CHAPTER 3 #3
Still, I couldn’t stand in this doorway forever, so I finally allowed myself to move.
It was eerie walking down the aisle past row after row of frozen students.
Their eyes didn’t follow me, but I knew they could still see, still hear me moving past them.
Now that I was inside the great hall, I could fully appreciate just how massive it was.
Columns with arches jutted up the sides, while curved buttresses braced the rounded ceiling several stories above.
Stained-glass windows let in weak light behind the thick columns, and another huge round window bearing the academy’s crest was positioned above the stage.
Iron sconces high above further lit the space, but shadows still clung to its many corners, and I couldn’t help but wonder if anything—or anyone—was hiding in them.
Each step I took echoed loudly against the stone floor, making the trek feel a mile long. When I finally reached the front, it immediately hit me how exposed I was. Hundreds of angry students were now at my back, and all it would take was one vengeful action to end me.
Despite how vulnerable I felt, I slid onto the empty aisle seat in the very first row, more than a little uncomfortable that the girl in the seat beside me was twisted around with an ugly scowl on her face.
A scowl meant for me. My hand was halfway to my neck before I caught myself and quickly lowered it to my lap, silently cursing my slip.
After the rough day I had, I’d worried my necklace had fallen off, but even though I couldn’t see it, I suddenly felt its reassuring weight.
I clung to that invisible presence now, praying it would protect me from the mob at my back. I could already hear movement coming from the crowd as the freezing spell started to lose its grip. Another minute and hundreds of eyes would be boring holes into the back of my skull.
If only I had a familiar to keep an eye on them for me.
Oh, what a boon that would be. But my prayers and even my summoning spells over the years had gone unanswered.
Wherever the celestial spirit who’d gifted me a piece of their essence that fueled my magic was, they clearly didn’t want to be associated with a screwed-up witch like me.
Couldn’t blame them.
With my close-up view of the great hall’s stage, I could fully see what I assumed were the academy’s professors. None of them looked all that thrilled to see me, except for one. I spotted a few familiars among them, perched on laps or shoulders, and couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.
Gran had always said it was only a matter of time before I got mine, that our pure and powerful bloodline had a way of drawing familiars in, but that was before we’d fallen from grace. What spiritual entity in their right mind would want to be tied to a pariah like me?
“Now that the final first year has arrived,” the warlock standing center stage suddenly said, “we can commence with the convocation. Everyone, take your seats, please.”
More movement. More shuffling. A few whispered grumbles reached my ears, but no one resumed their shouting.
The eyes on me felt even worse than I imagined, though, their intensity so great that I missed the next few spoken words.
But the second my name was uttered, I snapped to attention, my gaze locking on the warlock.
“—Miss Mayweather’s presence isn’t a mistake. The school board voted to admit her just like everyone else here today. She’s a student and is to be treated as such, and that’s all I’ll say on the subject. Moving on, I’d like to introduce myself again to our late arrivals.”
Meaning me.
“I’m Chancellor Cyrus Grimshaw, the chief executive officer of Heartstone Academy.
It has been my honor to serve here for the past two years and to witness history in the making.
I’d like to start off by congratulating our new first years on completing their Initiation Trial.
This test wasn’t easy, and not everyone passed.
Some quit, and others let fear get the best of them.
It takes great courage to face the unknown, especially without the aid of a coven, and only the bravest and strongest succeeded. ”
He stretched open one of his hands, and a large animal suddenly appeared from the shadows behind him. It was a greyhound—his familiar, I assumed—his brindle gray coat short and sleek. The tall, lanky dog soundlessly glided forward, carrying what appeared to be a note in his mouth.
When he placed the note in the warlock’s hand, Chancellor Grimshaw accepted it with a murmured, “Thank you, Phantom.”
The animal turned and retreated back into the shadows, vanishing from sight like his namesake.
Opening the note, the chancellor continued, “These are the names of the students who failed to complete the Initiation Trial and were therefore dismissed from the school . . .” He rattled off five names, his voice’s inflection no greater than if he was reading a grocery list. “Among them was Matteo Danbury who’s just been confirmed deceased.
Let’s take a moment to pray that his soul safely reaches the spirit plane. ”
I bowed my head with the rest of the congregation, but the second I closed my eyes, an image of the tree falling and crushing the Fire Elemental invaded my mind. I wrenched my eyes back open, tightly clasping my trembling hands in my lap.
After a brief moment, the chancellor started speaking again, smoothly switching topics as if the loss of a student wasn’t worth dwelling on.
“As you all know, our community has been at a terrible crossroads this past decade. Ever since the elders’ botched attempt to stop the vampires from breaking their century-long curse . . .”
Me. He looked at me.
“. . . we’ve been leaderless and divided.
This tragedy has cost us dearly, not only because our power has been diminished, but because other supernaturals have risen in power and done so at our expense.
Rumors abound that the royal vampire family has used witch blood to birth their next generation of heirs.
There are even whispers that the queen herself is a witch. ”
Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd, and my own eyes widened. A witch was on the vampire throne? How the hell had that happened?
“If that isn’t blasphemous enough,” Chancellor Grimshaw continued, “learning that hybrid werewolves exist has threatened everything we believe in. A werewolf in possession of magic is an abomination, and they’ve been using that stolen power to strengthen their packs.
Magic is sacred, a sacrificial gift from the celestial spirits meant only for us.
We are its keepers, not vampires or werewolves or hybrids that defile the natural order.
That connection to the spirit world was what made our community more powerful than any other, and we must fight to restore that strength. ”
The students reacted to his impassioned speech with enthusiasm, clapping and shouting in agreement. He might have a creepy smile, but he sure knew how to light a fire under his captive audience.
“With the creation of Heartstone Academy, these tumultuous times can blessedly come to an end,” he said, that passion brightening his slate gray eyes.
“In this room are the sharpest, bravest, most cunning and powerful young witches and warlocks of our generation. The strongest of you will rise up to become our next leaders, claiming your earned spots on the Conclave of Magic to serve and protect our community. You will unite us. You will lead us to greatness once more, to the power and respect we rightfully deserve!”
The screams were deafening, triggering a deep-seated fear inside me that made my entire body stiffen. At least the screams weren’t directed at me.
As the chancellor paused to soak up the crowd’s enthusiasm, he dropped his gaze and looked directly at me. That smile crept over his face again, and I squeezed my hands together until they hurt. Something flashed in his eyes, something that looked a lot like excitement.
I hope you’re ready, Miss Mayweather, his eyes seemed to say, to challenge. This is where your life begins . . . or where it ends.
My throat sealed shut.
Ancestors save me, I was so doomed.