Outfox_Spellslingers Academy of Magic

by Annabel Chase

  I tried to stand still and wait to be called upon, but the magic surged, begging me to use more. It was difficult to watch certain classmates struggle with a simple fire spell, but I understood that it wasn’t their specialty. There were things they could do that I might find challenging…Okay, that was unlikely, but I recognized my expertise in this area. Even the other fire witch seemed to be taking the slow train to Freedom. It was embarrassing.

  I noticed Mia repeatedly doing a spell but to no avail. Her frustrated expression said it all. I moved closer to her enclosure. “Are you ready for a hand?”

  “Not yet,” Mia replied. “I’m sure I can do it myself if I concentrate. Justin is distracting me. He grunts a lot.”

  “You’d be dead by now,” I said. “You have to be able to work faster.”

  Mia shot me an annoyed look. “I know that, Dani. I’m sorry we’re not all as insanely talented as you.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting that,” I said, taken aback. “I only want to help.”

  “No, you want to use your magic,” Mia said. “I can see it in your face. You’re itching to do something.”

  She was right. I was literally itching. My palms tingled with unspent energy. I was tempted to touch the bars and melt them anyway, despite her objection. The desire made me uncomfortable.

  “I’m sorry, Mia,” I said, backing away slowly. I needed to walk away before I did something stupid.

  “Dani?” Professor Mayweather said quietly. “Are you quite all right? Perhaps a break from the magic will do you some good. No more spells for the rest of the day.”

  I swallowed hard. Great Goddess of the Moon. Even the sweet professor felt that I was likely to cross a line.

  “I need air,” I said. I headed as far from the field as I could get without losing sight of everyone. I stood at the edge of the forest, trying to regain my composure. My behavior concerned me, especially in light of my grandmother. Was I heading down the slippery slope that I feared? Gods, I hoped not. I was supposed to be my family’s salvation, not proof of our genetic deficiencies.

  As I tried to collect myself, my gaze alighted on a crow perched on a nearby tree branch. The bird seemed to be watching me with interest. Since when were crows so observant? My mind stirred as I began to take stock of the number of times I’d seen or heard reference to a crow recently. My aunt’s house was the first time that came to mind. The goblin—Hunter—had mentioned a crow. It hadn’t seemed important at the time, but given the crow’s multiple appearances since then, I began to suspect something was amiss.

  I lowered my gaze, not wanting to scare the crow away. Ever so slowly, I slipped my wand from my cloak pocket and directed it at the unknowing bird. There was so much magic whirling within me that I knew it would be quick and easy. The bird wouldn’t have time to caw, let alone flee. I focused my will and let the image of an immobilized crow fill my head. Magic streaked from my wand and zapped the crow. Thanks to its firm grip on the branch, it was able to remain upright on its perch.

  I rushed over to confront it. “Who are you?” I demanded, staring up at the crow.

  Bryn must’ve been watching me from the field because she was at my side in an instant. “Dani, what are you doing? No more magic right now. The professor said so.”

  “I had to,” I said. “This crow is up to something.”

  Bryn looked at me like I was a raving lunatic. “It’s a crow, Dani. Are you feeling okay?” She moved to rest her palm flat against my forehead, but I nudged it away.

  “I’m fine.” I kept my eyes locked on the bird. “This guy is going to talk. Now.” I zapped it again and released the hold on its beak.

  “I’ll do nothing of the kind, and you can’t make me,” the crow shot back in a surprisingly deep timbre. His eyes widened, realizing that I just did, in fact, make him talk. “I won’t tell you anything useful.”

  “Then you admit that you know something useful to tell,” I said, my hands resting on my hips.

  Bryn’s jaw hung open. “The crow can talk.”

  “Why are you so shocked?” I asked. “You talk to Icarus all the time.”

  “Yes, but he’s my familiar,” she countered. “This is a random talking crow.” She cocked her head. “How did you know he’d be able to talk?”

  “Because he’s not as sneaky as he thinks he is,” I said, and turned my attention back to my captive crow. “Now, who do you work for?”

  The crow clamped his beak close and muttered, “Nope. Not saying a word.”

  I faced Bryn. “You know who likes to eat crow?”

  “Clementine?” Bryn asked, catching on.

  “That’s right.” I eyed the bird. “Clementine is my familiar. She’s the toughest cat you’ll ever want to meet. She also likes to play with her food.” I paused. “Before she kills it and eats it.”

  The crow continued his refusal to talk.

  “I’m sending her a message now,” I told the crow. “She’s not far. It’ll only take her a minute to get here.”

  Despite his inability to move, the crow looked ready to burst. When Clementine finally appeared by the forest, I whistled for her.

  “Hey, Clementine,” Bryn said.

  My familiar meowed before gazing up at the crow with longing.

  “I know,” I told her. “You really want me to bring him down, don’t you? You look hungry.”

  Clementine licked her lips.

  “Okay, okay,” the crow shouted. “Don’t let her eat me.”

  “If you talk, I won’t,” I promised.

  Clementine sat on the pathway, dejected.

  “I’ve been watching you,” the crow said. “That’s all.”

  “Why have you been watching me?” I demanded.

  The crow hesitated. “Because you’re very pretty?”

  “Wrong answer,” I said. “What’s the reason?”

  “Activity,” the crow said. “I report back to my boss every morning.”

  I folded my arms. I had no doubt the crow was the reason that Hef had been discovered. That the sword halves had been uncovered. The crow was the spy bringing pertinent information to his boss—the ‘eyes and ears’ that Luke had mentioned.

  “And who’s your boss?” I asked.

  The crow cawed and tried to break free of the immobilization spell.

  “Tell me, and I let you live,” I said.

  “I won’t be able to tell you,” the crow said. “I’m prevented from divulging that information.”

  “By a spell?” Bryn asked.

  “Yes,” the crow admitted.

  “I see.” I thought for a moment. “Too bad you don’t have a spellbender. Maybe you could cut through the spell.”

  “How do you know about spellbenders?” the crow asked.

  “How do you know about them?” I asked.

  “My ladyship….” he began and quickly clamped his beak closed again.

  His ladyship? Okay, so his boss was a woman. That narrowed it down to half the population. How many questions would it take to figure out a name?

  “Is she a witch?” I asked.

  “No,” the crow said. “And I’d abandon this line of questioning if I were you, or we’ll both be stuck here for an eternity.”

  “Fine,” I huffed. “If you can’t tell me who, then tell me where. Where…” I nearly said ‘can I find your boss?’ but I realized that the question would yield a similar answer. “Where do you go every morning? Tell me the name of the place.”

  “The mist world,” the crow said. “That’s where I return every sunrise with news of what I’ve witnessed and heard.”

  I glanced at Bryn. “Do you know anything about the mist world?” The name was unfamiliar to me.

  “No, but I’m not the best person to ask,” Bryn said. “We should ask Cato.”

  “I can tell you about the mist world,” Professor Mayweather said. I turned around to face her. “I see you’ve made a new friend while on your short break.”

  “He’s been spying on me,”
I said. “I’m trying to find out why. He says his boss lives in the mist world.”

  “Oh, my. The mist world is an ancient place full of danger,” the professor said. “A former refuge of the gods where mortals feared to tread.”

  “Have you ever been there?” I asked.

  “Me? Heavens, no. I’m not so foolish as to make an attempt,” she replied. “Not that I’ve ever had the need or desire to go. It’s very cold there and I prefer the warmth. Nothing much grows in the mist world and you know how I love my plants.”

  I observed the crow, still stuck on the perch. “I guess I have both the need and the desire. And this guy is going to serve as my guide.”

  The crow squawked in protest. “I couldn’t possibly.”

  “You can and you will,” I said. “Or Clementine gets an extra meal today.”

  “I’m not sure if such a course of action is wise, Dani,” the professor said. “No matter how skilled you are, the mist world is simply beyond your level of expertise. It’s far too dangerous.”

  “It definitely doesn’t sound like a vacation spot,” Bryn said.

  But the answers I needed were in the mist world— I was certain of it. I’d suffered a string of setbacks lately and this crow was my chance to make it right. I had to go. I’d take Peter with me if the place was that dangerous. He’d have his staff, just in case.

  “How do I get there?” I asked.

  Professor Mayweather bit her lip, clearly waging an internal battle over whether or not to tell me. “This is important?”

  “Very,” I said. If that sword was reforged and given to the wrong paranormal, we were all in for a world of hurt.

  The professor cast a furtive glance over her shoulder and said, “There’s an access point in Juniper Grove. I only know because Chancellor Tilkin had an official meeting with someone in the mist world a few years ago and there was a debate as to whether she should use her cloak or a recognized access point. The Board of Regents allowed her to travel by falcon cloak in the end, but Juniper Grove was identified as the nearest access point.”

  “Thank you, Professor Mayweather,” I said. “That’s very helpful.”

  She touched my arm. “I’ve helped you. Now you help me by not getting yourself injured or worse.”

  “I’ll be careful,” I said. “I promise.”

  Worry lines formed on Professor Mayweather’s forehead. “Please see that you do.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  I returned to my room with the frozen crow and sent Icarus with a message for Peter to meet me in Juniper Grove. I attached the crow to my broomstick and flew there as quickly as I could. I dismounted the broomstick and allowed the crow to speak again.

  “Where’s the access point?” I demanded.

  The crow sighed. “There’s a tight cluster of juniper trees to the right. You walk through the middle and you’re there.”

  “We have to wait for Peter and then we’re going,” I said.

  “Is Peter your boyfriend?” the crow asked.

  “Why?”

  “You two seem cozy,” the crow said. “He smells your hair when you’re not paying attention.”

  My nostrils flared. “He does not. How long have you been watching me?”

  “I don’t keep track of time,” the crow replied.

  “You fly back to your ladyship every sunrise with the worldly gossip,” I reminded him. “I’m thinking that requires attention to time.”

  “There you are. I’ve been searching all over town for you.” Peter emerged from behind a large oak tree.

  “How’d you get here?” I asked.

  “I shifted into an owl,” he said. “Figured it was faster. I spotted you from above the trees.” His gaze darted to the crow. “Were you having a conversation with this guy?” He laughed, pointing at the bird. “Did you think it was me?”

  I bristled. “No, Peter. I didn’t think he was you, but we were having a conversation. The crow can talk.”

  Peter took the news in stride. “And he’s our guide to the mist world, huh?”

  “That’s correct,” I said.

  Peter extended his hand to the crow. “Peter Zilla. Nice to meet you.”

  The crow’s feather tapped Peter’s hand. “And you. My name is Muninn.”

  I gave the crow an accusatory look. “You didn’t tell me you had a name.”

  “You never asked,” the crow replied. “I have noticed that Peter is unfailingly polite.”

  Peter seemed delighted by this revelation. “And she’s supposed to be the one with a pedigree and fancy manners.”

  “She also talks to herself in her sleep,” the crow said.

  “I do not,” I objected.

  “How would you know?” Peter asked. “You’re asleep.”

  I didn’t like the direction this conversation was headed. “Can we get moving, please? I have a reforging to prevent.”

  Peter rubbed his hands together. “I’m excited. I’ve never been to the mist world. I hear it’s awesome.”

  “That’s basically the opposite of what Professor Mayweather said,” I told him.

  The crow gave me a withering look. “If you expect me to guide you, you need to undo the spell.”

  I studied him intently. “You promise you won’t escape?”

  “You’ll likely scorch my tail feathers if I try.”

  “Damn straight,” Peter said. He looked at me. “You will, right? That was the right answer?”

  I patted his cheek. “It was, Peter. Thank you.”

  I released my hold on the crow and he flew to the cluster of juniper trees with Peter and I trailing behind him.

  “You should know that my ladyship is not keen on surprises,” the crow said. “One of the reasons my brother and I serve her.”

  “Maybe a change is in order,” I said. “Having eyes and ears all over must weigh heavily on her. A nice jolt of the unexpected might be just what she needs.”

  The crow sounded like he was having a choking fit. “Could be,” he said in a strained voice.

  He cut through the cluster and Peter and I pushed our way through to the center—except there was no center. One moment we were in front of junipers in full bloom and the next moment we were encircled by….

  “Frost giants,” Peter said in amazement. “They are so cool.”

  My gut twisted as I turned to see that we were completely surrounded. The giants stood at least eight feet tall with wide bodies and noses to match. Their skin was tinged with blue and they carried spears that appeared to be made of ice.

  “Muninn, is this your doing?” I asked.

  “Of course not,” the crow replied. He zipped between the frost giants. “These two are guests of her ladyship. I’m escorting them to see her.”

  The frost giant with the blue helmet grunted in response. He pounded his spear on the ground and the others copied him. Then he turned on his heel and began to march, with the other giants falling in line behind him.

  I was about to ask whether we were meant to join in the parade when a net scooped me up and threw Peter and I practically on top of each other. The net was held by a giant on either side. I flipped onto my back and tried to get comfortable.

  “Why do we need to be carried in a net?” I asked. It made me feel less like a guest and more like a prisoner.

  “Because I can’t let her ladyship know that you tricked me,” the crow said. “It has to look like you’ve been captured. Trust me, it’s in everyone’s best interest.”

  I wasn’t sure that I trusted him, but I kept my wand in my hand, in the event that I needed to act quickly.

  “This is like a hammock,” Peter said, seeming to enjoy the mode of transportation. “I’ve got my best girl curled up next to me. All I need is a drink in my hand and life is pretty perfect.” He gave my thigh an affectionate squeeze.

  “Never mind the frost giants all around us,” I said wryly.

  “No situation is without its drawbacks,” Peter said. “You’ve got to focus on t
he positives.”

  The mist world lived up to its name. It was difficult to see much of the landscape beyond our escorts. It was like traveling through a world made entirely of clouds. It was only when I glanced below us that I noticed a layer of snow on the ground.

  “Can you tell us anything about her ladyship?” I asked the frost giant on my left. If the crow couldn’t tell me, maybe the giant could.

  “Eirlys is a most beneficent ruler,” the giant rumbled.

  “She’s a ruler?” I queried. “In what way?”

  “This part of the mist world is her domain,” the giant said. “We answer exclusively to her.”

  I glanced at Peter. “Have you heard of Eirlys?”

  He shook his head. “But if she’s got these giants at her beck and call, I’m going to guess she’s not a pushover.”

  “Eirlys is a protector of this realm,” the giant on the right side of the net said. “She has made the mist world a sanctuary for our kind.”

  “That does sound beneficent,” Peter said. “I bet she’s easy on the eyes, too.”

  I elbowed him in the ribs and he laughed.

  “Wow,” I said, gazing ahead. A huge icy structure appeared on the horizon, shrouded in mist. The roof was covered in snow and a turret pierced the cloud cover.

  “Let me do the talking,” the crow insisted.

  The frost giants deposited us in the grand foyer of the ice castle and remained there in a line in front of the door, their spears visible.

  “This way to the receiving room,” the crow said, and flew down the wide corridor to await his ladyship. We didn’t have to wait long.

  Eirlys looked resplendent in a white, floor-length dress that clung to her willowy frame. A white and silver fur stole was draped over her narrow shoulders. She had the look and demeanor of a goddess. I’d never instinctively wanted to bow in reverence the way I felt inclined to do with her. The closest I’d ever come was Chancellor Tilkin in her blue-grey feather cloak.

  She took a seat on the dais. It wasn’t exactly a throne, but it seemed pretty darn close.

  “May I present Danielle Degraff and Peter Zilla?” the crow announced.