Chapter 2
Archer
“Welcome to Advanced Conjuration,” Professor Blackwood said from her desk. “As you can see, ours is a rather small group.”
I glanced around the room, taking in the other four students who made up our class. It seemed strange that we should meet in an actual classroom. We could’ve met on a pair of couches in a lounge somewhere and had just as much room.
“You five represent some of the most advanced magical students in the entirety of Widdershins Academy, so I’ll expect no small amount of effort on your part for this course.
” She took a step forward, looking at each of us in turn.
“The witches in this room also represent the leaders of tomorrow. So, while we are studying complicated magical equations, I would like you to keep in mind that you are not going to just become the leaders of your family or coven. You will also be the witches who will springboard the entire paranormal world forward. Some of you may even end up on the Elder Council.”
I tried not to let my eyes glaze over at the mention of the Elder Council.
The idea of being trapped in endless political meetings with ancient witches who probably still used quills and parchment didn’t exactly sound appealing.
But I kept my expression neutral, just like I’d been taught, and nodded along with the others.
Professor Blackwood moved to the blackboard, her robes swishing behind her.
“This semester, we’ll be focusing on advanced summoning techniques.
Not just calling forth simple familiars or basic elemental sprites, but true conjuration.
We’ll be bringing forth elemental beings with enough intelligence and power to assist in complex magical work. ”
Now that caught my attention. I’d been struggling with my more advanced magic lately, and the thought of having actual help instead of just my own fumbling attempts was appealing.
“We’ll start with air elementals,” she continued, drawing symbols on the board that seemed to shimmer and move even though they were just chalk.
“Then progress to water, earth, and finally fire. Fire elementals are notoriously difficult to control, which is why we save them for last. I’d prefer not to have to explain to the Dean why half the classroom burned down. ”
A nervous chuckle rippled through our small group.
I found myself leaning forward, genuinely interested despite my usual cynicism about advanced magical theory.
So far, professors liked to claim their magic was far more advanced than everyone else's.
But I had a feeling Blackwood actually meant it. She had quite the reputation after all.
“The conjurations we’ll be learning require not just power, but precision. One misplaced syllable, one incorrectly drawn sigil, and instead of a helpful air elemental, you might find yourself face-to-face with something considerably less... cooperative.”
She turned back to face us, her sharp eyes scanning our faces. “Any questions before we dive into the theoretical foundations?”
When no one raised a hand, she smiled. “Excellent. Then let’s begin with the basic principles of elemental consciousness...”
The next hour flew by as Professor Blackwood outlined the complex magical theory behind summoning sentient elemental beings. My hand cramped from taking notes, but I found myself genuinely engaged for the first time in my three years at Widdershins.
As class ended and we gathered our things, I heard Sarah Morrison whispering to her friend near the door.
“Thank God they finally separated the advanced classes for seniors,” she said, not bothering to keep her voice particularly low. “I was getting so tired of having to slow down for the... less magically inclined students.”
Her friend giggled. “You mean the monsters? I know, right? It’s so much better without having to worry about fae and werewolves disrupting everything with their chaotic energy. Sometimes I wonder how they even get into a place like this.”
“Sports,” Sarah shot back with a scoff. “That’s all they’re good for.”
I couldn’t help but shake my head. While I was happy to be in the more advanced classes at last, I knew they would be full of people like Sarah and her friend.
People prejudiced against anyone who wasn’t a witch from a powerful family.
People like my parents, who had recently forbidden me and my sister from speaking to any non-witch students while in college, thanks to some recent developments with the Voss family.
Widdershins Academy had been a reprieve from their type for a while, but now that I was a senior, it looked like I was moving back into the same circles again.
I packed my books slowly, letting Sarah and her friend leave first. No point in having to walk behind them and listen to more of their enlightened commentary about the “lesser” supernatural beings.
The irony wasn’t lost on me that these same witches would probably wet themselves if they ever faced a pissed-off werewolf or fae without their precious family protections.
As I slung my bag over my shoulder, I caught Professor Blackwood watching me with an unreadable expression. For a moment, I wondered if she’d heard Sarah’s comments too. Her lips were pressed into a thin line that suggested she had.
“Mr. Quinn,” she called out as I headed for the door. “A word?”
I paused, glancing back at her. The classroom had emptied except for the two of us, and suddenly the space felt much smaller. “Yes, Professor?”
She moved around her desk, leaning against it casually. “I couldn’t help but notice your reaction to Miss Morrison’s... observations.”
Heat crept up my neck. Had I been that obvious? “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Hmm.” Her dark eyes studied me with the intensity of someone who’d spent decades reading people. “Tell me, Mr. Quinn, what’s your opinion on collaborative magic between different supernatural species?”
The question caught me off guard. It wasn’t exactly standard curriculum, and definitely not something most witch families discussed favorably at dinner parties.
“I... well, theoretically, it should be more powerful than single-species casting. Different magical signatures could complement each other.”
“Theoretically,” she repeated, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “And practically?”
I shifted my weight, unsure where this conversation was heading. “I wouldn’t know. My parents don’t allow me to practice that kind of magic.”
“I see.” She pushed off from the desk, moving to the window that overlooked the academy grounds.
“Which is a shame, really. Some of the most powerful magic I’ve ever witnessed came from mixed-species collaboration.
” She glanced back at me. “But I suppose that’s not something your family would approve of discussing. ”
The casual mention of my family made my stomach tighten. How much did she know about the Quinn position on... well, everything? “My family has traditional views on magical practices.”
“Traditional.” The way she said it made it sound like a disease. “Yes, I’m familiar with traditional views. They’re usually another way of saying ‘bigoted’.” She turned back, looking me over. “You have nothing to be afraid of, by the way. I won’t be reporting any of this to your parents.”
I just gave her a small nod, hoping she was telling the truth.
“What I really wanted to say to you was that I hope you find this class more engaging than those you’ve had with me previously. I know you are an extremely advanced student. Despite your family’s beliefs, you have been trained far better than most that come through this school.”
I felt my cheeks flush at the unexpected compliment. “Thank you, Professor. I... I do find the elemental summoning fascinating. It’s more practical than most of the theory we usually cover.”
“Good,” she nodded approvingly. “Because I have a feeling you’re going to excel at this particular branch of magic. Your magical signature is quite unique, Mr. Quinn. And perhaps far more versatile than your classmates realize.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. My parents had always emphasized control over versatility, maintaining that wild experimentation was for lesser families who couldn’t master the traditional forms. But something about the way Professor Blackwood said it made me want to know more.
“I should probably get to my next class,” I said, though I found myself reluctant to leave.
“Of course.” She moved back to her desk, already pulling out materials for her next lesson.
“Oh, and Mr. Quinn? You might want to consider spending some time in the library researching historical accounts of elemental partnerships. Not just the sanitized versions in your standard textbooks. The real accounts.”
I paused at the door. “Are you suggesting I break academy guidelines about approved reading materials?”
Her smile was decidedly wicked. “I’m suggesting you expand your education beyond what your family deems appropriate. There’s a difference. And, should you need someone to sign permission slips to access those texts, please let me know.”
I left the classroom with my mind racing, her words echoing in my head. As I walked through the halls toward Advanced Alchemy, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Professor Blackwood had just offered me something my parents would absolutely forbid. And that made it infinitely more tempting.
I was only halfway to my class when I felt a presence behind me.
“Hi Amelia,” I said, not bothering to look.
“How do you do that?” she replied, suddenly appearing next to me, her blonde ponytail swinging. “How do you always know where I am?”
“Because you walk like an elephant,” I shot back. “And your magical signature is… bright.” I said that last word with a wince. “You should really get better at cloaking that.”
“Eh, that seems like a waste of time,” she replied nonchalantly. “I’ve got other things to think about.”
“Like softball practice?”
“Yes. And other stuff. Like boys and homework and boys and parties.”