I gasped. “Oh my God, I blew it up?”
He grinned and nodded. “Yup. And the bathroom at school. But again, don’t worry. We have people specifically trained to cover it all up so the humans won’t find out about us.”
I sighed with relief. “So what…these people are just going to cover it up, and I’m supposed to go back to school like nothing happened?”
When no one responded, I frowned and eyed them. My pulse quickened. The three of them were exchanging nervous glances. “What?”
“We weren’t going to do this, even after the Gathering and the Ouija board, we were just going to ground you to protect you. But the demons have found you now, so we have no other choice. You’re going to the magic school for witches.” My mother pointed to the front door where suitcases were propped. My suitcases. “We already packed your bags. You leave now.”
Chapter Eight
BETTINA
Despite growing up in Charleston, South Carolina, I’d only been into the Smoky Mountains once. For The Gathering. That night, I’d been scared out of my mind but trying to pretend like I wasn’t. If I hadn’t promised to go with Tegan for her sixteenth birthday, I definitely would’ve backed out.
Tegan. I shook my head. Ever since we were five, my best friend had been obsessed with magic and witches. Little did she know I was one. Dean had spent the first hour of our drive explaining why we couldn’t tell humans what we were. I understood. Hell, I’d seen enough fantasy movies to know that. But if he thought I was keeping this secret from my best friend, then he had another thing coming for him. I was going to tell her…just not over the phone. In person. Once I learned how to use my magic and could prove it to her—like Dean had for me.
Because Tegan would demand proof.
Apparently witches had a motherland, a home country. It was the only place in the world where we were safe. No demons or any kind of monsters could get to us. It was called Eden. And inside Eden was an academy called Edenburg.
I’m going to a witch school. I turned toward the window and covered my face so Dean wouldn’t see me smiling. I couldn’t help it. This was so exciting. At some point in the ride, my anger and fear had been pushed aside by excitement.
It would wear off once we got there, I was sure of it. But I’d worry about that later.
I looked out the window and sighed. My mood change was probably because of the scenery. It was gorgeous. I realized I hadn’t gotten to really see any of it at night while driving to The Gathering. And now I was mad at myself for almost missing out on this. There were more shades of green than I ever knew existed. I suddenly couldn’t wait for autumn. Two-lane roads wound around peaks and valleys, beside rivers and creeks. Birds chirped in the distance. Wind howled softly. The sun was starting to set already, which meant we’d been driving for a long, long time.
Dean took a sharp turn down a gravel road. I was about to ask where exactly we were headed when we drove through a cloud of fog, and then suddenly the road was smooth. I gasped and sat up straight.
Dean chuckled. “We just drove through the border wall.”
My eyes widened. “You mean…?”
“Welcome to Eden.” He turned and gave me a wide smile. “You know, this is where I live when I’m not in Charleston.”
I laughed. “Well, that makes sense now. I always wondered how you managed to switch back and forth between schools whenever you wanted to. Guess I get it now, it’s a witch thing.”
“Actually, I’m nineteen.”
“WHAT?”
He shrugged and made another turn. “Yeah. I graduated almost two years ago. My father is the Major of Charleston—”
“The what now?” I shook my head. “Remember, this is gibberish to me.”
“Right. Sorry.” He smiled. “So, The Coven appoints one or two people to essentially be in charge of every city. The Majors make sure everything runs smoothly, and humans are kept in the dark but safe. Like covering up witches blowing up schools. My father is the Major for Charleston, so I’m used to doing that job. Because of that, The Coven hired me to search out unknowing witches, then bring them to Eden. I only go to school to get to know the students.”
My jaw dropped. “And the animal shelter?”
“I actually own that. It’s my shelter.”
“Wow.” I turned to look out the window—and gasped. Right up in front of us was a massive brick building that looked like some castle in England. I pressed my face to the window. It looked so normal. I was expecting—well, actually I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. But it was gorgeous. It had that kind of old, regal beauty.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
All I could do was nod.
“You’re going to love it here, Bettina,” he said and lowered his voice. “I know you’ve been sad about Tegan leaving, and I know you tried to make new friends at my party, but the thing is people like us tend to have trouble connecting with most humans. Here at Edenburg, you’re going to make a lot of friends.”
Like Jackson?
Yeah, right, because he was SO friendly at the party. That boy may have been beautiful, but he wasn’t nice. The fact that he knew I was a witch—a new one—and he still couldn’t find it in him to be friendly with me gave me no reason to be nice in return. I didn’t care how pretty he was, or how hot his accent was. I didn’t. Not unless he decided to be nicer.
You hear that, brain? We. Don’t. Care.
I spent the next few minutes while Dean parked ignoring the flutter in my heart at the idea of seeing Jackson again. I kept repeating the words over and over, and prayed they stuck. There were more important things than cute boys. Like learning how to be a witch.
I cleared my throat. “So when does school start here?”
Dean put the car in park. “Tomorrow.”
“WHAT?” I shrieked.
But he’d already gotten out, so I rushed to follow. By the time I caught up, he was standing in front of the car on the sidewalk. I tried to tell myself it was okay. Having more time before classes started would only freak me out. I’d end up with an anxiety attack. It was fine. Dean had said they’d give me a dorm, like in college. Once I got set up, I’d go into my new room and try to relax. Maybe I’d read up on some witchy things just so I’d sound like I knew what was going on. I had my laptop, which meant I had all of Tegan’s favorite witchy websites saved. It would be all right. One night would be the perfect amount of time to prepare myself.
If they have bathtubs, I might take a bubble bath.
“Bettina? Did you hear me?” Dean said with a chuckle as he tapped my shoulder.
I jumped and heat rushed to my face. I’d been totally zoned out. “Um…no. Sorry.”
He smiled and shook his head, then led me up a sidewalk toward the building. “I said, every year on the Monday before Labor Day, Edenburg holds its entrance ceremony. It’s always the night before school starts.”
My pulse quickened. I didn’t like the way he’d said that. My stomach started doing flips. “What exactly is an entrance ceremony?”
He paused outside the big double doors, under where EDENBURG EST. 1693 was carved into the bricks. “Not every witch has the same type of magical strength, so when you go to school here, you get sorted into the Suit of magic that you’re strongest for. Think of it like college majors. Except we only have four: Cups, Wands, Pentacles, and Swords. The entrance ceremony is where you get sorted into your Suit.”
The world swayed for a second, and my throat went dry. “And that’s tonight?”
He grinned. “It’s right now.”
Chapter Nine
BETTINA
“Dean Hoover, one of these years you’ll show up with at least five minutes to spare,” a short brunette woman with huge pink glasses and matching lipstick said with a grin. “What ‘ya got for me, lovie?”
Five minutes to spare?
Did he mean literally right now?
My pulse fluttered. I wasn’t ready for any kind of ceremony. I didn’t even get
to ask how they sorted us. Shit, I was still confused on what the four Suits meant. Dean kept dropping these bombs on me left and right like it was no big deal.
“Well now, Mrs. Elfen, I gotta keep you on your toes, don’t I?” Dean winked then leaned down and kissed the woman’s cheek. He gestured toward me. “This is my friend—”
“Aw, you must be Bettina Blair, right?” She grinned up at me then wrapped me in a big, warm hug. I didn’t dislike it. When she pulled back, she had a wild kind of sparkle in her big chocolate eyes. “Don’t you worry, dear. It’s always overwhelming at the start. By the end of the week, you’ll be used to it. Now, let’s get you ready for the ceremony. Don’t need you to be late. Dean, you better go get your white on and get seated!”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned and gave me two thumbs-up as he walked backward toward the door. “I’ll see you after, okay? I’ll help you get registered.”
I opened my mouth to ask him where I should meet him when Mrs. Elfen grabbed my arm and dragged me across the room. By the time I looked over my shoulder, Dean was gone. I sighed. He was a nice guy, and he was cute. Why can’t I be attracted to him? It didn’t make any sense, and it was stupidly infuriating.
“Here you go, dear. Put this on.” Mrs. Elfen tossed something at me. “Hurry up now.”
I caught the large object and found it was a soft, thick, silky material. It was the most beautiful shade of silver I’d ever seen in a clothing garment. It sparkled under the lights, but subtly. I unhooked the top button and held it out— Ohhh, it’s a cloak! I smiled and slid my arms inside. It was soft against my bare arms, and I almost snuggled in.
“Oh, that’s a good color on you, dearie.” Mrs. Elfen cheered. “Come along, now.”
I skipped to catch up to her, then followed her down a dark, stoned hallway. “Um, Mrs. Elfen…can I have a second to…you know…freshen up? I still have blood all over me—”
“I’m afraid not, but—” She plucked a turquoise vial off a shelf as she walked then handed it to me. “I’m used to new witches showing up in worse condition than you, so you clearly did well for yourself. Drink that. It’ll heal ‘ya right up. Go on.”
Without giving it another thought—which may have been a terrible display of instincts—I uncapped the bottle and poured the contents into my mouth. It was sweet and warm, like hot chocolate—but better. I handed her the empty vial then held my arms up. Sure enough, the wounds on my arms healed over.
“Whoaaa.”
Mrs. Elfen chuckled and led me over to a line of other people dressed in silver cloaks. “Now remember, that potion will give you a nice boost of energy for the ceremony, but it will give you a bit of a crash. I suggest going to bed early tonight. Especially with school starting in the morning.”
“Oh, um, thanks—”
But she was gone.
I frowned and looked in front of me at the other people in silver cloaks. “Um, excuse me—”
“First year, right?” A boy with bright red hair and big golden eyes smiled up at me. He couldn’t have been more than ten years old. When I nodded, he held his hand out. “I’m Freddy. This is my brother George—”
“Wait, really?”
The other boy, George, rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his face. “Yep. Mom was a big fan. I’m named after our dad, technically, but when she had red-headed boys back to back, she just couldn’t help herself. So we like to live up to the name.”
“Except for the dying part. I’d really rather not do that part,” Freddy said with a grimace. But then he shook himself. “Anyway, this here is the line for First Years. They line us all up out here until it’s time to join everyone else.”
I nodded, trying my best to not be bothered that I was probably the oldest person in this First Year line. There were a handful of other teenagers, but I still feared I was older. “So, um, where is everyone else, then?”
George pointed toward a door. “In there. Today is a big ceremony day for the students, a way to kick the school year off right. They’ve been partying for hours, but as soon as they’re seated, the headmaster will call for us.”
“And don’t freak out. Only First Years are in silver cloaks today.” Freddy stretched his arms out. “Everyone else is in ceremonial white. So we’re going to stand out.”
I pursed my lips just as the wooden door at the front of the line opened. “You guys know a lot about this entrance ceremony.”
Freddy grinned. “Oh yeah. Mom was a professor here for a long time, retired when we were born. So we know all the ins and outs.”
“Too bad I’m not your age, then, or I’d have you teach me.” I chuckled nervously as students started to go through the door. There had to be at least fifty of us, maybe twice that. I was really a terrible judge at that kind of thing.
George shrugged. “Mom says they don’t separate by age here. It’s all based on skill and knowledge, or something like that. So we might have a class together.”
Somehow I doubted that. These kids grew up as witches, raised by a witch who was a professor at the witch academy. They were definitely going to be in higher-level classes than I was. Which was a startling thought. I’d always been in advanced classes, either in the gifted program or in Advanced Placement. I just hoped the classes here translated the same.
The boys turned as the line moved. I took a deep breath then pushed my shoulders back. I could do this. I was a witch now. I’d faced The Gathering, a Ouija board, and a demon. Besides, so far everyone I’d met was nice. Except for Jackson. I sighed. Maybe he’d be nicer now that I was here in Edenburg. Maybe he was just focusing on the potential danger I was going to cause. Yeah. Yeah, that’s gotta be it. Why else would he be so cold to me?
With that thought in mind, I walked through the open door—and my breath left me in a rush. The line of silver cloaks marched down an aisle right in the middle of a massive auditorium. Just like the boys had said, the entire crowd was dressed in white. I wasn’t sure what the ceremonial white part meant, but it was all white. No one spoke as we entered; they just watched with eager eyes. I focused on what was up ahead, or otherwise my anxiety would get the best of me.
We sat in rows on wooden pews up at the front by the stage area. I managed to sit in between George and Fred. I opened my mouth to ask them what happened next when two people walked forward. One man and one woman, both wearing sleeveless white tunics that went straight down to their knees.
“Coven Leaders,” Freddy whispered.
I tensed and felt my eyes widen. Coven Leaders? My pulse skipped like a pinball machine. I swallowed nervously and concentrated on breathing.
“Good evening, First Years.” The man was huge, with salt and pepper hair and matching beard. His eyes were a warm brown, but they were sharp and focused on the First Years, like he was looking for someone. I hoped it wasn’t me. He nodded and held his left hand up, and I spotted two black X’s inked side by side on his forearm. “I am Timothy Roth, Judgement, and one half of your Coven Leader.”
He did not look friendly.
The woman smiled, and her soft blue eyes twinkled. But I wasn’t fooled by her kind appearance. This chick looked hardcore. She had the coolest looking black tattoo sleeve that covered her right shoulder and went all the way down to her hand, as in, it covered her hand and fingers. On the back of her hand was a big blue crystal tattoo. It was badass and definitely didn’t fit with her sandy blonde hair and porcelain skin.
She raised her left hand, revealing her XI Mark. “I’m Constance Bell, Justice, and the other half of your Coven Leader.”
The crowd of white did this strange kind of bow.
“That’s how you bow to the Coven,” George whispered. “We’ll show you after.”
I nodded, growing more and more grateful for the two boys.
Constance bowed her head slightly, and her smile widened. “Tonight, we celebrate a new year of school, but more importantly, we celebrate our new First Years. Welcome to Edenburg.”
The crowd che
ered and applauded. They were definitely in good spirits.
Timothy just nodded. His stern gaze swept over me and I jumped.
“Mom says Timothy isn’t that scary,” Freddy whispered.
Doubtful.
Constance looked off to her right. “And now, your Headmaster, Daniel Bell.”
“They’re married, Constance and Daniel,” George whispered.
God, I need them to be in all of my classes.
“Thank you, Constance and Timothy. As always, we are honored to have The Coven present with us.” He smiled at the two, and it was definitely warm and friendly. Our Headmaster was a few inches shorter than Timothy, with shaggy brown hair and the coolest gray three-piece suit I’d ever seen. He was rocking tortoiseshell glasses and a five-o’clock shadow that both somehow made his blue eyes really pop. He cleared his throat. “Okay, now before we begin, if the four Suit Majors could join me on stage.”
“Suit Majors are the top student in each Suit,” Freddy whispered.
“Yeah, and they’ve all been here since they were little kids,” George finished.
Yep. I was definitely kidnapping these two. I smiled and glanced down at their excited faces. When I looked back up, there were four teenagers in white cloaks. There was a blonde girl with burgundy glasses, a brunette with rosy cheeks, and a guy with long, shaggy, dirty blond hair down to his elbows and tattoos on his wrists. I smiled and looked to the last Suit Major—and gasped.
Jackson.
Chapter Ten
BETTINA
My heart fluttered. Stop it. Stop that. No crushes. None. Nope. Not doing it.
“Jackson Lancaster is a legend here,” George whispered. “He helps like everyone out, and he’s pretty nice. He’s Sword Major, but he’ll teach anyone how to fight if they ask.”
Freddy sighed. “I can’t wait to meet him. Mom says he’s almost as famous as the Coven members here.”
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