Page 73 of Elmwood Inclusive Magic Academy
I’m terrified that he’ll come for me next. But once he’s finished, he tosses June aside and leaves, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Somehow, I summon the energy to lift myself up.
“June, are you ok? June?” I drag myself toward her limp body. She’s face up, with strands of long blond hair across her face. I can barely see her, even with my witch night vision. The torch went out hours ago.
June makes a tiny moaning noise. “I…I think so…”
“Thank goddess,” I breathe. No matter how annoying she is, I’m glad that June is alive. I reach out and squeeze her hand. I try to summon some healing magic, but nothing comes to me. It must be the salt circle around us, cutting off any witchcraft.
“Thanks,” she whispers. “Thanks for trying…to defend me.”
“Anytime.” In the near-darkness I can see her smile weakly. “Although I hope this is the last time we’re kidnapped by vampires.”
“And wolf shifters.”
“And…wolf shifters.”
We sit in silence for a moment.
“I’m sorry,” June says. “About Rae. It seemed like you two really liked each other.”
I don’t know what to say. Something catches in my throat.
“And…for what it’s worth,” June continues. “I’m sorry about the witch bell…and hexing you on Samhain. I just…I thought you would be so spoiled, being Lydia Hall’s daughter. And at first, you kept acting like you were too good for the academy and everything. I thought you were all stuck up. But you’re not.”
I’m surprised at her words, but even more surprised at my response.
“I’m sorry too,” I tell her. “I wasn’t raised in the magical world and I had no idea what this would be like. I didn’t take it seriously, but I should have. Maybe if I did, I would know how to get us out.”
She squeezes my hand.
And then I feel something strange. A warmth, an excitement building in my chest.
Then there’s a light from the hall, and the door to our cell creaks open. June and I both sit up, alert. Is the vampire coming back?
There’s an arm holding a torch, and a familiar face.
Rae.
“We have to be quick,” Rae says, handing the torch to Rory, who enters behind her. Rae reaches for a ring of keys on the belt loop of her jeans. Those old worn-out gray jeans. I could cry at the sight of her.
“I’ll keep watch,” Rory stands at the door, nervously holding the torch aloft.
“Rae,” I breathe. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” she says, softly. She takes my shackled wrist and fits the key in the lock. The manacle falls to the ground. I massage my wrist with relief. “I’m rescuing you.”
She unshackles June as well, then turns back to me. She hands me something hard and smooth.
“My amulet,” I gasp. I had forgotten about it. Everything is happening so quickly, and my head is still throbbing. “No, Rae…you have to keep this. I gave it to you, it will keep you safe.”
“You need it more than me,” she says. She looks at me, her face glowing in the torchlight. “I’m sorry I didn’t come for you sooner. I was an idiot.”
“No…” I stammer. “I’m so sorry. I should have taken all of this more seriously, I had no idea…”
“How could you have known?” she says. “I should have been protecting you.”
She swallows, and takes both my hands in her’s.
