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prologue
INDIGO
“A few thousand years ago,a massive black hole caused multiple galaxies to collide with one another, resulting in The Convergence. Because of this rare cosmic event, many magical races bred with humanity, which created Earth as we know it today. Some beings returned to their home planets, while others stayed. Now, in the year 6004, you can find humans, elves, orcs, serpentine, and many other races, including hybrids of all of the above. With this in mind, the leaders of Earth focused their efforts on advancing magic, rather than technology.” I take in a breath, trying not to shake. This is the first class of my first week as an adjunct professor, and I want to do everything right. Augury University is the most prestigious magical college in the Americas, after all. An elfling girl waves at me, smiling wide, and I smile back. My parents were wrong. I’m not too young to be here. “Welcome to The History of Mages 101. I’m Professor Watson, and it’s a pleasure to meet all of you.”
Although my secret dream was always to work with potions, my mother pressured me into studying charms, just as she did, and so that’s what I teach: Charms 101, History 101, and a few other history classes. I blame Eldest Daughter Syndrome. Carrying the load of my family wasn’t easy, but neither was the pressure I put on myself either. I graduated high school early and went on to Augury University, where I completed an accelerated Bachelors-to-Masters program in Charms. Unlike my mother’s wildest dreams though, I accepted a position here upon graduation. I love being a professor. It’s thrilling to watch young mages make new discoveries about themselves and their magic, but I think a small part of her will always be disappointed I didn't follow in her footsteps to the infrastructure sector.
I teach the students an ice breaker. They’re to tell me their names, their major, and to show the class a trick. One at a time, each student walks up to the front of the class and does something unique.
A tall elf named Raven, with pitch-black long hair, walks up with a dark, rainbow-feathered bird perched on her shoulder and snaps her fingers. Instantly, the bird transforms into a massive dragon, flying close to the ceiling, smoke coming out of its nose. It’s just an illusion, but we all stare in awe at the magnificent creature. She smirks with amusement and snaps again, the bird falling back into place.
We clap as she heads towards her seat, and an adorable faun makes her way to the front. She has tan skin and long brown hair with flowers wrapped around her small horns.
“Hey everyone! I’m Eden, a seer. Professor Watson, would you mind being a part of my demonstration?” she asks, a happy lilt to her voice.
“Not at all,” I reply, walking towards her.
“Perfect.”
Her fingers are ice cold as she takes my hands in hers and closes her eyes. A few seconds go by, and they fly open, white as snow.
“You are going to spill coffee on yourself in November,” she says, her voice now robotic, diluted of all its previous vibrancy. “This is all I am sure of.”
What a weird vision. I mean, I know they’re never certain, but that’s so… odd.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I say. “But I won’t be avoiding coffee, especially not in November.” The class laughs, everyone breaking out into different jokes.
“Pack an extra shirt!” a masculine cambion shouts. He’s right, I probably should. Chances are I won’t remember by then though.
Eden leans in close to me. “Your future is full of anxiety and uncertainty, but also joy and romance. Be kind to yourself,” she whispers.
This exercise was supposed to be a fun little get-to-know-each-other, not an ominous warning from the beyond. Romance, huh? A girl can dream.
one
INDIGO
On my to-do list:
Finish grading midterms
Go grocery shopping
Buy a portable charger
Not on my to-do list:
The sexy orcling standing in the corner making far too much eye contact
But they say life is what happens between your plans….
“Are you gonna keep staring at her or are you gonna go say something?” Dahlia asks with one eyebrow raised.
I ignore her, trying to push down the overwhelming feeling of desire as my knees go weak, and wave a hand at the bartender. I need some liquid courage. “Could I get a lemon drop shot, please?”
He nods and grabs for the liquor. Dahlia lets out a small laugh, the pleasant sound resonating in the air. “Make it two, and you can put them on my tab.”
Dahlia is my boldest friend and the only non-elfborn human I hangout with. Most folks without magic are jealous or afraid of those of us with it, but Dahlia thinks of it as a fun party trick. It’s interesting to her, but not all that we are as beings. She runs a hand through my hair, inspecting it.
