Hexing

by Ciara Graves

  All thoughts of my leaving vanished when the next recruit took the stage. He didn’t even have to show me his tattoo for me to know he was a shaman. I sat up straighter, intrigued, though he said nothing at all. He raised his hands over his head and shut his eyes.

  Instantly, I felt the tug of nature grow exponentially in the auditorium. I gripped the arms of my seat. Suddenly, I saw myself outside in the middle of the field that had been my home for years. Thunderheads towered above, and lightning split the sky, calling to me. Raindrops fell upon my face, and I flinched, reaching up to feel if there were actual water drops. When a hand reached out for mine, I blinked and found myself back inside the auditorium, looking around in confusion.

  “Brogan?” Rori’s hand still gripped mine.

  “That was incredible,” I whispered, staring up at the shaman on stage.

  “What did he do?”

  “What do you mean? You didn’t see that?”

  She shook her head. “No. Well, I mean I saw the storm he called up, and that was insane, but your eyes turned grey, like they were filled with the storm, too. You didn’t look like you were here.”

  “I wasn’t. Not really,” I told her, memorizing the shaman’s face so I could track him down later and if nothing else thank him for taking me back to a moment I’d lost. I knew some recruits were willing to tutor first-years, and wondered if he’d be open to showing me some tricks. “It’s hard to explain, but whatever he did, I feel better than I have in days.”

  She still looked worried, but someone else was coming up on stage, and we returned our focus there—

  Until we both saw who it was.

  She groaned. “Seriously? Of course, he’s going to show off.”

  The druid took center stage, not looking particularly happy to be up there. Then the lights went out completely. I thought maybe we’d run out of time and he was getting kicked off the stage. I squinted, attempting to find his shape in the darkness. The longer I looked, the more I saw a green and blue glow pulsing to life. I nudged Rori, wondering if it was my eyes playing tricks or if she saw it too.

  She nodded slowly, tilting her head studying it when the colors burst to life, swirling and swarming the stage until they flowed off like water running over the edge of the of the raised platform. When it reached us, it crashed into our legs, rising up higher and I watched amazed as small white and bright purple flowers burst to life covering the entire floor of the auditorium with thick, green moss. I hated to say how impressed I was by this level of magic, but damn it I was awestruck.

  The green and blue light swirled into a vortex, and just as it reached its highest point, a roar shattered the air. The roar of a massive beast. Heavy thuds sounded on the stage’s wooden floor and when the light parted, the giant form of a bear, fur marked with druidic designs, stood before us. The bear reared back on its hind legs and roared again, making most of the recruits in the front row jump, pushing back as far as they could in their seats.

  “He’s a bear,” Rori whispered in disbelief beside me. “Holy shit.”

  “Yeah, that’s uh… damn,” I muttered, not sure what else to say as the druid, still in bear form, approached the edge of the stage, and roared one final time.

  Back in the day, long, long ago, druids were easily able to take the form of an animal. In this modern day and age though, it was rare to find one who was able to perform such powerful magic.

  He raised up on his hind legs again, and the swirling vortex of light surrounded him once more. When it parted this time, the guy was back.

  Someone turned the lights back on.

  He bowed from the waist as the stunned audience broke out in applause and cheers. Headmistress York and Commander Moran were clapping as they joined him on stage, both beaming at him as he shook their hands.

  “And that, recruits, is just a taste of what you will soon be able to do here,” Moran announced over the cheering. “Well done. Well done indeed!”

  Everyone stood up, and I joined them, unable to look away from the druid, who was still not smiling or seeming at all pleased with his own display. His gaze roamed over the crowd.

  I felt Rori stiffen beside me. I watched him closely. He was studying at her, that same flicker of recognition in his expression. Moran said something to him, and though the druid’s lips thinned, he gave a firm nod, then left the stage.

  The show, it seemed was over.

  “The flowers.” Rori pointed at our feet, “they’re still here. Is that possible?”

  She bent down and plucked one of the purple ones, bringing it to her nose. She sniffed it. I didn’t even have to ask if it was genuine or not, judging from the shocked look on her face.

  “Real, they’re all real. I read about druids being powerful, but this is incredible.”

  Whoever the druid was, he had to be a legacy. That was the only explanation I had for the magic he just performed. A legacy and a third-year recruit. If Moran was here to find new members for his Elite Guard, that druid would definitely be a part of it.

  Rori was admiring the flower she’d picked, seeming lost in thought, when the very druid in question approached. His face was set, and his jaw clenched. He glanced up to the stage briefly and cursed low with his growling voice.

  Moran was watching us intensely as if waiting for something.

  What, I hadn’t the slightest idea.

  “Glad you took my advice,” the druid said. “About getting good seats, I mean.”

  “Same.” Rori twirled the flower between her fingers as she shook her head. “I hate to say it, that was amazing. Really.”

  “Thank you.” He shifted his weight, glancing toward the stage again, eyes narrowed. He looked like talking to us was the last thing he wanted to be doing. Had Moran put him up to this? Why?

  “Are you a legacy?” I asked, trying to figure out who this druid was. “You have to be, right?”

  He shrugged. “Do I? Your magical ability and strength don’t just come from being a legacy. They come from up here,” he said, pointing to his head, “and here. What you believe,” he added, pressing his hand to his chest.

  I wanted to laugh in his face, but he wasn’t an ass about it. He was serious.

  “Do we get to know your name now, at least?” Rori asked.

  He hesitated, but sighed heavily, and gave in. “Chas Bryce, second-year recruit.” He held out his hand for hers.

  She glanced at it for a second as if waiting for him to say something snarky, but finally took it. “Rori Griffith.”

  His eyes narrowed slightly, but Rori didn’t seem to catch the movement, busy twirling the bloom in her fingers. She asked him about his bear form, how he knew he could do it, since so many druids couldn’t.

  I was intrigued and wanted to hear, but the auditorium was emptying around us. Chas looked to the stage, then sighed in relief.

  I noticed Moran and York were gone.

  “As much as I would love to stay and talk, tomorrow is the first day of training for you two, and I would suggest getting as much sleep as you can.”

  “What? And you don’t need sleep?” I asked.

  He turned to look at me, and I sensed the barely held back growl he wanted to unleash.

  “Oh, I do, too. Trust me. That damned trick takes a lot out of me. I’m surprised I’m still standing, honestly.” A bit of the growl slipped through in his last remark and his eyes flared with green and blue power, sounding as if showing off so much power was not what he wanted to do at all.

  “Too bad you aren’t a mage. You could help me out,” Rori muttered.

  Chas glanced at her as if being a tutor was the last thing he would ever consider being. “There are plenty of other recruits here on campus who wouldn’t mind taking a first-year under their wing. I am not one of them, I’m afraid.” For a second it seemed he wanted to say more, but the auditorium was nearly empty, and he looked as if he wanted to escape. “Enjoy your time on campus, Brogan, Rori.” He stalked away.

  It seemed fitting h
e turned into a bear. He looked like one even now as he lumbered off through the doors and disappeared.

  “You think he’d be happy with what he just did,” Rori said. “Wonder why he decides to be such a brooding ass.”

  “Sure he has his reasons,” I remarked, unable to stop the jealousy rising up within me as she kept her gaze on Chas until he was out of sight. Today had been strange if nothing else, but considering it was the first official day of my return to society, I mentally patted myself on the back for not hiding in a corner somewhere. Or not showing how annoyed I was that Chas had to come over to talk to us when he clearly didn’t want to be there. I decided to leave now before I messed up how well this day turned out would be a good idea.

  “I’m going to head to my dorm for the night,” I told Rori, faking a yawn. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said slowly. “Night, then.”

  I walked away, telling myself I wasn’t here to do anything except train and become another grand shaman like my parents and so on, down the line. And sadly, I knew I had the potential for being chosen as one of the Elite Guard, unless I managed to mess up bad enough. Doubt that would happen. Instinct would stop me. The shaman who’d been up on stage had helped me get back some of my determination to reconnect with nature as I had during that storm. Find out what I was capable of and rekindle the sense of knowing myself fully.

  Being involved with someone this soon in the game might lead to more problems than any benefits it would give me. Though, the idea of not talking with Rori, or worse, of seeing her with Chas had me grunting curses until I was walking faster to get away from the crowd.

  Once I was outside, I paused, taking in the cool night air and the stars overhead. I shut my eyes and imagined that storm brewing over my head, felt the ghost of rain running down my face. Perhaps I wasn’t as lost from nature as I first thought.

  “Brogan!”

  I turned around to find Rori hurrying to catch up.

  “Know you said you were turning in, but I—uh, I was just wondering…” She trailed off, seeming nervous standing beside me. Then she took a deep breath and went on. “You mind if I join you, walking back to the dorms, I mean?”

  I waited for a beat, then grinned. “Nah. I don’t mind at all. Interesting first day, don’t you think? But by all accounts, it could’ve been a lot worse. And the power display was… intimidating?”

  She laughed. “Just a bit. Inspiring too. But yeah, definitely intimidating.”

  “Don’t sound too down on yourself just yet. You’re just getting started.”

  “I know, doesn’t help though that Moran is here looking for recruits. You think there’s something bad going on they’re not telling us about?”

  I’d have put money on it. “Not sure, but speculating probably won’t do us any good.”

  “Good point. I do have a horrible imagination that sort of just—” She used her hands to make a blowing up motion. “Like that. The worst is always what I wind up being stuck with.”

  “Guess that’s something we’ll have to work on.”

  “We?” Her brow rose as she came to a stop.

  I did the same, facing her, not even sure why I said that either. Ever since she fell into my lap, I was stuck on this woman, wanting to know every last damned thing about her, and ready to do what I could to chase away her lack of confidence. She didn’t have those years alone in the wilderness to figure out her powers as I did. If nothing else, I could at least be a friend, help guide her, give her a boost of morale now and again. Or—

  I glanced around, waiting for Chas to show up and interrupt us again, but we were mostly alone on the grounds.

  “Yes. We.” I leaned in, then stopped halfway, wondering what she would do.

  Just as I thought maybe I’d read the signals wrong, she stood on her toes, and her lips brushed across mine softly, then she stepped back, her cheeks flushed. She nibbled her bottom lip, tugging on one of her braids as she took another step backward.

  “Right, I—um, I look forward to that then. Night, Brogan,” she said in a rush and walked off toward the dorms.

  The women stayed in one dorm and the guys another. Too bad, too. I would’ve liked to walk her all the way to her door. I stayed where I was for the longest time, imagining what tomorrow would be like when I bumped into Rori again.

  “I thought you were turning in for the night, lover boy?” Chas was approaching.

  I shoved my hands in my pockets as I released an exaggerated breath. “I am. Had to have a proper goodnight first.”

  “I see that. You two known each other long?”

  “Just met today. Sort of fell into my lap.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Do you know her?” I turned to see his reaction to my question.

  “Nah, just met her today, exactly like you. Except my first encounter was clearly not as pleasant. Nor the second. Or third.”

  “You say that, but there’s something in your eyes that says different,” I said bluntly. “Like you have met her before, and you aren’t sure you can blame her for her reaction to you. Maybe she doesn’t respond well to dipshits.”

  He stared at me as if I was speaking a different language. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “About which part?”

  “The first,” he growled.

  “You know Rori,” I repeated slowly. “I saw it when you were talking to her.”

  But he was already shaking his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Never seen her before until today.” He said it, I heard the words, but the twitch to his eye said he was didn’t even believe what he was telling me. “Why? Did she say something to you?”

  “Nah. Nothing.”

  His face was back to that scowl as he held up his hands. “Then I’m not sure what you’re looking for, man, but I’ve never seen her before. But best of luck with that.”

  I watched him walk away, but he didn’t aim for the guys’ dorm.

  Part of me was almost curious enough to follow him and see where he headed instead, but I resisted the urge.

  Chas was as tall as me, but he was solid muscle. And if he shifted into bear form, I wouldn’t stand a chance in hell.

  I let it go and decided I would do my best to get some rest while I could. I contented myself with thinking about my kiss with Rori again. And wondering when I’d get to have another.

  This week was probably going to be crazy, but I’d make time to see her.

  Somehow.

  Chapter 6

  Chas

  I walked until I could slip into a copse of trees where I waited for Brogan to be on his way. Why had he asked me that about Rori? Why would I know her? From where? I hardly ever left this campus. And that’s how it had been for the last seventeen years of my life. Everyone I met since the accident had come here either as a recruit or as a commander. I’d even had the chance to meet and train beneath many of the Elite Guards, knew their families.

  As for Rori, I was sure I’d remember a set of eyes like that.

  I wandered slowly through the trees, letting my fingers brush over bushes and trunks as I pondered how upset Agnes was going to be with me. She’d said she was going to be in the auditorium tonight, but I hadn’t seen her. I hadn’t intended to go on that stage, but Moran had thrown me out there at the last second.

  I’d been ready to do a simple trick and then disappear, but he insisted I show my bear form. I had wanted to yell at him, but making a scene was not my style. I’d give him shit for it later, one way or another, as would Agnes, I had no doubt. She hated show-offs, and that’s exactly what I felt I did.

  As I moved through campus, leaving the sanctuary of the trees, nothing but stars and a few wisps of white clouds overhead, I held my hands out to my sides toward the grass. Vines and flowers bloomed, leaving a trail where I walked. My power flourished here over the years, giving me a chance to tap into the well that took most magic-users decades to unleash. Not me.

  Commander M
oran was more than just a commander in my eyes. He’d done so much for me when any normal person would’ve shipped me off to an orphanage. Not him. He brought me here after the accident that took my parents. Brought me here and taught me. As did Agnes. It was one of the reasons I’d given in about the stage and done what he asked, but I knew the shit he would catch from Agnes once she figured out what I’d done tonight.

  I reached the supply depot and crafting center for all recruits and let out a heavy breath, knowing that I was going to end up getting some lecture or other. I’d barely stepped foot inside the building when I sensed the air shift around me. This was the place all recruits entered during their first week at Four Point to collect supplies and any focus item they needed to have crafted to aid in their training.

  My hands fisted, making ready for the attack. I ducked just as a bolt of holy light grazed the top of my head. Blue and green swirls of magic swirled around my hands as I aimed them toward the darkest corners, searching out my attacker.

  “I’m too old to fall for those tricks,” I called out. “And not sure why you’re mad at me. It wasn’t my idea to go out there.”

  I saw a shape shifting in the shadows and lashed out with vines, ready to wrap up my attacker and pin her to the wall, but something hard whacked me over the head. I staggered forward with a curse, holding my head, as a second hit to my shoulder threw me into a stack of crates.

  “Clearly you are not too old for anything,” a stern voice said. The familiar thud of her staff hitting the concrete floor. “Honestly, Chas, I thought you were beyond falling for my traps.”

  Rubbing the back of my head, I turned around and stared at Agnes. Her face was set in a disgruntled frown of disapproval. Her silver hair was braided back fiercely, and she white-knuckle gripped her sleek, black staff with its simple sapphire at the top. Her vest was blue, covering her black shirt and matching black pants and boots. This was her formal wear. Much more formal than what she had on this morning.