CHAPTER ONE
“Which one of your fine minds can identify the item on the table?” Professor Stefan Langley stepped aside so that we could better view the small dark grey object. Although I enjoyed Arcane Rites as a class, I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more with a different professor at the helm. When it came to me, Langley seemed to bounce between hostile and tolerant with great effort. The feeling was mutual.
Cerys’s hand shot up. “It appears to be flint, Professor.”
“That is the base substance, yes.” His gaze swept across the room. “If you were to stumble upon one of these on a mission, would you consider it evidence?”
“You mean evidence that someone with earth-based magic was involved?” Cerys queried.
“I mean evidence of any kind,” Professor Langley said, in his usual clipped tone.
“It reminds me of a Native American arrowhead,” I said. “My mother and I used to hunt for them when we lived in the Northwest, but they were usually made of obsidian, not flint.” Six months in Washington. Six months in Oregon. Arrowhead hunting had always been a fun outing for me because it meant searching near creeks and rivers. Put me close to a water source and I was a happy little girl.
Professor Langley observed me coolly. “An arrowhead, yes. Incredibly, you’re on the right track, Miss Morrow.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his inclusion of ‘incredibly.’ He tended to find clever ways to insult me even when he was complimenting me. A rare gift.
He held up the piece of flint for inspection. “You wouldn’t want to touch the narrow end of this. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to the reason?”
Dani frowned. “Poison?”
“Exactly, Miss Degraff.” He began to move from row to row, pausing long enough for students to examine the flint. “This is called an elf-bolt. There was a time when they were used as weapons by elves. They dipped the tips of the arrowheads in hemlock or other poisons, before going into battle. One scratch and their foe was defeated.” He punctuated his statement by pretending to nick his arm with the elf-bolt.
I raised my hand. “If they don’t do it anymore, then why is it relevant to AMF missions?” I knew there was a branch of the Agency of Magical Forces that handled stolen artifacts. Class B. Maybe that was the reason.
Professor Langley came to stand in front of me, and I was fairly certain the temperature dropped about ten degrees. “Enlighten me, Miss Moldark…I beg your pardon, Miss Morrow. What is the name of this class?”
I flinched at the mention of my father’s name. “Arcane Rites,” I replied tersely.
“And what does that phrase mean to you?”
“Ancient rituals and practices,” I said.
“And have I not just described an ancient practice?” he asked pointedly.
“Yes, but if I saw one of these as a warden in the field, wouldn’t I just think it was from a long time ago and keep moving?” When I found my first arrowhead in Oregon, it wasn’t as though I’d just missed a Native American hunting party.
“You need to learn to scratch beneath the surface. An essential skill in the AMF. This simple elf-bolt could be indicative of several possibilities,” the professor explained. “Can anyone name one?”
Dani waved a hand in the air. “A stolen artifact?”
“Yes, that would be a theory worth consideration,” the professor said. “Another one?” He let the question dangle for a moment before expressing his disappointment. “Do try to keep your brains operational. I know it can be difficult for some of you. Some more than others.” His gaze lingered on me for a brief moment before he moved on. “The clue is in the name of this class, a name of which I have already reminded you today.”
I decided to take a shot in the dark. “It could be evidence of someone wanting to bring back an ancient practice?”
“Thank you, Miss Morrow,” he said with mock exasperation. “I knew I heard a mysterious clicking noise coming from somewhere in your direction.” He tossed the elf-bolt onto his table. “Whenever you find a remnant of the past, you must consider all the angles. Yes, it could be evidence of a stolen artifact, but it could also be evidence of a future plot. There is always—and I do mean always—someone in this world looking to resurrect an ancient practice for their own gain.”
“Like Ivan,” I said.
Professor Langley pressed his thin lips together in consternation. “Yes, Ivan.”
Ivan had been a fourth-year trainee at Spellslingers who’d recently resorted to ritual sacrifice in an attempt to gain power. Long story short—it didn’t end well for him.
“The moral of the story is not to simply learn to identify and recite, but to analyze and make a determination that could mean the difference between life and death.” Professor Langley observed us for another quiet moment. “That is where the line is drawn between those of us who teach and those who do.”
“But most of the academics here are sort of a hybrid,” Milo said. “You help us learn to identify, but you also get us to take it that one step further.” The young wizard was usually looking to serve as the class clown, so it was a nice change to hear a genuine remark fall from his lips.
“Hybrids,” Professor Langley repeated, seeming to enjoy the word. “That we are. Your basic education is over. Our job is to train you to look deeper. To examine more closely.”
“Like going to medical school after college,” I interjected, and suddenly wished I’d kept my mouth closed. College and medical school reflected life in Terrene—the human world. No one else would make the same comparison.
To my surprise, Professor Langley gave a curt nod of agreement. “If I recall correctly, your mother was a doctor in Terrene.”
“Yes,” I said. “She majored in biology in college, where she learned the basics, and then went to medical school. She said that’s when she really honed her critical thinking skills.”
Professor Langley’s lips parted in what I assumed was his version of a smile. “Critical thinking skills. An excellent phrase. That is exactly what we hope to achieve at Spellslingers.”
“Aim for the moon,” I said, echoing a phrase my mother used to say. “Even if you miss, you’ll still end up among the stars.”
Professor Langley’s brow furrowed. “As far as I’m concerned, if you aim for the moon and miss, you end up trapped in eternal darkness. You should simply decide that failure is not an option. ”
“We can decide that all we like,” I replied. “But, sometimes, we have to accept that the universe has other plans.”
My roommates and I opted to enjoy the sunshine after Arcane Rites. We settled on the shore of Lake Mercer, one of my favorite spots. Spellslingers Academy of Magic loomed in the background with its buildings that seemed part stronghold, part academic institution. A gateway led to arched windows, wide entrance steps, and impressive towers. A purple flag embroidered with a golden ’S’ flew proudly atop the highest turret. I’d yet to visit the entirety of the campus.
Our familiars finally seemed to be getting along—Icarus, my snowy owl, was giving the three cats tips on how to locate concealed prey. Dani decided it was time to introduce me to a paranormal game, which seemed to be a version of monkey in the middle that involved a small ball and our wands.
“Not so high,” Mia said, as I used my wand to float the ball way over everyone’s heads. In a last ditch effort to avoid Dani’s clutches, I used too much power and sent the ball sailing through the air. It flew into the lake with a splash.
“Oh, no!” Cerys cried.
“It won’t float?” I asked.
“Not that kind,” Dani said. “It has too much weight to it. Makes it more challenging to keep it afloat in the game.”
I walked to the edge of the lake, hands on hips. “How badly do we want this ball?”
“It belonged to my older brother,” Mia said. “It was his parting gift when I left for the academy. He played with it all four years here.”
“So, basically it’s a family heirloom,” I said.
“It’s not valuable,” Mia admitted. “Just…”
“I understand,” I said. I had my father’s red healing stone tucked away in a drawer. Of course, that stone happened to be worth a small fortune, but it was the emotional connection that made it valuable to me. Or maybe it was his blood that was contained within the stone. I hadn’t figured out which. That took more introspection than I was willing to give it.
“Can you do any tricks, water witch?” Dani queried, waving a hand at the lake.
I stared at the flat water. “Which part did it land in?”
Dani pointed to a spot about a quarter of the way into the water. “There.”
“I think I can manage it.” I called the water to me, and the magic inside me rose up to meet it. It was fairly effortless, especially with a huge source of water right in front of me. Child’s play. I steamrolled the water and cleared three sides far enough to see the bottom in the indicated area.
“Bryn, you have the coolest power,” Cerys said in amazement.
“We all have cool powers,” I said. Cerys’s specialty was earth magic. Dani was a fiery powerhouse, and Mia could rock a small tornado like nobody’s business. It was a shame we were training to work in four different quadrants of the AMF because, together, we’d be unstoppable.
“Can I go down there for a look?” Cerys asked. “I’d love to see if I can find any special rocks.”
Cerys had a large collection of rune rocks and other earthly treasures at her disposal.
“As long as you look for the ball, too,” I said. “I can hold the water in place easily enough, but it’ll get boring after a couple of minutes.” Water magic didn’t wear me out to the same degree as other types of magic. While I could use other elemental powers if necessary, it drained me far more quickly.
“I’ll go with her,” Dani said. “Speed up the process.”
Yes, Dani was the hyper-efficient one in our group. If you needed your closet organized, or your schedule conflict-free, she’d find a way to make it happen. If there was magic involved in organization, then she was already at magus status. She’d have that whole area of the basin picked clean before I called time.
“I’ll stay on dry land with you,” Mia said to me. “In case you need a strong wind to hold back the water.”
Cerys and Dani began their descent to the bottom of the lake. Cerys stopped every couple of steps to investigate an object on the ground.
“I think I see the ball,” Dani announced. I watched her strawberry blond ponytail swing as she jogged close to a section of still water.
Clementine is being difficult, Icarus said. Again. My familiar swooped down to perch on the bench behind me.
You know she’s a diva, I said, keeping my focus on the water.
She’s trying to turn the other cats against me, he complained.
I thought you resolved your differences, I said.
I did, too, he said. But Hestia came by, and Clementine seemed determined to impress her at my expense. There was hissing involved.
I exhaled loudly. “Can we discuss this later? I need to concentrate.”
Icarus looked from me to the lake. What’s going on out there?
“Dani is getting a ball, and Cerys is collecting her latest treasures,” I replied.
A chorus of hisses behind me drew my owl’s attention. Great. They’ve decided it’s a good idea to follow me. Bullies, the whole lot of them.
Mia turned around to address the familiars. “What’s going on, Pepper?”
“Sounds like Clementine is acting up again,” I said.
“Dani can deal with her when she comes back,” Mia said.
Icarus swiveled his head in that impressive way that owls had. Whatever he did at that point incited a riot. I felt the claws as they scraped my lower back. I jerked forward, and completely lost my hold on the water.
“No, no, no,” I said, panic rising within me.
The water rushed to fill the empty space in the basin. There was no time to react. I watched in horror as the lake swallowed Dani and Cerys.
“Bryn, do something,” Mia urged.
I was too stunned to move, which rarely happened to me. Like my mother before me, I was usually poised for action, probably the result of being the daughter of a doctor, as well as living a life on the run.
“Thank the gods. There’s Dani,” Mia said, her relief evident.
Dani’s strawberry blond head bobbed in the water, and she quickly cut through the water with strong strokes. I had no doubt the Degraffs were champion swimmers, too. They seemed to excel in everything else.
“Cerys,” I called. There was no sign of the petite blonde.
Dani emerged from the water, dripping wet. “Well, that was an unexpected dip. What happened, Bryn?”
“I’m so sorry,” I said. “I got distracted.”
Conveniently, the familiars had all dispersed, probably the second they realized they’d caused far more than a kerfuffle.
Dani craned her neck to peer at the water. “Where’s Cerys?”
“I still can’t see her,” Mia said, her hands balled into worried fists.
“Everyone, be quiet for a minute,” I said. I tried to clear the panic from my mind and part the waters again. We all watched with anticipation as the lake followed my command, revealing the basin once more.
Mia and Dani ran forward to search for our friend, while I remained near the bench, silently berating myself for allowing anything to distract me. Although it had seemed safe enough, the reality was that Cerys and Dani’s lives had been in my hands. How could I have let this happen?
Every muscle in my body was stretched taut as I waited for a sign of the petite blonde. Dani disappeared into a wall of water to search the less visible areas. When she reappeared alone, my stomach turned.
Mia hurried back to me, her expression grim. “We need to get help.” She waved a wand back and forth.
“Why are you showing me your wand?” I asked.
“It’s not mine,” Mia said, producing a second wand from her waistband. “This one belongs to Cerys.”
I nodded, unable to speak without risking a flood of tears. I wasn’t a crier by nature, but I felt overwhelmed by guilt and frustration. Where in the hell was Cerys?
“Can you get the chancellor?” I asked. “I’ll stay here and keep the water parted in case she turns up.”
Dani dried herself off quickly using the heat of her fire magic. “I’ll stay here and keep watch. Mia, you go.”
Mia didn’t bother to reply. She simply bolted for the gateway.
“This makes no sense,” Dani said. “She wasn’t that far away from me when your magic broke.”
I concentrated hard on the water. “Nothing like that has ever happened to me before.”
“Because you’re not used to performing under duress,” Dani explained. “That’s part of what training here is all about. Not just knowing how to do something, but the ability to do it with a crossbow at your temple.”
“I’m not used to performing much at all,” I said. “I only ever used magic in Terrene when it was absolutely necessary.” I’d always been afraid that my magic would act like a beacon for my father. Although discovering he was dead had been a huge relief, it was also a huge regret because it meant that my mother and I had wasted years hiding from him.
Dani placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find her, Bryn. It’s a lake, not a river. How far could she have gone?”
It wasn’t the distance I was concerned with—it was the condition in which we might find her. “Is she a good swimmer?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Dani said. “And she can hold her breath as well as I can.”
I stared at the lake bottom. “And how long is that for?”
Dani’s expression grew pinched. “Not as long as this,” she whispered.
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