“Or you’ll what?” Ara asked, genuinely curious. She had never been more in control of her magic and yet it was almost as if she were viewing the scene from outside of her body. A spectator rather than a participant.
A rough hand on her shoulder broke her concentration, and she released the witch’s wrist, all three collapsing to the ground, crying. She tried to find pity or regret within her, but the only emotion she met with was one of satisfaction that she had finally returned all the torment she had taken over the last year. Perhaps they would think twice before messing with her and hers again. The globes flickered back to the soft light from before and the wind died down, the leaves and dirt settling.
She whirled around to find Roxie. Her friend’s eyes were wide and confused, as if she were a stranger. The triplets ran past them, crying and clutching each other for support.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Roxie demanded, her hair an even more unruly crown of red after the storm of wind. She ran her hands through it, plucking leaves and twigs from errant curls.
“You heard them threatening me,” Ara said quickly, twisting her hands into her skirts. Her own hair was as neat as if nothing had happened, settling into loose waves that reached her waist.
Roxie narrowed her eyes. “They’ve been threatening you for weeks and you’ve never responded like that before. You were hurting them, Ara. Not just Ariminta who, granted, probably deserved it, but the cousins, too. What kind of magic was that? I’ve never seen anything like that before. Is that the magic Cal gave you?”
“Cal didn’t give me this magic. It was always mine, Roxie. It feels as familiar to me as Juniper did when he appeared.” Ara flushed with anger. “Why are you defending them? Those witches are awful to us and everyone else. They always have been.”
Roxie’s face changed suddenly, turning from concerned to anxious as she whispered, “Muskrat is coming.”
Ara groaned and turned to see Professor Musgrove walking towards them with three wailing young women trailing behind her, clutching their wrists and pointing at Ara.
Ara turned a shade paler if possible and clutched Roxie’s arm. “Not Musgrove, she hates me.”
“Miss Marudas, I have just been told the most peculiar story. One I believe the headmistress would find illuminating given recent events surrounding your sister.” Professor Musgrove’s wrinkled mouth pursed with satisfaction and reminded Ara of a plum left in the heat to wither and prune.
“What of my sister?” Ara asked, a touch of defiance in her voice. She had yet to come down from the high her magic had given her and was prepared to take on the world if given the chance.
“Down, girl,” Roxie said under her breath as she grabbed Ara’s hand and squeezed.
Professor Musgrove sneered. “Never you mind, child. Follow me. Your presence isn’t required, Ms. Laurier,” she added as Roxie started behind them.
“Professor Musgrove, as a witness to the alleged attack, I believe my testimony will be required. Best if I tag along, just in case,” Roxie told her, having not slowed down at all.
“You are a student, not a solicitor, Miss. Laurier,” Professor Musgrove snapped but said nothing as Roxie merely raised her eyebrows and gestured for the professor to lead the way.
Ara shot Roxie a grateful look as they followed Professor Musgrove to the corridor that housed the staffing offices, the triplets wailing the entire way.
Ara again felt for Cal’s presence, searching for some measure of comfort or reassurance, but found nothing but fitful sleep. She reached through the thread instead and sent him the comfort she so desperately needed, soothing his nightmares and finding that doing so brought her a small measure of relief as well.
“Miss Marudas, will you be joining us?” Headmistress Sinclair called out, a bemused expression gracing her lined face.
Ara realized everyone was waiting for her in the Headmistress’s office as she stood just outside the door. It was as if she had briefly left her body. She blinked and shook her head, trying to clear her concern for Cal.
The office of the headmistress was well-lit and, despite being rather large, gave off an air of coziness. Plants covered as many surfaces as were available and some even hung from baskets from the ceiling. One wall was made entirely of windows, the glass itself undulating and imperfect. Night had fallen in earnest, the moon and stars lighting the sky above and the earth below. She could see as far across The Whispering Woods as Mistral Hall and her heart beat faster.
The Headmistress cleared her throat. “Miss Marudas, you do not seem to be with us this evening.”
Ara realized seats had been taken and stories told. It appeared she was now being given the opportunity to defend herself. Her stomach twisted with something that she wasn’t sure was anxiety or hunger, perhaps both. She folded her hands in her lap and swallowed. The severity of the situation she found herself in was hitting her.
“I do not deny that I lost my temper with Ariminta and grabbed her wrist after she grabbed my arm and dug her nails into my skin. However, as Roxie told you, I did not touch the other two. Any injuries they claim are self-inflicted,” Ara explained, grateful that Ariminta had touched her first.
“Headmistress, given the unnatural and dangerous magic we have seen her sister display, it is not outside the realm of possibility that the older sister also possesses the same unnatural and dangerous magic,” Professor Musgrove snarled and then finished with satisfaction. “She has simply hidden it better, perhaps.”
The headmistress raised her hand and sighed. “Erica, your feelings on the matter have been well documented, and I will take everything I have heard tonight into consideration. Please escort Ariminta, Hazel, and Temperance to the Healer Ward.”
Professor Musgrove turned an ugly shade of green but said nothing else. The Kingston triplets squeezed a few more tears for the headmistress’s benefit, but the last one scrunched her nose and stuck her tongue out at Ara and Roxie as the door was closing.
“Roxanne, I believe Lily may be looking for you in the dining hall,” Headmistress Sinclair said, raising a brow.
Ara felt a curious wave of emotion from Roxie at Lily’s name and stared at her friend, but Roxie only blushed and dipped into a small curtsy. She had never felt her friend’s emotions in such a way before. Was this another aspect of her magic she was discovering, similar to the way her magic wove threads to Cal?
“Good luck,” Roxie whispered, squeezing her knee. “Find me after?”
