired witch answered with her chin raised.

  Akira was putting on a brave face, but I could feel hesitation and fear emitting from her body like a heatwave. Her lower lip was slightly trembling, and she was clutching so tightly onto her wand that her knuckles were turning white.

  “Don’t be afraid, Akira,” I whispered. “You can do this. You will do this. That’s an order.”

  She quickly looked at me and then nodded. “I will do this.”

  “Akira, stop staring at Cole, and pay attention to me,” Luna hissed. “Now, this will be a tad bit different from what we demonstrated in class, so listen closely. You will have to summon the shadow on your own, and it will be a little bit painful, so try not to worry if it feels like your head is splitting open in two.”

  Akira firmly nodded and then waited for the next command.

  “To split yourself in half, you will raise your wand above your head,” Luna began, “and then you must repeat the words, ‘qui vocat umbra mea.’ Understood?”

  “Yes, Professor.” Akira nodded.

  The dark-eyed witch then raised her wand and repeated the incantation in a firm, clear voice. As soon as the entire spell left her lips, the sky darkened, and then the trees began to sway in the blowing, violent wind. A fierce chill crept up my spine as inky black smoke oozed from Akira’s wand, and then it slowly began to form a slim, shadowy replica of the dark-eyed witch.

  This version of Akira was the same height and build, and my mouth slowly gaped open as the shadow hovered over us and then stared directly at me. Its features were identical to Akira’s, and as the shadow floated closer to me, I studied the dark outline of her small narrow nose, full lips, and slanted, exotic eyes.

  The shadow flashed me a quick smile and then began to float over the trees above us.

  “Take control of her, Akira!” Luna demanded. “The same way Cole took control of the mock shadow!”

  Akira pursed her lips in concentration, and with dark, determined eyes, she aimed her wand at the wandering silhouette. The shadow must have sensed Akira’s wand on her back because, in the next moment, it quickly whipped its smoky head in Akira’s direction and then screeched. The sound was deafening, and I was sure it would split our eardrums wide open, but the black-eyed witch never faltered. As the phantom continued to pierce our eardrums, Akira narrowed her ebony eyes at the entity and then gripped her wand even tighter.

  “Vinculum!” she shouted.

  The shadow shrieked even louder, and then it extended black, smoky hands toward Akira’s throat as if it was preparing to choke the life out of her.

  I wasn’t about to just stand here and watch Akira being attacked, so I pulled out my own wand and then aimed it at her shadow.

  “Volant!” I cried out.

  A blast of light hit the shadow, and it squealed like a tortured animal as it flew back through the air at an alarming speed. When the spell wore off, the shadow hovered from afar between two trees, and we all watched as it narrowed its dark eyes at me and then quickly glided in my directi
on.

  “Forma reditus!” Akira shouted.

  The light hit her shadow just before it could reach me, and then it cried out again. The sound caused a murder of crows to fly through the steel gray sky, and I could tell Akira was physically struggling to recapture her shadow by her gritted teeth and the sweat on her brow.

  “Don’t let go of her!” Luna shouted. “Stay focused, Akira!”

  Akira groaned as sweat dripped from her brow, and she was turning a deep shade of red as if she were holding her breath. Her chest heaved up and down, though, and her knees violently trembled as she kept her wand extended outward and aimed at the shadow.

  Finally, the silhouette must have given up because it cried out one last time before it disappeared into nothingness. The air suddenly went still, and then everyone looked at each other with wide, terrified eyes.

  “Do I have to do that again?” Akira finally asked in a small voice, and she dropped her wand hand back to her side.

  “Well, yes!” Luna sighed impatiently, and the beautiful professor placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. Then she shot me a disgruntled look before she spoke. “Cole, why did you interfere?”

  “Because I didn’t want to watch Akira’s shadow choke the life out of her,” I countered.

  “Oh, she would have been fine,” Luna replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “A few days in the infirmary never hurt anyone.”

  “Wait… did you say days?” the short-haired witch gulped.

  “Anyway,” Luna pouted as she ignored Akira’s question. “Aside from that little hiccup, you didn’t do too badly there, Miss Akira.”

  “T-Thank you?” she stuttered.

  “How are you feeling, Akira?” Morgana asked in a soothing voice.

  “Like total troll shit,” the short-haired witch responded with pale lips and dark circles under her eyes. Then her black orbs widened, and she placed a hand over her mouth. “I’m going to be sick.”