by Lucia Ashta
Awaken to Peace Press
Copyright 2018 Lucía Ashta
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction.
Cover design by Mirela Barbu.
Edited by Elsa Crites.
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Back cover copy
The Magical Arts Academy is anything but ordinary.
It’s the one place Isadora can learn the forbidden craft. With mythical beasts, animals with unusual gifts, and a team of peculiar magicians, Isadora finally has the chance to embrace an extraordinary future.
But is the academy really as safe as Isadora thinks? Or will the Sorcerers find the way to infiltrate its defenses?
For my father, who taught me I could do anything I put my mind to
Magic has as many limits as the imagination.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Unexpected Agents - Book 3
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Acknowledgments
Read more by Lucía Ashta
About the author
Chapter 1
The massive front door swung open, seemingly on its own. Is it a magical door? I wondered, until I saw the liveried butler standing behind it. He bowed his head. “Welcome to Acquaine Manor, Milady.”
I blushed. “Thank you.” I’d never felt like much of a lady, but I stepped inside anyway, appreciating how bright and light the space felt.
In the next instant, I caught a flash of green, sparkling scales and claws—big, terrifying, flesh-shredding claws. I dove and hit the floor with a hard slap that jarred the wits right out of me.
What the...? I lifted my head to get a better look at… well, whatever it was.
It swooped, and I dipped my head beneath my arms to protect it. Take cover! I wanted to call out, but it took only a moment to notice no one else was panicking.
I risked a glance beneath my arm and saw what resembled a miniature dragon circling Arianne while emitting a drawn-out cawing sound of the kind I’d never heard before.
And another one of the creatures! Equally swift and just as frightening, with opalescent pearl-colored scales, it circled above us.
I gave up on my curiosity and wrapped my arms around my head until I heard what sounded suspiciously like laughing.
In fact, I decided there was nothing it could be other than laughter. The sound was deep and probably infectious if I hadn’t been trying to protect my life.
The laughter continued until I realized it was only building strength. The old man, Mordecai, I guessed and peeked at him from under my arm. He was red in the face from laughing. Affronted, I yanked my gaze to the dragons circling above us, then to those that had come to receive me, and realized everyone in that hall, including the butler, was struggling not to give in to what Mordecai was doing.
They looked as if they were close to losing the fight.
As red in the face as Mordecai, I got to my knees, hid a wince when they ached from smacking them on the hard floor, and shook out my hands. I gathered the skirts of my dress and stood.
“I take it the dragons aren’t a threat?” I asked no one in particular. I’d only just met some of them and the rest were still strangers.
Arianne approached me, holding out her hands to take mine, smiling with kind, amber eyes. “They aren’t dragons, darling, and they certainly aren’t threats to any of us. Get on their bad side, and that’s another story. If we’d let them loose on those sorcerers who invaded our estate, they wouldn’t have stopped until they’d burned them all to a crisp.”
I tried to keep horror from displaying on my face.
“But to us they are gentle as kittens,” she said as the green-scaled not-dragon landed gracefully next to her.
My eyes bulged as the creature nuzzled Arianne’s neck. It was nearly as tall as her, and that’s where every similarity between the animal and the lady ended.
Arianne nuzzled him right back and cooed words in another language I didn’t understand—though they sounded French. “This is Mathieu,” she said, looking at me with unmistakable pride. “He’s my sweet firedrake, aren’t you, my darling boy?”
She ran a hand along his spine. His strange non-human eyes, with horizontal slits for pupils, expressed pure bliss. “He’s the mate of Mordecai’s firedrake.”
She turned to the old magician, who stood behind her, and my eyes, which were already huge, grew larger. “This is Sylvia,” Mordecai said. The red-scaled firedrake perched upon his shoulder as if she were no bigger or weightier than a parakeet. Mordecai appeared to sag under her weight, but his expression was happy.
“These are your... pets?” That two otherwise mostly normal-looking people would keep firedrakes as pets was alarming, though not nearly as much as the fact that magic had existed all around me while I moseyed along, oblivious.
Mordecai had stopped laughing, though the grin remained on his crinkly face. “They aren’t our pets, that would imply that their needs are subservient to ours.”
“They honor us as our companions,” Arianne said. “We love them, and they love us.” Yes, the love Arianne shared with Mathieu was evident.
Now that my heartbeat was beginning to settle, I studied the firedrakes more carefully. I could tell they weren’t dragons. They had two legs instead of four and were much smaller. Their faces were longer than the dragon’s I’d seen, whose snout was stubbier. But the firedrakes were obviously related to dragons. They looked no less fierce because of their size and fewer legs.
I took a few tentative steps toward Arianne and Mathieu next to her. I moved slowly so as not to startle him. Still preoccupied with Arianne’s affection, he seemed barely to notice me as I drew closer.
I reached out a hesitant hand. Mathieu turned on me in a flash. His eyes blazed and smoke puffed from his very dragon-like nostrils.
I yanked my hand back, stumbling to get out of his way. Mordecai started laughing again. This time, I heard a few shared chuckles.
“That’s enough, all of you,” the woman I recognized as Clara said. I’d last seen her riding off on a very large dragon. Obviously, the dragon hadn’t harmed her any more than these firedrakes would harm their human companions.
Clara drew next to me, wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and led me farther into the manor and away from the firedrakes. “I understand exactly what you’re going through. Just give it some time. You’ll get used to all of this.”
I didn’t imagine I’d ever get used to a world with magic, dragons, and firedrakes, but I didn’t say it.
“I didn’t know anything about magic either, not that long ago.”
“Really?” I hurried to meet her eyes. Also amber, like Arianne’s. Both women shared red hair and beauty as well. But I wouldn’t ask if they were related yet. Finding out about magic was far more interesting.
Clara smiled, and I instantly felt at ease with her. “Really.” She was steering me toward a parlor. “Only a few years ago I knew nothing of the magical world. In fact, it was completely forbidden to me. My parents did everything they could to ensure I never learned of it.”
My eyes widened. “That’s a bit like me. The uncle I was staying with thinks magic is
the work of the Devil.”
Clara smiled again, but this time the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Yes, well, I know all about that. But I assure you, magic is only dark when the magician wielding it is. If not, magic can be the most wonderful thing.” A spark of joy reached her eyes before it disappeared entirely.
“Why don’t you take a seat? I’m sure you’re weary after the long journey.”
“It’s more the part of being chased by sorcerers trying to kill us that has me weary.”
She squeezed my shoulder and let go. “I completely understand, more than I’d like to. I’ll get us some tea, and we can make introductions before we get you settled in your room.”
“And Hernando? My brother? Is he all right?”
Something crossed her expression then. It came and went before I understood it. “He’s recovering. Mordecai is as close to a miracle worker as there is in the magical world. We’re very fortunate to have him on our side. There’s no better healer than he.”
She sighed. Again, it seemed strange to me. “Your brother is sleeping. You can go see him once we get you settled in. For now, let him rest.”
“Fine.” Really, I wanted to see him right away. But if he was sleeping, he surely needed his rest. I would wait.
“Good,” she said, patting my leg. Her treatment of me was very familiar considering we’d only just met, and when we had, she’d been racing my brother out of danger on the back of a dragon. “Now let me see about our tea.”
This consisted of her getting up from the sofa she’d led me to, walking to a nearby side table, round and petite, and ringing a bell atop it. While she waited for the servant to arrive, Marcelo entered the parlor.
He swept Clara into his arms and kissed her. Automatically, I averted my eyes. Such displays of affection were uncommon in the world I came from. Even my parents rarely kissed when their children were present.
“I’m so relieved you’re back,” Clara whispered against his lips.
“Me too,” he whispered back, husky notes in his voice, until he seemed to remember all of a sudden that I was there. His eyes flicked to me for an instant before he put space between he and his wife and said to her, “Did you see?”
“See what?”
“The sorcerers who entered the estate.”
She shook her head. Red, undulating hair slid across her shoulders. “Mordecai told me to wait here.”
Marcelo raised dark eyebrows. “And you listened?”
She laughed, just once, another melodic sound. I was really going to like Clara, I realized it then. “I was preparing to ride out when I saw you heading this way.”
“So you didn’t see the faces of the sorcerers?”
“No.” Her tone shifted to alarm.
“They looked just like me.” He scowled and she gasped. “Every single one of those bastards looked exactly like me.”
“Does that mean...?”
“I think it might.”
“What does it mean?” I asked. “That someone has infiltrated your ranks enough to learn that your security was based on physical appearance? And gotten close enough to Marcelo to take a hair from him for spellwork?”
Stunned, they looked at me. I shrugged. “I might not know much about magic.” That statement was an understatement; I knew basically nothing. “But I have two working ears and eyes. I heard what you said when we were outside.”
“That’s right.” Marcelo glared. “When you were supposed to be inside, safe.”
I thought maybe he expected me to bow my head in shame at my disobedience. I wouldn’t. “So? Is that what you mean? That someone has infiltrated your defenses?”
“Something like that,” he muttered, clearly unhappy. He shared a telling look with his wife when a servant appeared behind him.
The young woman was tidily dressed, her hands clasped in front of her. “How may I serve you, Milady, Milord?”
I stiffened at the subservient talk of the servant. I’d never liked how people, including my own family, had servants. It didn’t seem fair. But when Clara smiled at the servant as kindly as she’d smiled at me, I wondered if things might be different here.
“Tea for all of us please, Marnie.”
“Right away, Milady.” With a bow of her head, the servant whisked to do Clara’s bidding.
I wanted to remain alert, but my body had other ideas. I sank into the sofa’s damask cushions. I thought I might be able to fall asleep right where I sat. It had been one incredibly long and exhausting day. It was hard to believe it had all started only this morning when Mordecai offered my uncle plenty of gold to take my brother and me off his hands.
I imagined Arianne, her brother, and Mordecai remained in the entryway to talk beyond my hearing, but I didn’t care. I was too drained for my usual levels of curiosity.
When they finally joined us in the parlor, it was clear they’d been talking, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Look at the poor dear,” Arianne said, moving to sit on the sofa with me, “she’s exhausted.”
“Understandably so, Grand-mère. She just learned of magic this morning only to be chased down by the Sect. It must have been terrifying for her.”
Ordinarily I might bristle at them discussing me like I wasn’t there, but not then. I suspected I’d reached my limit of new information. Nothing more would surprise me until I got some sleep.
Arianne, who was apparently Clara’s grandmother, took my hand and squeezed. “That’s right. I’m sure it’s been quite difficult for you. But not to worry, after you clean up, eat, and rest, things will feel much nicer. We’ll explain everything, darling, but not today. Tomorrow.”
I managed a nod against the sofa.
“Introductions cannot wait, however, that would be terribly rude of us. I realize you’ve met some of us. I, of course, am Arianne, lady of this estate along with my dear brother, Lord Gustave.”
I nodded my hellos to Gustave, who was half a head taller than Arianne, but otherwise looked like her masculine counterpart.
“He’s my twin.”
Ah, of course he is.
“And I believe you’ve met Mordecai, Lord of Irele, and his brother, Lord Albacus.”
“Yes,” I said, but refused to look at Mordecai. I didn’t want to see his concern for his missing dead brother.
“You’ve met Marcelo, Lord of Bundry, and his wife and my granddaughter, Lady Clara.”
I smiled at Clara. “Yes.”
“And my other granddaughter, I don’t believe you’ve met her yet. Gertrude?” she called out. “Where has she gotten to?” She waited for a beat. “Oh well, she’ll arrive soon. Besides, I can’t forget our dear Sir Lancelot.”
“Sir Lancelot? I haven’t met him yet.”
“It’s my great pleasure to meet one of our very first students to our new academy.” The very precise and sophisticated voice came from behind me.
I turned and saw nothing at first. The voice was male, and there were Mordecai, Gustave, and Marcelo, but no other man.
“She doesn’t see you, Sir Lancelot,” Arianne said.
“Ah, well, I’m happy to remedy that.” A very petite, but very dignified looking pygmy owl flew over from the windowsill—where I hadn’t before noticed him—and landed on the carved armrest of the sofa, right behind Arianne. “Hello, Milady Isadora.”
“He—hello, Sir Lancelot.” I was highly impressed that I’d managed to get my lips to work at all.
“Of course you’ve already met Sylvia and Mathieu,” Arianne said on cue as the firedrakes waddled somewhat adorably into the room. “Gertrude?” she called out again.
A ginger cat came out of nowhere and jumped onto her lap. Arianne laughed. “Ah, there you are. Where’ve you been? Getting into mischief, no doubt. Isadora, this is my granddaughter and Clara’s younger sister, Gertrude.” Arianne smiled at me, her lips wide and pleasant, her teeth bright.
I looked from her to the cat to the owl, who blinked at me with wide owl eyes. I blinked back.
“Gertrude, don’t be rude,” Arianne said, and I swiveled to face her again. “Say a proper hello to our newest student. She and her brother are the first of many. You’re going to have to learn to behave so everyone feels comfortable.”
The ginger cat made whining sounds that sounded awfully like... no.
But then Arianne nodded her head as if indeed the cat had communicated with her. “Don’t worry, ma chérie, you don’t need to behave all the way. You know me, I don’t believe in living a life without a bit of fun. But please do shift now for Isadora.”
I turned to the cat, who did nothing at first, then back to the talking owl, who seemed far more at ease in the situation than me.
A sound I’d never before heard dragged my attention back to the cat. My eyes widened yet again as I understood why I didn’t recognize the sound. It’s because I’d never witnessed a cat turning into a girl.
Gertrude stood before me. “Hello, Isadora,” she said in a voice that sounded exactly like a young girl’s and nothing like a cat’s. “Welcome.”
I nodded at the girl, who looked to be about my age, because I was incapable of managing anything more. She looked like a younger version of Clara, with the same flowing red hair and amber eyes, and a much younger version of Arianne. The family resemblance among them and Gustave was startling.
“Where’s Brave?” Arianne continued. “I thought he’d come with you.”
“Why would you think that? It’s not like we’re always together.”
The smile on her grandmother’s face said that’s exactly what it was like.