Spellbooks and Stakings: Magic & Mystery, #2

Chapter One

I guess it’s natural for parents to get emotional on their kid’s first day of school but, you know, that usually happens when the kid’s five and starting kindergarten — not when they’re adults beginning magic school.

I’m Zoe Clarke, I’m twenty-one, and until today I was a woefully untrained witch whose only living relative had no idea about any of it.

What in tarnation do you mean, you’re a witch? Grandma Elle shouted into the phone.

I hadn’t planned to turn our conversation into a supernatural coming out party when I called to catch up, but I was nervous about starting my first day at Veilside Academy of Magic and, well, things don’t always work out the way we plan, do they?

It’s a long story—

Oh, sugar, I got all darn day to hear this one, Grandma interrupted. I knew I shouldn’t have let you read them blasphemous Harvey Potter books.

It’s Harry Potter, Gram, and trust me, that series has next to nothing to do with any of this, I said.

My behind it doesn’t! Those books are the devil, Grandma said.

If it makes you feel any better, I can’t say I’ve met any devils yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I run across one at some poi—

What?! Grandma shrieked. No, that doesn’t make me feel better! Good Lord in heaven, Zoe, what dark-sided nonsense have you gotten yourself into now?

Oh, if she only knew.

I mean, sure, some dark things have happened since I got to Moon Grove, but I dunno that it’s anything you need to worry about, I said.

Zoe, the last time we talked you said you’d solved a couple murder cases for your new paper, and now you call me up to tell me you’re about to start classes at some Satanist’s school? Right, sure, nothing at all for me to worry about! Grandma snapped. For God’s sake, what are they supposed to teach you at this so-called school? How to sacrifice small animals?

What? No! It’s not like that, Gram, not at all.

Really? Then what is it like? Are they gonna show you how to pull a rabbit out of a hat instead?

In retrospect, calling my thoroughly southern grandmother for reassurance about my dabblings in the dark arts probably wasn’t the best idea.

I’m waiting, Grandma said.

I don’t know, honestly. That’s part of the reason I called. I was hoping you could help me calm my nerves about it.

Sugar, lemme tell you, it ain’t you who needs their nerves calmed. I reckon I’mma have to spike my sweet tea before this conversation is over, Grandma said, and I snorted.

So dramatic, I said.

Girl, don’t make me track you down and drag your behind to church, Grandma said.

The Pastor would probably try to burn me at the stake if you did, I said.

Very funny. Where did I go wrong with you, child? Grandma sighed. Please tell me this is some sort of joke. Did you plant a camera here to catch me on tape soiling my britches or somethin’?

It’s not a joke, Gram. I’m really a witch, I really live in a town full of magical folks, and I really, really wish I hadn’t told you any of this now, I groaned.

Lord have mercy, maybe I need to go to church myself, Grandma whispered. Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?

Are you serious? Listen to yourself. This is exactly why I didn’t tell you, I said.

This is a nightmare. It must be, Grandma mumbled.

I take it that means you don’t want to come to visit me anymore?

And risk gettin’ nabbed by some gang of godless Pagans in black cloaks for one of their little moon dances? I don’t think so, Grandma said. My tush is plenty happy right here on the Clarke family farm, where it belongs.

Well, I guess I should let you go then, I said.

Zoe, wait… I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so ugly, I just don’t get it, Grandma said.

That makes two of us, I said. The line went silent for a few moments, interrupted only by the chirping of crickets on Grandma’s side of the line. As much as I loved my new life in Moon Grove, the sound made me miss the farm.

Are you sure? Really, truly sure about all this? Grandma asked.

Gram, I can move things with my mind, and I’m surrounded by werewolves and vampires, so yeah, I’m pretty sure, I said.

O-okay, Grandma stuttered. The swing on her front porch creaked as she sat — or, more likely, fell — down into it. How are things otherwise?

I laughed and shook my head. In her own way, Grandma was trying to understand. How else did I expect her to react to the news that her one and only granddaughter was a witch?

Fine, I guess. I’m still settling into town, but it’s getting easier, I said.

Gettin’ easier, she says, Grandma laughed. I had no idea how right I was when I told you there ain’t nothin’ normal about you.

No, you really didn’t, I said.

Now probably wasn’t a good time to tell her that some people in town suspected I was a descendant of the very first witch. Grandma’s poor heart couldn’t take it.

Well, I guess as long as you’re happy, that’s all that really matters, ain’t it? Grandma asked.

Exactly, I said. I love it here. No place has ever felt more like home for me.

Gee, thanks, Grandma laughed.

Oh, come on, I didn’t mean it like that, I said. I’ve just always felt sort of… I dunno, like a fish out of water in every other place I’ve lived, and now I know why. Moon Grove’s where I belong.

I’m glad to hear it, Grandma said.

You really should visit sometime if the Council allows it, I said.

Council?

Oh, sorry, it’s the group of witches and warlocks that run the town—

That’s probably more than I needed to know, Grandma interrupted. I chuckled.

Fair enough.

I’m starting to realize you’re more like your mother than even I knew, Grandma said.

What do you mean?

She was always interested in, well, occult things, even when she was a little girl, Grandma said. The hair on the back of my neck stood.

Like what?

You know, psychics, tarot, ouija, all that dark-sided stuff, Grandma said. And she loved that show Bewitched, but now I dunno what to make of that.

Did anything strange ever happen with her? I asked.

Strange how?

Like magical, I said.

Hm… She did seem to be able to read me like an open book, even when she was a baby, Grandma said. It was eerie. Almost like she was hearin’ my thoughts sometimes.

What do you— I started, but was interrupted by a knock on my front door.

Outside the window, Beau Duncan, my kinda-sorta boyfriend — who could also turn into a golden retriever — stood waving at me with a huge smile on his face. His rich brown eyes and perfect teeth sparkled in the setting sun.

Holding the phone away from my ear, I checked the time to find Beau was ten minutes early. As much as I wanted to ask Grandma more about my mom, I couldn’t leave Beau standing outside.

Hey, Gram, sorry, but I need to let you go. My boyfriend’s here to walk me to school, I said, kicking myself as the words left my mouth.

Boyfriend? What am I, chopped liver? Grandma asked.

I think we’ve covered enough ground for one day, I said.

Ain’t that the truth, Grandma sighed. Good luck tonight, sugar, though I’m sure you won’t need it. Er, break a wand.

Clever, I laughed. Talk soon.

Oh, you can bet your pretty little head we will, Grandma said.

I love you, I said.

Love you too, Grandma said and clicked off the line.

I let out a long, low sigh. All things considered, it could’ve gone much worse, but at least it was over.

That sounded like it went well, Luna, my talking black cat, said from her perch on the arm of the couch.

Very funny, I said as I stood to open the front door.

Hey, Zoe, Beau said, beaming.

Hey. You’re early.

I figured it couldn’t hurt. Everything okay? You look flustered, Beau said.

Telling your grandma you’re a witch has a way of sucking your energy, I laughed. Beau’s eyes widened.

Why did you do that? he asked as he ushered me inside and closed the door behind him.

Yeah, why did you do that? Luna asked, trotting over to my feet.

Well, I didn’t plan to, it just sort of slipped, I said with a shrug.

Zoe, if she tells anyone, you could be in serious trouble with the Council, Beau said.

I know, I know. But who would believe her anyway? She lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I said. I’m not worried.

What Grandma told me about my mom was much more troubling, but I didn’t have time to think about it.

Leaving already? Flora, my fairy roommate and co-worker, called as she fluttered in on four wings from the back of the house, her white-blonde hair trailing behind her. Hey, Beau, she said, smiling.

Yeah. I need some air after that conversation, I said.

It didn’t sound like it was that bad, Flora said.

Wait, were you eavesdropping? I asked.

You weren’t exactly being quiet, Luna said, and I glared down at her.

I didn’t ask for your opinion, I said.

But you got it anyway, Luna said and rubbed her face against my leg. Nice try.

You’re lucky you’re cute, you know that? I asked, and Luna purred as I bent down to scratch the top of her head.

She’s not wrong, though. I heard pretty much everything, and I wasn’t trying to, Flora said.

Then why didn’t you stop her? Beau asked.

Of all people, I don’t think we need to worry about Zoe’s grandma knowing we exist, Flora said.

Thank you, I said. Now come on, Beau, let’s get going before we’re late.

Have fun, Flora said. Try not to hurt yourself.

Not funny, I said.

Relax. You’re gonna be fine, Zoe, Flora said, smiling. Raina wouldn’t have gone out of her way to get you a place in the school if she didn’t think you belonged. I mean, she’s the Headmistress, I think she’d know talent when she sees it.

That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one about to walk into a school of witches and warlocks as a total newbie, I said.

We all have to start somewhere. Isn’t that why you go to school in the first place, to learn things you don’t know? Flora asked.

I hate it when you’re right, I said, and Flora laughed as I stepped around Beau to open the door and snatch my bag from where it sat nearby. The ominous, leaning peak of the Academy’s castle poked over the trees into the clouds — the sight didn’t ease my anxiousness.

Let’s get this over with already, I said. I slung my bag over one shoulder and set off for the school.

Zoe, wait, Beau said, chasing after me to loop his arm through mine. It didn’t take all my nerves away, but it definitely helped.

It’s sweet of you to do this, I said, smiling.

Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed it, Beau said. Do you have everything you need?

Honestly, I have no idea. What do you even bring to your first day at magic school?

Good question. I’m sure dried roots and salamander parts would probably come in handy, Beau said.

Hilarious, I said, and Beau smirked at me.

Hey, gotta lighten the mood somehow, Beau said.

We walked the rest of the way to the Academy in silence, my heart rate increasing with every step I took as the five massive stone spires that made up the school grew larger. Good thing Beau wasn’t holding my hand because my palms were a slick, sweaty mess.

The grand stone staircase that led to the school’s entrance was swarmed by students in every color of long, flowing robes waiting for the night classes to begin. Most of them seemed to be around my age, which was good because I didn’t need anything else to make me stand out like a bent wand.

Are you okay? Beau asked.

Yes, I squeaked. Beau pulled me in for a hug and rubbed my back.

You’re going to be fine, Beau whispered in my ear, giving me chills. He held me out at arms’ length and smiled at me. Listen to me: you’re amazingly talented and smart and funny. You might have ninety-nine problems, but witchcraft ain’t one.

Wow, you really went there, I laughed.

It’s true though. If you can take on a murderous vampire, I’m pretty sure you’ll be fine with a bunch of twenty-something witches and warlocks, Beau said. He wasn’t wrong, but it was still difficult to believe.

Thank you again, Beau, I said.

Anytime, he said, smiling. Now get in there and show these other witches who’s boss.

I wish you could come with me, I said.

Somehow, I don’t think that would help your case very much, Beau said.

Sighing, I turned around to face Veilside again. A group of three nearby witches snickered and turned their backs to me — great, I was already off to a good start making friends.

Good luck. Call me when you get out later, I want to hear all about it, Beau said.

Oh, something tells me I’m gonna need to vent, I said.

My heart hammering, I set off up the stone staircase, doing my best to ignore all the other students staring at me. No doubt they’d heard there was a new witch starting school with them, and they probably weren’t thrilled about the news given the, well, unusual circumstances surrounding my admission.

Where everyone else had to apply and pass rigorous tests to attend Veilside Academy of Magic, all I had to do was buddy up to the Headmistress. Oh, and stop a deadly vampire from killing a third time. No big deal.

I shoved the towering wooden double doors open and entered into an empty and circular chamber. Wax dribbled down candles hanging in iron chandeliers above, and a dozen unlit fire pits lined the walls. I’d been in the room once before, but it was no less unsettling this time.

There she is, the witch of the hour, a voice said, and the sound of high heels clicking against the wooden floors echoed through the darkness in front of me.

I squinted and breathed a sigh of relief when Raina Woods, Headmistress of the Academy and my magical mentor, stepped out of the shadows wearing a bright smile, her auburn hair pulled tight into a bun on top of her head. Speak of the devil.

Raina stopped in the center of the room with her hands clasped to admire me. Her eyes twinkled in the flickering candlelight.

Welcome to Veilside Academy, Zoe, Raina said and threw her arms wide. Her black robes billowed, and I yelped when each of the fire pits around us burst to life with flame, flooding the room with light and heat.

It’s time for the real magic to begin. Come with me, there’s someone I’d like you to meet, she said, her smile widening as she gestured behind her at a tunnel of darkness.

What had I gotten myself into?

Chapter Two

Witches and warlocks I didn’t recognize stared down at me from dozens of ornate golden frames as Raina and I walked through a long, narrow hallway. Candles floated in the air above us, giving the paintings a haunting glow, and the flickering light made it seem like the subjects were moving — it wouldn’t have surprised me if they were.

Where are we? I asked, squinting.

This, dear, is the Veilside Hall of Fame, so to speak, Raina said over the echo of her heels against the floor. Each witch and warlock you see painted was previously the Head of the school.

But there are so many. How old is this place? I asked.

As old as Moon Grove itself, Raina said.

No wonder the castle’s falling over, I said, and Raina chuckled.

Good guess, but no, I’m afraid that’s simply a quirk of the architecture, Raina said.

That’s one heck of a quirk. Who are you taking me to meet anyway? I asked.

Delia Frost, Professor of Kinesis — and vampire witch, Raina said.

Wait, what? A vampire witch? Is that even possible?

It certainly is, though it’s not common, Raina said.

Given the animosity between the two groups, I can’t say I’m surprised.

Yes, but Delia is a rare exception in many respects. I’m sure you’ll agree, Raina said.

We reached the end of the hallway and exited into another circular chamber three times the size of the first. At its center, an immense stone spiral staircase wound up the central tower of the Academy and disappeared around the tower’s curve. Light streaming from windows somewhere above bathed the entire area in the eerie light of dusk.

This is amazing, I breathed, craning my neck to see everything. Countless more paintings and magically suspended candles corkscrewed up the walls of the tower. I’d never seen anything like it in my life, which was an experience I probably should’ve been used to after two weeks of living in Moon Grove.

And it’s only one of the five towers, Raina said, smiling at me when my eyes met hers. Each of the five branches of witchcraft has a tower dedicated to its study. Alchemy is to the southwest, Divination to the northwest, Transmutation to the northeast, and Kinesis to the southeast.

But that’s only four. What about Aether? I said.

Aether study takes place in the central tower, as the magic of life is at the center of all witchcraft, Raina said. This way.

Raina turned right and led me around a curve to another open door. A hundred or more witches and