Chapter 17
Campus seems to hum with a frenetic sort of energy on Friday afternoons, brought on partly by the intensifying academic load and partly by the impending freedom of the weekend, the never-ending pursuit of knowledge broken up only by the temptation of bacchanalia.
I make my way through the castle with the lecture from Introduction to Magic still fresh in my mind.
As tiring as it is to have an eight a.m. class, the material is interesting, and Professor Showen is kind, if not a bit scatterbrained.
The lecture today focused on the connection between magic and neuroscience, how the reticular activating system in the brain filters sensory input and allows for selective attention, which also explains why most non-magical humans rarely perceive true displays of magic.
It was a fascinating lecture that bridged the gap between the mundane and the magical, and I find myself pondering it as I walk through the castle halls.
Lanterns suspended from iron brackets cast pools of amber light against the walls, their glow fractured by the tall, narrow windows that overlook the front lawn.
Off in the distance, the sea churns beneath a low ceiling of clouds.
The warmth of August has surrendered to September’s chill, and here, a pervasive dampness perpetually hangs in the air.
Throughout the hallways, students cluster on the window seats in the alcoves, their voices low as they debate the meaning of specific rune configurations or whether a spell jar or a candle spell would work better for a particular intention.
My thoughts drift as I walk across campus to my next class, Magical Law and Ethics, and my heart patters wildly in my chest. Dr. Lowry is probably the most intimidating person to start with when it comes to asking around about my father—besides the Chancellor, maybe—but I’m determined to work past my nerves and attempt to satiate my curiosity. After class, that is.
When I reach the lecture hall, Callista is already seated, half-turned around to talk to the man behind her. Her laugh rings out across the room, musical and bright, and she tosses her hair over her shoulder as she turns back around.
When she sees me, she smiles and waves me over. I wonder again as I cross the room how someone can be so effortlessly beautiful and authentic.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Callista says. “I was hoping I’d be able to snag you before class.”
“For something in particular?” I ask as I slip into the seat beside her.
“Yep! Another party on Saturday and you have to be there. Everyone loved you last time.” I highly doubt that’s true, but I take the compliment anyway. She brushes her hair behind her ear, and her fingertips are smudged with a dark substance that I realize after a moment is charcoal.
“Hmm, maybe I’ll come.”
“I won’t take ‘maybe’ for an answer! This one will be smaller than the last one, too, so it’ll be less chaotic… probably.”
An idea strikes me. “Could I bring my roommate?” If it’s a smaller gathering, it might be less overwhelming for Max, and it’d help her get her foot in the door with positive social interactions.
She had admitted that it was difficult navigating a campus that views her as a dangerous, evil creature, so this could be the chance to start things down a different path for her.
“I don’t see why not. Who’s your roommate?”
“Her name’s Max. She, uh, doesn’t have many friends, so I’m trying to help her out.”
Callista raises an eyebrow. “The vampire girl? Isn’t she kind of mean?”
“She’s not as bad as she seems,” I jump to her defense. “I think she has a tough exterior because she’s so used to everyone seeing her as this awful monster, but it would be nice for her to have an evening where people aren’t so quick to judge.”
Callista shrugs. “That’s fine. I trust your judgment. Just know that pretty much everyone will be a little wary of her, at least at the beginning.”
“Why? Just because she’s a vampire? You know she doesn’t do all the blood magic stuff, right?”
“That’s fine and all, but it’s not just because she’s a vampire. It’s because her family is one of the most notorious vampire families out there.”
I try to hide my surprise, but my face must betray me, because Callista says, “She must’ve left that particular detail out, huh?”
I nod but come to her defense anyway. “Yeah, but I don’t blame her.
I wouldn’t want to be defined by my family’s reputation, either.
” A part of me wonders if I should still be wary of Max, but our tentative truce has been pleasant after spending these first couple weeks in a constant state of vigilance.
Before we can continue the conversation, Dr. Lowry strides into the room and sets his messenger bag on the desk with a heavy thud, immediately launching into his lecture.
An anticipatory dread worms its way through my stomach as I mentally prepare to speak with him after class, but I do my best to focus on the lecture, taking notes on the ethical dilemmas related to using mind reading or truth serums when investigating legal cases.
When the lecture ends, I stand and chat with Callista for a moment while the other students filter out of the classroom.
She gives me the details for the party tomorrow, and I promise her I’ll show up.
When she asks if I’ll grab lunch with her, I tell her I need to stay after class to talk to Dr. Lowry about something.
She looks at me as if I’ve just grown a second head. “Okay. Well, good luck. See you later.” She leaves in a swish of flowing fabric and floral perfume, and I steel myself for the conversation I’m about to have. I’ll need all the luck I can get.