“This is not a drill,” a disembodied voice announced. “For the safety of all students, please immediately assemble at the theater.”
Chapter 14
Was this really necessary? Nine moaned from the zipped-up duffle I had slung over my shoulder. The bag also contained the stolen copy of The Magic of Life by Herbert Twig. Didn’t want to leave that lying around in Aspen’s room, either. I grazed the fabric of my pants pocket where I’d stuffed the potion Aspen had made to make sure it was still there. Yep. Safe and sound.
“Yes, it was,” I hissed, keeping my voice down. “I was not leaving you behind. Who knows if the rooms would have been checked?”
“Stop talking to the bag, Josy,” Aspen leaned in and whispered in my ear. “People are staring.”
I had no idea if anyone was staring. With the still-blaring siren, most seemed too busy trying to figure out what was going on as we were herded into the auditorium. The torches along the wall lit the room in a creepy orange hue, making everything seem twenty times worse than it already was. Almost all the students, including Aspen in his T-shirt and red plaid pants, were still clad in pajamas since there was no time to change. I, on the other hand, was wearing my ripped jeans and a sweatshirt with the hood pulled over my head. No need to freak anyone out more than they already were with my hair showing.
Up ahead and wearing a pink polka dot pajama set, Rosalee pushed through the crowd of students and made her way to the front row, where several professors and Chancellor Sterling paced on the stage.
I couldn’t hear her over the noise and distance, but she got the chancellor’s attention and spoke to him for a few seconds. Her lips twisted when he waved her back from the stage. She dropped into a seat front and center.
Professor Magnolis and three other professors guided students forward. Her lips were forced into a smile when she saw me. Whether it was from the stress of the situation or something about me, I couldn’t be sure. She glanced at Aspen briefly and then back at me. Worry pulled at her brows.
“What’s going on?” Aspen whispered to her as she gestured us down the stairs.
“The chancellor will make the announcement shortly.” Magnolis waved us to the seats once more.
I hiked up my bag into my arms, and Nine grunted from inside. “Shh.”
Maybe you could be a bit more careful and not shove me into the corner of this book. Or you should try riding around inside a bag and see how you like it!
I ignored his complaints and spotted a couple of empty seats on the end near the back. Most other students were crowding toward the front, but an easy way out of the building sounded better to me than getting underfoot of a potential stampede. I grabbed Aspen and tipped my chin toward the still-empty seats.
“Students.” Chancellor Sterling, dressed in a navy-blue robe with the Academy crest on the right side, leaned into the microphone at the podium on stage left. “Find a seat as quickly as possible.”
After a few more minutes of chaos, most of the student body was sitting. Aspen’s bag was on my lap, and Nine was actually keeping fairly still. A few rows down I spotted Holly and Emiko, and a few seats from them was Rowan.
“Whatever’s going on must be big,” Aspen whispered to me. “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening before.”
“I apologize for this intrusion in the middle of the night.” Chancellor Sterling wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and quickly glanced at the staff standing a few feet behind him. He inhaled deeply as if he were stalling before he spoke his next words. “But we have gotten word that the Morelli have declared war, and several armies are uncomfortably close to the Academy.”
Tension pulled at my chest, and I darted my attention around the room to see if anyone was staring my way. But no one was. Not yet.
What’s that he’s saying? Nine’s voice entered my mind, but I remained silent.
Gasps came from the front. Several students, including Rosalee, had jumped to their feet and were already shouting questions.
Sterling raised his hands shoulder-high and patted gently at the air. “Please calm down. I will be addressing concerns one at a time in just a moment.”
The students sat, but Rosalee kept to the edge of her seat.
“Your families have been informed and will have the opportunity to retrieve anyone who wants to leave as soon as the Directorate judges the situation more secure. But for now, we need you to remain in the auditorium until we have been informed that it is safe for you to return to your dorm rooms. The staff will promptly relay any other pertinent information that comes in.”
As soon as Chancellor Sterling caught a breath, Rosalee was on her feet again. “Why are the Morelli near campus? Are we going to be attacked?”
Chancellor Sterling pursed his lips and gripped the podium’s sides as if his life depended on him doing so.
I still can’t hear what anyone is saying!
I leaned my head to the bag. “Hush!”
Before the chancellor could respond, Rosalee twisted to the student body and scanned the room. “And why is this happening now? Is it because we have a spy enrolled at the Academy this semester?”
Spy? What? My breath shortened and I slunk further into my seat, hoping she wouldn’t see me. Apparently, she didn’t, but several other students jumped to their feet and shouted similar questions.
“Please have a seat!” the chancellor ordered. “None of this will help the current situation.”
“Are you okay?” Aspen said, keeping his voice low and not looking directly at me.
I squeezed my hands together on top of the bag, and a slight white glow emanated from between my fingers. I widened my eyes. Did I do that? Aspen didn’t get to complete the spell, so how could I be using magic?
I unlaced my fingers, and inside them was a small piece of paper.
“What is it?” Aspen asked.
I unfolded the note.
This is going to get ugly. Meet me outside, and I’ll get you to someplace safe. ~Professor Magnolis.
I turned and spotted the professor standing at the back of the theater, arms crossed over her chest. She eyed me for a moment and gave me a curt nod.
I peered down at the paper in my hand and the words disappeared, new ones taking their place.
In five seconds, I’ll create a diversion. I’d suggest you use the opportunity.
Once I’d read the words, the paper dissolved into ash and disappeared.
My heart thundered in my chest as I turned to the professor again. Her back was to me, and as she headed out the door, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
From the front row, one of Rosalee’s cronies hopped to her feet and screamed, then fainted. A surprised Rosalee caught her friend. The students’ voices erupted in the audience, and at least half of them stood to see what was going on.
My stomach roiled with indecision. I couldn’t stay in here, and I couldn’t go with Professor Magnolis. Both choices were awful, but one of them had to be made.
“I have to go! Don’t follow me!” I said to Aspen, then clutched my bag and sprinted after the professor.
Aspen said something behind me, but I was pushing out the theater door too fast to hear what it was.
“Why did you allow Josy Barrows to enroll in this school?” The words echoed over the shouts. “She’s either a spy or has cursed the school!”
I gulped down the heart in my throat and raced into the foyer. Before I got very far, a hand reached out to grab my upper arm, and I would have screamed if it weren’t for the other hand that slapped over my mouth.
“Shh!” Professor Magnolis’s face was tense and stern.
I nodded, she released my mouth, and with a flick of her wrist, we both went as transparent as Merrygold.
Josy! You need to tell me what’s going on out there! Nine demanded and wriggled inside the bag.
Ugh, Nine.
“Do you have your cat in there?” Magnolis growled. “And he talks?”
She could hear him?
“Now you know why I couldn’t let you send him away!”
Professor Magnolis snorted. “Fine, then—let’s get you both out of here.” She ushered us out the front door, and just before it shut, I turned to see Aspen coming into the foyer and looking around. Tension tugged at his jawline and his brow furrowed with worry. But before I could say anything, Magnolis piloted me ahead.
“You can hide in my office. You’ll be safe there.”
“Why are you helping me?” I demanded. “You don’t even want me to succeed at the school!”
The professor stopped and squinted in confusion. “What do you mean, Josy? Of course I want you to succeed. I’m the person who arranged for your enrollment.”
Chapter 15
“You mean you sent for me to receive money for the school?” I accused over the siren.
The professor gave me a wide-eyed expression of surprise but continued hurrying me across the dark campus. “How do you know about the money?”
I clutched the duffle bag close to my chest to keep Nine from bouncing around and complaining more than he already was. “I heard you and Chancellor Sterling talking about it in his office.”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “The money was the only way Chancellor Sterling would allow you to continue with your enrollment. I made sure you received your invitation because you belong here. What I said to Sterling was for his benefit only. I need time to allow you to discover what is truly inside of you.”
My mind reeled with confusion. I still had no idea why any money was tied to my being here or who had paid for my tuition. “I don’t understand!”
“I know you don’t, and I have no time to explain it to you. This invisibility spell isn’t going to hold out much longer, and I need to get you inside.”
A million questions wanted to burst from my lips, but I knew she was right. I’d simply have to trust she was doing the best thing for Nine and me right now. I scanned the sky, searching for Morelli flying through the air, or however they might travel. Safety first, answers later.
I allowed her to guide me, and just as we passed through the door of her office building, the transparency spell ended; we were completely visible again. Professor Magnolis swiveled her head back and forth, checking for anyone else, but the coast was clear.
She gave me a shove and led me the rest of the way to her office. Immediately after opening the door, she shut the curtains to block the light and went to work searching for something in the drawers of her massive desk. I allowed my gaze to roam around the spacious office. To my right was a well-worn leather sofa big enough to take a nap on. Along the walls were jar after jar of spell ingredients and ancient, dusty books.
A muffled meow came from the bag clutched tight in my arms. Nine! I set the bag gently onto the sofa and pulled the zipper open. Nine’s little dark head popped through the opening. His ears lay back nearly flat in displeasure.
It’s a good thing for you I’m not claustrophobic. Because I’d be clawing the walls right now otherwise.
“I’m sorry. It’s all I could think of to do!”
A growl vibrated in his throat. I’m a cat, you know. I would have been fine hiding under Aspen’s bed.
I threw my hand to my hip. “As if you would have been happy under there and not knowing what was going on outside.”
Nine scoffed and wriggled his body the rest of the way out, but before he could complain anymore, stopped and stared at Professor Magnolis. I know you.
The professor straightened from her hunched position at the desk and eyed Nine. “You do?”
You knew Charlette and Liam. You were there when they crossed over to The Other Side with Josy.
Her attention darted to me as she clutched something in her hand.
“You knew my parents?” I demanded as my heart thundered in my chest. “So, you knew exactly who I was. About my past.”
“Yes,” Professor Magnolis admitted. “And I want to tell you everything, but now is not the time.”
“And you were there when they crossed the North Point to The Other Side with me?”
Magnolis let out an exasperated sigh. “For part of the journey, yes.” She walked from behind the desk and placed something into my hands. “This was your mother’s. I’ve kept it until it was time to give it to you.”
I opened my palm, and there sat a gold ring with a filigree design on the band and inset with a bright red ruby. The corners of my eyes stung with hot tears. Just knowing this was my mother’s made me feel close to her even though I hadn’t been with her since I was an infant. “It’s beautiful, but why give it to me now?”
“Because your mother told me that ring is infused with magic and will shield the wearer.” Magnolis’s expression grew deadly serious. “Protect it carefully.”
“I have no idea how I’m supposed to protect this ring. I have no magic, and you know it.”
The professor’s lips stretched into a thin line. “I believe you do have magic; it just hasn’t surfaced yet. We need more time.”
My breathing sped up, and I remembered the potion still in my pocket and the book of spells in the duffle bag.
Outside, a horrifying screech rang out over the sound of the siren. My body tensed.
Nine hissed and arched his back. His tail grew three times its normal size.
Professor Magnolis threw her hand to her mouth. “They’re here.”
“Wh—who’s here? I stuttered, but I already knew the answer. And based on the professor’s reaction, the Morelli must be so much more terrifying than I’d even imagined.
She grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the face. “I promised your mother that once you were back on The Side of Magic, I would protect you.” She pried open my hand, grabbed the ring, and wriggled it onto my right index finger. “Keep this on. It should make you much less likely to be found and recognized by the Morelli. Stay in here. Don’t come out until I come and get you.”
My eyes widened, and I grabbed her wrist tight. “You’re leaving me? I don’t understand what the ring does.”
Her voice shook. “I have to. All the staff will be needed to protect the school before the reinforcements from the Directorate arrive.”
“But what about me?”
“You will be much safer in here. You saw how the students were reacting to you in the auditorium. If we make it through, they may rip you to shreds afterward.” She glanced to the office door and back at me. “I must go.”
Nine hissed. Let her go, Josy.
Magnolis furrowed her brow. “I’m sorry I can’t do more for you right now. I should have told you everything earlier, but I thought we had more time.”
I released the professor, and she sprinted out. I locked us in and leaned my back up against the door. “What good is some stupid lock going to be against whatever is out there?” I asked Nine. I slid down and sat on the floor, quickly pulling my legs to my chest and pinching at the bridge of my nose.
The siren continued blaring, and another hideous screech sounded from outside the office window. My legs trembled at the sound and I wrapped my arms around them, wishing I could disappear and end up anywhere but here. I twisted the ring on my finger, but despite Magnolis’s claim that it was magic, I didn’t feel any different. And definitely not safer.
Why did I have to follow that stupid letter in the first place? Why would I think that I had a long-lost aunt I’d never heard of? I might have hated foster care on The Other Side, but at least there wouldn’t have been something horrible screeching outside of my window.
After about five minutes, I stopped twisting the ring and stood.
What are we going to do? Nine paced the floor, the hair on his back jagged with tension.
“I guess we don’t have much of a choice but to stay here.” I kept my voice to a whisper. “If the professor didn’t care about me, I doubt she would have risked moving me into her office. We’re going to have to trust her. And you did say she had something to do with helping my parents leave The Side of Magic.
”
I remember her face.
A terrifying howl echoed outside, and I dropped down to the floor again. Nine skittered underneath the sofa and released a low, rumbling growl.
I held my breath and crawled across the carpet to the window. I inched up the wall and found the split in the thick drapes. Gingerly, I pulled open the fabric just a crack to glimpse what was going on outside.
In the sky, several giant hawks were beating the air with their great wings. On their backs sat what I could only describe as white-haired demons. Several warriors held magical lightning crackling in their hands.
My gaze dropped to the ground, and ten feet from the window was a hulking, dog-like creature with another Morelli riding it. The dog’s back and leg muscles bulged and the hackles stood up on the back of its neck. The beast’s teeth were bigger than a lion’s.
The hound’s glowing eyes locked onto the gap in the curtain where I must have been letting light from the office shine through. It bared its razor teeth and charged.
Chapter 16
A bone chilling howl sounded as I threw the drapes shut, and my entire body rushed with fear like it was electrically charged. “Nine! We have to get out of here!”
What? What did you see? His eyes were like gold saucers.
I didn’t even get a chance to answer before the animal slammed into the outer wall, shaking the entire room.
I screamed and grabbed Nine from the floor. In one swoop and before the cat might actually claw my face off, I tossed him into the bag and zipped it up tight.
“Be quiet in there if you don’t want your nine lives to come to an end,” I growled, and for once Nine didn’t answer.
Frantically I unlocked the door, wrenched it open and took off down the corridor in the opposite direction than we had come. No way we were going out the way we had entered.
The clomping of thunderous boot steps came from behind. The pulse in my ears was nearly as loud. I twisted to glance back but saw no one before I rounded the corner at the end of the hall. Several doors waited ahead, and I tried the first one—locked. The second? Locked too.
Spellcaster Academy: Episodes 1-4 (Spellcaster Academy Omnibus) Page 8