Page 21 of Fated for Flames

It was time to confront another one of my tormentors.

* * *

Morning light seeped into my room, nudging me awake.

Today marked one week since my…rebirth and a second shot at life. Seven days of strengthening my nonmagical abilities.

I allowed a small smile to cross my lips.

Not too shabby for a witch who was supposed to be dead.

Sitting up, I stretched my arms over my head, feeling a newfound ease in my movements. It was an odd sort of satisfaction that filled me, knowing that all the hard work was paying off—proof of the progress and strength I’d managed to gain in a short time.

Despite the limited use of my magic, I wasn’t completely useless. The morning runs with Chad and the strength training sessions had started to pay off.

But it wasn’t only my muscles and stamina that had improved. Since I’d stopped taking the elixir, I felt stronger, my magic hummed happily within me, and even my senses were sharper.

Is this how I should have always felt?

Thinking that there was still a part of my magic that was bound was a little scary. That would mean I would be immensely more powerful than the matriarch.

A sharp knock on the door broke through my thoughts. It was Theo, ready to accompany me to breakfast. Yesterday had been a lot of fun, and despite my guard still being up around him, deep down I knew this wasn’t the same Theo. I was genuinely happy to have him as a friend.

“Ready for another exciting day at Arcanum Academy?” His voice carried a hint of humor as he called out from behind the door.

“Depends on your version of exciting.” I grinned despite myself.

We had to partways after breakfast, but we met again to attend Mal-Intent with Miss Clarissa.

We took our seats near the back as Miss Clarissa walked in, her aura dark and imposing. She scanned the room with an icy gaze that seemed to linger on me longer than necessary. Her red locks made her look even more unhinged.

I forced myself to meet her eyes, my fingers clenched tightly in my lap. It wasn’t fear that fueled me but determination. After all, I had cheated death and returned stronger to make them pay.

As the lecture started, I began to set in place the mental fortress I had mastered with months of torture. This was a skill born of necessity during my time in the cell, as my only weapon had been my mind.

Each day, I’d create my wall, fortifying it, brick by brick against Miss Clarissa’s assaults. At first, she broke through asthough my defenses were made of sand. Her magic weaved nightmares in my mind, exploiting every fear, every insecurity. But with each day that passed, my wall grew stronger. My determination solidified it, layer by layer.

The sight of her struggling to infiltrate my mind became a sweet victory. Yes, she’d retaliate, her rage amplifying the pain she inflicted on me physically.

It was a price I’d willingly paid for that fleeting moment of triumph.

This time, it was different. I wasn’t the starved and weakened witch anymore. I was healthier and stronger than ever.

Even though I couldn’t use my magic, I didn’t need it. It wasn’t a part of this new skill I had acquired. As I used the last days to strengthen my mental barrier against magical assaults, I knew that it had become unbreakable if I wanted to.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth as I strengthened the last brick in place.

Oh yes, this witch bitch is going to pay.

* * *

After listening to Miss Clarissa drone about the theory of a powerful spell for most of the class, she finally proceeded with a practical demonstration.

Her goal was to demonstrate the power of a spell called the pyro touch and how to defend against it. With a swift incantation, flames enveloped her hand, not merely dancing across her skin but consuming it. The room filled with the acrid scent of burning flesh while the teacher’s face contorted, not in agony but with an unmistakable glint of exhilaration, almost ecstasy, as if she relished the sensation.

Theo turned to me, his eyebrows raised in a silent “I told you so,” and I couldn’t help but snort, loudly.

Miss Clarissa’s narrowed eyes shot my way. “Since you enjoy disrupting the class, Miss Everhart, maybe you can come up for a demonstration.”

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