A Class of Conjuring

We got back to campus in the middle of the night, the train ride a little quiet yet very eerie. The other students snuck glances at me, but I never said anything to them. I was always going to be the gorilla in the room, the cause of every problem that hit the academy; though, I was tired of being the excuse as to why the academy couldn't protect its students.

Oliver and Kyler assured me nothing that happened at the museum was my fault. I hadn't destroyed anything, and I pointed out that included Challis. Though she never came directly after me, I was sure, in the end, I would be her main target; everything else was her collateral damage.

Before we separated to our dorms, Headmaster Eliphas informed us there would be a mandatory assembly in the morning, to which we all grumbled. If we didn't attend, we'd be on the first train out of the Enchanted Academy. Ruby and I entered our dorm room together shortly after one in the morning. She spent the next hour consoling me, telling me everything would be all right. But I kept seeing Challis kiss Dash. I kept seeing Dash and Braeden disappear into her arms. I also remembered the small crystal around her neck, the one where all the powers she had stolen seemed to be gathering. If I got my hands on the necklace, maybe I could get my hands on the powers she'd stolen. Dash couldn't explain why I'd been able to get my powers back when other students, witches, warlocks and archmages couldn't. He said he eventually got his power back the couple of times she stole his, and that was all he knew. I surmised that both he and I were allowed our powers back because Challis was all about the challenge. She wanted to control Dash while they dated, taking his powers and giving them back the ultimate control. Last night she outright challenged me to a duel, knowing it would be no fight at all if I didn't have my powers. So, she slowly gave them back; though, she still had the advantage of having the powers of so many others.

"Ready?" Ruby said, and we left the dorm room, heading to the assembly. When we left the building, we were consumed into the line of students headed toward assembly hall. Oliver and Kyler quickly broke ranks and stood on either side of

me.

"We don't think you should go," Oliver said.

"Why?" Ruby asked. "It's just an assembly about the lockdown and how people need to stay safe."

Oliver shook his head. "There's no staying safe here or anywhere else as long as Challis is on the loose."

"We already knew that," I said. "Remember, strength in numbers?"

"Yeah, but that's not how this is going to play out," Kyler said. "We found out the headmaster thinks if he sends you away then maybe Challis will follow, essentially ridding the academy of the problem."

"She'll come back," I said. "She'll get me, and then she'll return for an encore performance." Headmaster Eliphas never planned on keeping me around. He was too easily persuaded to get of me.

"Which is why we can't let you go to assembly," Oliver repeated. "If you go, he's going to drag you away in front of the students to show he's trying to fix the problem. If the students start leaving, the academy will go broke." "What're you proposing?" Ruby asked. She looked at me, and fear filled her eyes. The fear was for me. For her roommate and friend.

Oliver looked over the crowd of people and saw we were approaching the assembly building. "Kyler's going to distract everyone, and then the two of us are going to find Aurelius."

"I want to go," Ruby insisted. We were just as close as me and the guys and watched each other's backs.

I put my hand on her shoulder. "You can't," I said. "I feel bad enough about what happened to Dash and Braeden. I don't want to worry about you too. You'll be safer at the assembly."

Ruby started to protest but then hugged me tight. She looked at Kyler and Oliver. "You better take care of her, or you'll both end up as frogs!"

Kyler cringed and nodded. Oliver turned red and nodded as well. They didn't have the same connection with Ruby, but they cared deeply about her. She was an important part to our inner circle. "Time," Oliver said to Kyler.

Kyler suddenly broke the line. All he ever talked about was becoming a wolf, so I found myself in complete shock when he turned into a dragon. He leapt into the air and flapped his large wings, blotting out the sunlight. A few students screamed but most were in awe of the creature he'd become. He breathed a jet of fire across the sky and swooped through the air, landing atop assembly hall. He cried out, and people ran. Once Headmaster Eliphas realized it was Kyler, Kyler would definitely be called to the office, so whatever they had planned had to work.

"The spell will only last thirty seconds," Oliver said. "Come on."

With everyone's back turned, we headed between the assembly building and the building instructor's offices. Two servants were working the garden behind the assembly building and they stopped to watch us. I scowled, and they returned to their work. I guessed they would be making a visit to Headmaster Eliphas' office.

Oliver ushered me behind the office building, and we entered a side entrance I'd never seen before. He looked up and down the old rickety stairwell. "I think it's clear," he said. "Let's go!"

"Wait, where're we going?" I didn't like being dragged around campus without knowing what the hell was going on.

"You'll see," he said and moved. He noticed my frustration. "Aurelius' office."

"Stop," I said, feeling anxiety rising. "Why is Aurelius so interested in what's going on? Why does he always seem to be the one person trying to guide us?"

Oliver shrugged. "I don't know, ask him. All I know is we need help, and he's trying to help." Oliver stared at me for a moment and then lowered his tone. "I'm sorry. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I'm afraid I'm making it worse." "It's fine," I said and felt the weight of the world. The words chosen one rang over and over in my ear. I was the chosen one, but I was also the one on the run. Challis had straight up defeated everyone in her path. What the hell was I supposed to do?

When we got to the top of the steps, Oliver put a finger over his lips and moved his ear to the door. We could hear someone moving around on the other side. "We need to listen to what he has to say," Oliver said. "Don't just ignore his ideas." I nodded, and Oliver knocked on the door. He cleared his throat. "It's Oliver and Cassandra."

"Come," Aurelius said, agitation filling his voice.

Oliver eased the door open and grabbed my hand. His energy passed to my body and rejuvenated my soul. He didn't seem to notice the exchange of energy, his focus on pleasing Aurelius.

Aurelius stood from behind the desk. "Cassandra," he said. He held a letter in his left hand and used his right to hold the staff helping him stand. "I hear the night at the museum didn't turn out as planned."

"I would say that's a pretty good summary," I said. "I assume you heard it was Challis?"

Aurelius nodded. "No other would be so brazen."

"We tried," Oliver said. He looked at me and then back at Aurelius. "We just need a solid plan."

"The witch's powers are growing exponentially," Aurelius said. "We have to put a stop to her shenanigans before the academy pays the price." When Oliver's pocket started beeping, Aurelius shook his head and put his fingers over his temples as if trying to push away a headache. We were definitely wearing on him. Oliver removed the small handheld computer from his pocket, the slate of glass only a little larger than his hand. Wherever you found Oliver, you also found his glass computer. I smiled at the thought of him bringing it to bed.

I saw the surprise on Oliver's face and placed my hand on his arm. "What?" I asked, trying to steal a peek at his screen.

"I forgot about the tracking device," he said, his eyes wild with delight. Technomancy had been handed down in his family for generations. He could never explain how or why he knew so much about technology and how to use it as a power, only saying he'd take whatever power he could get. He mentioned in class one day his father was some big techie guy out west and played a role in the super train that went from New York City to Los Angeles, the ride taking less than two hours.

"Do you know where they are?" I asked. I grabbed the screen. He took the screen back and brought up an app that displayed a map. I peeked over his shoulder again.

He tapped a couple of links. "It needs to be calibrated," he said. "Most of the time I'm just winging my technology abilities." He tapped several buttons and then sighed in frustration. "I need some time."

While Oliver tapped angrily on the piece of glass, Kyler entered the small office, his face grim. He nodded at Oliver. "What's the brainiac doing?" Kyler smelled of sulfur from breathing fire as a dragon. I packed that tidbit away in the back of my brain.

"He's trying to track Braeden and Dash," I said. "The damn thing started beeping a minute ago."

"The signal is too weak," Oliver said. His tongue pushed against the inside of his left cheek as he concentrated, another habit that made him adorable.

"The students are pissed about the lockdown," Kyler said. "They think the lockdown is because Challis is after you." He looked at me and shrugged. "Everyone's out looking for you now."

"Great. Headmaster Eliphas has created a mob mentality," I said.

"Keep her here," Aurelius said and headed to the door. "I'm going down to see what I can do." He pointed at Oliver and said to Kyler, "See what you can do to help him." Aurelius left and closed the door behind him.

"That man is a ball of calm," I said. "You guys know what his story is? Why's he being so helpful without the academy knowing?"

Kyler shook his head and, to my surprise, so did Oliver. "I've tried to find information on the man," Oliver said. "But I got nothing. All we know is that The Council gave him the boot."

"It's okay," I said. "I'm just happy he's on our side." They said nothing. "You know, he didn't seem to be overly worried about the museum. Like he just assumed it would be a disaster. Oliver stole a glance at me. "What?" I insisted. "Nothing," Oliver said.

"Yeah, something," I replied. "What is it? You two think I could have really done something to prevent what went on down there?" Neither volunteered to reply. They were trying to protect my feelings.

"I'm gonna watch the door," Kyler said, finding a lame excuse out of the conversation. He left Oliver and I to look at the computer screen.

"I think I have it," Oliver said, and I leaned closer. Kyler stayed at the door. "I was able to calibrate and focus on their magical glow. It's weak, but I think I can track their movements."

I pointed at all the small glowing specks. "What are those?" I asked and moved a little closer.

"Um," Oliver said and ran his finger around his collar. "Those are witches and warlocks. I can pick up all the energy on the map. If there's a witch or warlock within two hundred miles, I should be able to see them on here."

I pointed at the glowing spot next to Braeden and Dash. "Has to be Challis," I said.

"But how can you be sure that's Braeden and Dash?" Kyler asked from the door.

Oliver looked at us, his face dire. "The color of the glow suggests they are in distress." "Amazing," I said.

This made Oliver glow. "It works off sonar radar," he said. "The computer is sending out thousands of sensors. When the sensors hit what they are calibrated for, they send back a message."

I leaned closer, and my shoulder touched his. His hair fell over his eyes, and I brushed it away. His body shuddered and I heard his stomach make a strange noise. I slipped the computer from his hands and placed it on the table. He looked from me to the computer and then back at me. I glanced over at Kyler and found him with a big smile. He was enjoying Oliver squirming. "Now," I said, "about last night."

"Yeah," Oliver said and swallowed hard. His stomach grumbled again, and he covered it with his hand. I loved his nervousness.

"Is there anything I could have done differently?" I asked. "Maybe a different spell or different stance. Did you see my leverage and my force?" His hair fell down again and I brushed it back over his head.

Oliver turned in his seat and cleared his throat. Our lips were just inches away from each other. The look in his eyes told me he was debating what he should do. He glanced at Kyler, but I kept my eyes on him. He shook his head. "I think you did everything you could have done, Cassandra. I..." His stomach grumbled again. "I watched your hips, I mean your stance and your behind, I mean your stance, and it all looked really good. I really liked what I saw." "That's good to hear, Oliver," I said. "I'm glad you liked what you saw." His bottom lip quivered, and he moved a bit closer. I placed my hand against his cheek. "So, you really liked what you saw?"

"I did, Cassandra," he said and his lip stopped quivering. I sensed his confidence beginning to take shape. All he needed was a little encouragement.

"Do you have any suggestions for next time?" I asked. "Something that might help me be a better fighter, a better witch so that you continue to really like what you see?"

Oliver nodded, but this time his stomach stayed quiet. "I think you can use bigger spells," he said. "You have to have the confidence, and it will be okay." He glanced at Kyler again. "We think you're just that kind of witch. You know, go big or go home."

"I've done that, and we've seen how that turned out in the past," I said. "Aren't you afraid there'll be a repeat?"

Oliver smiled. "I don't mind all the destruction and chaos," he said, blushing. "I think you have to be you, and whatever that is I'm happy with it." He glanced over at Kyler again. Something, maybe a plan, was building in his brain. "You're a larger-than-life witch. Like I said, go big or go home."

"So, you like when I break things?" I asked.

He nodded. "I do. But material things can be replaced. Emotions and broken hearts can't be." And then he put into action the plan he'd been building in his head. He quickly leaned toward me and crashed his lips against mine, quickly pulling back and gasping for air. He smiled so big I thought his face might break. I imagined he had a checklist of things he thought he had to do with me in order to progress toward sleeping with me. He seemed to be relieved the first thing was marked off.

"Thank you," I said and ran my hand along his cheek, his face turning red, his lips turning into a smile.

Over by the door, Kyler began clapping. "Well done, Oliver," he said. "Our brainiac is becoming a man." Oliver kissed me again.