by Valia Lind
"I was not flushed," I argue, but maybe I'm protesting too much. Knowing what will come next, I try to speak softly. Not that it helps. "Aiden is my trainer." There's a pause, then Jade squeals and claps her hands. "Seriously, Jade. What is that reaction?"
"That reaction is you tumbling around on the mat, all hot and sweaty, with one of the hottest guys in school."
"Who hates me. Don't forget that part." But I can't help feeling slightly flushed right now at the mention of Aiden and me... tumbling on the mat.
"I don't know. There's a fine line between love and hate, no?" She wiggles her eyebrows, and I can't help but chuckle.
"You are a hopeless romantic," I say, which earns me another grin.
"And I'm proud of it. But seriously." She sits up a little straighter, a note of seriousness coming into her voice, "I've heard he's one of the best recruits they have. I'm not sure if he's doing Task Force after or what, but he's been trained from an early age. He's a great teacher to have."
"If only we didn't hate each other," I point out again, and it's her turn to roll her eyes.
"So, what was the dinner thing all about?"
I was kind of hoping she would bypass that, but no dice. I realize I'm about to add fuel to her theory with my reply, but I don't have a choice.
"We got into an argument at training. About my dad." She reaches over at my words and gives my hand a squeeze. "He came back to kind of apologize. To make sure I'll be in training tomorrow."
"Awe, that's so sweet."
"Jade." I give her my best glare, but she's not deterred. She's enjoying it way too much.
"He was very alpha in the way he nearly bit Noel's head off, did you see that?" I'm still not one hundred percent sure what that was about, but maybe shifters are just territorial in general. If I was to let my imagination run wild, I'd think it had something to do with me specifically. I'm sure that's what Jade is thinking, but I don't need any more help in that department. I think about him way too much already.
"Yes, I saw that. I made sure he knew I wasn't happy about it."
"Honestly, Maddie. I think you're the only witch I know who has no fear when it comes to shifters. The way you pulled him out of there? I nearly had a heart attack."
"I guess it's because of my family," I reply, shrugging a little. "I mean my sister is marrying a shifter, as soon as he asks her. Which I think may be soon. But they're adorable, and my sister's best friend Krista? She's marrying a shifter too. Although he's half Fae. And Mark's sister, the guy Bri is in love with, she's with a shifter too. So, I guess you can say they've changed my perspective on shifters."
"See? Romantic." Jade points her finger at me. "You're in perfect position to explore all this tension between Aiden and you."
"Get off my bed, weirdo." I laugh, and she jumps up to her feet. I don't want to think about Aiden in any way. When the heart gets involved, all reason goes out the window. I've seen that happen to my sisters, and even going back further, I've seen it with my parents. It's not like I don't want that kind of a relationship, to have someone in my corner twenty-four/seven. But I can't let myself get lost in the fantasy. Maybe I have a different outlook when it comes to shifters and witches, but this won't be that kind of a story. I have more important matters at hand.
For now, I pull out my history homework and dive into reading. After all, I'm at the academy to learn.
8
“You're not trying.”
"I swear Aiden, if you tell me one more time that I'm not doing my best, I will blast you out of that window."
We've been at it for almost an hour, and I don't seem to be getting any better. I don't know if it's because of what Jade said earlier in the week or the way he looked at me, but I've been on edge even more than usual. We've had five lessons so far, and I'm still making no definite progress.
"Maybe that's your problem."
"Excuse me?" I round on him.
"When was the last time you released your magic?"
I freeze in my tracks, stopping whatever tirade I was about to unleash on him because I honestly cannot remember. My magic has been mostly dormant since the big spell a month ago, but I haven't even tried exercising it. I've been too afraid to see if I have any left.
"That's what I thought. It's been weeks since the ritual."
"So?"
"So, I think you need a release."
I'm pretty sure the images that assault me at that point have nothing to do with magic. Well... maybe just a different kind of magic. I really need to get my head screwed on straight. I'm becoming unhinged.
"We haven't had any spell casting classes yet," I say slowly, realizing that he may be right. I haven't channeled my magic since I've been back. Being around him, I'm more hyperaware of every heartbeat and every creak of the floor. Maybe it's my magic that's making me so unbalanced.
"Okay, show me what you got." He steps back, folding his arms in front of him as he watches me.
"Right now?"
"No time like the present."
I want to argue, I want to refuse. But I do neither of those. Walking over to my water bottle I unscrew the top before placing it back on the floor. It's been way too long since I've practiced my magic. I take my time as I head back to the middle of the room, concentrating on my breathing and keeping my mind clear.
I can feel Aiden's eyes tracking my every move, but I don't look at him now. If I do, I'm not sure I'll be able to keep going. This needs to be between me and my magic.
When I'm in the middle of the room, I take a deep breath and reach out. I feel the magic rush through my blood, energizing every part of my skin. It races to my fingertips and it's like welcoming back a friend. Instantly, I feel better knowing it's still there, one with my being. I open my eyes, calling upon the water, and it lifts out of the bottle and races toward me as if it's been waiting for the freedom to fly.
With a flick of the wrist, I leave it hovering in front of me. Another flick, and it begins to shape. It spreads out like a flower blooming. The petals dance around the center as I move my hand left to right and back again. After a moment, I bring my hands together, and the water is once again an orb, hovering in front of me. With palms touching, I twist my hands in a circle, creating a cyclone. Then, just as it's picking up momentum, I send it flying into the air above me, and it bursts like a firework, leaving behind hundreds of stars in the ceiling above our heads.
"That's incredible." Aiden's voice is only a whisper, but it reaches deep inside me and makes itself a home there. I turn toward him, thinking he's watching the water and my magical stars, but his eyes are entirely on me.
"Just a little magic," I reply, and suddenly, I can't take my eyes off him. It's as if I'm seeing him for the first time, and there's no one in this world but Aiden. My gaze roams over him, hungry to take in every detail. His dark complexion, his messy hair, his intensely blue eyes. The t-shirt that clings to his chest in all the right places. I watch as his arms flex, a muscle jumping in his upper arm, and then my eyes are on his hands. They seem strong and capable, as someone who can hold me and chase all the demons away.
My magic flares up, and the water around us explodes, tinnier than the raindrops, but they don't fall on us. We're surrounded in a sparkling bubble of water lights, and it's more mesmerizing than anything I've ever experienced before.
Aiden inhales and the movement of his chest spurs me into action. Tearing my gaze away, I raise my arm in the air and motion the water back into a sphere. Then, I walk over to the water bottle, and pick it up. The water rushes back in, and I seal it with the cap.
A heavy quiet falls over the room and I find that I can't turn around and face Aiden. My display of magic was unexpected, and I don't know what to do with the feelings he evokes in me when he looks at me that way. But it's not like I can hide from him in this large room with just the two of us in it. So, I force myself to turn around.
He's standing exactly where I left him, his eyes still on me. I can't begin to guess what's going
through his mind. But we need to get back to even ground because I feel like it keeps shifting under our feet. I'd never call myself brave, but I take the first step toward him now.
"Shall we?" I ask, jarring the silence with my words. He seems to recover as he nods, stepping up to me. Without a sound, he attacks.
I know he's holding himself back, slowing down his moves so I can figure out what to do, but I'm still so new to this it's difficult to keep up. Aiden reaches for my hand and I twist into it, wrapping it around my torso, as I slam into his front with my back, my elbow at his gut. He catches the blow, pinning me against his body, and the heat radiating off him momentarily fogs my senses.
Aiden picks me straight up off the ground, and I remember to relax my weight. He's ready for me, but I slip just enough, and I throw my head back into his face. The move is startling enough that he drops me back to my feet, and I twist in time to deliver the heel of my palm to his nose. At the last moment, he snags my hand, pulling it behind my back, which puts my chest directly against his.
We're both breathing heavily, our faces inches apart. Something is happening to me, and I can't put a name to it. He was right of course, I'm much more focused after the magic release. But I'm also much more focused on him.
"That's better," he says, releasing me suddenly and taking a few steps back. "I think we're done for the day."
Then, without another glance my way, he's gone, and I'm left standing in the middle of the room wondering what just happened.
That night, I can't sleep. Jade was gone most of the evening with a study group, which was a blessing and a curse. I didn't want to answer any more questions about Aiden, but I also didn't want to be left alone with all my thoughts. Which is where I am now, tossing and turning at two in the morning, trying to shut off my mind.
After a few more attempts, I give up. The rule is that no one should be wandering the halls after dark, but I need to get to the library. Maybe putting myself into work will help.
Carefully, I slide out of bed and reach for my leggings and a hoodie. Both are black, like a lot of my clothing, and perfect for staying in the shadows. I don't put my shoes on until I'm out of the room and moving toward the greenhouse.
The toughest place to sneak through is right by the front doors. With the two staircases going up on each side, there's always a concern that someone is across the way. Since the Ancients started waking up, everyone has been on high alert, which means the school has extra patrols now. A lot of them are graduates who went into Task Force or protective agencies. Sometimes, the student who are in higher levels of training are assigned to participate.
I manage to get down from our floor and onto the main one without too many accidents. Luckily, I haven't ran into any shifters because they would be able to sniff me out, even if I am hiding. When I finally make it to the east wing, I have to wait a few patrols out, but then I sprint toward the greenhouse without a second glance.
Thankfully, no one ever patrols inside the greenhouse. I have to keep away from the floor to ceiling windows, since there are patrols outside. Other than that, I just need to make sure I don't make any noise moving the plants and the crate.
Before I make it too far into the greenhouse, I pause. With the moonlight bathing the plants in its glow, it looks magical in here. I've never noticed just how many of the plants thrive in this atmosphere. My oldest sister, Brianna, would know each of these by name. I just know there are flowers that bloom only at night.
When a small noise comes from behind me, I'm instantly on alert. My battle magic flares up, coming much easier now that I've exercised it a little, and I start moving carefully past the row of plants. When Aiden steps in front of me, I nearly have a heart attack.
"Chicks on a raft! Do you have to sneak up on me?"
"You're the one sneaking around," he replies, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. It almost looks like he's going to smile, but no luck.
"I wanted to come see the night blooming flowers." I pull out the first excuse that comes to mind, a little proud of myself.
"Nice cover. Also, did you just say chicks on a raft?" This time there is definitely amusement in his tone, and I can't help it. I like it.
"It's similar to eggs on toast."
"Still not sure how that relates to your current situation."
I shrug, probably enjoying this a little too much. But his question does bring with it quite a few memories. A part of me wants to share all of it with him, but I have to remind myself that Aiden and I are not friends. This isn't show and tell.
"It's something my dad says when he's surprised," I reply, going for the truth but keeping the emotions out of it. I don't need to break down in front of Aiden. He watches me for a moment longer before he nods, as if coming to some sort of conclusion. Instead of replying, he begins to walk around the greenhouse, looking over the plants. I feel like we lost some of our footing again, but then he speaks up.
"So, are you going to tell me why you're really here?"
I bristle at that, his tone ruffling my feathers. There's that footing I've been missing.
"If you don't believe my explanation, that's on you."
"I just know you a little better than that," is all he says as he continues to move around. Now it's my turn to follow him, a little peeved at his words.
"I'm not sure you know me at all," I announce, stopping near one of the blooming plants. Instead of looking at him, I study the flowers. I have to admit, they are worth the price of admission.
"Don't kid yourself, Duchess. You're not that complex."
That... that makes me angrier than I thought he could. Spinning on my heels, I face him head on, not realizing how close he's standing. I have to look up into his face, cursing his tall physique.
"You know nothing about me. You should really get your head checked out. I think you're becoming delusional," I state, my hands once again on my hips. He doesn't seem affected by me at all, yet here I am, all tangled up in little knots.
"You're honestly telling me you would risk reprimand by sneaking out of your room after lights out to come look at some flowers?" he asks, his words washing over my skin. He's so close, I would only need to move forward a few inches, and I'll be pressed against him.
The moment the thought enters my mind, I shut it down. What is wrong with me? I'm like a lovesick puppy all of a sudden, and I have no idea where it came from. I can make up a hundred excuses here, or extravagant stories, but for some reason, I settle for the truth once more. Maybe a part of me does want him to know me a little.
"If you must know, I love flowers. Any and all. They bring me joy. So yes, I would risk reprimand to come see something as unique and beautiful as a flower blooming in darkness."
My honesty descends on us like a blanket. I expect him to contradict me, or make another biting remark, but he doesn't. He studies me for a long minute, in which I try to keep my breathing as even as possible. Finally, he speaks.
"I'll walk you back to your room."
9
“What is one of the most recognizable events in human history revolving around magic?” Mr. Olsen asks the next morning. I've gotten so little sleep, it's difficult to stay awake. Even though history is one of my favorite subjects, my mind is either drifting to mine and Aiden’s walk back to the room last night or just plain zoning out completely. We didn't talk on the way back, and even though I didn't tell him the truth about why I was in the greenhouse, I offered him a bit of an insight about myself. That's not sitting too well with me right now. He keeps winning, and I don't like it.
He's in this class, of course, so there's no escaping the fact that I can feel his presence. Even though I refuse to look in his direction.
"Come on, I know it's not even eleven o'clock yet, but someone give me an answer."
"Salem witch trials," Vera answers from the front. Mr. Olsen claps three times, stopping in front of her desk.
"Thank you, Vera. The rest of you haven't even started on your papers, have you?" I vag
uely remember Jade mentioning this, and when I glance at her, she shrugs. I really need to check over my course curriculum to make sure I'm not missing assignments. I'm usually so good at keeping ahead of the curve. I can't believe after three weeks, I'm falling behind.
"Your paper, for those of you who haven't began their research, is about the effects the Salem witch trials had on our community. Specifically, how it affected you personally." He looks each of us in the eye before continuing. "What is one misconception that is known about the trials?"
This one I know, so I raise my hand.
"Miss Hawthorne?"
"That any witches were killed."
"And why is that?"
I realize everyone is looking at me now. I'm not sure what possessed me to answer, since I've been trying to keep a low profile, but here we are. Even though I won't turn in his direction, I can feel Aiden's eyes on me.
"Because those who were put on trial were simply humans under the influence of a fungus."
"Do you know the name of the fungus?" I'm waiting for him to move on from me, but he continues to watch me, waiting for an answer.
"Ergot." Thank you, Bri for making sure I had that knowledge stored away. I remember my oldest sister going on and on about the way people, human and magical, have a tendency not to treat plants in the way they should be treated. After all, we are elemental witches and our connection to the earth is what makes us so strong. Bri has studied plants her whole life and runs an herbal shop now. I've heard her Salem witch trials story more than once, and now I'm super glad I paid attention.
"Very good, Miss Hawthorne."
He moves away then, heading back toward the front of the classroom.
"As Miss Hawthorne pointed out, yes. No actual witches were killed during the Salem trials. Those accused of witchcraft were found yelling and screaming and convulsing, spreading mass panic across the villages. Many of your ancestors were there and tried to help the best they could. It is a known fact that they healed and saved countless individuals who could've been dragged to court but were never even suspected. Sadly, they couldn't get to everyone.