by Lucia Ashta
“That’s great,” Fianna said. “There’s no safer place than the Magical Menagerie.” The owl opened his beak and the fairy hastened to add, “Other than the Magical Arts Academy, of course.”
“Of course,” the owl said proudly.
“So, where will she be staying?” Fianna asked.
The owl’s head tilted this way and that while he considered the grounds, the fairies, and finally me. “Since you’ve already formed a bond with her, I think she’ll stay with you.”
“With us?” Fianna sputtered. “That’s not fair.”
I raised my eyebrows at her. This was the same fairy who said she’d owe me a life debt forever, right? Maybe “forever” was different for fairies.
“This isn’t about ‘fair,’ Fianna the Crimson,” the owl admonished.
Fianna didn’t bother to look berated. “But our house is our size!” She exchanged bewildered looks with her cousin. “Where on earth do you expect us to fit her?” At the chance of perceived impertinence, she added, “It’s not that I’m questioning your wisdom, headmaster, it’s that—”
“You’re questioning my wisdom.” I couldn’t decide whether the owl was annoyed or amused. It was hard to tell with those wide, intense eyes, and feathers covering the entirety of his face and body.
“How will it work, Sir Lancelot?” Nessa asked, her tone one of curiosity.
“I suspect it will be something along the lines of making your house expand within to suit her gigantic size.”
“A spell, then?” I asked, working not to take offense at being called “gigantic.”
“Magic, surely. But I won’t be the one performing it. The school’s staff witch Nancy will be more than up for the task, however.”
I nodded. What else was I to do? Apparently I was to be squeezed into a house that fit fairies smaller than my hand. That was bound to be … interesting.
Sir Lancelot crossed his wings behind his back and began to pace, probably looking like every headmaster Liana had ever imagined—except for the owl bit, of course. Not even Liana with her flightful imagination had ever anticipated this.
“Until such time as the school singles you out for admission,” the owl intoned seriously, “you’ll be a guest of the Magical Creatures Academy. With that in mind, you’ll behave with the utmost decorum at all times. You’ll be respectful and obedient when necessary. But above all”—he paused to smile—“you’ll be magical.”
Well, the owl didn’t seem as fearsome as the fairies had made him out to be. I was almost starting to like him.
“I’ll do my best,” I said with my own smile.
“I’m sure you will, and that’s all that I ask of you. It’s the same the Menagerie asks of all its students.” Then he nodded succinctly as if he considered the discussion finished.
“Sir, uh, Lancelot?”
“It’s my name. No need to tiptoe around it, child.”
“Yes, sir. Uh, I mean, what of Quinn?” I paused. “And Irving please.”
The owl cocked his head this way and that again while he took me in. “I’m not sure,” he finally said, and I was certain it couldn’t be a thing he said often. This little headmaster was as self-assured as they made them. “As Quinn is connected to you and the right age for admittance, it’s entirely possible that the school will choose him at some point, especially if he’s no longer hidden behind his uncle’s protections. But that’s for Quinn to decide—assuming the school considers him.”
“His uncle didn’t want him to come here,” Fianna said.
“He didn’t want Selene to come here either,” Nessa added.
“I see,” the owl said. “Well, life is rarely what we want it to be or what we think it’ll be.” He studied me some more. “I’ll put feelers out to see what we can find out about the uncle and nephew.”
“Oh, thank you,” I gushed.
“But I make no guarantee of what we’ll be able to do to help them once we find them, assuming they need our help at all.”
“I have the feeling they do.” The admission pained me.
The owl nodded. “I’ll do my best, but my ultimate responsibility is the students and staff of the Menagerie. Even helping you like this is beyond my appointed duties and an extension beyond what I usually offer.”
“You’re special,” Nessa said, just as I’d begun to wonder why the owl was extending his hospitality if he didn’t often do it.
“Very special,” the diminutive headmaster said. “I know better than most how powerful ‘special’ can be.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, particularly when the fairies nodded their agreement, so I didn’t say anything as the owl resumed his pacing, wings still clasped behind his back. “Of course, no one wastes their time while they’re here, not even the most special ones. You’ll train and you’ll learn as much as you can about yourself and your magic in preparation for the possibility of admission into the Menagerie.”
“I’d love to,” I said. “But I need someone to teach me please. I don’t know anything about my powers.”
“I somehow doubt that.”
“I don’t, I really don’t, I swear.” I couldn’t understand why I was defending myself by insisting I was an ignoramus.
“We often don’t realize what we know until we’re forced to prove it.”
“She proved that today,” Fianna said.
“Indeed,” the owl agreed. “But I do believe that there’s always something to be learned from a community, hence the institutions of the Magical Creatures Academy and the Magical Arts Academy. I don’t plan on leaving you on your own to learn, Lady Selene. Fianna the Crimson and Nessa the Sapphire will help you.”
Fianna groaned softly until I threw an accusatory glare her way. Thanks for the life debt, fairy, I mentally projected to her. Nessa appeared wary, but at least she didn’t complain.
“We’re not qualified to teach her,” Fianna said. “Our magic is fae magic, hers is entirely different.”
“And you think I don’t realize that?” the owl said with a dangerous lift of his brow. “You’ll help her navigate this world that’s so unfamiliar to her. Egan will train her.” He nodded his head. “Yes, I think that’s a very good fit indeed.”
The fairies didn’t agree or disagree, and I was left wondering who the heck Egan might be.
“Well,” the owl said, “I’m needed back at the school. I hope you enjoy your time here, Lady Selene of the Kunu Clan. If I can be of service, don’t hesitate to let me know.”
Though he suggested he was, I got the feeling he wasn’t all that available. Surely running an entire school of supernatural creatures must keep him busy.
To the fairies, he said, “Let me know if you learn anything of the whereabouts of Naomi Nettles or her familiar. We mustn’t lose sight of our enemies.”
“Of course,” Fianna said with a bow of her head. “We’ll keep you updated.”
“Would you like us to update you on her progress as well?” Nessa asked.
One look from the owl was sufficient response. It said, Of course, this is my school, and I need to know every single thing that transpires involving it. With a final nod and prolonged eye contact with each one of us, he said, “I’ll send Egan and Nancy, and I’ll send Melinda to help you, Fianna. I do hope your recovery is swift.”
“Thank you,” Fianna said as the headmaster took off in graceful flight, circled to point back in the direction he came, and disappeared from sight far more quickly than the fairies would have.
I waited what seemed an appropriate time before peppering the fairies with my own questions. “Nancy’s a witch?”
“Hm-hm,” Nessa said, appearing lost in thought.
“A witch?” I squeaked in alarm.
Fianna chuckled as she moved to straighten out her wings, examining the damage as best she could over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, not all witches are like Naomi. As with everything else, there are good witches and bad ones.”
“I hope not too many bad on
es.” My voice was still shrill and I worked to return it to a normal tone.
Fianna grimaced. I already knew I wouldn’t like her answer. “There are far too many bad ones—”
“‘Dark’ ones is the correct term,” Nessa said.
“Yes, well, whatever they’re called, they’re still the worst of news.”
“Worse than the creatures after me?” I asked, breathless. “Worse than the vampire Antonio Dimorelli?”
“Not really. Just as bad, though,” Fianna said.
“Oh. I see.” I sounded like I was ten years younger. “And, uh, this Egan? Is he a witch too?”
“He’d be a wizard,” Nessa said, “if he were a magician. But he’s not. He’s most definitely not.”
“Not a chance,” Fianna said.
“Well? What is he, then?”
“He’s a centaur. One of the last of his kind,” Nessa said.
“A centaur! Aren’t they—?”
“Horse men, yes,” Fianna said, pretending she was bored.
Nessa chuckled. “He’s not just a centaur. He’s a pegasus-centaur.”
I blinked while I processed. “Then why am I called a sirangel—against my wishes, I might add—and he isn’t called a pegataur or something?”
“That’s because he won’t allow it,” Fianna said.
“And none of us is brave enough to try it,” Nessa said.
“And no one’s scared of me…?”
“Nope.” The blue fairy was unapologetic. “When you meet Egan you’ll understand.”
That’s precisely what I was afraid of.
Fianna flew haphazardly to my shoulder and awkwardly patted me. I only realized she was doing it because I turned to look. “It’s not as bad as you fear.”
“Right,” I said, half numb. “And Melinda? Who’s she, or what’s she, or whatever?”
Nessa smiled fondly. “She’s a badger, and the best of folk.”
Well, I’d just have to take her word for it, now wouldn’t I?
“You’ll like her,” Nessa continued. “Everyone likes her. She’s the mother hen of the school.”
“Great,” I said, but I didn’t have much conviction to put into it.
We sat around for a bit, waiting for Egan, Nancy, and Melinda to arrive I presumed, until Fianna stood from my shoulder and half flitted, half tumbled toward her cousin, who rested on my legs. The warm, bright afternoon sunshine filtered through the treetops to sparkle across her broken wings and battered battle outfit, only serving to emphasize her magical nature.
The crimson fairy stared off into the distance in the direction of Sir Lancelot’s retreat. “Either they or Sir Lancelot must’ve gotten caught up in something. We might as well go catch some rest. I know I could use some. My poor wings. I’ll need lots of recovery time to heal up.”
Nessa offered Fianna a sympathetic grimace. “That’s right. You’ll heal up and be back to yourself in no time.”
“Melinda’s pampering will make sure of it,” Fianna added. “Let’s go.” The redheaded fairy cast a forlorn look between her wings and some distant point deeper in the forest.
“Um.”
The fairies turned to me.
“Uh, I’m not sure if this is appropriate or not, but, Fianna, would you like me to carry you?”
“Heck yes,” she said. “I get enough hard work without making it for myself.”
“Me too,” Nessa said and eyed the open palm I was extending to her cousin.
“Feel free to join,” I told the blue fairy, and she was in my hand before I could finish the sentence.
“Lazy bum,” Fianna said, but climbed into my hand next to Nessa. “We’re only just over there.”
“Where?” I turned, scouring the direction in which she pointed, but I saw no home, none at all.
“That lovely tree stump,” Nessa said, pointing too.
“That tree stump?”
“The very one.” The blue fairy beamed, but I was freaking out.
“There’s no way I’ll fit in there, no matter what magic this Nancy witch does. It’s impossible.”
“Don’t you worry,” Nessa said. “There’s not a single truly impossible thing on this entire campus. If fact, we prove the notion wrong on an hourly basis.”
I closed the distance between us and the tree stump, shaking my head in disbelief all the while.
“We’ll knock the disbelief right out of you in no time,” the crimson fairy said, a little too happily.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
The fairies laughed and laughed, as if we hadn’t just survived a nightmare—and barely. Finally, I couldn’t stand to be the only one acting like I’d sucked on a bitter lemon, and I joined in on their laughter. I was either going crazy … or finally joining the world of magic. Only time would determine which of the two it was, and if they weren’t one and the same.
As I crossed the glade, my thoughts—and my heart—reached out to Quinn. Wherever he was, I hoped he could feel me. Whatever magical world I was joining, I needed him to share it with me.
I’ll find you again, Quinn, I promised. It was a promise I dearly hoped I’d find the way to keep.
“Come on. Hurry up, Selene,” Fianna ordered. “I can’t wait to be home.”
Home. I was so far from the ocean that it seemed I had no choice but to choose a new home.
Nessa giggled. “I don’t know how you’re going to fit inside, but you’ll love it once you do. There’s no place more magical than our tree stump.”
There certainly would be no place like it, of that I was certain. I moved deeper into the forest to my new home, two fairies nestled in my outstretched palm while the red-haired one pointed the way like a crazed general.
I smiled in relief … or perhaps delirium. I was a guest of the Magical Menagerie. Life could only become more magical.
Want More?
Selene’s adventures continue in
ANGEL MAGIC
Book Two of Sirangel
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I write these books for you.
Angel Magic
ANGEL MAGIC
Sirangel: Book Two
The Magical Creatures Academy is the most secure location for Selene to defend herself from those who seek to claim her power.
As usual with Selene, nothing is as expected.
When the fearsome witch, Naomi Nettles, breaks through the academy’s fortifications, she delivers Selene to someone far worse, someone Selene had hoped never to cross paths with again.
But on her quest to find Quinn, Selene will endure whatever she must.
She’s the only sirangel in existence. She’s about to make the most of that fact to reunite with the man she loves.
~ Download now on Amazon ~
The Magical Creatures Academy Series
Upper YA Urban Fantasy by Lucía Ashta
Rina Nelle Mont has never been a part of the paranormal world. Until now.
Well, maybe not. The Magical Creatures Academy only accepts supernaturals, and she’s been invited to the school, but she has none of the powers she’s supposed to. Blip. Nada. Not even a spark.
The school hasn’t made a mistake in a century, but she might be the first one. That’s just the kind of thing that would happen to her. Especially since no one has any idea what kind of creature she’ll be … assuming her powers ever decide to make an appearance.
The Academy is the le
ading institution for paranormal creatures in the world. Its students are the finest of shifters, vampires, and fae.
Speaking of fine fae … Leander Verion, prince of the elves, is off limits. Not only is he arrogant, stubborn, and totally not her style, he’s her brother’s best friend. She will not fall for him. No way. Besides, he’s not interested … is he?
When two men who head the Shifter Alliance, a rebel faction of shapeshifters who seek to escape the control of the Enforcers—the supernatural police force—find out about Rina and her potential for a different kind of magic, they hunt her. For them, the stakes are as personal as they get.
Whether she’s ready or not, Rina is about to find out what she’s made of…
~ View the Magical Creatures Academy series on Amazon ~
The Magical Arts Academy Series
YA Historical Fantasy by Lucía Ashta
Isadora is recruited to attend a secret school of magic.
As she makes her way to the academy, a dark sect of sorcerers pursues her relentlessly, willing to use any spell in their vast arsenal of powers to stop her.
With the help of Trixie, her horse, a dragon named Humbert, and a clandestine band of magicians, Isadora will work to overcome the sorcerers to begin her education in wizardry.
What would you do if you were invited to study at the Magical Arts Academy? Enroll, of course! Join Isadora and her crew of magical misfits today.