The Curse (H. Academy Series #1)

After spending hours in the main hall, we were released to our rooms. The threat was gone and there wasn’t any strange activity present in the Academy. Still, I didn’t feel safe. The aura of the air seemed odd, like something was still watching, waiting.

All they told us in the end was that someone, or something, killed one of our own. An innocent girl, on her way to get books from the library. She was a first grader, barely familiar with witchcraft, enthusiastic about her first day. And now she was gone, just like that.

Melancholy lingered in my room as Morta, Amma and I sat quietly on the bed, browsing through the huge books on demonic activity.

“I don’t see why would a demon be interested in an inexperienced witch that didn’t know anything about the craft.” Amma said, fear colouring her voice. She was taking it well, though, for someone who didn’t know witches existed three months ago.

“Demons work in mysterious ways.” Morta flipped through the Demonology book. We hoped some answers could be hiding inside.

“Is he going to attack again?” Amma whined.

“Probably.” Morta shrugged and I slapped her on the shoulder. “Ouch!”

“Don’t listen to her, Amma.” I said even though I knew Morta was most likely right. Amma believed her, streams of tears fell down her makeup free face and her eyes became that much bluer.

“I didn’t sign up for this.” She shook her head roughly. “I thought I would be learning about love potions and good luck charms, not demons and the forces of evil!”

“That’s witchcraft for you. All gloom and doom.” Morta flipped another page.

“Amma, listen to me.” I used my stern voice, hoping I was more persuasive than Morta. “They will keep us safe. We may not know much about witchcraft, but the teachers do. And something like this cannot happen twice. The protection around the school will be strengthened and we will be safe.”

“Promise?” Amma wiped her tears, but she was nowhere near convinced.

“I promise.”

“Liar.” Morta interrupted.

“What is your problem?” I snapped back. “I’m trying to prevent panic, because if we succumb to that, no protection will help us.”

“Maybe you should tell us what Thar Adara told you. Maybe then I’d believe you’re trying to prevent panic.” Morta closed the book abruptly and looked straight into my face.

“I told you everything.” And I did, the girl found that dead had her heart completely burnt. That was the truth, it was everything they knew and everything I managed to find out.

“You’re lying. I can tell.” Morta squinted. “You’re keeping something from us, your eyes are darting to your wrist and I’ve seen you pull down your shirt every time someone casts a glance. When you returned from speaking to Thar, your expression was haunted. Something bothered you and it wasn’t just the fact the girl was found dead.”

“Didn’t think you were so perceptive.” I admitted.

“Yeah, well, when you’re not so preoccupied with your own problems, you tend to see things others are trying to hide.” Morta arched her eyebrow, while Amma’s gaze switched between Morta and me.

I took in a deep breath, knowing full well I met these girls today and our relationship was nowhere near the trust I needed to feel. But something kept tugging in the back of my head, telling me someone else should know my secrets. Telling me it was safer to speak, because silence just might kill me.

“You’ve heard rumours about my family, right?” I asked, my fingers found the hem of my shirt and I began playing with it.

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Ah, fine.” I began. “My grandmother got herself into some nasty business. She was a very powerful witch and an Arch Mage twenty years ago.” I bit my tongue, thinking of ways to continue. “We don’t know much about the things she did. I mean, there are rumours, but no one knows the actual truth. My father investigated thoroughly after her demise, but he didn’t find much.”

“The rumours are pretty nasty.” Morta mentioned.

“Yes, well, so is the truth. What we know for certain is that she invoked a demon. Which one, I don’t know. We found the spells in her journal that suggested she made a deal, selling her own soul to it. I know people whisper that she did it for her own power and youth, but she got nothing from the deal. Barely a month after, she was found dead.” I lowered my voice for no reason, afraid that the shadows would hear me.

“People are saying she sold your soul to the demon.” Morta emphasized and looked at me.

“I was a new-born at the time.” Fidgeting on the bed, I pulled up the sleeve of my right hand. “Apparently, this showed up on my wrist the moment she died.” The girls leaned towards me and stared at the black pentagram with one point filled with ink.

“That’s scary.” Amma searched my face, but I blankly stared at the sign.

“It’s also not a demonic symbol.” Morta murmured. “A five-point star? That’s common witchcraft, it’s a sign of elemental magic.”

“I know.” I nodded. “But, the thing was empty three months ago. Now, one of the points is filled.” Morta and I kept eye-contact, both of us understanding this was way out of our league.

“Did you tell anyone?” Morta whispered, a hint of concern creating lines on her face.

“My parents know. My dad has been doing everything he can to find out what it means. Maybe it’s just a freak coincidence. But yeah, the rumours are partially true.” I shrugged.

“How is your grandma connected to the murder at H. Academy?” Amma’s lip quivered as she remembered what we were dealing with.

“When the demon came to claim my grandmother’s soul, her heart burnt out, turned to ashes.” I expected the silence that followed. Having a colleague murdered was one thing, having them murdered by a certain demonic entity was worse.

“Okay, so two possibilities. Either the first grader, who didn’t know jack shit about magic, managed to sell her soul to the demon, or, your grandmother and this case are connected.” Morta nodded and flung the book across the room, it hit the wall and then the floor with two dull thuds. “Solved.”

“So, that’s all I know.” I threw myself on the bed, enjoying the soft fabric under me. If nothing else, sleeping here was like sleeping on clouds.

“We should stay out of it until we know more.” Amma’s voice sounded nervous and it was easy to understand her. Morta and I were born in families that dealt with all kinds of strange situations, from death threats to demonic activity. But Amma’s family’s biggest problem was probably whether to take the Mercedes or the Jaguar.

“On the contrary, I think we should meddle until we find out more.” Morta suggested, she searched for confirmation on our face.

“Oh, we’ll definitely meddle.” I nodded.

“Yes!” Morta smiled wickedly, but the smile faltered as the doorbell rang and all three of us looked to the hallway.

“It’s just me.” Eugene appeared on the doorstep of my room, wearing a flannel black shirt and tight black pants, which made him look elegant. “I sent a text, but you didn’t answer.” He told Morta.

“Sorry, we were braiding each other’s hair.” Morta’s expression was blank and I chuckled.

“There’s party in the eastern wing, where the poor people are.” Eugene’s lips twisted in a smirk. “You three should come, it’s the annual party for first year students. You know, to show what this school is really like.”

“Oh, I don’t really feel like partying.” Amma whined. “Not after everything.”

“How come the party isn’t cancelled?” I asked.

“Do you think this is the first time someone had died on campus?” Morta arched her eyebrow.

“I can’t believe I came to this school.” Amma looked my way, probably searching for comfort.

“I actually want a drink.” I murmured. “I’ve had enough black magic and death for one day. Get me booze and music.” Immediately, I hopped off my bed and proceeded to the closet.

“Are we changing? I don’t feel like leaving this bodysuit ever.” Morta appeared next to me and we both stared at each other in the mirror. With Amma showing up moments after, we truly were an interesting trio.

“Let’s just go like this.” I nodded, liking the way my skirt hugged my hips.

“Are you sure going is appropriate?” Amma’s eyes widened and in her vintage dress, she looked extremely innocent.

“The dead don’t care.” Morta said.

We gathered our stuff and proceeded to the eastern wing. I needed a distraction after everything that happened today. Somewhere deep in my bones, I felt nervous, a sense of premonition crawled up my spine. This party might be one of the rare opportunities to let loose. If nothing, once the studying kicked in, no one would have the time or energy.

The party was held in the huge living room that mimicked the one we head in the western wing. Except, this one was crowded with people instead of furniture. My eyes darted between the water witches, sitting inside circle, carefully lined up with algae and seashells, and the earth witches in their own circle, lined up with thorns and leaves, next to them. Two pentagrams were drawn inside the circles and above, sparks in different colours flew, creating a sort of light show.

Music circulated through the huge room, a mysterious, unknown tune. My body felt compelled to dance and I wondered whether this was some witchy, nifty trick.

On the dancefloor, in the middle, half naked bodies swung to the rhythm, drawing me in, making me wish I could forget everything for just a moment.

“Oh, look! A tarot reading!” Amma squeaked next to me.

“Don’t bother. Spirit witches are pretending they know something when in reality, none of them had the right training, except for a few elective subjects.” Morta puffed.

“Let’s get a drink.” I suggested.

“Oh, you have to try the witch’s brew.” Eugene rubbed his hands together and led me to the bar. Drinks of all kinds of colours flashed before my eyes and every single one of them looked suspicious.

“What’s in it?” I asked, barely hearing my own voice now that we’ve come closer to the dancefloor.

“It’s basically vodka with everything.” Eugene ordered two and passed one over to me. I sniffed the greenish liquid and took a sip. It wasted like a very strong, fruity tea.

“It’s not that good.”

“It’s vodka with everything. It gets you drunk in no time.” Eugene winked and downed his glass, ordering another. My eyes shot back to the dancefloor and I took in the students.

Long, wavy hairs, exposed breasts and half-open mouths stared back at me. The spell must’ve been strong because they didn’t seem to mind everyone was watching them. Seductive glances invited me to the dancefloor, promising a night I would never forget.

“The dancefloor is charmed, isn’t it?” I asked Eugene, his eyes were glued to the floor as well as mine. I saw the temptation in his eyes, the desire, plainly sexual.

“Witches are kinky.” He winked at me. “It’s a very simple spell, requires lavender and a strong libido. Bunch of horny, young witches and mages are enough to keep the spell at its peak all night.”

Knowing what this meant, I turned to him with a smirk on my lips: “When does it turn into an orgy?”

“Around two in the morning.” He offered a wide smile. “Do you want to dance?” The way he asked sounded like an invitation to bed.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend?” I shot back, but felt my cheeks rising. I’ve never been in close contact with a love charm before, but I knew they were all just lust charms in disguise. That was why they never worked.

“Dean’s already there.” Eugene nodded towards the centre of the room. Dean was bare-chested, surrounded by three girls. The redhead was already kissing him, her luscious lips wet and open.

Then I realised, it was Amma.

“Oh, my Goddess!” I laughed out loud as mortified Morta joined us with a surprised look on her face.

“I leave her alone for one second and she’s already locking lips with a gay dude.” This was the first real grin I’ve seen on Morta’s face.

“Leave her be, she’s new around here.” I said through the laughter. “And she’s going to regret this deeply in the morning.”

“Come on, Jade, let’s join the dancefloor.” Eugene offered a hand, but I shook my head firmly.

“I’m gonna stay here with Morta.”

“I wouldn’t mind dancing with you, Jade.” Morta downed a drink, but I shook my head again, this time through laughter. Not that I wouldn’t want to experience a strong lust charm at some point, but there were too many strangers around me and I didn’t feel like letting down my guard.

“Someone took it far considering it’s not even midnight.” Eugene subtly pointed towards the darkened corner of the room and I followed his gaze.

On a leather couch, that probably belonged in the middle of the room, Bella sat. Her hand was shamelessly searching the inside of Leon’s pants, while his tongue darted across her neck. An auburn-haired, unfamiliar boy sat next to them, staring intensively, caressing Bella’s exposed nipple.

“Well, fuck me.” I murmured, but I felt the tingle spread through my body. A part of me knew it was the lust charm affecting me, but another part wondered whether somewhere deep down, I wanted this sort of carefreeness.

“Shy is not the word you’d find in her bio.” Morta chuckled, but I couldn’t avert my gaze. As if he sensed it, Leon opened his eyes and looked straight into mine, the stare intensifying, inviting me. Not knowing why, I kept our gazes locked, tempting him to look away. I wanted him to know I didn’t shy away from confrontation, of any kind.

But Bella noticed and her hand abruptly left Leon’s pants and found its way to his cheek, slapping him so hard that his head swung back.

“Ouch!” Eugene, Morta and I said at the same time, wincing visibly. Bella was already up, marching towards me, the anger in her eyes flaring. What was even worse, her hands made signs as she approached, and my breath got caught in my throat. The liquor suddenly burnt, stopping somewhere on its way to my stomach. The sensation was so strong that I wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

“Bella, stop!” Leon’s voice was louder than the music, but I couldn’t focus, still battling for air. She was attacking me, Goddess damn her. Eugene grabbed me in a Heimlich’s manoeuvre and I felt pressure on my abdomen. There was nothing stuck in my body, so it didn’t help. Knowing I would pass out soon if she didn’t stop, I formed words in my head.

The pressure is high and needs to drop now, silence my cry and make this bitch bow.

Bella’s shin bone broke before my eyes, she collapsed on the ground. A horrifying scream left her mouth, her concentration broke and I took a deep breath, the taste of air soothing my tortured lungs.

The music stopped abruptly, destroying the hazy atmosphere. The only sound that remained was Bella’s scream. I looked at the blood pouring out of her leg and the ivory bone that stuck out. The stench of her blood filled the room and my wide eyes searched for understanding on the other students’ faces.

But the only thing they found was an angry Thar Adara, staring straight into me.