An owl hooted, the sign that something new was about to start at the academy. My nerves picked up almost immediately, but instead of giving in to them, I straightened my shoulders and tried to project as much confidence as possible as my mother took the stage.
“Welcome,” she said when she reached the microphone. “I’d like to thank you for joining us at Spellcasters Spy Academy for the first of two entry examination sessions available to those students interested in enrolling in the upcoming Culling-year.” Mother paused and smiled conspiratorially. “I’d never admit it to the second lot scheduled to try and test in, but those who make it a point to attend the first session always seem the more serious students. As far as I’m concerned that counts for a lot.”
Applause sounded throughout the room, and excitement swelled within me. This was the moment I’d daydreamed about during boring classes at my human high school. The three days when I would be tested to join my mother and father in the Supernatural Society of Spies. It was the start of a new journey.
“Yes. The examination period is all very exciting—as many of you know firsthand.” Mother gave an indulgent smile and waved at a few acquaintances in the crowd. “Others, however, are new to Spellcasters, and are therefore unfamiliar with our traditions and expectations. I am here to fill you in on both.” She cleared her throat. “Since the supernatural underworld became known to world governments, there has been an increased need for our talents and gifts. The United States is no exception, and employs not only witches among its ranks of intelligencers, but fae, vampires, and shifters too. Of course, no one in this crowd can attend the academies for other magicals, but they bear mentioning. Since right after World War II, Spellcasters has been training the most elite supernatural spies in the world. The PIA recruits our graduates straight out of Convocation and often praises them for their training and ability to contribute at the PIA right away. Not all academies can say the same of their graduates. It is for this reason that we accept only thebestwitches.” My mother paused and scanned the crowd with intense eyes. “No doubt many of you have been training for some time. That is good, for you shall need it. The entry examinations are intense. Should I hazard to guess, I would say that no more than half of you will pass.”
The crowd murmured and a handful of people gasped. The reaction surprised me. All the shock must have come from families new to the academy, because legacy families should have known better.
“That being said, as long as you have already signed the waivers provided when you entered this room, please make your way toward the front lawn.”
Professor Umbra, who was the Conjuring instructor, and Professor de Spina of Demonology waved the crowd over to gather near Merlin Amphitheater. The building, which was reserved for special occasions, like the Samhain and Beltane Trials, was situated on the edge of the woods that surrounded Spellcasters. The strange gold spirals that topped its roof always reminded me of a Russian cathedral. Tabitha, Phoebe, and I grouped tightly together while we waited for the specifics of the first exam to be announced.
Everywhere around us, parents chatted, oblivious to the nerves their children were feeling. It was common that when Spellcasters parents and alumni got together, they were very interested in networking or partying. I chalked it up to the spy training in them. Even if they’d already left the trade, they were always curious about the lives of others. And today, one particular family, the Danes, seemed to be on the tip of many people’s tongues. I’d even heard the name whispered a few times as we left Agnes Sampson Hall, but out here, in the open, it seemed to have spread like wildfire.
“Who the heck are the Danes?” I asked out loud. The name sounded familiar, but with all the families I’d studied and my nerves being out of control, I couldn’t place it at that moment.
Tabitha shrugged, but Phoebe’s eyes lit up with recognition.
“Ohhhh! They mean Joseph and Lauren Dane. The Danes used to be spymasters. The youngest ever! They got assigned a lot of epic missions that made history. And apparently they have a daughter our age.” Phoebe gave a pointed look and shuddered.
I ignored her dramatic reaction. Many witches believed that the next Spellcasters initiate class was cursed. But my mother didn’t buy it, and neither did I.
Seeing that I wasn’t going to comment on the supposed curse, Phoebe continued. “The Danes left spying after we were born. They moved to Hollywood and are well-known film producers now. Their daughter was on the list of students who wants to attend this Culling-year.”
So everyone was wondering where the Danes were. I scanned the large crowd. No one screamed Hollywood or valley girl, so I assumed they weren’t present. Perhaps the Dane girl was planning to attend the second round of entry exams that Spellcasters held next week.
A loud clap broke through my thoughts and I turned to find my mother at the mouth of the forest, waiting.
“In these woods is an obstacle course, a test of intense physicality and strength,” my mother said, her voice magically amplified. “The course is five kilometers long, about three miles, but it will feelmuchmore substantial, I am sure. Any and all things magical may appear within the course. Your task is to make it through the challenge in as little time as possible. Be aware that the maximum time allotted is thirty-six minutes. Yes, that is twelve minutes per mile, so I hope you have been training hard.”
A few testing participants paled, but my lips turned up. Twelve minutes? My best mile was five and a half minutes. Twelve minutes was cake.
“If you are over that time limit, you will have failed this test,” Mother continued. “If that occurs, you will need to perform extraordinarily on the final two exams. The course is about a mile and a half wide at its widest point, but getting lost should be difficult. Multiple red lights have been set up to guide your way. Stay within the boundary of those lights, else what you might find in the forest could beworsethan what I approved for this exam.” Mother held up a gleaming whistle. “Lastly, expect the unexpected. There are no rules within this course.”
We’re starting right now?! Oh shit!
My eyes shot to my feet. I cursed myself for not wearing my tennis shoes, opting instead for a pair of cute boat shoes and tight jeans in case I saw Alex during the welcome assembly. We were supposed to have a small break between the assembly and the first exam, but apparently that wasn’t happening. I should have known to expect the unexpected and worn sensible clothes. Stupid vanity.
But as I took in what others wore, my confidence rose yet again. At least I wasn’t in a dress, or a suit and tie like some guys. Even in boat shoes, I wouldn’t come in last.
“On my whistle,” my mother said before placing the whistle between her lips and blowing.
Chapter Seven
The woods felt very vast as our group of hopeful initiates burst through the trees. Despite it being the middle of the day, the darkness swallowed us up right away. Even with Tabby and Phoebe running by my side, it felt super eerie and raised goosebumps all up and down my arms.
It has to be an enchantment they placed over the woods to freak us out.
Keeping that in mind, I set about implementing the basic principles of espionage that Mother had taught me. Firstly, don’t go barreling into a space, and secondly, expect the unexpected.
My gaze swept right then left. I noted the bright red boundary lights on each side of the course. They floated about fifty feet apart and then seemed to grow farther and farther away as the course progressed, just as Mother had said they would. I bet that in the middle of the course, one side’s boundary light wouldn’t even be visible from the other.
Which meant there was a lot of room in here to mess up, get caught, or get injured, but only a little time.
Despite that realization, I refrained from sprinting to be at the front of the pack. I wouldn’t have many advantages during these trials, but Mother’s thought process wasoneadvantage that I possessed.
And knowing her, there were sure to be unseen traps dotting the course. Those who went sprinting into darkness first would also stumble upon them first. Particularly if they weren’t paying attention like the three girls ahead of us who wouldn’t shut the hell up.
