Page 7 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
Her gray eyes widen at me. “You’ve never heard of Twin Torches Academy? It’s the oldest and most prestigious witch academy in North America. I grew up in the coven of Hecate, so of course it was expected that I would attend. I finished top of my class in enchantments and spellwork. When Elmwood started again, I thought I would diversify my knowledge and get a certificate here as well. I just love learning things, don’t you? It’s always come easily to me.”
We stop in front of a large wooden door. With an unnecessary flourish, she waves a hand and the door opens.
“This is your room,” she says, stepping through.
I follow her in. It’s a simple, stone room, with a large window on the far side. There’s a thick rug on the ground, an altar, two desks, and two single beds.
“Do I have a roommate?” I ask.
“Yes, she should be joining you after the midnight hunt.”
I decide not to ask what the midnight hunt is. Instead I put down my broomstick by the bed. The Book of Shadows and everything else goes on the desk.
“The room was recently cleansed of all negative and positive energies, and there are basic defensive spells on all the bedrooms, so you shouldn’t need to perform any banishings,” says the blond student, as though this is all normal. “But you might want to perform spells for calling in any energies you’d like. What direction do you prefer to have your altar face?”
“Oh, um…” I’m completely unprepared for this question, and I desperately think back to my house, and where Astrid keeps her altar. “South?”
She raises an eyebrow at me, curiously. Was that the wrong answer? But she doesn’t say anything else. With another flourish, she magically moves the altar in the room to be up against the south wall.
“Thanks,” I mutter.Show off.
“What coven are you part of?” she asks. Her white mouse familiar pokes its head out of her shirt pocket.
“We’re not part of any coven.”
Many witches join covens that follow a particular Demon or Deity. But for my whole life, my moms have practiced witchcraft independently. I always assumed it was because their magic styles are so different. They could never all agree on one entity to worship.
The witch wrinkles her nose, “That’s all right, lots of witches are solitary. If you’re ever interested in learning more aboutHecate, let me know. I’m basically an expert. It can be really overwhelming for abeginner.”
She smirks at me, and I wonder if there’s a spell to ward off pretentious know-it-alls. I’ll have to ask Astrid.
“I’m June Highmore, by the way.”
“Maggie Hall.”
“Pleasure. See you around!”
She skips out of the room, her long braid trailing after her.
“Phew, I thought she would never leave,” Pan groans, preening himself on the altar. He winks at me, “You really don’t know anything, huh?”
“I know a lot!” I snap. “Just not about, you know,witchystuff.”
“Well, it’ll be a fun year,” he grins.
I sigh, and get up to close the door. I’m struck by the strangeness of being here. Even though I’ve been a witch my entire life, I’ve never really identified as one. I’ve picked up some basic practices and knowledge from my moms, but being completely immersed in a magic school is something else. I wish I had prepared myself better, but there’s nothing I can do now. Hopefully my classes will give me enough information that I can fit in…and not embarrass myself any more than I already have.
I find the candles, salt and cinnamon from Millie, and start to set up my altar. I don’t know much magic, but I can do a basic spell to ward off negative energy.
Based on Professor Vyas’s speech, I have a feeling I’ll need it.
DEFINITELY NOT COYOTES
Maggie
I’m about to go to sleep in my new bed when my phone chimes.
“Oh fuck!” my heart skips a beat as I unlock my phone screen. Timothy tried to call me twelve times! I must not have heard my phone because of the broomstick ride and orientation.
