Chapter 28
It was just after lunch when I finally made my way over to the arcana master’s chamber with Nocturna and Astra in tow.
Everett led the way, giving the girls and me plenty of distance.
The guardian had been wary of the two mountain cats ever since Thea had dropped them off at my suite.
The feeling was apparently mutual, as Nocturna was unable to take her eyes off him the entire walk.
Thea greeted us as we approached, her long gradated hair twisted up into a bun on the top of her head.
She had also traded in her beautiful silk dress for a more form-fitting version of the arcana master’s robe.
“Come on inside. I am eager to hear about what you’ve done so far,” Thea called out as she waved us in.
I turned around, about to dismiss Everett for the afternoon, but he was already gone. I shrugged and looked down at Nocturna. “You sure know how to make a first impression, don’t you?”
Nocturna sauntered ahead and entered the arcana master’s chamber. Astra followed closely.
“Hello, girls. Good to see you again,” Thea called out as they passed over the threshold. “I assume Everett is not a fan of them.” A hint of laughter coloured her voice.
“Them and this place, apparently,” I replied as I entered the chamber.
“All right, let’s get to it,” Thea said. “Tell me everything about what you’ve already tested, so I have a better idea of where we should continue.”
“The first day, we did the blood-and-water rite. In the next session, I had to channel the four essences that were in the silver cubes. That’s as far as we got.
” I purposely left out the parts about the muddled human blood and the dark water mishap, for fear of being reprimanded.
Something had happened to the arcana master, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was somehow responsible.
I was already on thin ice here, and I wasn’t eager to make it any worse, if that was at all avoidable.
“And what was the result?” Thea asked.
I felt stupid for believing she would be satisfied with my brief version of events. “Uh, well … the blood-and-water rite was inconclusive—”
“What do you mean by ‘inconclusive’?” Thea interrupted.
“There was no result. The water didn’t turn any colour. It just stayed clear. The arcana master said it was because the test couldn’t decipher my ‘muddled human blood’ or something.”
“And what about the four essences?”
“Fire and air were negligible. With earth, I was able to grow a small flowering plant. Water was a bit too successful—I took out the arcana master with a wave. I think that’s why they aren’t here.
Because I probably hurt them.” I looked down at the floor, clasping my hands together.
The guilt of what I might have done became more present.
“I can assure you that you have nothing to do with the arcana master not being here. However, I do find it curious that you didn’t have any result with the blood-and-water rite.
It should provide you with a colour, no matter your proportion of arcanal or human blood.
Let’s repeat that, just to be sure.” Thea made her way over to the shelves to grab the large jar containing the moon water, as well as a few crystal bowls.
She methodically poured an inch of moon water into three crystal bowls.
“Are you sure?” I responded hesitantly. “We tried it a few times, and each time there was no result.” I was in no hurry to be reminded again of just how not special I was.
“Yes. I am sure,” Thea confirmed.
I made my way over to the desk, where three crystal bowls containing moon water sat. Thea grabbed my hand, and I instinctively pulled away. The last time my blood had been taken, my palm had been slashed with no warning.
Thea reached her hand out to me. “Aurelia, may I please?” Her voice was calm and reassuring.
I stared at her for a moment before letting loose a sigh as I reluctantly passed Thea my hand.
She gently pricked the tip of my index finger with a needle-like weapon.
She then placed my hand over the crystal bowls, and several drops of blood dripped into each one.
I put the tip of my finger into my mouth to staunch the bleeding as we waited for the water to change.
As predicted, none of the water in any of the bowls changed colour.
“Hmm. That is curious,” Thea finally responded.
Hesitant to know what was so interesting, I turned away and began to pace the chamber slowly. “I think this is the part where you’re supposed to tell me that I’m broken and that it’s not the test; it’s me.”
Thea looked at me, puzzled. “And why would I say that?”
I gestured dramatically toward the bowls.
“The test didn’t work. Again. It did the same thing last time, and the arcana master said I was the issue, not the test. They are apparently the oldest and wisest, having seen many incredible things—except for this.
I’m such a disaster that I somehow messed up an ancient arcana test.”
Thea sighed. “That’s not entirely accurate.
There are several possible reasons the test is reacting this way.
The arcana master may be the oldest and wisest. They may have seen many incredible things in their time, but they have not been challenged in decades to think in any other way than linearly.
I’m sure there is a simple explanation here.
We just need to be smart enough to know what to look for.
” Thea grabbed the bowls and brought them over to a basin, dumping the contents.
“Are you familiar with an aura mirror?” Thea called out over her shoulder.
“No. What is that?” I responded while slowly patting Astra’s head.
Thea turned to face me. “An aura mirror is used to check your aura. Some people have bright and colourful auras, while others may have dark auras. In the Citrine Court, they believe the lighter your aura, the more pure or ‘good’ your arcana is, while darker auras are thought to be less pure or ‘bad.’” A tinge of condescension lingered on the last word.
“I had noticed that. The way they speak of the Obsidian Court and those who possess dark arcana, it’s as if they were born less than.” I rubbed the tip of my still-throbbing finger.
“The pure-versus-less-pure belief is nothing but divisive nonsense, if you ask me. How can someone’s inherent arcanal ability be bad? I digress. That is a philosophical discussion for another time.” She turned back to the basin to finish washing the bowls.
I mentally chewed on Thea’s comments about inherent arcanal ability.
I had spent most of my life feeling like there was something wrong with me for having these abilities, that they needed to be hidden so I could be perceived as good enough.
The negativity regarding my abilities had followed me into this realm, and rather than being accepted, they had been belittled and ridiculed.
“It is believed that an entity’s aura is closely tied to the type of arcana it possesses.
Visualizing your aura in an aura mirror can also reveal other things—like whether you have been cursed or had a protection spell placed on you.
” She turned around slowly, drying her hands with a small towel and staring at me expectantly.
“Tell me, Aurelia. Do you have any unusual marks or scars on your skin? Or do you possess any unusual jewellery?”
Instinctively my hand went to my chest. My fingers ran over the fabric of my top, which happened to be covering the moon-phase medallion Magda had given me.
“None that I am aware of,” I responded, shaking my head as I continued to run my fingers over the outline of the medallion.
Thea gave me no real reason to distrust her, and I felt bad for lying to her, considering that she had brought my girls back to me.
Thea nodded at me. “The aura mirror is just over in the corner there. Go ahead and stand in front of it, and let’s see what happens.” A mischievous grin spread across her face as she made her way over to the large, ornate silver mirror in the far corner of the chamber.
Thea stood to one side of the mirror, assessing me as I slowly approached.
I hesitantly stepped in front of the mirror, closing my eyes and taking a deep, lung-filling breath.
Letting all the air out of my lungs, I opened my eyes, ready to face this next test. A familiar face stared back at me, a confused look etched across its features.
At the centre of the reflection’s chest, there was the faintest flicker of light, which one could easily miss if one weren’t paying attention.
Staring at this version of myself in the mirror made me feel unusually calm.
For the first time in a while, I felt safe and comfortable.
Thea walked over, placed her hand down the front of my dress, and grabbed hold of my medallion, breaking me out of my trance.
“Tsk, tsk, Aurelia.”
My heart sank as I grabbed the medallion back from Thea.
“We don’t know one another,” she said, “and I understand wanting to keep your cards close to your chest. But know that I am here to help you. I am not here to the benefit of King Julian or Queen Oriana, or even Prince Sterling. You deserve to know who and what you are, and for me to help you with that, I’m going to need you to trust me.
” Thea took a few steps back to put space between us. “Who gave that to you?”
I stared at the floor, unwilling to answer her question. I wanted to trust her, but I couldn’t fight my instincts, which were screaming at me not to say a word.