Page 60 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
My face flushes. “I’m sure my mom wouldn’t throw you in the Cave-”
“You don’t know what Lydia Hall and the Triple Council are capable of,” Rae replies sharply. She’s not exactly angry, but the tone has changed. I wish with all my heart that my mother hadn’t seen us. Why does she always ruin everything?
I examine Rae’s face, stoic and harsh. I can’t help feeling she’s being dramatic. I mean, she’s the same age as me. There’s no way that some witch council would just toss her in prison for no reason. The conflict is over, and all of the perpetrators are safely locked away. If anything, it’s the panthers that are causing all of the trouble right now. And the academy is safe with my mother and the other witches watching over it.
“I’ve got to get back to my pack,” Rae says, getting to her feet. “I’ll see you after your flying class.”
“See you,” I reply, but she’s already gone.
I mope around for the rest of the day, putting off my fortune-telling homework (write a five-page analysis of a Celtic Cross tarot spread). There’s a tiny pit of anxiety in my stomach that I choose to attribute to procrastination rather than me and Rae’s first fight.
“Are you ok?” Hallie asks, as we walk toward the clearing with our broomsticks in hand.
“Oh, I’m ok. Just stressed out about homework.” Anxiously, I fiddle with the silver chain of crystals around my neck.
“Oof, yeah. Your mom really doesn’t hold back on the charms theory, does she? I still have a hand cramp from that last exam, I could really use some of your healing magic!”
She smiles at me, then she sees the expression on my face.
“Hey, are you sure that’s all it is?”
“Well…actually no. Rae and I sort of…had this weird moment this morning. My mom saw us cuddling by the lake, and Rae got all quiet. She said this stuff about how her pack and the witches hate each other. Then she got all moody and left.”
Hallie nods and adjusts her glasses. “Yeah, that’s the magical world for you. Lots of infighting and factions, you know. You need a degree in magical history just to keep it all straight.”
I sigh, “Yeah.”
“Don’t let it get to you. Shifters are super intense about their packs. I mean, I haven’t met as many of them, but my Creator is always talking about how shifters are really loyal and interdependent and witches and vampires are more individualistic. It’s just a cultural thing.”
“PoorMaggie.” I wince at the high-pitched voice behind me.
June and a gaggle of witches breeze past us, clearly eavesdropping. “I’m so gladI’mnot sleeping with a shifter! So dramatic, and they always give youfleas.”
My face goes completely red. I have a strong urge to jump in the lake.
“I hope someone drops a house on you, June!” Hallie yells, but the witches are already too far ahead of us. Their shiny broomstick handles gleam in the moonlight. Hallie turns back to me. “Do you think she got that reference?”
I rub my temples. Can I pretend to be sick and go to bed early? For once, I don’t feel like flying today, but we have a mid-term test and I’ve been practicing.
Hallie and I arrive slightly late and Professor Chan gives us a disappointed look. Not a great start.
“For the mid-term today, I’ll be examining your technique,” she says. “We’ll start with the witches and vampires together, then the shifters. This is a beginner class, so I don’t expect significant height or speed from any of you.” (June looks at me and the vampires pointedly.) “What I want to see is that you’ve been working on your open focus and broomwork. So start low and slow and precise. If you can manage it, you can increase your height and speed as we go.
“Because vampires take longer to mature in their ability to fly, I’ll be expecting more from the witches. But that’s not an excuse for the vampires, you should be able toat leasthover at this point. Even an inch is better than most vampires can do at a hundred years, and the broomstick should hone your natural abilities.”
One of the vampires raises his hand.
“Do we need to use the broomstick?” he asks.
Professor Chan sighs. “Yes, I don’t know why you wouldn’t.”
Another vampire wrinkles her nose, muttering, “It looks silly.”
The professor addresses the vampires directly. “Just because vampires don’t traditionally use broomsticks, doesn’t mean it’s not beneficial as you’re learning. Suck it up, you won’t need to use it indefinitely.”
All the vampires other than Hallie look skeptical, but nobody else protests.
Professor Chan continues. “Once you’ve gotten over yourselves, get in your line formation. When I say the word, you’ll all begin. Start with a hover, an inch for the vampires andthree feet for the witches. Like I said, keep it low and slow andfocus.”
