Recognition.
I thought about what the Priestess might be doing, possibly sitting in her study, opening the drawers in her desk, speaking with shadows…But I could see her tilt her head slightly, listening.
Always listening.
Twobble’s voice cut through the thought.
“Absolutely not,” he declared. “We don’t duel before orientation. Put your wands back, and fill out the form first.”
A burst of startled laughter followed from a group of witches, who did as he said, each tucking their wands back and replacing them with a pen and paper.
I closed my eyes for half a breath and let the scene unfold and center me.
This.
This was why we held the line and stood strong for the Academy, the orcs, and all magical folk.
We had students arriving with uncertain magic, fox shifters ready to teach discipline through mischief, and an ancient vampire brewing tea strong enough to anchor a village. I even had a wolf at my side who didn’t need to speak to steady me.
But Gideon could be anywhere, and the Priestess could be planning anything.
Yet the Academy doors were open, and we weren’t hiding.
I let out a sigh and lifted my chin, stepping toward the newest cluster of midlife students.
“Welcome to the Academy. We can’t wait for you to begin your studies.”
The wordbeginhad barely settled into the stone when the front doors slammed inward hard enough to rattle the floating orbs.
Every head turned, and the Academy’s hum sharpened.
Caleb filled the doorway like a storm with his dark hair wind-tossed and wolfish, shirt half untucked, and his jaw tight in a way that erased the easy grin he usually carried.
A few of the midlife witches looked baffled to see him.
“Sorry,” he said,
He didn’t sound sorry at all.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt the welcome speech.”
Twobble clutched his name cards to his chest. “Well, you absolutely did.”
Caleb’s gaze swept the foyer, taking in the students, the teachers, the open doors, but then his eyes landed on me.
“Maeve. We need a minute.”
The room shifted, and I watched returning students straighten up, and new ones freeze mid-step. My cousin wasn’t exactly being subtle.
The Academy’s greenery along the archway tightened slightly, leaves drawing inward as if listening.
I stepped forward to meet him as the witches went on their way.
I caught his gaze, dropping my voice. “Is it the perimeter?”
Caleb nodded once. “Yes and no. The orcs are restless.”
A murmur moved through the students like wind through tall grass. We hadn’t really discussed orcs being connected to Academy property.
