by Logan Jacobs
Theodora flicked her wrist, and a massive cloud appeared in the middle of the hall. It hovered over the students, and in the cloud, I could see the other contestants back in the snowy hell world as they tried to use spells to keep the avalanche from overwhelming and burying them.
So, that’s how the entire school had been watching us.
“Recupero!” Theodora shouted.
In the next moment, warlocks and witches poured down from the cloud, and their familiars fell along with them. They landed roughly onto the floor, and each member was blue from the cold. The Vipera women all had their hair loose and were covered in flecks of snow and ice, and their cheeks were flushed a deep rosy red. Only three warlocks returned, though, and their eyes were wide with shock and anger. Malcolm, in particular, was glaring at me like an angry ghost, as if he silently blamed me for his teammate’s fate.
“It would seem Mors Academy lost a student,” Theodora mused as she studied the frostbitten students. “This is an unfortunate turn of events, but it does not disqualify them from competing in the future games. Now, as I was saying, I suggest that all the teams take an hour or so to clean up and compose themselves before they return to the banquet hall for the grand feast. It is tradition to celebrate the first victory of the Ludi Mortiferum, and I expect everyone to wear their absolute best.”
Theodora gestured for us to leave as she discreetly pointed to the doors with a small smile. My coven and I slowly headed past the Scholomance students, and as we passed them by, they continued to clap and cheer for us.
I couldn’t help but smile as we made our way to the doors. I was finally being accepted by my own academy, and I loved every moment of it.
When we left the hall, we walked back to our quarters, and no one said a word. I had a feeling my coven was beyond exhausted by the entire endeavor, and the last thing they wanted to do was show up to a congratulatory ball.
But judging by the way Theodora boasted about its tradition, I had a feeling it wasn’t optional to attend.
We climbed up the stairs, and as soon as we passed the beautiful painting and slipped into the warm common room, Akira practically bolted to the sofa before dramatically collapsing onto it.
“You really should shower first,” Morgana suggested. “You’re going to get your sweat and snow all over the sofa that we all share.”
“You really should mind your own business first,” Akira snapped as she buried her head into the cushions.
“That comeback doesn’t even make sense,” the brunette scoffed.
“Your face doesn’t even make sense,” Akira grunted with a small, satisfied smile.
“Oh, shut up!” Vesta hissed. “Both of you. I don’t want to hear another word.”
“Hey, come on now,” Faye said in a lighthearted tone. “Why are you all in such a foul mood? We should be over the moon. We won, for fuck’s sake!”
“Yeah, but just barely,” Akira growled as she stretched out on the couch. “Look, I’m tired, alright? And the last thing I want to do is get all gussied up for some ball, and then pretend as if I’m cordial with all those other bitches from the other academy… not to mention Penelope and her posse of skanks.”
“Well, we don’t have to stay long.” I shrugged. “Why don’t you just go upstairs and take a nice hot bath? That will help you relax.”
A long bath was exactly what I had in mind for myself, and I was sure it would also help others to calm down.
“Yeah, you’re right,” the raven-eyed witch replied after a moment before she pushed herself upright. “Fine, I’ll go to the stupid fucking ball, but I won’t be happy about it.”
“You never are,” Morgana muttered under her breath.
I rolled my eyes and left my coven to get cleaned up. As soon as I was in my own bedroom, I peeled off my half-frozen clothes, and as I was changing, a shrill but familiar voice nearly made me jump out of my skin.
“Sir, would you like me to fill up the tub?” Cordelia asked.
“Yes, thank you,” I mumbled. “I could really use it. You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve just had.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing a nice bath can’t fix,” she replied. “Perhaps a nice cup of mugwort tea would help?”
“No, thanks,” I chuckled as I walked toward the bathroom.
“Very well,” she said.
The tub slowly began to fill up with steamy hot water, and I didn’t even wait until it was completely full before I submerged myself in the scorching hot liquid. My body instantly relaxed, and I could feel myself slowly returning to normal. It was like I was thawing out, and I groaned in pleasure as the water continued to bubble with heat. I could have stayed in there all night, but I knew I had to get ready.
If I didn’t, then I knew Vanessa would come here and drag me by the hair if necessary. I laughed at the image in my head as I climbed out of the tub and dried off. When I stepped back into my room, I saw a black suit laid out for me on the bed, and there was also a matching tie and a pair of leather boots.
“Thanks, Cordelia.” I grinned. “What would I ever do without you?”
“Run around naked, I imagine,” she chuckled. “I don’t think that would be a problem for the ladies, though, if you don’t mind me saying, sir.”
“Not at all.” I smirked.
I changed into my suit and ran my fingers through my damp black hair. Then I took out my wand and aimed it at my head.
“Sicco,” I muttered.
My hair instantly dried, and I studied myself in the mirror that hung by the bed. Although I was exhausted, my eyes were bright and clear as an open blue sky. My pale skin had some color to it, and I looked well put together. So, I sighed and adjusted my collar before I petted Alexander behind the ears.
“You can rest now,” I said, “lucky bastard.”
One of the perks about being an animal, I guess, he replied in a sleepy voice.
I chuckled and made my way back to the living room. It was empty, and a fire crackled by the sofa, so I took a seat and waited for the others to arrive. I studied the flames and thought more about the games. I knew this first game had been the easiest and that the tournament would only become more difficult from this point onward, and I wondered just how deadly our last game would be. How many students would still be alive by then?
I was so lost in my thoughts I almost didn’t hear the footsteps coming down the stairwell.
When I turned around, though, my jaw nearly hit the floor. The women had changed from their tattered uniforms and into revealing elegant dresses, and I looked at each one carefully.
Akira wore a long, sheer lace black gown, and slits ran down both sides that displayed her long, toned legs. She also wore a thick black choker around her creamy white neck with a jewel in the middle. Her exotic almond eyes were lined with black eyeliner, and her lips were a shade darker than usual.
“You look yummy,” I purred.
“Thanks,” Akira said, and then she blushed a bit and looked at my feet.
I smiled, and then I turned to stare at the bookworm beside her.
Morgana had opted for a wine-red dress that highlighted her porcelain shoulders and the curve of her breasts. It was a figure-hugging gown that showed off her sensual hips and slender body. Her lips were painted the same shade of red, and her long, thick eyelashes batted like butterfly wings when she caught me staring.
“Yes, we know we look incredible.” Faye grinned.
She was right. The redhead was wearing an emerald green dress with long sleeves, but no fabric covered her smooth, freckled back. Her cheeks were flushed, and her vivid red hair was tied up into a messy but sexy bun. She also wore a deep red lipstick that made her greenish-gold eyes appear even brighter and her skin paler.
Vesta giggled, and when I turned to her, she blushed. I gave her the once over and noticed parts of her dress were sheer and similar to Akira’s. Except, instead of a black gown, she wore a deep purple dress that had sequined sleeves and a heart-shaped neckline. Her light gre
en hair fell down in loose waves over her shoulders, and her lips were as pink as a rose.
They all looked absolutely beautiful and sexy as hell.
“Wow.” I whistled. “Look at you all.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Akira smirked.
“She’s right.” Vesta winked. “You clean up pretty well.”
“Thanks.” I grinned.
“Okay, okay,” Akira huffed after a moment. “Let’s stop kissing each other’s asses and just get this over with, shall we?”
“Agreed.” I nodded. “Let’s go.”
We left the common room and headed back down to the banquet hall. The women’s heels clicked and clacked against the marble floors and reverberated through the corridors, and when we finally reached the banquet hall doors, we could hear wild laughter and music echoing inside.
“Well, here goes nothing,” Akira growled before she pushed the doors open.
As soon as we stepped inside, my mouth hung open in amazement.
The banquet hall looked completely different, and it took me a moment to adjust to my new surroundings. The ceiling had expanded, and shooting stars were sprinting across the hall and past the large silver and iron chandeliers that glittered high above us. The entire room was glowing with light, since tonight, all the candles were lit, and they were taller than the usual ones. The tables had all been pushed to the sides and were covered with different platters of food and drinks, including roasted goose, crispy swan, pitchers of wolfberry wine, assortments of cheeses, spiced greens, and pink caviar. There were also rows of strange-looking desserts, which included a green layered cake at least fifteen feet tall.
Music played through the expansive room, and when I looked around to try and discover where the hauntingly beautiful melody was coming from, I spotted a set of instruments playing on their own at the front of the room. Any women who were dancing were dancing on their own, and the warlocks were awkwardly hanging by the food. They stared at the dancing women with a mixture of loathing and lust, and I laughed internally.
The poor bastards would never stand a chance with any one of these women.
I chose to ignore the competition, though, and paid more attention to our glorious surroundings.
“Unholy fuck,” I breathed. “Theodora really outdid herself this time.”
“Yes, she did, didn’t she?” a familiar voice said from behind us.
When I whipped around, Penelope was standing there in a long, sexy black gown with matching gloves. Her vivid orange hair was in loose waves that framed and flattered her heart-shaped face. Beatrix was by her side, and as always, the brunette looked bored and tired, but still, she was breathtaking. She was wearing a red and white dress with no sleeves, and a skeleton necklace dangled just above her voluptuous breasts.
“What the hell do you want, Penelope?” Akira sneered. “We didn’t come here to fight.’
“I don’t want anything.” The orange-haired witch shrugged. “I was only coming over here to congratulate you.”
“Bullshit,” Morgana hissed. “You always have an agenda.”
“Nope” she replied, “not this time.”
“Honestly, we just wanted to say you did well out there today,” Beatrix drawled. “We may be on opposite teams, but still… we’re representing Scholomance, so well done."
“Err, thanks,” I answered. I was doing my best not to sound awkward, but it was just such an unusual situation. I never expected them to come up to us like this, but at this point, I’d take it. “You did well, too.”
“They did?” Akira scoffed.
Morgana discreetly nudged her, and Akira forced a smile.
“I suppose you didn’t die,” Akira snickered. “Yay, you.”
“Well, anyway,” Penelope sighed. “Enjoy your night.”
The pair glided off to join the other two witches of their group, and we slowly walked through the clusters of crowds and looked around. I noticed Nyx and the horned witch talking with the other two women of their team, and for some reason, I found myself walking over to them.
“Cole, what are you doing?” I heard Vesta gasp, but I was already halfway toward them.
The blue witch was the first one to notice me, and she arched an eyebrow at me.
“Ah, look who it is, ladies.” She grinned.
“The man.” The silver-haired witch smiled. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced… my name is Ash, and this green-haired demon is Lena.”
I turned to look at the witch with the apple-green hair and smiled tightly.
“Look, I just wanted to say--” I began, but then Ash raised her hand.
“I get it.” She nodded. “You want to tell us we fought well and no hard feelings, all that shit, right?”
“Something along those lines,” I chuckled.
“That’s cool.” She winked. “I’m just relieved we didn’t lose to warlocks.”
“Agreed,” I replied.
Ash studied me for a moment before she bit down on her bottom lip and leaned closer.
“I think we can be cordial with one another, you know in the hallways and shit… but don’t get it twisted.” She smirked. “Once we’re back on the field, it’s on. No mercy.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I grinned.
“Cool,” Lena laughed.
I glanced behind the women and noticed an abnormally tall witch with a shadow across her upper lip, thick arms, and short dark hair.
“Is that your headmistress?” I asked.
“It is.” Lena nodded.
“Why haven’t I seen her before?” I wondered.
“Well,” Ash sighed, “she’s a little insecure about her looks, especially with the way your headmistress looks… so she tries to stay behind the scenes as much as possible. She’s comfortable around us, of course, but I’m sure this integration is getting on her nerves.”
I nodded and searched among the warlocks for their headmistress. I thought it was strange I hadn’t heard or seen them yet, either. Finally, I spotted a tall, skinny man with a long black beard and matching black eyes. His skin was sallow, and his cheeks were hollow. He looked ill and much older than the other students, so naturally, I assumed he was the headmaster.
Interesting.
“And what’s his excuse for not showing up until now?” I asked as I glared at the creepy old man.
The women turned to follow my gaze and then chuckled under their breath.
“Who knows?” Ash shrugged.
“And who cares,” Nyx laughed. “I’m just glad to hear one of the warlocks died during the first game.”
“They are a bunch of idiots.” Esther shook her head. “They have no respect for these games, it’s just a giant pissing contest for them.”
“Agreed,” I said as I remembered how Bram and Malcolm attacked Vesta out of nowhere.
I wished it had been one of them who had died out there, but then I told myself there were still a few more games to get through, and plenty of opportunities to kill them along the way.
“Anyway,” I sighed. “I’d better get back to my coven.”
“We’ll see you around.” Ash winked.
I left them and returned to my women, and they all had golden goblets in their hands and were swaying to the music.
“What was that about?” Akira demanded once I reached them.
“Nothing important,” I replied, and then I grinned at my coven. “Do any of you want to dance?”
“I do!” Faye grinned before she shoved her goblet at Akira.
I laughed as Akira rolled her black eyes and suppressed a smile, and then I led the eager redhead over to the dance floor and pulled her voluptuous body against mine. I could feel people’s eyes on us as we gently swayed to the music, but Faye was grinning from ear to ear as we moved our bodies to the gentle notes of the violin and piano. The redhead looked up at me with lust in her eyes, and I couldn’t help but picture her naked freckled body splayed out on my bed as I slowly slid my c
ock between her pink pussy lips.
I was about to command her to return to my room, where I could fuck her Wicca brains out, but something in the air stopped me. I felt as if someone was speaking to me, and for a moment, I thought it was Theodora. Sometimes, I could sense her presence, and I wondered if that might be it, but when I searched the banquet hall, I didn’t see her.
“That’s odd,” I whispered.
“What is?” Faye asked.
“I don’t see the headmistress,” I answered. “You’d think she’d be here.”
“I wonder where she is… ” the redhead mused as she looked around and scrunched up her freckled nose. "I don’t see Vanessa anywhere, either.”
“Are you two finished?” Akira asked before she tapped on my shoulder. “I’d like to get myself a refill if that’s alright with you, Faye. And I don’t want to approach the table with two goblets, because then the entire school will start a rumor that I have a drinking problem.”
“Oh, right,” Faye laughed before she took back her goblet. “Sorry.”
Akira glanced at me, and her face fell.
“What’s wrong, Cole?” she asked.
“I just have this strange feeling,” I muttered as the weight in my chest grew heavier.
Then I turned to look at the headmaster of the Mors Academy, and his eyes were burning into mine. My entire body went ice-cold, and my head instantly felt as if it were going to split open. I buckled over in pain, and Vesta grabbed me before I could fall over.
“Cole!” she gasped. “What’s wrong?”
“Something’s wrong… I have to find Theodora,” I breathed as my vision doubled, but I could still feel the headmaster’s eyes on me. “Right now.”
Chapter 8
I ran away from my coven and crashed through the doors on my way out. There was no time to explain what had happened, and I bolted through the corridors and down several staircases toward Theodora’s office. I was prepared to demand some answers this time. I needed to speak with her and find out why that headmaster had caused me such incredible pain by merely looking at me.
I’d never felt anything like that before, and I knew it couldn’t possibly be good.