“Indeed. I suspected it might take more than just observation to trigger any latent magic, so I’ve invited some of my more talented former students to join our session this evening and perform a demonstration. By exposing you to each affinity ina more relaxed setting, it may help kickstart your awakening.” I tense immediately, not suspecting Brandt of all people to ambush me after weeks of kindness.
His piercing gaze follows my controlled movement as I set down the teacup. “Before you jump for joy, please trust that I would never intentionally put any student in harm’s way—particularly when that student lacks the ability to defend themself.”
“Well that’s a comfort,” I deadpan, crossing my arms, and lean back in my chair.
“Have some faith, Nyx, you might just be surprised.”
“Yeah that’s the fucking problem,” I mutter under my breath, but a knock at the door interrupts him.
“Right on time.” I shrink back into the chair when he stands and opens the door, revealing four students, three women and one man. He beckons for them to join us, and I recognize one of Tori’s friends, Danica. Instead of long, embellished box braids, today she’s got her hair in a complicated crown braid with neon green extensions woven in. Her grey eyes flash with recognition when her gaze lands on me after greeting Brandt, and she moves out of the way for the others I don’t recognize to follow her into the now-cramped office, though one of the women looks vaguely familiar.
“Nyx, I’m pleased to introduce Danica D’Arcy, second year air witch; Felicity Lane, fourth year earth witch, Adrian Wycliffe, third year water witch, and finally Vivienne Hektreia, third year fire witch.”
“Call me Evie,” she says.
Oh. Tori’s sister. One of them at least. She gives me a wink before closing the door behind her and I’m not sure what to make of it. Who knows what Tori’s said about me. I shake my head at my own stupidity. Tori’s probably forgotten I even exist.
“I appreciate you all spending part of your evening with us, we’ll try not to take up too much of your time. Now, the purpose of your all being here is to give Ms. Byrke an opportunity to experience each elemental affinity in a less stressful environment in the hopes of triggering her epiphaneia. I’m sure you can all recall the chaos of your first freshman term—the sooner she is able to wield, the better her chances of success here at Dreadhurst.”
“And if she’s a dud?” Felicity asks bluntly, but fidgets at Brandt’s silent rebuke when he raises his eyebrow.
“If Ms. Byrke doesn’t end up manifesting her magic, then she will still be welcome to complete her education at Dreadhurst, as all students are, regardless of their abilities. Such is the creed of Dreadhurst. Isn’t that right, Ms. Lane?”
“Yes, professor,” she murmurs, avoiding his eye.
“Excellent. Ms. Byrke, I’m going to ask each of our guests to perform a small bit of magic. I’d like you to focus on each demonstration and try your best to sense the unique magical frequency, for lack of a better term, of each element. See if you can detect the differences between them, and speak up if you feel anything beyond that—it may indicate what your latent abilities will be.”
I stare at each of them and wish I could disappear into the floor. Nothing good has ever come from being the center of attention.
“Felicity—if you please.” He motions her forward, and I watch the tall blonde warily. With a sigh, she holds out her hand and from her palm, a green vine begins to grow and twine around her fingers, then it crawls up her arm until it reaches her shoulder. Flowers begin to bloom from the vine and a fragrant sweetness permeates the air. I’m captivated—there’s no other word for it. I desperately want to reach out and touch the velvetypetals, but manage to catch myself before her grin grows more smug.
“Can you feel anything, Nyx?”
Irritation.
Embarrassment.
Shame.
“Nope.” I shake my head.
“Very well then, thank you Felicity.” She picks a flower from one of the vines and hands it to me before returning to Brandt’s side. Just as I hold it up to take a closer look, it disintegrates into nothing, along with the rest of the vines wrapped around her arm, I realize when I meet her derisive glare.
“Danica,” Brandt orders. She walks up and gives me a small smile, but I don’t bother returning it.
“Hey, nice to see you again.”
“Sure,” I respond woodenly. Her smile dips momentarily before she mimics Felicity and brings her hands together. With a twitch of her fingers, sparks of light begin to form and whirl between her palms.
“Air is a unique affinity,” she begins to explain as the sparks dance around us. “Not only can we manipulate atomic particles in the air, but advanced wielders can also learn to manipulate the electromagnetic energy that passes through it, creating light.” The sparks whizz around us fast enough to make my hair move before dissipating. She and Brandt have matching expectant expressions, but I shake my head.
“Thank you Danica. Adrian?” He’s around my age, maybe a little older. He looks bored, but I prefer that over Felicity’s triumphant sneer every time Brandt isn’t looking. He steps in front of me and sweeps his arm in a wide arc, and when his hand comes back between us, his fingers are encased in talons of ice.
“Cool.” He scoffs, a smug grin breaking the mask of ambivalence he’s worn until now. Goosebumps run up my arms,but I can’t tell if they’re “magical” tingles or “ice is cold you idiot” tingles, and I’ll be fucked before I talk about tingles of any variety in front of these people.
“Nothing.” I shrug, backing away from him. The ice claws slowly melt into his skin and he stands next to Felicity, leaning down to whisper in her ear. Evie moves in front of me without Brandt’s prompting. I can see the resemblance to her sister even more clearly now: she’s taller than me, mouth curved in a wry smile, and wavy blonde hair framing dark blue eyes that shine with mirth.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Nyx.”
