Chapter 41
Lukas
The air was heavy with anticipation. It differed from weeks past, where everyone sat on the edge of their seats waiting to hear more of the story.
Today, everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the sentence, myself included.
There was ample evidence against Mira Aster, but what would be her punishment? Would it be enough? What was enough?
“Mira Aster, please stand.” The judge’s voice bellowed in the silent room. Turning from my seat in the prosecution section, I watched Aster stand with her nose in the air. As though she had any power left, any dignity.
“You stand before this courtroom convicted of grave crimes. Unlawful crafting and dispersion of a Class A amorous potion, mass magical assault on the students of Forrestbriar Academy, violation of will and consent through spell-casting, reckless endangerment of life through spell-casting poison, compulsion of another through forced blood binding, compulsion of counsel, and magical assault of witnesses.”
As the judge read off each crime, I couldn’t help but feel excitement swell within my chest. This was a moment I had waited for with sickening hope.
Everyone who had been hurt because of her actions would find justice today, I was sure of it.
The evidence was stacked so high against Aster, surely she’d be in prison for life.
I wanted to look back at Elsie, who was sitting in the front row of the gallery, knowing how much this would mean to her. Elsie, who had been assaulted because of the potion. Elsie, whose own father helped Aster in attempts to sabotage this case. Elsie, who nearly died because of this very case.
After a moment of silence, the judge continued.
“These charges are a measure of the devastation you wrought on the campus. Students and faculty alike at Forrestbriar Academy suffered the consequences of your actions, and those consequences will have lasting, devastating effects. Some came within a breath of death.”
The judge took off his glasses and stared at Aster. She still held her head high. I leaned forward in anticipation.
“Because of your own actions, you are hereby sentenced to spend the rest of your life confined in the Iron Bastion, completely and permanently stripped of all magical abilities.”
My jaw slackened. The stripping of magical abilities was a sacred and destructive measure used only for the worst of crimes. It was irreversible once done.
“You possessed the ability to inspire generations of young magicians, yet you chose to sow destruction and pain instead. May the silence of the Bastion, and the absence of your magic remind you of what your power cost the innocent, and what it has now cost you.” The judge picked up his gavel, turning his attention to the entire room. “This court is adjourned.”
The gavel struck as the courtroom held its breath. Standing, the judge left his stand, escorted by his security. Aster remained standing, her shoulders hunched forward, the strong posture she’d once held now gone.
All at once, the gallery erupted in cheers. I turned to see people standing, giving hugs to one another, trading high fives, and pumping their fists in the air. Security quickly ushered Aster out, slapping magical cuffs on her wrists as they pushed her to the door.
I stood with the prosecution team as they left the courtroom. I looked over my shoulder, my eyes immediately finding Elsie’s. Tears streamed down her face, but she smiled widely, relief evident in her expression. I grinned at her before turning back and exiting the courtroom.
As soon as the team was out of the courtroom, everyone started celebrating. Alicia was hugging everyone and praising the team for all their hard work.
“Proud of you, son,” Ed said, slapping a hand against my shoulder. He had a satisfied smile on his face. “You were a vital part of this team, I hope you know that.”
I nodded, feeling pride in myself. “Thank you, sir.”
“I hope you’ll come work for me after you graduate?” He winked at me as he posed the question, and my brows shot up.
The offer was unexpected, especially after only a summer of working for him.
“I would love to.”
I walked into Noah’s house, seeking my girl immediately. They hadn’t heard me come in from the loud conversation going on, so I spotted the back of Elsie’s head.
Just before I got to her, she turned, her eyes landing on me.
She was grinning. Launching myself toward her, I picked her up and spun her around, our combined glee spilling from us.
Elsie giggled before bringing her lips down on mine, her legs wrapping around my waist. I savored the feeling of her lips on mine, something I could never take for granted.
It felt as if we were freer now with the case no longer looming over us.
“Glad you could finally join. Though, please get a room if you’re going to continue doing that.” Noah approached, a smirk on his face as he grabbed my shoulder. He looked the most relaxed I’d seen him in a while.
Elsie laughed again, lowering herself from me, though I didn’t want her to. Getting a room actually sounded better, but for now, we would celebrate with our friends.
There were other people besides our core friend group, and I was a bit surprised to see Calvin here as well. I was sure Noah had probably invited him, as they were both similar in disposition. Elsie grabbed my hand, pulling me into the group of people who were drinking and celebrating together.
Calvin reached out to shake my hand, and I met the gesture happily. “Great work on the case, Lukas.”
I raised an eyebrow, not expecting that from him. “Thanks. I’m glad it’s finally over. Thanks for sticking around to help. We…wouldn’t be alive without you.”
Elsie nodded, stepping forward. “Seriously, we can’t thank you enough for the tracing potion.”
Calvin held his hands up. “I’m glad I could help. Glad we got there in time. It wouldn’t have been without your extensive collection, Elsie. No need to thank me.”
It was the same response he’d given us every time we thanked him. I couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed with gratitude to him for saving Elsie’s life. I wasn’t even sure she would have made it if he hadn’t used his spell knowledge to help prevent her from bleeding out.
I liked the guy despite his overall lack of displayed personality. He was brilliant, and more than that, humble.
Henri and Noah joined our huddle with Calvin.
“How much longer are you staying?” Henri asked, her arm tightly wound around Noah’s waist. He held a whiskey in his hand and offered it to Calvin, who denied it.
“I’ll stick around for another week or so. I don’t have any assignments at the moment, so I figured I could enjoy the city.”
“We can show you some good places if you’d like,” Noah offered, and I sent him a joking glare. No way he was going to become buddies with this guy. I was his best friend.
“Sure, that would be great.”
Before Noah could say anything in response, Henri asked, “So what exactly are you specialized in? I thought you were just an Oathbreaker, but clearly you have extensive knowledge of potions and healing.”
Calvin chuckled. “Oathbreaker is just the coolest title, and in America, that’s typically what I do the most. Americans are typically dirtier with their magic.
But I actually specialized in advanced potions and curses before oath-breaking.
Not to seem arrogant, but I think I could break a centuries-old curse with all that I’ve learned. ”
“How is that even possible? You’re like twenty-five?” Henri seemed suspicious, if not a little envious.
“I graduated from primary school early. Gave me plenty of time in the Academy to learn multiple disciplines. But hey, Noah told me you’ll be graduating with a Policy Mastery and a Potion Mastery?”
And so the night continued, with Calvin easily conversing with the group. Eventually, Elsie and I snuck away to have a private moment of celebration.
“I’m so proud of you,” Elsie whispered to me, holding up her glass of champagne.
“I’m proud of you, Elsie. We wouldn’t be here without your actions.” I leaned down and captured her mouth with mine, never wanting to separate. The champagne was forgotten.
When we parted, she grinned. “Do you think you’ll be needed for my father’s trial? Or Arnold’s?”
“I’m not sure, but Ed offered me a position after graduation.”
Elsie jumped in excitement, throwing her arms around me to kiss me again. A bit of her champagne spilled, but neither of us cared.
“I love you, Elsie,” I murmured against her lips.
She pressed into me, stealing another kiss.
“I love you, Lukas.”