Sounding more tired now, the Headmistress spoke again, "Things have gotten out of hand. Miss Marudas, I apologize for the callousness you've witnessed from your teachers tonight. I have personally reflected on this matter and while, initially, I will admit to feelings of hope at the display of your power, I have been adamantly reminded of the danger that comes with such an intense display in one so young."
Her gaze shifted to Musgrove and back again before she continued. "Calami Tower has a reputation to uphold—a reputation for producing witches who are useful and competent, but most of all those who use their magic to dogood. Should word get out of the sudden extent of your power, waves could be stirred in waters that I would rather keep calm. For now, I'm placing you on temporary probation until we get this sorted out. You are not, under any circumstances — save mortal harm—to leave the school grounds without my expressed permission. Students and staff alike will be urged to keep silent about what they witnessed in Transfiguration should they wish to keep their positions within this school. More will be decided after the winter solstice. You are all dismissed."
No one, not even Musgrove, was brave enough to challenge the final word of the Headmistress. In a flurry of movement, the professors rose from their seats, sifting parchment and gathering their robes to step carefully towards the cavernous hall outside.
Seren stood too and craned her neck to try to peer around and between the swishing parade of Calami black that disrupted her view of Icarus, but when they parted just right, she found her stomach turning once more. Engaged in eager conversation, he leaned in towards the blue-eyed witch who batted her eyes as readily as many of the students did. A strange pulse of jealousy threaded between her heartstrings as she watched them make their way to the rear exit without so much as a glance back toward her.
Chapter seventeen
Arabella Marudas
Arastaredoutthewindow and sighed, her stomach growling. The setting sun cast a haze of orange over the ancient stone buildings of the Calami campus. An orange that reminded Ara of strange eyes and secret conversations. She felt giddy and light at the thought, her chest tightening in response. She could not stop the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips or the heat of the blush across her cheek. In fact, she didn’t think she had stopped smiling since she left Cal yesterday morning. Roxie nudged her, giving her a questioning look, but she shook her head, keeping her thoughts to herself. She reached for Cal then, searching for that green thread that led her to him, another discovery of her newly awoken magic, but all she felt from the other side was bone-deep exhaustion and silence.
Night had begun to fall by the time Madame Cuorvo released them from class. Satisfied that they now knew the proper etiquette when it came to greeting the members of the Royal family, “Remember, ladies, ‘ze top ranking three will meet with the Imperial Witch to discuz placement and it is likely you will meet at least one member of the royal family. I will not have my name besmirched if youploucforget my teachings.”
She tapped her cane on the stone floor, indicating the lesson had come to an end. The sound of chairs sliding across the floor and books being shoved into bags filled the room as everyone tried to get to the dining hall before dinner finished. All the students whispered with excitement about meeting the royal family, the prince especially.
Ariminta’s loud voice carried across the room. “Of course, I’ve met the prince many times. We played together as children. You know how my family is so close to the Imperial Witch and the Royal family. Me, Hazel and Temperance are sure to have the top three spots.”
The witches around her laughed and nodded, but Madame Cuorvo tapped her cane on the floor again. “Arrogance will be your downfall, Miss. Kingston. I would check the rankings again.”
Ara followed Roxie out of the classroom and took a deep breath. There was no need to rush off and check the rankings. She would find out soon enough what Madame Cuorvo had meant.
The sun now sank below the earth and lilac blanketed the sky; the first stars of the evening flared to life. The purple of the sky brought to mind the purple of Lily’s eyes and she saw Roxie was likely thinking of that as well when a small smile crossed her friend’s lips. It was her turn to elbow her and give her a knowing look.
“How badly do you want to run to the rankings to see where you are?” Roxie goaded her, knowing she was dying inside.
Ara rolled her eyes. “I think I can practice a bit of self-restraint and walk there. It’s on the way to dinner.”
They crossed into the courtyard where Ara first met Cal. That meeting now felt like a lifetime ago. The statue of Saint Sorath has been decimated by her power, but the scorching ring of white magic Ara had made remained in the center. Globes of light flickered to life as night fell in earnest. She released her hair from the tight bun she kept it in for classes and rubbed her scalp with her fingers.
“Ara,” a sharp voice called from behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw it was Ariminta, followed closely behind by her cousins. Roxie shrugged at her as they continued to walk, ignoring them.
“Arabella Marudas, I am speaking to you.” Ariminta’s shrill voice seemed to echo off the stone courtyard walls.
Ara took a deep breath and pasted on a smile before turning to face them. “Yes?”
“Have you seen the rankings?” Ariminta’s hateful eyes narrowed and her lip curled. Her cousins adopted identical expressions behind her.
“I’ve just left class, same as you. When would I have found the time to see them?” Ara asked, the annoyance in her voice clear. She felt as though her magic was a tight wire inside of her and any little thing might cause her to break.
Roxie laughed. “Ariminta, you are the only one obsessed with that scoreboard. Maybe if you paid less attention to the rankings, you wouldn’t have to worry about who is gaining on you.”
Ara turned to walk away but Ariminta grabbed her arm, digging her nails into it. “Don’t turn your back on me. What are you doing to rise so quickly? Madame Cuorvo said your name is second in the rankings now. If you mess up my cousins or my placement with the royal family, I’ll—”
Ariminta’s grip on her wrist was quickly turning her pale skin red and she clenched her jaw, a strange hum ran beneath her skin that she instinctively knew was the magic Cal had unleashed within her. She dug her nails into her palms and willed herself to remain calm. She could hear Ariminta and her cousins continuing their tirade against her, but was unable to make out what exactly they were saying. This power felt ancient in a way her magic never had before, yet still familiar. Cal was right. This was her magic, and it welled deep within her, slumbering and waiting for her to access it. She touched it and it answered back, almost purring at the attention.
“You’ll what, Minta?” Ara grabbed the woman’s delicate wrist with her own small hand and gripped it tightly. All three sisters cried out and the other two each grabbed their wrists, gaping in fear. Ariminta stared down at her wrist and then back at Ara, gaping. “Maybe if you actually paid attention in class you and your clones wouldn’t have to worry about the rankings. As it is, you only have your familial connections and a bit of good luck keeping you at the top. Well, it seems like that luck has run out.”
A strange wind swirled around them, creating a tornado of leaves and dirt. Ara’s eyes and skin shimmered, an otherworldly glow. Ara forced Ariminta to her knees, holding her wrist at an odd angle. As their cousin went down, so did the other two, their wrists also outstretched at that same odd angle as if Ara held them as well. Roxie gasped and stepped back.
“Arabella,” the woman stammered, tears streaming from her eyes, but whatever she might have said was drowned out by the shriek of her cousin.
“How are you doing this?” Another cried out in pain. All three raised their faces at her in terror. The globes of soft light that lit the courtyard now oscillated between blinding and dark, casting the courtyard in shadows.
“Let us go or I’ll—” Ariminta began again, but Ara’s eyes flashed silver.
