CHAPTER 25
“It saddens me to say that a second year Air Elemental, Sydney Wright, took her own life yesterday afternoon. Not everyone is suited for the pressures of Heartstone, and some would rather end their own lives than face the disgrace of their failure and the disappointment of their coven.”
Even knowing what Chancellor Grimshaw was about to say couldn’t curb the dread I felt when he started to tell the student body about the board’s decision.
“Which is why the school board has decided that a gala is needed to lift heavy spirits and remind students why they’re here in the first place.”
An excited murmur surged through the crowd, the promise of a party piquing everyone’s interest.
My phone vibrated my hip, and I used the pleats of my skirt to peek at the screen.
Poor unsuspecting souls, the text said, from someone called Sex God.
What the—?
Another text came in through the same chat, this time from Lightning Daddy. Riku, you sick bastard.
What? Sex God replied back. The names fit.
Uh, someone called The Brain responded. Probably Oz.
I sent an eye-rolling emoji, then immediately wished I hadn’t.
Lil’ Virgin? Lightning Daddy—aka Thorne—texted. We’re going to have words, Riku.
The group chat name suddenly changed to Lil’ Virgin and the Three Dicks.
Feeling heat creep up my neck, I texted back, You suck.
No, that’s your job, Lil’ Virgin, Sex God replied back, then added a tongue and eggplant emoji.
A full-blown blush blasted my cheeks, and I shoved the phone back into my pocket just as Chancellor Grimshaw began talking again.
“The Legacy Gala, as we’ve decided to call this event, will be extra special. Not only because it will be held the evening before the first years’ end-of-semester trial, but because every student’s family will be invited to attend.”
At that, the room went dead silent.
Yup. There was the reaction I’d expected.
I wasn’t the only one shocked that they were inviting family members to visit Heartstone Academy.
And right before a trial. The chancellor was making it sound like a good thing, like a visit from family would cheer the students up and give them courage to face the upcoming trials.
In reality, it was just another test, a trial in itself.
The gala was a political move, pure and simple.
The expectations of such an event were meant to put even more pressure on the students who were beginning to flounder, to weaken.
After the gala, I wouldn’t be surprised if some students failed to show up for their trial the next day, too overwhelmed to go through with it.
Legacy Gala, indeed. Even the name put undue pressure on the next generation of potential leaders. This was another culling opportunity, a way of cleaning house, and the very families that were supporting their scholars could end up being their downfall.
The pressure, the pressure to be perfect, could break even the strongest mind. The purpose of this gala was sadistically brilliant, actually, and I applauded whoever had come up with the idea. But I already knew it was going to test my limits, to push me beyond them if I didn’t prepare myself.
A deadly magical trial I could handle, but navigating a roomful of protective parents who hated that I attended the same school as their children? Even worse, facing a roomful of Mayweathers and Hudsons who’d been feuding for the past decade?
Yeah, I didn’t know if I could survive that.