Countdown to the Prophecy (Seperra Academy #1)
Chapter 1
“Mags!" Marshall's voice thundered from downstairs. "Hurry up, get down here!"
My twin's urgency is almost enough to make me roll out of bed, but not quite. The first time people see us they always say ‘Oh it must be so much fun to be a twin’ and for the most part, it Chapter Two
is. For us though, we aren’t just two people who grew in the same womb and came into this world together. He’s the other half of my soul, the one who balances me.
We're almost identical, from light olive skin and bright green eyes to the same curly reddish black hair.
Mine is down to the middle of my back though, while his is cut into a mohawk.
Freckles dust across our bodies in almost the same pattern.
The only true difference between us? He has a penis and I do not.
“Magnolia Elizabeth! Get your ass down here before I open these letters without you!”
Sighing, I slide out of bed and stomp downstairs; I’ve never been good at change.
My anxiety already makes it difficult, and then you add in the fact I’m constantly having to worry about my health since my pancreas is useless.
I round the corner into the kitchen where my twin and our dad are waiting.
“Maggie Bug, what took so long? Are you not excited to see if you two got into your dream school?” my dad asks when I come to stand in front of them both.
I look around the room to avoid making eye contact, I know they are going to see the anxiety on my face.
Our kitchen is decorated in light greens and creams, giving it a warm and homey feel.
We didn’t have much growing up but he built our little farmhouse in southern Louisiana from the ground up with the help of our Pop-pop.
“Of course I wanna know, I’m just nervous.” I try to give them a reassuring smile, but I can tell by my twin's face he doesn’t believe it. He knows me better than I know myself, so there is no way he can’t tell what I’m feeling.
Our dad hands us the letters with our names on them, and Marsh takes his eagerly while I stare down at the blood-red envelope, with the Saperra Academy of Magic seal on it.
I know we both have magic, and that it’s pretty strong.
Typically, your magic slowly starts to show around the age of ten and progresses every couple of years depending on the person.
We were always ahead of our peers, but you don’t come into your full abilities until you turn eighteen.
However, depending on how much magic you have and how strong you are, it's required that you attend a magical college to learn how to safely manage your magic.
All kids get tested at sixteen to check their power levels to determine college eligibility.
There are, of course, the state colleges that are free to attend, however there are also those that are considered Ivy League in the magic world.
This school is the best of the best. I would have been happy at a state school, but Marsh wants to go into the MIB-which is the supernatural version of the FBI-and since we go everywhere together, I’m along for the ride.
“ Okay. kiddos, open them up!" Dad says emphatically as he bounces on his feet, barely containing his excitement. My hands tremble as I take mine, forcing myself to open it as my heart threatens to beat out of my chest. We start reading together.
“Dear Miss Sutherland,”
“Dear Mister Sutherland,”
“I am pleased to welcome you to Saperra Magical Academy. It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I write to congratulate you on your full-ride scholarship admission. The world has never been more in need of intelligent, strong, committed, energetic, and visionary young people. I am delighted that we have chosen you to be among those at Saperra, and I hope you will join our community in the fall.”
We drop our letters on the table and hug, Marsh picking me up and spinning me. “We did it baby sis! We got in!”
I pinch his arm after he sets me back down. “One measly minute does not make you my big brother,” I say with an eye roll.
Dad pulls us into his arms. “I’m so proud of you both! Pop-pop and Nana will be so happy for you! What does the rest of the letter say?”
Dad picks up one of the letters and Marsh picks up the other letter for us both to read together.
For over four hundred years, Saperra’s motto “Mundus mutatur, sed potestas manet” – “The world changes, but power remains” – has guided Saperra students, faculty, and alumni in their pursuit of knowledge and leadership.
As a Saperra student you will engage astonishing intellectual, cultural, and scientific resources.
Your Saperra education will equip you with the knowledge and wisdom to make an impact in any field, anywhere in the world.
The Saperra experience is shaped by the people who make up its community.
It is a space of belonging, respect, and friendship, where diversity and fellowship reinforce each other.
I know who your fellow students will be, and I am confident you will not find a more diverse, talented, and aspiring company of peers in one place.
We invite you and your future classmates to explore Saperra during Dragon Days or Dragon Saturday, our on-campus events held for admitted students.
Additional information, including housing assignments and important dates, will become available later this spring.
When you are ready, you may reply to our offer of admission by completing the online reply form on your student portal.
You must reply no later than the end of the current school year, but you may notify us as soon as you have made a decision.
If you have questions about Saperra or the decision process, please write to [email protected].
It is clear from your application that you are a person who lives for challenges, excellence, and making a difference in our world.
We look forward to celebrating your unique contribution to our Academy’s traditions, life, and missions.
Congratulations again on your achievements thus far and your acceptance to our wonderful school.
Best Wishes,
Sam Foster
Samuel Foster
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
“Wow Marsh, full rides for both of us. That's amazing." I’m so excited to start this new adventure with my brother, but I’m also terrified of all the change that’s to come.
The fear of the unknown can't put a damper on the excitement of actually getting into such an amazing school.. I might not have picked going so far away if it wasn’t for Marshall, but it is such an amazing opportunity.
I pull out a chair at the kitchen table and sit down, silently reading over the letter again, Dad and Marsh also taking seats.
“Well, we probably won’t be able to go to all the spring events, but since the website says classes don’t start until August, I can email and see if we can do the virtual tours instead and ask when the earliest move-in is available so we could just do that instead of traveling back and forth so much.
Does that work for you?” Marshall's enthusiasm is evident in his rambling.
I look up from my letter to see them both looking at me with big smiles on their faces. “Why are y’all looking at me like that?”
“Well, you haven’t really been excited about going off to one of the more exclusive schools, and I know you’re only going so we aren’t separated, and I’m grateful…
but you haven’t wanted to talk or even think about it,” Marsh explains, suddenly looking dejected.
My stomach sinks, and I feel guilty that I made him feel bad about wanting to chase his dreams.
“It’s not that I’m not excited, it’s just a lot of change and it makes me nervous being so far away from Dad in case something happens.
The school is a long way from Louisiana.
You know how hard it is to manage my diabetes when I’m not stressed,” I sigh.
I know it’s not something we can change, but dealing with being a type one diabetic, in a world of magic where most witches don’t get sick or have disabilities, I’m one of the rare witches that wasn’t so lucky, and to top it off, all the diabetes scares have caused me to also suffer from terrible anxiety.
Marsh scoots closer in his chair to he’s hugging me to his side. “I know it’s hard but I will be with you every step of the way. I know everything there is to know about you, and how to manage anxiety and diabetes. You will be fine.”
I cuddle in closer, I know some people find it weird how close me and Marsh are, but it’s always been just us and our dad.
Our mom died when we were little and she was raised in foster homes until she aged out of the system.
Our paternal grandparents are amazing but they moved to Florida a couple of years after our mom passed and they retired.
We still see them for all the holidays, but other than that it was only the three of us.
Our dad took over the farm so he was constantly working and it left me and my twin to entertain ourselves.
We did everything together – learned how to control our magic, how to walk, talk, drive, all the milestones that parents usually make a big fuss over.
I couldn't picture moving to a new school so far away without him.
My dad clearing his throat drags me out of my head.
“Alright kids, me and your mother made accounts for both of you as soon as we found out she was pregnant. She was doing well for herself when I met her, having opened up her own apothecary, and when your grandparents found out they added to it as well, so you both have savings accounts with $500,000 each. Since you both got a full ride, I’m giving it to you for y’all for living expenses.
Don’t go blowing it all in one year ‘cause it’s more than enough to last you until you graduate and then some.
You both will be able to get whatever you need for your dorms. Your cars won’t be able to go with you since the school is on an island and there aren’t any shops or anything, but we can see what’s going to be the best way to ship whatever you need. ”
“Dad, are you serious? I didn’t think we would have had a savings account at all, let alone that much.” I stare at him slack-jawed.
“Well, I wasn’t going to raise spoiled brats. So I saved every extra penny for your futures,” he shrugs it off like it’s nothing, but beams proudly at us.
Marsh bursts out laughing. “Okay then Dad, looks like we need to reply to the letter and look up how to send packages, ‘cause I’m about to put my next day delivery to good use!”