Chapter 69
Magical History drags by and I wonder if Decan put a spell on me to make every minute in which I can’t try out my wand, longer.
Magical Theory doesn’t go any better. We have a substitute teacher who prances up and down the aisles with a ruler to smack sleeping students on their desks as she rambles on about if it’s beneficial to use an air spell spun with water to make a storm or to do a rain dance.
During Spells and Hexes class, Mrs. Abernathy has me clean the lab experiment and the scent of sulfur clings to my skin.
At lunch, I’m debating between eating in my room or forgetting food altogether, so I have a few precious moments to get Ben and Kiarr out of the prism. But my stomach is gnawing at itself, so I give in and go to the cafeteria.
Jezza and Melanie wave me over to their table. Quickly, I rush into the line and let the lunch lady put a slice of sausage pizza, a bottle of juice, an apple, and carrots on my tray. By the time I sit across from my friends, the smell of the food is making me hungry.
“Did you find your wand?” Jezza asks, peeling her apple with a small, plastic butter knife and I wonder if she’s also using a spell because I don’t see how it’s possible to do.
“Yes.” I pull it out of the side of my backpack. “It was underneath the broken wing of the angel statue.”
“That’s good.” Melanie nods and lowers her voice. “We can use it as a connection between you and your ghosts.”
“Any luck on finding the grimoire?” I ask.
“I’ve checked Gwen’s old room and the library.” Melanie frowns. “Do you think she took it with her?”
“Maybe.” I take a bite of my pizza. “Or she could’ve given it to one of her groupies?” And hopefully a magic user and not to one of the werewolves or vampires.
For a few moments, I stuff my face while Jezza and Melanie do the same.
“We can still try the spell without the grimoire,” Jezza suggests. “Isn’t Benjamin the mage?”
“Ben, yes.” I wipe my mouth with my paper napkin.
“Then he can help us get your Jacques back too.” Jezza leans forward. “Are you sure about this, Brene?”
“Yes.” My throat suddenly dry, I take a sip of my juice. “I know it sounds weird, but yeah. It’s like they are my friends too.” And more. My face heats at the thought. Until I have all three of my men back and talk with them about how they can stay with me, I don’t feel right sharing my feelings just yet. It feels like if I do, I’ll jinx myself and I’ve had all the bad luck I can stand right now.
“You don’t have to justify your actions to me.” Melanie brushes a blue strand of her hair out of her eyes. “My brother married a banshee, so hey, no judgment here.”
Jezza shrugs. “None here either. You do you, Brene. Whatever makes you happy as long as it’s not hurting anyone else, then I’m all about it.”
“What class do you each have next?” Melanie asks.
“Gym,” Jezza and I answer at the same time.
“Skip it and we’ll try some spells now.”
“Can’t.” I shake my head even though I want to do exactly what she suggests. “I’m already on Decan and Walsh’s bad list including detention after school. If I cross the line again, they might chain me in a dungeon until next year.”
“We don’t have a dungeon.” Jezza blinks.
“I was joking.” Then again, ever since I came to this magical school, I’ve been surprised.
“Damn. What did you do that you’ve got both of them upset with you?” Melanie crumbles up her napkin and tosses it on top of her lunch tray.
“I used magic to defend myself against Mercier and Sullivan.”
“Those wolves are jerks.” Melanie snorts.
“Yeah, well, I had no proof that they were harassing me. Or having attacked me.” I fill them in on all the missing details.
The bell rings and Jezza and I scramble to the girl’s locker room to change for gym. I put my backpack and wand in my locker. “Hey, can you like seal my locker? I don’t want anyone stealing my wand or the prism.”
“No problem.” She murmurs a spell and the locker glows green for a moment then stops.
“Thanks.” We hurry to gym class and although I’m doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, and racing around the track, my thoughts are on Ben, Kiarr, and Jacques.
After gym, Jezza unlocks the spell and I hurry to my other classes. My gaze constantly drifts to the clock on the wall willing time to go faster. I can’t help feeling that it is just dragging.
At the end of the school day, I push down my anxiety burning the back of my throat and wait outside the office for my werewolf assignment. I cross my fingers that I don’t have to interview Mercier or Sullivan.
A young girl walks out of Decan’s office in a matching school uniform. Her golden hair is pulled back into a ponytail. She has multiple piercings in her ears and a ruby, heart-shaped nose ring.
“Brene?” she asks.
“Yes.” I extend my hand, but she doesn’t take it.
“I’m Nora. Come on, let’s get this over with.” She walks down the hall and I rush to follow after her.
Outside, she sits down on one of the benches and I do the same. I dig out a pen and notebook from my backpack and tuck my hair behind my ear.
“So, you’re a werewolf—”
“I’ll give you all the highlights for your interview and you piece it together, okay?”
“Sure.” I place my pen to paper, ready.
“Werewolves are born, only a small percentage are made. We have the same abilities as regular wolves when we shift. Before that, we can smell better than most. We don’t turn during the full moon but the pull to do so is stronger than at any other time. We can transfer at will either day or night.”
I scribble across my paper, trying to keep up. “What about people that have been bitten and do turn into werewolves?”
“They have to be chained up the first six full moons or so until they gain control of their wolf. Most of us prefer our steaks rare and the thrill of the hunt is the best feeling in the world.” She pulls out a tube of lip gloss and rubs it over her lips. “Kinda like getting free tickets to your favorite band ever.”
I hurry to write down everything she says, then look up. “Why are you helping me so much?”
“Sullivan is my brother and I know he’s an ass.” She sighs. “Figure I owe you for not turning him in for harassing you.”
“Kinda didn’t have a choice. I didn’t have any proof.”
“Look, I’ve got to tutor a Freshman, you good?”
“Yeah, I think this along with research in the library should be enough.”
She gestures for my notebook, which I hand to her. “Here’s my number. Call me if you have any questions.”
“Will do. Thanks.” I waved bye as she took off toward the library.
I check my watch. With Nora’s interview, I could finish the research paper tomorrow. Which meant I could practice with the wand and the prism.
Joy blooms in my chest as I hurry back to my dorm room. My hands shake as I flick on the light and take out my wand. The weight of my backpack assures me the prism is inside.
I ease my sweater out of my backpack and unwrap the prism. My breaths are hard and fast. If I can get the magic right, I can see Ben and Kiarr tonight.
I pick up the prism from the middle of the sweater and my heart stops.
There is a huge gash in the prism.