by E. M. Cooper
Marnie recognised the voice of the boy who had helped her earlier. ‘Oh, it’s you, Oliver.’
He loped along to catch up with them.
‘Seb, this is Oliver. He helped me when I ... um ... lost my sponsor card.’
‘So you made it. Good for you,’ Oliver said encouragingly.
Marnie felt her face grow red. ‘Not exactly.’
‘But they didn’t send you back.’
‘I’m going to work in the kitchen with the goblins and try to pass the next exam.’
Oliver didn’t make a fuss. ‘That’ll be a cinch ’cause you’ll have heaps of us to help you.’
‘Ouch!’ Marnie rubbed her ankle. ‘Something bit me.’
‘Itchy imps,’ Oliver said. ‘You must have stood on its tail ’cause they’re not usually aggressive, although the odd one’s bad tempered.’
Marnie strained to see in the darkness but only heard soft high-pitched giggling.
‘Do you hear them? Never mind, the bites rarely go septic,’ Oliver said. ‘Where are you both from?’
‘Downfell in Northern England—do you know it?’ Seb asked.
‘Of course, everyone does. That’s where the vortices touch. But where did you live before travelling to Downfell?’
‘We both lived in a foster home in Downfell,’ Seb said.
‘That’s lucky. I came from New Zealand and had to fly for hours to get to Downfell before I left Earth last year.’ He scratched his head. ‘You should be able to recognise the land around here. In this world, Fanglewick’s built on a huge piece of land where the church and school are in Downfell. Wait until daylight tomorrow and it should be more obvious.’
Marnie squinted into the darkness but could only make out fields and trees surrounding Fanglewick and the boarding houses. It was difficult to imagine the same hills and valleys overtaken by greasy bitumen, busy traffic and crowded buildings. Although she had been happy to move to Downfell, Fanglewick seemed even more exciting.
‘You’re going to love Andromeda,’ Oliver said.
‘Is Gemini House okay too?’ Marnie asked, thinking of Lissa.
‘Gemini’s stuffed to the roof with brainiacs—elves mainly. Their house is super competitive ... suffocating actually.’
‘Sounds bad,’ Seb said.
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ Oliver said. ‘Gemini kids are okay although some can be pretty slow when it comes to a joke or something practical.’ He shrugged. ‘Can’t have it all, I guess.’
‘Our friend Lissa’s in Gemini,’ Marnie said.
‘Oh, they’re not all the same,’ Oliver said.
‘Are there any more houses?’ Marnie asked.
Oliver grinned. ‘Listen.’
Raucous laughter and thumping music floated faintly from the other side of the campus. ‘Those crazies from Lyra House, the dragons, will be partying until dawn.’ Oliver pointed at the sky and Marnie spotted silhouettes of kids on broomsticks zooming overhead. ‘Although it’s against the rules, no one gets nabbed on the first night and they know it. The older guys lead the new kids astray, but that’s the way they are. Still, dragons are fun, super sporty and outgoing. You’ll love them. Capricorn House over the far side of Fanglewick has kids who are into natural stuff and are pretty laid back. Everyone gets on with them. A lot of witches end up there, especially the psychic ones. They’re known as the unicorns and are a little different although mostly harmless.’
‘What are the kids in Andromeda like?’ Seb asked.
‘We’re known as the owls and supposed to be logical and curious. The professors put us in these houses using our test results and our preferences. Don’t ask me how.’
Marnie tried not to show her disappointment at the dull assessment of owls. ‘Is that it?’
‘Not quite. We tend to be the most natural at magic although some Gemini House kids, the wolves, end up better because they study so hard. I’ve heard an exceptional wizard’s son topped all the exams this year and he’s coming to Andromeda. Maybe he’ll blow us all away including the wolves. That’ll put their pointy noses out of joint.’
Marnie could hear Seb grinding his teeth at the mention of Charlie’s results.
‘What about scatterlings, do they do as well as the other kids?’ Marnie asked.
‘You’re one?’
‘Marnie and me too,’ Seb said.
‘Keep it quiet about being a scatterling. Some are stuck up about it, especially wizards. No one needs to know. Just remember the fact you got through the demonic halo in one-piece means you’ve got enough wizarding genes to graduate here.’
‘You’re one too, aren’t you ... a scatterling?’ Marnie said.
‘Is it that obvious?’ Oliver smiled ruefully. ‘Yep, but you know there are elves and witches like us too and far more than you’d imagine. We’re like a secret society. One day I think we should rise up and squash the snooty full bloods—just kidding. How did you know about me?’
Marnie shrugged. ‘A lucky guess.’
‘I was on the lookout this week for people like us who’d managed to sneak in for the exam but didn’t know about needing to have sponsors. You know the cards are all about keeping our type out.’
‘You saved me, that’s for sure,’ Marnie said. ‘Thanks.’
He brushed his floppy fringe of brown hair away from his eyes and grinned. ‘My dad retired from wizarding to grow avocadoes in New Zealand and mum was an ordinary human. I wanted more, so when I heard about Fanglewick it was all I could think about. When my mum died,’ Oliver fidgeted with his hair and lowered his voice, ‘Dad taught me some magic.’
‘Feral magic?’ Marnie whispered excitedly.
‘You know about it?’
Marnie and Seb both nodded enthusiastically.
Oliver grinned. ‘Dad taught me some and prepared me for the exam, but don’t tell anyone.’
‘It’s our secret,’ Marnie said.
‘You can trust us,’ Seb added. ‘Whatever you do, don’t let Charlie Arnold know. He’s the chubby, dark-haired kid who topped the exam and our foster parents’ son.’
‘Don’t worry, you’re free now. Put all that rubbish behind you.’
‘What’s that light over there?’ asked Marnie pointing at a faint rim of glowing light in the distance.
‘Lunaris Field. It’s between Fanglewick and the closest town, Wandermere. See that cottage in front of the patch of forest? That’s where Jax and his brothers live and behind their house is where Lunaris begins. It’s off limits.’
‘And the light?’ Seb asked.
‘Fae or fairies and their luminescent toadstools and glow worms. They’re nasty little beasts, but we have a truce. We don’t disturb them and they leave us alone.’ Oliver laughed. ‘It takes a bit of getting used to. The Old World isn’t quite like Earth although I’ve heard there’s a fair bit of leakage from this world to ours.’
‘Leakage?’ Seb said.
‘You know, the elves, fairies, wizards and magic that escape from here.’
‘Why would anyone want to escape this world?’ Marnie asked.
‘Some do. I think it depends on your way of thinking. Wait ’til you learn more about the world and have visited Wandermere.’
Oliver opened an ornate metal gate leading into a courtyard overgrown with flowering wisteria and strewn with small metal tables and chairs. ‘We’re here.’ He guided them into a common room with sofas and chairs covered with gold and black cushions and blankets surrounding a fireplace.
After checking their keys, he directed them to their rooms. ‘I’ll see you later. Be wary. You’ll discover some interesting inhabitants.’
Marnie wandered down the corridor of the girls’ wing until she found her room with a neat bed already made up and a desk groaning with first year textbooks and supplies. Her heart sank at the sight of the books she wouldn’t be using, but she was delighted with the cosy fire and the view of the night sky from the large window.
Two girls poked their heads through Marnie�
�s open doorway. ‘Hello,’ they squealed together at the top of their voices. ‘Welcome to Andromeda!’
‘I’m Grace Moon in the room opposite yours,’ said a gangling girl with long thin limbs and a toothy smile.
The other girl, who only reached Grace’s shoulder, was wearing a fluffy pink dressing gown over her school uniform and matching duck-shaped slippers. ‘I’m Sophie Silverbane, room 27.’
‘Marnie Speck from Downfell.’
Sophie regarded her curiously. ‘We’re second-year wizards ... insiders.’ She looked at Marnie as though expecting a reply.
‘She doesn’t know what you’re talking about, Soph,’ Grace said. ‘Do you?’
Marnie shook her head.
‘We’re from the Old World,’ Grace explained. ‘Insiders.’
‘I’m from Earth and a wizard.’
‘We’ve always lived here, not like you exotics,’ Grace said. ‘But that’s okay, because we all have wizard blood and that’s what counts.’ It sounded more like a challenge than an idle comment.
‘Yes, I suppose,’ said Marnie choosing to feel her way forward cautiously.
‘You look young to be at Fanglewick,’ Sophie said.
‘I’m thirteen.’
‘Oh, how cute, a baby owl,’ Grace said.
Marnie tried not to shudder.
‘So you came through the demonic halo by yourself?’ Sophie said.
Marnie nodded.
‘Was it scary?’ Grace asked.
‘Very.’
‘I’m so glad we don’t have to worry about that,’ Grace said. ‘Still you’re here now and you didn’t lose any limbs.’
‘Yep, only my jacket.’
Grace and Sophie burst into laughter.
‘Come with us. We’re going to the common room for supper. You can meet everyone.’ Grace took Marnie by the elbow to steer her down the hall while Sophie leant in and closed her door.
‘Don’t look so worried.’ Grace pressed her forwards into a large room where teenagers sprawled on the carpet or in chairs and sofas.
Marnie sidled forwards, looking for Seb. Once she spotted him with Oliver, she made a beeline for them.
‘Don’t worry, this won’t last long. It’s fairly painless,’ Oliver said. ‘They do it to all the new kids.’
One by one, the new students were introduced and asked to say one thing that was unusual about themselves.
Sophie pointed and called in a loud, penetrating voice, ‘This is Marnie Speck, everyone.’
Marnie’s stomach churned and she hoped the floor would open up and swallow her as she felt too many eyes on her at once. She wracked her head for something interesting to tell them but began to panic when her brain froze. ‘Um—’
Seb pointed at his eyes and then at her.
After a few more painful moments, Marnie realised what Seb meant and took her glasses from her pocket. ‘Hi, everyone, um, I’m really glad to be at Andromeda House, um, I only recently discovered I needed glasses. These are the first pair I’ve ever worn.’
Everyone clapped and cheered noisily as she sank into the chair nearby feeling embarrassed and ridiculous.
‘My name is Charlie Arnold, son of Professors Zachary and Blythe Arnold.’ He stepped forwards boldly, not bothering to wait for an introduction. ‘My unusual fact is that I’m here with Seb and Marnie, my dear scatterling foster brother and sister, who my parents welcomed into our Downfell home recently. It’s such a happy coincidence for us all to be here together,’ he said in his pompous voice and paused. ‘Although Marnie didn’t pass the Fanglewick exam this year, I’m sure she’ll manage next year because she’s such a fighter.’
The room fell quiet for a few seconds before the next newcomer was introduced, but Marnie knew their lives at Fanglewick had changed with Charlie’s speech and as he gave them a sly smile, she could only feel loathing for him.
* * *
CHAPTER 11
Beginnings
Marnie was convinced she’d gone to heaven when she woke in her new room in Andromeda House. Although purple-grey storm clouds threatened outside, she smiled at the warmth of her doona and comfort of the fire. Her mind clouded for a moment when she recalled Charlie outing her and Seb as scatterlings but shoved the memory to the back of her mind, refusing to let it ruin her first day.
She crept into the corridor, feeling self-conscious in her servant’s uniform. Encountering Sophie and Grace, she gave them a discreet wave, but they seemed to have forgotten her already. After spotting a clock in the common room, she realised she only had a few minutes to reach Fanglewick for her meeting with Jax. Hurrying to the door, she almost collided with Oliver.
‘Hi, I’m running really late.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘To meet Jax in the great hall. I’m starting work in the kitchen this morning.’
‘Dragon gnats! You don’t want to be late for him on your first day. Come on, I’ll show you a short cut for emergencies.’
‘That’s a broom cupboard,’ Marnie said in a puzzled tone after Oliver opened a wooden slatted cupboard door in a small kitchen off the common room.
‘Step inside and say ‘take me to the Fanglewick hall’ while leaning against the back of the cupboard.’
Marnie climbed into the cupboard and after speaking the words, whizzed down a grey tunnel headfirst. She slowed and emerged on her hands and knees from a curtained chute in the side of the wall behind two people arguing. One of them hissed and kicked a chair before catching sight of Marnie. It was Jax with a slim man or woman dressed in dark pants, a white long-sleeved shirt and a dark waistcoat, who when he turned around, Marnie realised was Silas, the angry, young witch.
‘How did you get here?’ Silas looked at her like she was something unpleasant he had trodden on.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said brightly. ‘I was looking for a broom to pick up some rubbish. I stumbled and—the next thing I was here.’
Silas sneered. ‘Are you going to be trouble, Ms Speck? Don’t let me catch you again. The chute is strictly for emergencies like fire or demon invasion. Understood?’
Marnie nodded.
Silas turned back to Jax. ‘We’ll speak again later after the assembly.’
‘At the risk of repeating myself, I have the situation in hand.’ Jax put his gnarly hands on his hips. ‘I’m looking after her requirements. There’ll be no further discussion.’
Silas scowled.
Feeling awkward, Marnie gazed again around the great hall. She loved this room already. Arches reached up and across the ceiling like giant ribs and its beautiful timber floors smelled rich and ancient. Marnie wished she were about to join the new students in the assembly.
‘Good morning, everyone.’ Professor Crabwinkle passed them after she strode briskly from a side entrance into the hall. She wore a dark regal gown with brilliant red trimming and gold tassels while her grey hair was drawn back from her face in a braided ponytail. Sandra Pentwhistle accompanied her, wearing a short cape over a fitted, black dress with dark stockings and heavy leather boots—a style of dress Marnie recognised as being common among the witches.
‘When you’ve taken Marnie to the kitchen, please return here, Jax,’ Crabwinkle said. ‘The latest batch of students will be here soon for the first assembly.’
‘Good luck, Marnie,’ Pentwhistle said. ‘I’m sure you’ll be fine.’
Marnie smiled at her.
‘This way,’ Jax said to Marnie with his nose in the air as he led her down a stone stairwell to a dingy corridor. ‘The kitchen is located under Fanglewick’s great hall.’ He knocked on a dark wooden door and when it opened, barely acknowledged the smaller goblin standing in front of them. ‘A new worker for you. Her name’s Marnie Speck.’
Jax left Marnie standing awkwardly in front of a green-eyed female goblin, possibly middle-aged and wearing a similar dark tunic like her own with a stained apron over the top.
‘Come inside, Marniespeck. I’m Astra, head cook.’
‘Please, just call me Marnie ... Speck’s my surname.’
Astra watched Jax disappear before leading Marnie through the doorway into a large kitchen. ‘What have you done, girl, to deserve this?’
Marnie scratched her head. ‘I asked for it—after failing the Fanglewick entrance exam.’
The goblin woman burst into high-pitched laughter and was joined by a few more goblins lurking in the dimly lit kitchen. They were all smaller than Jax with finer features, a dull yellow skin tone and none wore gloves or shoes. Although a large fire was crackling and flickering in the corner, Marnie smelled no breakfast cooking. A line of trolleys waited ready to be wheeled into the dining room, but they were empty.
‘So I assume you can cook?’
Marnie nodded at Astra hoping she wouldn’t ask her any more.
Astra steered her into a room without windows. ‘Good then, you’ll be cutting vegetables today.’
‘But won’t you need help making breakfast?’
Astra smiled in a strange way. ‘It’s done. I’ll be back in an hour or so to fetch you for breakfast. If you need anything come back to the kitchen.’
At the sight of the pile of carrots, potatoes and onions, the bare table, basin and knife, Marnie’s heart sank. She sat listlessly for a half hour or so chopping a few vegetables until she heard a distinct voice through the vents high in the brick wall on the far side of the room. At once she realised the voice belonged to Professor Crabwinkle, who was welcoming new students at the school assembly. Marnie picked up a carrot to eat and listened.
‘Before I introduce you to the teaching staff, I want to talk to you about Fanglewick. Some of the older students might have already told you tales and rumours, some true while others fanciful. As you know, Fanglewick is old, centuries old in fact. Fanglewick is alive with ancient and evolving magic that flows like a tide from here through the multiverse. It is the heart and repository, the beginning and end of magic. We come to the source to learn and also to protect our great heritage.’
The students were so quiet, Marnie wasn’t sure she was actually talking to anyone.