Page 13 of A Taste of Torment
I scoff. “I’m a magicless human in Minor Hall. I’m not competition for anyone.”
Lola spins like she finds the fluttering leaves more interesting than this conversation. Janet raises her eyebrows but then finally shrugs. “Maybe not, but that won’t stop people from talking.”
6
Love Potions Can Suck My Duck
Janet and Lola were right;defense class was as uneventful as all the rest. The teacher introduced herself and took us on a quick tour of the arena, which is ridiculous by the way. State-of-the art, three levels, surrounded by major magical wards so the building won’t take damage even with full-on magical battles.
We walked around the highest viewing level of the basement arena, where the higher level students have class, and we watched from the balcony as their purple and blue and silver magic soar toward targets.
The teacher treated us like toddlers who might get spooked over our own shadow, which was both annoying and appreciated. I guess this is what I get for taking all the freshman courses.
Most of the students in my class are freshman witches, but there are a couple surprising additions. Two half-goblin boys and a wolf shifter. Even though he’s the size of child, shifters are strong.I’m going to be sparring with a wolf shifter.
Runt or not, that scares the crap out of me.
I survive the first day without incident though, so I’ll take it as a win.
Mythic Literature, Occult Ethics, and Numerology 101 are all back to boring basics. Reading, ethics, and math with a slight supernatural twist.
Even after such an easy day school wise, I’m utterly exhausted by the time the bell rings to signal the end of classes. I don’t rush out because I know the halls will be worse than the classroom and I don’t actually know where I’m going yet.
“Candice?” a tinkling voice calls before I’m even at the classroom door.She soars over the heads in the packed hall. Though I’m drained, I find myself smiling every time I see her.
I’m not sure how I got so lucky to have met such attentive, sweet people so quickly.
“Hey, Lola, you’re here in record time.”
She beams. “When classes are over, I’m always the fastest out.”
I enter the swamped hall, the chatter bouncing off the walls. I watch a few of the supernaturals walk by; several sets of eyes drift to me and stick.
I frown. I might be the new girl, but it’s the first day of school. Is it really that big of a deal? I feel like the reactions are getting progressively worse throughout the day. Janet comes rushing up, breathless. “Ready? I’m so excited to show you Minor Hall!”
“Ew,” someone mutters as they pass by.
“Can’t wait,” I tell her. Janet wraps her arm in mine and guides me through the crowd. She pushes through a metal door and into a quiet stairwell. We rush up three levels and then into a hall that smells vaguely of sewage. Only a few students are around us now.
Our feet squeak on the icky linoleum flooring—just like my time at public school. Out the window, though, is a nice view of the rolling hills and a pretty garden with a domed awning. Everything here is shaded for light sensitive supernaturals.
We eventually reach an open rusty iron gate right in the middle of the average looking hall with a crooked sign that reads, “Welcome to Minor Hall! Those who do not belong will suffer greatly.”
I run my hands through my hair.That’s cheery.
“The archways are spelled to burn the skin off your body if you don’t belong,” Lola tinkles joyfully.
Well then.I ignore the pit in my stomach and try to convince myself it’s not so bad.
As horrific as it sounds, I know the spell is made to protect us. Minor students are the most vulnerable. The ones without protection.
More powerful students are not allowed in our private quarters for good reason, and a potent spell is the only way to ensure we’re truly safe. Even from demon royalty…for example.
I can’t resist wincing as I walk through the passage. The zing of magic makes me gasp, but then I’m through. And in only a few feet we’re in a larger corridor. The hall is brightly lit, covered in rounded glass. Outside there are a couple pretty basic maple trees and a few patches of wildflowers.
“That’s it.” Janet wipes her hands dramatically. “Now, you’re safe from anyone powerful.”
I close my eyes and try to convince myself she’s right. We’re safe. I can relax here.
