Page 20 of Magic in the Woods
I could never argue with Annabel. I walked over to the table, sitting in an empty chair.
“Luke heard some news at work today.” She brushed light-red curls from her temple. “The freshening is happening sooner than we’d thought.”
I stopped breathing.
“Luke found out this year is special—it’s the year the male witch, Gideon, will choose a partner.”
Luke nodded. “There will be evaluations this year. Each of the three elements will compete and present their top witch to Gideon, who will choose a partner from those three.”
“Male witches are rare, Dafni, so this is a big deal for the Coven.” Annabel reached out and grabbed hold of my hand. “Luke confirmed today that the scouts have picked up the human-born witches. They are in route and will arrive to the Academy soon.”
I tried to swallow, but my mouth was suddenly dry.
“Since you don’t have a parent to present you, joining the human-born witches is the safest way to get you into the Academy,” Annabel said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be introduced as Dafni Sarracenia to the Academy, being who your mother is…where she is right now.”
We all looked at the freezer.
“Joining the human-born witches would make your introduction more…anonymous.” She wrapped her fingers around the handle of the purple potion in front of her. “You need time to acclimate and learn about the Academy and the Coven before you take your mother’s place.”
Luke nodded in agreement. He leaned his elbow on the table, pulling a piece of paper from his back pocket. Setting it on the table, he unfolded it. The paper was covered with what looked like a hand-drawn map.
“I’m not sure what your plan is,” he said, “but I thought I’d map out the Academy for you.”
I almost laughed out loud. I didn’t know what my plan was either. In the year I’d spent with the Velkans I’d grown a whole year older and wiser. Annabel had taught me so much about potions, and I’d become adept at using my wind magic to manage the clouds. Still, I felt unprepared. I was entering theAcademy, about to live with more witches than I’d ever seen in my life, and I was planning to take over my mother’s position—to be the Prime.
“Did I ever tell you about my time at the Academy?” Annabel asked.
I shook my head. I’d never thought about her attending the Academy, although it made sense that she had.
“It wasn’t the best experience…witches aren’t known for their kindness.”
Don’t I know it.
“More often than not, I’d get in trouble.”
Luke scoffed. “Yougot in trouble?”
Annabel nodded. “Before I had children, I was quite the troublemaker.”
He smiled, shaking his head.
“When I was angry”—Annabel looked at me—“usually because of your mother, I’d go off with a blunt metal object, whatever I could find, and etch spells into the bricks with my earth magic.”
“Yougraffitied the Academy?” Luke asked, in even further disbelief.
“It was my little act of rebellion.” Annabel laughed. “The spells never worked. I’m sure I wasn’t powerful enough at the time.” She sighed. “It seems silly now, but those little acts of rebellion are what helped me decompress. They are what helped me make it through my time at the Academy.” She turned to me, her face suddenly more serious. “Those little moments of escape are what you’re going to need to find if you want to make it through your time at the Academy. Maybe don’t etch spells into the walls, but find your own little acts of rebellion.”
I nodded as Luke pushed the map in front of me. He went over the floor plan of the Academy. It was undergroundand hidden among the rolling hills of the woods. Small houses scattered on the surface served as hidden entrances. They looked like normal, small cabins on the outside, but inside they were hollow, containing a trapdoor that was the entry to the Academy.
“Then there’s the matter of your two powers,” Annabel said. “They’ll know who you are…or at least guess you’re part of Matilda’s lineage the moment they find out you possess two powers. It’s best you choose one, probably your strongest to highlight, keeping your other magic hidden. At least until you become more confident inside the Academy.”
I nodded. I didn’t want to garner attention…at least not until I got my bearings inside this new world.
“Water,” I said. “I’ll claim to only have water magic.”
Annabel nodded. “Now it’s just a matter of getting you in with the human-born witches…”
Luke cleared his throat. “I’ve got a plan.”
