64. Loveleena
LOVELEENA
Loveleena didn’t even knock.
She swung open the headmaster’s study door to find Adeyemi and Ren waiting for them.
She didn’t know why Adeyemi had summoned her, but if she were to be expelled, she was mentally prepared to retaliate by exposing Ren.
He knew she had magic, and if she was here to get expelled, or worse, sentenced to death, she would take him down with her.
“Alva. Ori. Please have a seat,” Adeyemi said, ushering her to a large leather chair situated by the gallery window that looked out over the Great Hall.
Loveleena could see the heads of students moving below.
She sat quickly, warm rays of midday sunlight spilling through the glass and across her face.
Vines crept up and down the hand-carved wooden bookcases and ceiling which made the study ethereal, but it was the hand-painted tile floor that captivated her the most. The colorful detail and intricate artistry were stunning. She wanted to reach down and run her fingers over it.
“I’m sure you’re both wondering why I asked you here today,” Adeyemi said, snapping her attention back.
Loveleena met Ahmina’s eyes, her brow already furrowed in silent question.
When Ahmina brought up human magic, Loveleena almost lost it on her.
She had figured out somehow, probably through her stupid book obsession, that humans had magic which meant she was inches from realizing Loveleena was the poster child.
There’s no way she could let that happen. It was bad enough that Ren had figured it out.
“I’m sure it has something to do with Ren’s extracurricular activities.”
Adeyemi cocked their head. “No, it does not.” The headmaster gave Ren an amused look, and he cracked a charming smile. Infuriating.
“Ren has debriefed me on the shadow sessions, and despite the rather unfortunate series of events, I must say I’m quite pleased with how you both handled yourselves. It seems you each have a rather distinct and natural ability for Charming.”
“Charming?” Ahmina coughed out in shock.
“Yes.” Adeyemi nodded, turning to face her. “The rumors are true. If you are unaware, Charming is the curation and development of naturally gifted magic.”
“I’m aware,” Ahmina mumbled, her eyes boring into Loveleena who refused to look at her.
“Handled ourselves?” Loveleena couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“The shadow sessions,” Adeyemi repeated. “Both of you displayed magic.”
“Human magic,” Loveleena confirmed. Was she hearing this right?
Obviously, she knew she had magic. And when Charming was brought up at the start of the year, she knew the rumors had to come from somewhere.
But she didn’t think there was any real modern-day truth to them; she assumed it was just a ghost of Academy history.
For her entire life, she had shouldered her secret, and now Adeyemi was talking about it as if it were something to be proud of.
So that’s why Ahmina had brought up human magic on their way there. Loveleena had been so concerned with keeping her own secret, she hadn’t realized what was right in front of her.
“I would like you both to train with a small group of Charmers. I know we are nearing the end of the year, but you might as well start now. The class will carry into next year anyway. There is one condition though: you must handle this special training with the utmost secrecy. Do not tell your friends. Do not tell your squad. Do not tell anyone or you will be… eliminated. Charming is our most sacred specialty. One reserved for those with magic. And it must be kept that way at all costs.”
Ren watched the interaction with a semi-disinterested smugness which made her want to punch him in the face.
“If you think the punishment for traitors is cruel, the punishment for Charmers who betray the sacred rule is torturous. So,” Adeyemi clapped their hands together, pulling the energy back to something less sinister. “Do you accept my offer?”
She and Ahmina nodded in agreement. Did they even have a choice?
This was good, she told herself. Her magic was seeping out of her, and Charming gave her an opportunity to learn to control it—one approved by the Academy.