Scholomance 1

by Logan Jacobs

  All of this planning ran through my head in a matter of milliseconds, but the beast was clearly out of patience now. With a guttural growl, the centaur lowered his head and galloped toward me, and the moonlight glinted off the razor-sharp horns that were moments from goring me.

  Go ahead, charge at me.

  I stood my ground and waited for the right moment. My grip on the hilt tightened with each passing second, and I waited for the beast to come just a little closer.

  The centaur bellowed as he continued to run in a straight line, and I could tell he was ready to use his protruding horns to gut me.

  Now was my moment. When the centaur was close enough, I raised my palm and shouted.

  “Illuminana!”

  Blinding white light flared to life in my hand, and the beast cried out in frustration as he raised his arms to cover his face. The monster was still charging in my direction, but now, he was stumbling and running toward me in zigzag motions.

  So, I dodged the centaur’s graceless attack, and I took the precious opportunity to swing my dagger at his right leg. I managed to nick the creature in its upper thigh, and blood splattered as the monster tossed back his head and screamed in agony.

  The beast came to a stop, too close to me for comfort, and when I met his eyes, I realized he was prepared to run at me again, but then, something happened.

  Its leg, the one that I cut, cracked loudly.

  The centaur cried out in pain, and his leg bent down, as if the bone had snapped at an angle. Smoke emerged from the wound, the cut had now opened up further, and skin split open on its own. It spread upward toward his torso and up his neck. I realized the creature was slowly turning into stone from the leg up, and the centaur cried out in shock and pain as stone replaced his skin and fur.

  “What have you done?” the creature wailed as the stone began to crumble and fall to the ground. “What have you done!”

  Vesta looked at me with fear and confusion written across her bloody face. Then her eyes darted to the dagger in my hand, and as I also glanced down at the blade, I wondered what kind of power it had within it.

  The centaur continued to wail as he turned entirely into a pile of ashes and dust in front of us. When he was little more than a heap of dirt, a gust of wind blew through the courtyard and scattered everything, and then nothing remained of the murderous creature.

  Silence descended over the courtyard, and I panted heavily as my pulse pounded in my ears.

  What in the hell just happened?

  A sudden noise drew me from my hectic thoughts, and I looked over to see Vesta struggling to sit upright. I ran toward the lavender-skinned witch and lowered myself to meet her eyes.

  “Are you alright?” I asked as I checked to see how badly she’d been hurt.

  Vesta met my eyes for a moment and then glanced down at the blade.

  “Where did you get that?” she sniffed as I helped her to her feet.

  “It doesn’t matter.” I shook my head. “Come on, let’s get you back inside and clean up those wounds.”

  She nodded but then winced as she stood on her leg.

  “Thank you,” she muttered as we headed toward the door. She was limping, so I hoisted her up and swung her arm over my shoulder as I helped her walk.

  “Don’t mention it,” I replied.

  Vesta turned to look at me, and there was gratitude deep within her silver eyes. “I hate to admit this out loud, but I was way out of my element back there.”

  “No shit … what the hell were you thinking?” I asked, and I did my best to not sound too harsh. “You shouldn’t have come out here alone, even I know that.”

  When I looked down at the witch, anger flashed across her bright silver eyes, but then they softened as if she just remembered I was the one who saved her.

  “I-I wanted to find blood to sacrifice,” she whispered. “I guess I might have overestimated myself a little bit."

  “A little bit?” I repeated with a raised brow, and I tucked the dagger I’d taken back into my waistband. “Look, I know I’m new to everything here, but it just seems rash to come out here and face something like that alone--”

  “I know,” Vesta snapped and averted her gaze from me. “Look, I know, I don’t need a lecture from someone like you.”

  “I’m going to just ignore that,” I grumbled as the front doors opened up on their own.

  I was thankful for the small mercy. It had been one hell of a night.

  We headed back inside, and I looked around as the paintings stared at the two of us. Then I briefly wondered if any one of them would report back to Headmistress Theodora.

  “Is there an infirmary around here?” I grunted as I adjusted Vesta’s weight on my shoulders.

  “Yes,” she groaned, “it’s by the library.”

  “Uhh, where is the library?” I asked.

  “Make your second right,” she sighed.

  It took us some time, but I managed to get her to the infirmary. To my relief and surprise, it was unlocked, and there was no one inside, so I assumed there was no nurse on duty. Perhaps it was up to the witches to cure themselves whenever they were ill or injured. It wouldn’t have surprised me. These classes were clearly cut throat, so it made sense they wouldn’t have someone to tend to injured witches.

  The infirmary itself was expansive, though, with white beds lined up against the walls and a massive cabinet at the end of the room with glass doors that showed all kinds of potions and brews inside. There was also a small chandelier that hung above us and dimly lit up the room.

  “Just sit here,” I said. “Try not to move too much.”

  Vesta winced as I set her down on the bed. I looked at her ankle, which was heavily bruised and starting to swell, so I guessed it was either broken or sprained. Usually, I would have tried to find some ice, but I had a feeling there was something to fix bones in the medicine cabinet.

  “What should I be looking for?” I asked.

  “There should be some mending brew in there,” the witch said and pointed to the cabinet.

  “What does it look like?” I questioned as I headed toward it.

  “It should be in a purple vial.” She grimaced. “Maybe on the first shelf?”

  I opened up the cabinet and scanned the first shelf. Then I found a dark purple bottle with a pair of bones crisscrossed on the front.

  “Found it,” I said before I snatched it and brought it to her.

  “Thanks,” Vesta mumbled before she tossed her head back and took a deep sip. She made a face, sighed, and then drank the rest of the potion.

  “It tastes like shit,” she muttered.

  “How long will it take to work?” I asked.

  “It should be about five minutes before it takes effect,” she sighed and stretched out her leg.

  I nodded as I headed to a sink, filled a nearby bowl with water, and snatched a towel. I brought my supplies over to the witch and kneeled down in front of her. Then I dabbed the towel in the lukewarm water and cleaned off the dried blood and dirt on her face.

  “You don’t have to do that.” Vesta scowled and tried to pull away from me. “I don’t want to catch any of your human man germs.”

  “Very funny,” I muttered as I dabbed a washcloth on her broken lip, “but I’m doing it anyway.”

  She tutted, but let me continue to help her, and after about five minutes, she was cleaned up. Then, when I glanced down at her ankle, it was no longer bruised and looked good as new.

  This place might be terrifying, but I couldn’t deny … the magic was pretty fucking awesome.

  “Are you ready to walk?” I asked.

  “Yes,” Vesta mumbled with a clumsy nod. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Alright,” I replied before I walked away to dump the grimy water down the sink.

  “I can do it on my own, too,” she said with a little scowl before she headed to the door, “and don’t even think about trying to help me to bed.”

  “Fine.” I shrugged. “Sleep w
ell … try not to get into any more trouble. Oh, and you’re welcome, by the way.”

  To my surprise, Vesta actually chuckled and flashed me a small smirk.

  “Yeahhh,” she mumbled and averted her gaze. “Thanks again for saving me. It’s not easy to admit, but I would have been dead without your help.”

  “So, I’m not just a useless man after all, huh?” I questioned with an arched eyebrow.

  “Perhaps not,” Vesta muttered as her silver eyes dragged over me. Then she turned away and slipped from the infirmary, and her footsteps faded down the hallway.

  When I was sure she was gone, I pulled the dagger from my waistband and studied it. I briefly wondered if I should return it, but then I decided not to.

  It might come in handy in the future, so I secured it in my waistband and left the infirmary. Then I headed back to my room, and when I was inside, I hid the blade under my pillow. I thought about going to sleep, but I was far too energized. After all the excitement tonight, there was no way I’d be able to crawl into bed and fall asleep.

  So, instead, I sat back down at my tiny desk and did some more reading. I read until the candles died down and a small glow emerged from the stained-glass window. I knew it was probably time to get ready for class, so I stepped into the bathroom for a quick bath. When I was inside, I was shocked to see the tub was already filled to the top.

  “Fucking magic,” I whispered with a grin. “So cool.”

  I stripped out of my dirty clothes and stepped into the water, and I instantly relaxed as the warm bath soothed my aching muscles. I knew I couldn’t stay here for too long, though, because the last thing I wanted to do was arrive late to class.

  Vanessa would surely tear me a new asshole if I did.

  Fifteen minutes later, I stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around myself. When I was back in the bedroom, a set of fresh clothes were folded on the velvet chair, and I figured that Cordelia must have laid them out for me. I dressed and headed out the door, and I was ready to start fresh today with all the information I retained from reading through the night.

  When I arrived in the classroom for my next Blood Magic lesson, not one single person lifted their head to look at me. Morgana, Sweeny, Faye, and Akira had all their heads lowered, and not even Vesta bothered to look up. She was too immersed in her textbook.

  Well, fine. If the lavender-skinned witch wanted to pretend like nothing happened, I’d let her.

  For now.

  As soon as I sat down, Vanessa strode into the room, and the door closed right behind her. She was frowning as she stared out over the class, and I could tell the dark-haired beauty was in a foul mood.

  Great.

  “Class,” she began, “turn to page four-hundred-and-eighty-two.”

  We all started to flip through the pages, and Vanessa huffed in impatience. She flicked her wrist, and instantly, all the pages in all the books flipped on their own, and we all were on the right page.

  “Today, we will be looking at bonding weapons,” she explained. “Can anyone tell me what that means?”

  I raised my hand as I remembered one of the hundred sections I’d read last night.

  “Yes, Cole?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “It means bonding your blood to a weapon for life,” I replied. “Your energy will transfer to the weapon and cause more harm than any ordinary weapon … ”

  Suddenly, it hit me. The blade I used last night must have been a bonded weapon. It was the only explanation. Why else would the beast crumble into stone from one cut?

  “Well done, Cole.” Vanessa pursed her lips into a forced, tight smile. “I see that you’ve done your reading.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I answered with a satisfied smirk.

  If she wanted to keep underestimating me, I’d prove her wrong.

  “Don’t be too pleased with yourself,” she replied with the same forced grin as if she could read my thoughts. “You still have much to learn … and it’s Professor, not ma’am.”

  “I’m aware,” I said, but I wasn’t even bothered by her condescending remark. “And apologies, Professor.”

  “Now, everyone, please pay close attention,” Vanessa went on as she tore her eyes away from me. “I’m not in the mood to see a repeat of what happened yesterday.”

  All the women stayed quiet but nodded their heads in agreement, and a heavy silence filled the air as Vanessa pulled out a cauldron.

  “Since you seem to be such an expert, Cole,” Vanessa sneered, “why don’t you read the incantation aloud for us?”

  “Sure,” I answered, and I glanced down at the textbook and spotted the spell immediately. “Mo sanguinem vinculum.”

  A heavy pause filled the room until Vanessa cleared her throat.

  “Well done,” she muttered, but she was clearly annoyed and surprised at the same time. I could tell by her tone and tight lined lips.

  Vanessa spent a few moments quietly gathering her ingredients like she’d done the day before and laid them out on the table.

  “Cole.” She smiled mischievously. “Can you name these ingredients for me?”

  “Cricket, cypress, hollyhock seeds, toadstool, and of course, blood,” I recited.

  “That’s correct.” She narrowed her ice blue eyes at me. “Now, for the love of Satan, everyone observe me as I concoct the potion.”

  “Yes, Professor,” everyone replied in unison.

  We watched as she measured out the ingredients and took a blade to slice into her own palm. Then she incanted the spell as she cut into her skin, let the droplets fall into the cauldron, stirred her blood into the potion, and used the dagger to mix the contents.

  She didn’t light the cauldron on fire this time, though, which I already anticipated. I’d read that this incantation didn’t require heat, and I smiled to myself for already expecting that.

  “Now, the less blood I use, the less powerful the bond will be,” Vanessa explained, “so, when you are making your own bonding weapons, be sure to use as much of your blood as possible … without killing yourself, of course.”

  She then retrieved another plant from her armoire. This time, it was a vibrant sunflower, and it looked so out of place in this dark and dim room when she set it on her desk. Then Vanessa smiled before she sliced a sunshine yellow petal off the flower. It wilted slowly, and a moment later, flames began to devour the entire thing. Within moments, the flower burned and crumpled into ashes before us.

  Everyone clapped, and then Akira raised her hand.

  “Will we be making our own blood bonds today?” the dark-haired witch asked.

  “No.” Vanessa frowned. “I need you all to pass the sacrificial test first. By any chance, did anyone manage to collect their blood? The quiz will be held during the next class.”

  Everyone went deadly quiet, and she knew she had her response.

  “Class,” Vanessa sighed. “You must retrieve your blood before the next lesson. Did you expect this to be an easy class?”

  “No, professor,” all the witches replied in unison.

  “The devil has no need for weaklings, so do not disappoint me,” she said in a low, threatening voice. “I’d hate to see you burn at the stake or die during the exam … well, at least most of you.”

  She threw a glare in my direction, but I just smirked right back at her.

  “It is pertinent that you retrieve the blood,” Vanessa added as she tore her gaze from mine.

  “We won’t disappoint you, Professor,” Vesta said in a small voice.

  “I hope not,” Vanessa sighed. “I think that’s enough for today. Take your books into the study hall until noon. Class dismissed.”

  Everyone slammed their books shut and left as quickly as possible, but before I stepped out of the door, Vanessa turned to look at me.

  “Just because you’re doing better than I expected doesn’t mean you should overestimate yourself,” she sniffed.

  I could tell the professor was vexed by my competence today, and I co
uldn’t help but smirk since I’d thrown her off her game. I quickly schooled my expression back into neutral, though. I wanted her to keep underestimating me. It was too fun showing her up.

  “I’m just doing my best,” I replied with a shrug. “May I be excused?”

  “Yes,” she snapped and waved her hand dismissively, “go.”

  I left and followed the witches, who were already down the hall and walking into a large, spacious room lined with black wooden tables. This was one of the only places that had transparent glass windows instead of stained ones, and the sky was a wash of gray and silver, with rain threatening to pour down at any moment.

  I took a seat at a table on my own, and as I was reading, one of the girls threw a feathered pen in my direction.

  I glanced up, annoyed, and looked in their direction.

  “Cole!” Morgana hissed, and she flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder in irritation. “For Satan’s sake, I was trying to get your attention for the past five minutes.”

  “What is it?” I asked with a frown. “I’m trying to study.”

  “Is it true?” she questioned, and her blue eyes were wide with reluctant curiosity.

  “Is what true?” I echoed and cocked an eyebrow at her.

  “Did you kill a centaur last night and save Vesta?” she asked. “She told us before class started … I just can’t believe it.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “Why would she lie about that?”

  “Fuck.” Faye grinned. “That’s somewhat impressive … I mean, for a mortal man.”

  The redhead quickly tried to backpedal her compliment, but it was too late.

  “I think you’ll find I’m more than just ‘somewhat impressive,” I said as I leaned back in my chair and folded my hands behind my head.

  Sweeny snorted and lifted her eyeless face to “look” at the other women.

  “It was pure dumb luck, most likely,” the scarred witch snapped at them. “First of all, Vesta, you shouldn’t have been out there alone. That was stupid, and I personally would rather die than let someone like him save me, so I don’t know why you even bothered to tell the rest of us.”