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I followed the beacon.
The wind and soft leaves of the willow trees along the narrow trail brushed against my face until I stopped before a gigantic, ancient, and beautiful tree.
The tree trunk opened from the center as if someone was inviting me into another world through it. The tug came from inside the tree, magical and enticing, and an echo of longing throbbed within me.
I didn’t feel danger or menace coming from the place but an odd kinship. It was the opposite of how I’d felt in the presence of the demons. So despite logic insisting I not do anything rash and foolish, I couldn’t help but step through the open tree.
However, I wasn’t completely naïve. A trace of flames rose to my fingertips, ready for any monster. And even if my magic failed me, I could always use the dagger hidden in my boot.
As long as I had a weapon with me, I was golden.
In front of my eyes was a fairy world, featuring a starry night that reminded me of the painting made by Van Gogh. Only this plane was lovelier, more surreal. I was almost sure that I could reach the sky, even though the space stretched to infinity.
Little fairies with transparent wings flew around the silver trees, spreading fairy dust with giddy giggles.
There was a hidden world in the Academy, and the tree was the portal.
Or was it a dream? Should I slap my face to make sure—?
“This is no dream, Marigold,” a voice like a melody sounded in my ear.
I wheeled around, my flames hissing on my palms, but I didn’t spot anyone other than the harmless little fairies flying around.
They were harmless, right?
“Show yourself!” I said.
“I bear no shape or form, and I don’t need one,” the musical voice said. “Your mind is conditioned by human teachings. To reach your greatness, you’ll have to learn to free your mind.”
“I have no greatness in me,” I said. “And the last thing I want is to reach greatness. It won’t do me any good.”
I didn’t want to become the ultimate war machine this Academy was trying to forge me into. Esme’s speech, no matter how noble it’d sounded, was all about making me a killer, a weapon.
I had fear in me, and my mind was conflicted—I wanted to be at the top of the class, yet I was also afraid to draw any more attention to myself.
The voice laughed as if I amused it.
It? Or she or he?
“Neither,” the voice answered my thought.
I sniffed. My ability to detect magic and power sharpened, and I honed my senses to focus on the being.
Primordial power crashed into me.
“You’re older than the Academy, than this land,” I said, inhaling the finest magic. “Your existence is as ancient as Earth. But you’re no longer as powerful as you used to be, because your magic didn’t originate from this planet. You’re starved because Earth’s magic can’t feed you anymore, since it’s also weakening and fading. You’re trapped here, and you can’t go home. The portal shifted and was sealed a long time ago.”
“My kin’s child,” the elemental said. “I didn’t draw you in here to pity me. I bring you a warning. Under no circumstances will you reveal your birth secret. Never allow anyone to know who your mother is. The knowledge of your maternal side will place you in grave danger. You’re an impossible breed—or so the gods believe. Yet despite them, you were conceived and survived. And the fates brought you here.”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded. “I’m now more confused than ever. If you truly know who my mother is, why don’t you just spit it out?”
“The walls have ears,” said the elemental, “even in my realm. If either side finds out who you really are, they’ll hunt you to the ends of the universe, literally, until you’re ash that no one can piece back together.”
I rubbed my arm. “You give me the creeps.”
“They solidly decreed that such an abomination and threat like you shouldn’t exist and should never be allowed to exist. But the seal has been broken. Your power isn’t cloaked anymore. It’s been leaking in all directions, and soon it’ll be a beacon to draw all the hunters on your tail.”
“Peachy. Do you have any more great news?”
