Shadow Cursed: Misfit Magic Academy, #2

Chapter One

I’d never wanted to be back at Braeseth as badly as I did right now. It wasn’t that I really enjoyed being at the academy—because seriously, not that much could change in a year. It was tough when most of my magic was frankly awful, and I was almost certain all the knowledge I’d crammed into my brain for my end-of-year exams had vanished the moment the semester had finished. Still, it was better than the alternative.

Leaving the house had become nearly impossible over summer, thanks to my parents finally realising they had a daughter, and one who wasn’t presently incarcerated in prison at that. But I’d finally convinced them that I needed to head to Fantail Market and buy things for my return to Braeseth, which was an excuse they couldn’t argue with, since apparently I now represented the family’s entire magical future. Hell, I’d even done some shopping once I got here, and I had a half dozen new textbooks to show for my trouble. But the real reason I was here was to catch up with Eva, my roommate from Braeseth, and only real friend in the world. I tapped my foot against the table leg as I anxiously scanned every face for signs of her. It had been agony not getting to see her since the end of last semester.

Norah!

My ears perked up at the sound of her voice and I practically leapt out of my seat. I stopped short of throwing my arms around her and holding on for dear life. I didn’t need to give people yet another reason to talk about me.

You made it, I said, standing awkwardly by the table.

Of course I did, she said with a grin, and sat down at the table opposite me.

Relief washed over me with dizzying speed. Sometimes, late at night, I’d almost convinced myself she had only tolerated me last year. I really should not be left alone with my thoughts. It never ended well.

So, how’ve you been? I asked, propping my chin in both hands.

Missing my best friend, she answered with a genuine smile. But summer was okay.

How are things going with your mum’s search? Last I’d heard, her mother was still trying to track down Eva’s biological father. Given that her magic came from his bloodline, her mum had decided it made sense to know as much as they could about the man. And probably to avoid scammers trying to dupe her daughter—which was exactly what had nearly happened when Eva’s lie-detecting ability first manifested and she decided to go looking by herself.

She sighed and tugged at one of the slender twists of hair over her shoulder. She’s still looking. Thought she might have tracked him to France, but that went cold.

That’s rough. I know it’s kind of been a thing for her for a while.

I don’t even know what I’ll do if I meet him. I know I went looking first, but I put that aside, you know? Or I thought I had. And I just don’t want to make a fool of myself.

I snorted. "As if. You are brilliant, and he would have to be the fool not to see it."

She ducked her head, her hair falling like tiny ribbons over her face. Can we talk about something else? What about you? How was your summer?

I let out a groan. I thought living in Micah’s shadow at home was bad. Turns out, doing something worth noticing is worse.

Come on, it can’t be that bad. I thought you wanted them to realise you existed.

I did. I mean, I thought I did. But they just keep staring at me, like they’re expecting me to do something. Not that I’ve got any idea what. Honestly, it’s kind of creeping me out. I exhaled heavily. I don’t know, maybe they’re scared of what I did, but they’ve barely let me leave the house since I got back after last semester.

So, no sneaking around with a certain druid enforcer who fancies you?

Heat burned in my cheeks at the mention of Zachary. No, I haven’t seen him since the semester ended. Which is probably for the best, because I’m pretty sure me turning up with a druid in tow—and an enforcer, at that—would have pushed my parents over the edge. Anyway, it’s probably not going to go anywhere. He’s back working his regular assignment. And given what’s been going on, I can’t imagine Bevan would want enforcers back on campus.

I keep telling you, Norah, stop selling yourself short with him. He likes you. It's obvious to anyone with eyeballs. Let him flirt with you. Let him ask you out on a date. Hell, let him kiss you senseless.

My lips tingled at the memory of my first kiss with him. I’d never been the type to make the first move with a guy, and yet I’d been the one leaning in and kissing him. Of course, the moment had then been somewhat ruined by two other enforcers faking an attack so they could hide runes all over the academy, but it was what it was.

I’ll think about it, I finally mumbled.

Because I can find reasons to be other places, she said with a wink.

I did convince my parents to let me leave the house one other time, I blurted.

Yeah? For what?

The Circle’s trial. I wasn’t sure why this topic had jumped to the forefront of my mind.

Eva glanced at the coffee shop beside us and gestured toward it. While I won’t say no to hearing how Celine and her lapdogs did facing the consequences of their actions, I’m going to need some fortification. You want anything?

Just a black coffee. Thanks. I reached into my pocket, but she waved me off.

My treat.

I watched her as she disappeared into the shop, and slumped back in my chair. I tried not to picture the trial or its aftermath in my head. I hadn’t been asked to give evidence, and the Council had kept their word. That was all I should be focusing on. I’d done everything I said I’d do to keep them honest. And besides, it was better for me to just focus on the year ahead. With any luck—not that I tended to be particularly lucky—everyone would have forgotten the fact the academy had nearly been drained of magic a few months ago.

Given my mum and dad’s constant vigilance around me since I’d got home, I hadn’t practiced much with my magic. Probably not the best thing when I was still struggling to get caught up with everyone else in my year. I’d been too afraid that any accidents would be used as evidence that I was turning into my brother, and I didn’t need them deciding that having me around was too much of a risk to what remained of their precious reputation, and handing me over to the authorities.

A little practice now probably wasn’t such a bad thing. Even though I was sitting here in the open, it felt safer than my room at home. People were going about their own lives, oblivious to the girl who could manipulate shadows. I wasn’t important to them, and while some people despised being obscure and unrecognised, to me it was comforting. Especially after a summer of living under the microscope.

I took in a slow breath, exhaling it through my nose and focused on the tips of my fingers. I could feel the slick surface of the table beneath them and tried to hold onto that sensation in my sense memory. When I lifted my fingers from the table, they could still sense the coolness they’d just left. Turning my hands over, I cupped my palms together, envisioning the shadows pooling there with the texture and constituency of silk. Too often when my magic came out, it was all plumes of smoke and darkness. I’d gotten lucky a few times last semester when it had wrapped around me like fabric. I longed for that sensation again. I wasn’t sure why, but it felt like I had more control that way.

Nothing happened. Even though I could still feel the texture of the table on my fingertips and I’d centred my body, the magic refused to obey.

Come on, I whispered through gritted teeth.

Pulling my hands apart, I clenched them into fists, flexing my fingers a few times and blew out another slow breath. I couldn’t be that out of practice, could I?

Remember how your magic feels. Instructor Glover’s voice echoed in my head, reminding me of the lessons we’d shared on Saturday mornings for months.

This time, I let my hands hand down by my sides and closed my eyes. In the blankness of my mind’s eye, I pictured shadows rolling in, like thick storm clouds full of the anxiety and anger that had shaped me for so long. The doubt that I could ever be any good at this whole magic thing. In my mind, my hands reached toward the anxiety clouds, beckoning them to bend to my will. Slowly, painfully so, they turned into little funnels, spiralling down to perch on each fingertip.

My whole body went still as I tried to keep the funnels drifting down. I didn’t want to ruin the moment or risk breaking the momentum by opening my eyes. I could almost feel the magic lacing itself around my fingers like a glove. It tightened its hold on me, begging me to give it purpose and direction.

Still can’t even control her magic. How pathetic.

Celine’s voice carved through the mental imagery and I opened my eyes to find her and her cronies dogging her heels. A liquid-like pool of darkness dripped from my fingers so that they looked like I’d stuck them in a vat of tar. So much for my silk glove.

The girls standing next to my table wore sneers that did not bear any resemblance to the looks of fear and uncertainty that they’d had when I’d seen them last. They’d cowered together beneath the Circle’s orders, sending them to prison. True to their word, the Council had given them a lenient sentence—only six weeks—and in a minimum-security facility. All things considered, they’d gotten off easy.

Didn’t realise they let you out, I said, trying to keep my tone even, unemotional.

Celine leaned in, doing her best to tower over me even though we were about the same height. The look of disdain on her face contrasted with her vibrant red hair, and a chill spread down my spine that had no business being there. After all, I’d bested her last Halloween. And I’d been able to take on a druid where she’d failed.

Did you think we’d forget what you did to us? You must be so pleased with yourself. Got away with everything, got to be the hero.

I didn’t ask for any of that, I snapped. And all I did was tell the truth. You should be thanking me.

Thanking you? You ruined my life, Norah, Celine hissed, her hands balling into tight, white-knuckled fists. "Because of you, no one is going to want to touch me. I have a record. Do you have any idea how hard it’s going to be to get anywhere after graduation? She barely stopped long enough for me to open my mouth before she continued her tirade. No, of course you didn’t. You just thought about yourself. You selfish bitch."

I saved your life and your magic, or did that part slip your memory? And maybe you should have considered what would happen before you tried to sabotage the entire academy.

A tingle spread over my hands and arms, and I looked down to find them black up to the elbows. Sure, now, when I didn’t want it, my magic came easy.

Maybe she was remembering our fight on last Halloween too, or maybe she was still on edge from being in prison, but Celine’s hands flew up, electricity rippling over her arms, ready to strike. I was out of my chair, shadows undulating around me ready to solidify and protect me from any attack.

You should have just kept your dumb mouth shut, she snarled. We were trying to make things better.

I didn’t have the patience to stand here and debate this with her. I didn’t need to justify my actions to her. And if she couldn’t handle the consequences of her actions, that wasn’t my fault. I had half a mind to just leave—I had no desire to get arrested for property damage or fighting—but I’d come here to enjoy spending time with my best friend. I wasn’t about to abandon Eva. And I wasn’t about to let Celine ruin my first day of freedom in forever.

Celine took my moment of hesitation for what it was and lobbed an energy ball at me. I raised my hands and the shadows swallowed her magic, extinguishing it like a flame. She let out a grunt and formed another energy ball.

Why don’t you piss off and leave her alone, a male voice called off to our right.

Celine and I turned in unison to find a guy who looked vaguely familiar standing there. He wore a button down short-sleeved shirt and dark grey trousers. The spat with Celine was nearly pushed from my mind as I tried to place him. The freckles peppered across his cheeks looked like they should form a constellation. And there was definitely something familiar about the vibrant blue shade of his eyes. But for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out where I’d seen him before. Maybe he just worked around here. I hadn’t exactly been frequenting Fantail Market this summer, but it wasn’t like I’d never been before.

Celine clearly recognised him and decided his presence was too much of an inconvenience. She gave me one last sneer then pivoted and flounced off, her lackeys in tow. Her magic trailed after her, leaving the scent of ozone in her wake.

Thanks, I said to the guy still standing there, hands in his pockets.

She shouldn’t have attacked you.

I shrugged. Honestly, it wasn’t the first time.

He shifted his weight from foot to foot and the way he chewed his lower lip suggested he had more to say. But his initial bravado vanished and he couldn’t meet my gaze.

See you around, he said and darted away.

I sank back into my seat and rubbed my forehead, trying to stave off a headache I could already feel forming right behind my eyes. I heard a door off to my left open and close, the tiny chime of a bell signalling someone either entering or leaving, and footsteps approached. I sat up to find Eva sitting back down across from me with our coffees.

Sorry, that took a century. This lady in front of me changed her order six times. No joke.

I snatched the cup of coffee she’d set in front of me and downed it. The caffeine pushed the headache away and I sighed. When I set the cup down, I found Eva eyeing me like I had three heads.

Okay, I clearly missed something. Spill.

I shook my head. It was nothing. Just some old drama trying to come back to haunt me.

Her eyebrows arched in an I-don’t-believe-you expression, but she didn’t say more. I expected her to pepper me with questions about the trial, after all, that was the whole reasons she’d gone to get coffee, but we just sat there in the cool breeze, enjoying each other’s company.

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I am actually looking forward to being back on academy grounds, I said half an hour later as we headed off, ready to part ways for just a few more hours. At least I had the fact that we’d be roommates again to look forward to.

Come on, after everything that happened last semester, this year is going to be easy, Eva said with a friendly smile and affectionate shoulder nudge.

She just had to say it, didn’t she?

Chapter Two

The next day, I prepared myself for the gut-wrenching task of stepping foot back on the academy grounds. Not because I was nervous about being back among my fellow students—well not just because I was nervous about that—but literal gut wrenching. I hated those stupid portal stones. I’d half hoped Zachary would appear just to get me there and cover for me while I retched in the bushes. No such luck. Despite what he’d said at the end of last semester, he clearly had no interest in seeing me again.

So, I hunkered down by the tree Eva and I had claimed as ours last year and waited for my stomach to settle. Thankfully, the foliage was thick enough to cover me from most prying eyes. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I straightened up and sucked in a few breaths of air. The queasiness was passing faster than it had the last time I’d travelled this way. Maybe I was getting more used to the magic. I didn’t see why they couldn’t just take down the wards for the day so we could all get in and out using an actual portal—which came with none of the side effects of the stones. Okay, so it was true, I didn’t actually know how to open a portal, but they could have sent one for me and the rest of the magically inept, right?

You okay? Eva’s voice penetrated the tree cover as she stepped through, one of the long twists in her hair catching on a branch. She swatted it away, tugging her hair free so she could reach me.

I hate those portal stones, I grumbled and sat down on top of my suitcase.

That explains the hiding, she said and sat beside me, draping an arm around my shoulders in a show of camaraderie.

Yeah, well, I don’t need the whole academy knowing I’ve got a weak stomach. I’d never hear the end of it. I sighed and rubbed at my temples. I guess we’d better go inside. Won’t do to miss Bevan’s start of semester address.

Staying under the radar meant being where people expected me to be when they expected me to be there. They were less likely to notice me if I didn’t give them a reason. We both stood and dragged my case out from under the foliage. As we trudged up the front steps into the entry hall, I wondered what classes awaited us this semester. I vaguely recalled Instructor Rathbone mentioning something about Runes, but I had no idea if that was a required course or an elective. And if it wasn’t required, did I really want to be choosing things, giving people more reason to notice me? Not to mention the added workload, because honestly I’d struggled enough last year without signing up for extra classes.

As if he knew I’d been thinking of him, Instructor Rathbone stepped up, intercepting us before we could get much beyond the front doors. Welcome back, ladies.

Thanks, sir, Eva said, flashing him a smile.

I hope you had a good summer holiday. His gaze was laser-focused on me. His beard looked fuller than last I’d seen him and somehow it made him look even more intense.

Uh, I mean I didn’t consume anything in shadow, so I suppose that’s good? Somehow, it came out as a question. Ugh. Just being back here was already making me doubt myself. More so than usual, that was.

I hope you’ve been practicing. Energy Manipulation is first block Monday morning. I look forward to seeing you both there bright and early. He clapped his hands and grinned for effect before he wandered off to greet other students, his hair wound into a knot on the top of his head.

That was weird, Eva whispered in my ear.

She’d taken the words right out of my mouth. I shrugged—I had other concerns. Do you think we have to take our cases upstairs ourselves before the speech? I eyed the suitcase dubiously, because if I’d suspected there might be actual heavy lifting involved, I was pretty sure