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“The unicorn.” He practically whispered that.
I snorted a laugh and shook my head. If they had seen the unicorn, Thirst would have said that right when I walked in the door.
“You sure about that?” I asked.
“Fuck you and them to. I know what I saw.” He flipped me off and went back to showering, mumbling about how no one believed a demon.
He was known for exaggerating. Not lying so much as seeing what he wanted to see. Like he swore he saw Professor Wentworth curse someone. That student did end up in the infirmary, but it was for ingesting too much sugar and having a low tolerance, which everyone of that species knows, and not because the Practical Application of Curses professor had it out for him.
As I dried off, I realized in my haste to escape the pub, get Eleanor alone or away from me, or whatever my head was warring with during that flight, we did not stop to get her a wand. As a new witch, sometimes having a wand to project intentions through would help the spell focus and cast. It… filters the emotions and focuses more on the intent of the spell. She probably would not have been caught reshelving books if she had a wand. Of course, I wouldn’t have caught sight of her bent over and… I shook my head and the thoughts.
“Settle down,” I whispered to my inner core which was threatening to heat up and seek her out. “We will see her tomorrow.”
But that really wasn’t soon enough for me.
CHAPTER9
Eleanor
Sleeping beauty,also known as my roommate, literally woke up to the sounds of birds singing to her. Like, that was her alarm. I felt my right eye open and I looked across the space at her. She sighed and slid to a sitting position at the edge of her bed and for one moment, when she thought no one was looking at her, she frowned.
My mind wondered what made her make that face, but the next moment, the smile was back in place and the noise was the ringing of the crystal ball my father had sent to me. I opened my eyes and popped out of bed saying, “Sorry. He must not realize the time.”
We hadn’t spoken since the first day, but after last night, I was feeling more relaxed so I just… didn’t care about that little hiccup.
“I’m going to prepare for the day.” She got up, put her hand on top of the five layer beauty case that was about hip height and on wheels and said, “Come on, Case.”
The case wheeled itself behind her as if it were a pet. I went to the closet I had shoved my father’s communication device in and removed the velvet cloth I had wrapped it in a few days after that little incident. I placed it on my desk and took a seat. “Hello.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were going to answer. I’ve tried a few times, but…” He didn’t sound like himself. My father was a man of influence and power. Not unsure and cautious about anything.
“I’m sorry about that. It was…” I gulped. “Why did you tell them I had taken Defense Against the Dark Arts studies? They put me in an advanced class.”
He winced and admitted, “How could I not? I… know you can defend yourself. You learn so fast, and… how could I tell them I didn’t teach my own child when they use my book to teach the basic courses?”
I could see his dilemma, but it did not change on thing about mine. I sighed and said, “Father, my magic does not work as well here as it does at Grandmother’s or even in the human realm. I can do all sorts of spells at home, but I’m… lost here. Things don’t work. It’s like I’m missing a piece of a puzzle I didn’t even know I was supposed to be putting together.”
“I’m sorry, Darling. When you were summoned—”
“Summoned? You made me fill out an application.” My brow shot up.
He cleared his throat and said, “I wanted you to think it was your choice and you had hoped since finding out you had magic… so, when I got the letter, it just… made sense to create an application so I could be sure this is where you wanted to be.”
“Is that why you sent this ball? On my first day? Because you already knew I… was going to struggle?” I frowned and felt betrayal and confusion rushing through me. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream at him. I… wanted to go… hit something.
“I knew there was a chance that you would not be on par with your peers. Are you learning from your roommate? She is exceptional in the arts.” He smiled, proud of himself that some influence he had was the reason I was in this room with her.
I had the choice to either tell him the truth or break that cycle and keep the truth to myself. I decided it was time to rebel a bit more and I told him what he wanted to hear instead. I wasn’t sure why I was summoned to this academy, but it didn’t matter. I was here now and I wanted to be here more than anywhere else. Except maybe in Braz’s arms and he was also at this school. By the end of the conversation where I told him about the other classes, some of which I was really feeling okay in, and then told him to give my love to my mother and siblings after he had filled me in on their mundane activities back home. They missed me. I’m sure my parents really missed me since I did most of the caretaking for those two little monsters when my mother was at work.
Maxine returned in an outfit that fit her to perfection. She was also a curvy girl, but unlike me where there were curves and then more softness, Maxine was curvy and also… tone or fit somehow. She pointed and her case went to the closet and opened to sort through whatever she would need next. I took a chance and said, “That is really amazing.”
She looked over at me and said, “I’m going for a walk. Care to join me?”
I looked down at myself and asked, “Give me five to get dressed?”
She nodded and said to the case, “Inventory, Case. I don’t want to find out my face cream is on the last vile when I’m using it. I need to have it on order. Change my address for the delivery.”
Case was more than amazing. Case was like, the personal assistant everyone dreamed of. Inventory. I headed to the common bathrooms and made quick work of morning business and emerged ready to… go for a walk.
