by Evie Wilde
“Thank you for protecting me, Braeden. And for always being there for me.”
He nodded and left me to myself.
I bought the cabin over a year ago from a witch who moved out west. It had everything I needed: fireplace, kitchen with plenty of shelf space for potion ingredients, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and about four acres of land, the backside flanked by the river. I’d done a poor job with the landscaping but, honestly, I was never home long enough to give it the attention it deserved.
Inside my small but quaint house, I removed my shoes and passed by the two bookshelves full of spell books, history of witchery, and a diary I started a few years ago but had not written in for the past six months. Girls my age wrote in their diaries about relationships with lovers, and since I had none, I saw no reason to continue writing about everyday tasks. Sometimes I thought about writing of my adventures with Braeden, but we’d yet to do the things other girls wrote about. Mostly I just drew pictures of things I dreamed of seeing some day. I also used the diary to keep track of new potions and spells.
Next to the shelves of books were two full shelves of potion ingredients I had yet to touch: agarwood, rue, bauhinia, anise, bay leaves and dozens of others. Braeden had promised someday soon he would teach me the proper mixture of ingredients as several of my potions had caused disastrous events. I’d once turned innocent people into animals, and another time spread a fungus through the town surrounding the guild. It took weeks to clean up my mess.
The fireplace held a large cauldron I used for creating potions, though it sat empty for weeks. Braeden's suggestion not mine.
I passed the fireplace and stopped, feeling a presence in the house. I stayed in the shadows and moved my hands together, preparing a sphere of fire.
“Don’t bother,” a voice from the kitchen called. “I wouldn’t want you to destroy your own house.”
“Guildmaster Ren?” My heart sank into my toes. The only time I ever saw the guildmaster was at the guild. He was never known to leave without good cause. Bad news traveled fast.
“Have a seat, Cassandra.” His voice was controlled for a man who had to be mad for leaving the guild so early in the morning. I doubted he’d had time for his breakfast with the other guild members who stayed on campus. I sat in the chair across from him. He laid out the newspaper in his hands. I tried not to look. “Twenty-four people killed, though they aren’t sure if the deaths were caused by the Sarchi or by the witch who was supposed to be there to save them.” He ran his finger down the article. “Estimated property damage around thirty-two million.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, though I knew sorry helped nothing.
“As am I, Cassandra. Want to tell me what in the hell happened out there?” His voice was beginning to lose control. “I have an entire city to answer to. There’re people waiting for my return at the guild. I’ll be writing checks for years.”
I explained my side of the story, ensuring him it would not happen again. I did point out the fact I killed the Sarchi that attacked the city in the first place. He had to give me kudos for that. I ended with sorry and another assurance there would not be a repeat. But we both knew there probably would be. It was just the way things went with me. “I know I’m new at this, Guildmaster. Braeden has promised to help me along. Tomorrow we’re going to work on potions.”
“First it was the farmer’s entire herd of cattle. Remember that?” he asked. I nodded. A wolf had been stalking the herd at night while the farmer slept. I snuck into the field late one night and cast a dome of protection over the herd. The fireball cooked every cow in the field. For twenty square miles people claimed to smell steak and hamburgers. “And I don’t even want to talk about the time you used your power of wind and blew away an entire village.”
“I’m sorry,” I interrupted. But he wasn’t finished.
“There are at least a dozen other examples, including the fae city. Remember that one?” He folded the newspaper. “We need to figure out what we’re going to do, Cassandra. I can’t allow this to continue.”
“I will train more,” I said.
“Unfortunately, that’s not enough for the guild members.”
“Please don’t, Guildmaster Ren. I can do better.”
He shook his head and looked away. “I don’t want to do this, but you are no longer welcome at the guild. Your mistakes have almost bankrupted the guild. We’ll be paying damages for the next ten years. We can’t accept any more losses.” He took a deep breath and sighed.
A tear ran down my cheek, and I swiftly wiped it away. Crying would show weakness, and it wasn’t the time for weakness. “You could have waited until I arrived tomorrow at the guild,” I said.
“It would have been bad for the both of us if you’d shown up.” He raised a hand to stop my protest. “I’m here for another reason, Cassandra.” He stood and paced the kitchen. “I see a lot of me in you when I was your age. I understand you. I even understand your constant screw ups. Believe it or not but once upon a time I was a rebel like you.”
“Thank you, I think.”
“So, I have a proposition for you. And before I continue, let me say that I still need to discuss this with Headmaster Eliphas.” He stopped pacing and sat in the living room. I followed and stood by the fireplace. “You’ve heard of the Enchanted Academy?”
“Everyone’s heard of it,” I replied. “Those who’ve gone there and come back say it’s a brutal experience.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “It’s an academy that focuses on discipline in the craft of magic. Though it’s difficult, it is one of the best in the world.”
“I don’t want to leave here, Guildmaster Ren. Surely I have a choice?”
“The guild members don’t want to risk another catastrophe,” he said. “Several are threatening to leave the guild if you’re allowed back. Those I’ve spoken to have agreed that if you graduate from the academy, they will allow you to return to the guild.” He stood and joined me at the fireplace. “It’s the only way, Cassandra. If you don’t, the guild will revoke your powers, and you will have to find a new line of work.”
“They can’t do that.”
“They’ve already voted, Cassandra. It’s you or them, and there are too many of them for you to stay. We have guild members who’ve not had a pay increase in years because of the expense we incur cleaning up your messes. They won’t stand for it any longer and are threatening to leave the guild. If that happens, the guild will close, and it will be your fault.”
“I don’t know that I’m good enough for the Enchanted Academy,” I said. “With all these calamities I’ve caused, why would they take me?”
He walked to the front door. “Because not even the guild members can deny your potential, Cassandra. You’re young, beautiful, and have terrific power that only needs to be harnessed and controlled.” He opened the front door. “I believe in you, Cassandra. I really do. But you must make this decision. The guild is expecting me to return with your answer. I need it now.”
“No pressure,” I replied and crossed my arms. If I'd stuck out my bottom lip to pout, he would have walked out. I looked around the room at all the things I would be leaving. But what bothered me most was the thing not in the room I would be leaving—Braeden. We’d been together as friends far longer than we had not. He would be disappointed. I didn’t have many friends at the guild but would miss them dearly. I wasn’t entirely sure I could graduate the academy, meaning I’d be returning early when things didn’t work out.
“Cassandra, I need your answer now.”
I nodded and he sighed. “I will go.”
“I’ll contact the headmaster and make sure we can get you in.” He stepped out onto the porch and stopped before looking back. “You made a wise decision.”
“I’m not so sure,” I said. “I like it here. My friends and the people I trust are here.”
“One last thing, Cassandra.” He looked at the floor, bad news about to follow. “I have to request you stay in
your house until you leave for the academy.” He raised a hand when I started to protest. “There are people looking to cause you harm. It’s for the best.”
“But…,”
He closed the door and I heard the swoop of wind that was Guildmaster Ren as he rode a streak of light back to the guild. He’d been as diplomatic as he could. I knew enough about the guild members to know few of them were in my favor.
I plopped on the couch and glanced around the house, so much of what I could see had yet to be used. I’d buried myself in my elements: wind and fire, leaving little time for the finer art of being a witch. The Enchanted Academy would change that. It did excite me that I would be learning from some of the best witches and warlocks in the world. Of course, they were strict. I’d heard that most were crass and didn’t tolerate insubordination.
I picked up the phone and called Braeden, asking that he come over. I had important news to tell him. He didn’t seem surprised, so I wondered if he knew or at least had an idea I was in trouble. Maybe he had negotiated with Guildmaster Ren to give me this one last chance. Braeden showed about an hour later, satisfaction on his face that he had helped me the best he could.
“Guildmaster Ren was here when I opened the door this morning.”
Braeden took a seat on the couch. He refused to make eye contact. He knew. “I’m sorry, Cass.”
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“No, not really. But the damage in Wayfair City was too catastrophic that I didn’t see any way they would not punish you.” He patted the seat next to him. “Sit with me and let’s talk.”
“I told him I would go to the Enchanted Academy if they would have me.” I sat next to Braeden, and he put his hand on my knee, comforting me. I couldn’t remember him touching anything except my hand. I wanted him to move it higher, but I said nothing.
“It’s the right decision,” he said. “Did Guildmaster Ren say when?”
“As soon as possible. He’s talking to Headmaster Eliphas today.” I put my hand on his. “Braeden, I don’t want to leave you behind.”
“There’s something I need to tell you, Cass.” Braeden’s face became all smiles. “I honestly didn’t know Guildmaster Ren was going to send you to the Enchanted Academy. I really didn’t. But this morning, after seeing the news about Wayfair and the citizens asking for your head to roll, I thought it a possibility he might do something like send you there.” He took my hands in his. “I spoke to someone close to Headmaster Eliphas, and I’ve been accepted for the fall.”
A wave of relief washed over me. I wasn’t going to go alone. “I will add an addendum to the agreement,” I said. “I will agree to go as long as it’s in the fall!”
“We should go celebrate,” he said.
“I’ve been quarantined to the house.”
Braeden rested his chin on his palm. “No worries. We’ll practice here. I expect you to be ready first thing tomorrow. We start with potions and then move on to hexes.” A smile spread across his face. “I have confidence in you, Cass.” He stood and walked to the door. “Remember, the greatest witches and warlocks in the world graduated from the Enchanted Academy.”
I watched Braeden leave, but I longed for him to stay.
CHAPTER THREE
Cassandra
The tube led beneath the river that fed the pristine waters surrounding the Enchanted Academy. All along the way we could see creatures swimming playfully, eating plants and having not a worry in the world. They were unlike any sea creatures I’d seen before. They watched us with intrigue, understanding what we were and how different we were from them. Some swam alongside the tube, waving with fins as we waved with hands.
I knew such a world existed but had never been allowed near the river or on the tube as both were exclusively for those heading to and from the Enchanted Academy. I’d dreamed of coming here. Though, as I said to Guildmaster Ren, I wasn’t sure how successful I would be. Even as a child I dreamt of this very place, my parents promising someday it would happen. I never believed them. I still didn’t, because I couldn’t believe I was good enough to graduate from a place with such prestige.
Before I even stepped foot on the dock leading to the bridge crossing over to the academy, I felt a kinship with all around me, like it was the place I belonged above all other places. The buildings before me were nothing short of incredible, the sun’s reflection off the buildings warming to the skin.
“All ten structures are made of crystal created from the waters surrounding the academy,” Braeden said. “Most of the buildings have taken hundreds of years to build.”
“I had no idea it was so large,” I said, feeling humbled.
“The two buildings to the left are dorms. The one next to it is the gathering place and cafeteria.” He pointed at the center building. “That’s the administration building. You’ll want to stay out of there. The other buildings are for instruction, and one houses the apartments for the instructors. On the far backside is the arena where we’ll train and where games are played in front of the student body.”
“How do you know all this?” I moved to the bridge with Braeden, him holding my hand, me feeling more at ease than I’d ever felt before. Suddenly everything I thought impossible seemed possible.
“I have a friend who found it on the dark web,” he said.
“That’s impossible. The Internet was outlawed years ago.”
“You keep believing that.” Braeden smiled. “Outlawed but not shut down.”
“I think this is the place, Braeden. Where I was meant to be.” I turned to him. “Do you feel the power?”
Braeden held my hand. “I feel it as well. Like everything that has happened in our lives has led us to this moment. This is where the best witches and warlocks learn the trade. They learn to master the skills they were born with.” He nodded at the bridge. “When we cross, our lives will change forever.”
“Then let’s change our lives,” I said, and we started forward, crossing the bridge and then suddenly stopping. Braeden dropped my hand and stepped away. “Cass, your hands.”
I raised my hands, the left blue, the right fiery red. “My powers,” I said. I moved my hands together and started to create a fireball.
“Whoa,” Braeden said and lowered my hands. “Not yet. Let’s at least get inside and take the tour and get orientation out of the way.”
I shook my head, though I thought he did it more out of fear I might destroy something. “I believe in me, Braeden. I have no doubts in my ability.”
We approached the main entrance, and the two stained-glass doors opened. Part of me reconsidered going forward. What if I failed? What if I became a liability to the academy the way I’d become a liability to the guild?
“Names please.” The man appeared from the shadows. He may have been three-feet tall. Maybe. His glasses hung on a large crooked nose that sat between two old, weary eyes. Long, gray eyebrows hung over the old eyes. He pulled a slate of glass from his pocket and tapped a button on the screen. The screen glowed, and the man rubbed his chin. He eyed us suspiciously and maybe with a bit of fear.
“Um, Braeden Lebeaux,” Braeden said.
“Cassandra Clarke,” I followed.
The man stared at me as if he were seeing a monster. He then tapped several buttons on the screen and suddenly two printouts slid from the top of the screen, leaving me in awe. “Your orientation schedule and your tentative class schedule. Please step ahead to the yellow line. Your tour will begin shortly.” His lip trembled when he looked up at me again.
“Hexes and Potions 101, Magical Defense Spells 101, and Field and Mission training,” I said.
“I’ve got the first and last one with you,” Braeden said, smiling. He was always smiling, always upbeat about everything. I guess he had to be if he were going to deal with all my baggage.
We moved forward, and I took a glance back at the old man. Walking backward, he disappeared into the darkness as if he never existed, though I would never forget his reaction to
me. My reputation had arrived well before I did.
Though the outside of the building had been made of crystal, the inside reminded me of the dark wood in the old pictures I saw of libraries that once existed. Along the walls were pictures of famous witches and warlocks most of whom I’d heard of, some I assumed were long gone.
We stopped at the yellow line, and then the line moved forward. Braeden and I shared a glance and then stepped forward, the toes of our shoes touching the line. The yellow line moved again, but we did not. The line moved back but again danced forward. Then our ears were drawn to the laughing behind us.
“William Dashell Bancroft. My friends, that means you,” he said to me and tapped me on the shoulder. “Call me Dash.” He squeezed between Braeden and I. “You’ll learn to either hate me or love me.”
“I’m thinking hate,” I replied. He was much taller than either of us, his blond hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail. His emerald eyes were ice cold and lonely. A tattoo adorned his left bicep, a picture of two older people inside a fireball. He wore black but not the way Braeden wore black. William, who was not my friend yet, wore black because he was trouble.
He swirled his finger, and the yellow line moved again.
“I’m not amused,” I said, and he frowned.
Still standing between Braeden and I, he put an arm around my shoulders and then Braeden’s. “A couple of newbies,” he said. He nodded at the two young men with him. “That’s Kyler Bowen and Oliver Morris.” He dropped his arm from Braeden’s shoulders and turned to me, the emerald specs in his eyes moving in a circular motion and forming a swirl in his pupils. “And you are?”
“Cassandra Clarke,” I said but offered no more. I saw no need for everyone to get their panties in a wad. They would find out soon enough.