Epilogue
ELSIE
Between Aster’s sentencing and the beginning of the new school year, there were only three weeks.
But they were three blissful, restful, Lukas-filled weeks.
We spent the rest of our first summer together the way any young couple would, out adventuring during the days and curled up with movies and in each other’s arms all night.
The restful weeks were much needed for both of us, and we relished them.
Many days were spent with friends, and I realized how lucky I was that Lukas had amazing ones before I met him. Unfortunately, my only close friend hadn’t been great in a while, so I was due for some new people to share life with.
Dozens of pastries were eaten at Puddle and Pear, and many games of skee ball were relentlessly played until I finally beat Lukas again. It was a lucky win, but a win was a win.
Now, we were settled and ready to head back to Forrestbriar. It finally felt safe going back after months of misery and fear.
“Baby, I love you so much, but if you don’t get your ass in my car in the next thirty seconds, we’re going to miss the opening celebration.”
Lukas’s voice traveled with his following laughter as I threw my lip gloss in my bag and ran out of our bedroom.
I’d all but completely moved in, though Lukas would wish that I didn’t have any belongings anywhere else.
Still, there were things left behind at my father’s house that I would still need to collect.
“Ready!” I yipped when I met him at the door.
“You look perfect, as always.” He leaned down to give me a quick kiss, but Lukas was a greedy man. The kiss deepened, and soon his hands were in my hair.
I shoved his chest. “We’re going to be late, remember?” I reached for the doorknob and pushed the door open.
“I think we could just miss the whole first day.” Lukas followed me out the door anyway. He used his wand to lock the door, but made an odd face. He walked back to the door and locked it manually before coming to the car, where I was already throwing my bag in the back.
We sped to school, parked, and walked hand in hand to the main lawn of campus, where a campus-wide opening would take place. The new dean had been selected in record time and wished to address the entire school.
Within a few minutes, Lukas found our friends in the crowd and pulled me along with him, keeping me close at his side and making me feel comfortable.
“Final year!” Henri chirped as we approached. “Well, not for you, unfortunately.”
Ivy threw her arms around me as though we hadn’t all hung out Saturday night. “She’s just a baby! Don’t worry, we won’t forget about you when we graduate!”
I laughed with my friends as we waited for the opening to start.
Finally, on a stage that had been specifically set up for this, a lanky man emerged. His face was aged, but his hair was still dark brown, not a single sign of graying. We weren’t very close to the stage, but I could see the joy in his face.
I hoped he was better than the last dean.
“Students of Forrestbriar Academy!” he bellowed into the microphone. His voice silenced the entire crowd, everyone turning to look at him.
It had been a terrible few months to be a student here. As he looked over the assembled crowd, I was sure he was considering how our trust could be earned after a former professor and dean had done such incredible damage.
“My name is Andrew Falconitte, and I am honored to take the seat of Dean here at this remarkable academy. Forrestbriar has a rich history of raising talented, world-changing magicians, and I hope that legacy continues.” His hope was contagious, and students on the lawn were nodding and smiling along with him.
“Last semester, you all suffered from a horrific crime, committed by your professor and committed by the very dean I am replacing.
I assure you, students, faculty, and staff…
that their heinous acts at this school will never be forgotten, yet will never be repeated.
I am committed to making Forrestbriar a safe, welcoming place for all students.
Should anything ever occur here that is outside of the scope of our education, I assure you swift action will be taken.
“We have brought four more counselors to the team here at Forrestbriar, and we encourage all students to seek comfort and counsel.” Dean Falconitte smiled broadly, pulling his wand out of his coat pocket.
“Students, faculty, and staff, I now ask you to join me in raising your wands and performing the Chorus of Flame to mark this renewed era of unprecedented education and safety here at Forrestbriar. This year, we enter the year looking forward to a campus of peace and learning.”
Collectively, we all raised our wands, lifting them above our heads. At the mark of the dean, we all said the spell and flicked our wands.
Chaos ensued.
The spell was supposed to lift little flames that would float into the sky until they died out. Instead, sparks flew from some wands, smoke from others. My wand sputtered and flickered until a crack split down the center. Some wands caught flame entirely.
Lukas pulled me to his side in an instant as the surrounding crowd moved in panic. No one’s magic was working. Not even the dean’s.
Seemed this year might not be so peaceful after all.