Chapter 2
“Silence!” Theodora bellowed in a fierce and commanding voice. “I will have silence, or so help me Satan, I shall rob you all of your tongues!”
The room immediately fell deadly quiet, and the only subtle sounds I could perceive were soft, frantic breaths and the crackle of dwindling firelight. The air was filled with trepidation and a deep, unwavering sense of foreboding, and as I carefully studied the vast banquet hall, my heart fell at the sight of my fellow Wiccas. The students were pale-faced as they gazed unknowingly at one another with wide, fearful eyes and trembling lips. Theodora rarely spoke so harshly, but at this moment, I could not blame her for her sharp words or severe tone.
An unnerving silence continued to fill the void, but no one moved or dared to speak a word as Theodora knelt beside Olivia’s limp body.
I stared at the silver-haired professor splayed out on the marble floor with a broken goblet by her hand. Spilled, dark wine pooled around her head like a halo of blood, and without thinking, I found myself standing up from my table and approaching the headmistress and the unconscious Oliva.
“Cole, w-what are you doing?” Beatrix whispered from her seat. “You should sit down!”
I ignored the light-haired brunette and quickly approached the professors’ table. All the professors turned to look at me, and when Vanessa’s cold, icy-blue eyes met mine, her beautiful face curled up into a daunting scowl.
“Cole!” she snapped. “Get back to your seat, this is a matter for the professors to deal with.”
“No, it’s quite alright, Vanessa,” Headmistress Theodora affirmed as she sharply nodded in her daughter’s direction. “He may help if he wishes.”
The strict, dark-haired professor clamped her lips into a tight line and regarded me with contempt, but she knew better than to defy her mother’s demands, so she slowly sat back down in her seat and then turned her flushed face away from me.
“How can I help, Headmistress?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Let’s take Professor Olivia to the infirmary,” Theodora responded as she stared deeply into my eyes. She then turned to look at her daughter and snapped her fingers in a commanding manner when she realized Vanessa wasn’t even looking in her direction. “Vanessa, please ensure the students are seen safely back to their quarters. I’m afraid we will have to cut this celebration short.”
“Of course, Headmistress,” Vanessa answered in a respectful tone of voice.
“Come along, Cole,” Theodora ordered before she pulled out her intricately carved wand.
It took me a moment to realize her wand was different from what she used to carry. This rod was made of darker wood, perhaps ebony wood, and the handle bore a wolf’s head with a pair of raven wings wrapped around its crown. There were markings of various dialects carved deeply into the wood, and it would be easy to miss if one wasn’t looking closely enough.
For a moment, I thought about asking her why she owned a new wand, but now was neither the time nor the place.
“W-What happened?” Olivia asked in a weak voice as she fluttered her teal-blue eyes open. “Why am I on the floor?”
As her lively eyes darted back and forth in confusion and shock, I noticed the silver-haired Wicca had diamonds, or silver gems embedded into the corners of her eyes. She was even more stunning up close, even after suffering a temporary possession by an elder king. When her glassy eyes met mine, she opened her mouth to say something, but then Theodora placed a slender finger over the professor’s pale, cracked lips.
“Shhh,” Theodora purred in a gentle manner. “You were possessed, but do not worry. We shall take you to the infirmary. Just close your eyes and let yourself drift into a state of pure serenity.”
The silver-haired professor took in a deep, shaky breath before she closed her eyes and gently nodded.
Theodora looked at me for a quick moment and then rolled up her black sleeves before she aimed her wand at the silver-haired Wicca.
“Supervolo,” Theodora muttered with a steady hand and a stern voice.
I watched as Olivia’s limp body slowly rose up into the air and then began to drift toward the banquet hall doors, like a dead, dark angel rising to the heavens where she didn’t belong. The entire banquet hall watched as Theodora and I followed the hovering professor out the door and into the empty corridor. When the doors closed behind us, I could hear faint voices echoing from within, but then Vanessa’s shrill voice rang through the air, and all was silent once more.
“Will she be alright?” I asked Headmistress Theodora as my eyes stayed focused on the drifting professor.
“Yes,” Theodora answered without looking at me, “I have seen many possessions in my lifetime, and they do not last long… even if it stems from elder power. She will be on her feet in no time, with the proper care and brew, of course.”
“Thank Satan,” I muttered with relief.
As we passed by the prying portraits and glided down the hallways, I couldn’t help but think about the voice that erupted from the pale, pink lips of our new professor and member of the High-Court. That chilling, god-like voice sent violent shivers down my spine, but Satan knew I was filled with feral rage more than anything else. To me, the man was nothing but a fucking coward who feared our growing power and strength, and I vowed I’d do whatever it took to see him dead by my hand.
When we reached the dark infirmary, I quickly pulled out my wand and raised it above my head.
“Illuminana,” I muttered.
The room quickly lit up as the air grew warm, and the soothing scent of lavender and spiced brews filled the infirmary. For a moment, I was lost in the intoxicating and lovely aroma, but then I quickly shook my head and focused on the two women before me.
“Thank you, Cole,” Theodora said as she guided Olivia’s still hovering body over to a small, white cot. “Let’s place her over here by the window. I’m sure she will appreciate the warm light when it hits her at dawn.”
I watched carefully as the silver-haired professor’s body descended slowly onto the bed, and when her head hit the pillow, her teal eyes gently fluttered open. At first, she seemed confused, and it took her a long moment to remember why she was here.
“Oh, Satan,” Olivia grunted as she placed a pale hand over her slick forehead, “everything is such a haze… how long was I out for?”
“Try not to speak,” Theodora said in a soft and comforting voice. “I’ll bring you something for the pain.”
“T-Thank you, Headmistress,” Olivia coughed.
I remained by the foot of the bed while the headmistress drifted over to a tall armoire filled with various colored mixtures, withering weeds, unusual herbs, and peculiar potions. She mumbled to herself as she rummaged through the hundreds of different concoctions, and then finally, she picked out a vial of bright, tangerine-tinted bubbling brew.
“This should do the trick,” Theodora said before she locked the cluttered armoire and retreated back to the bed. “As soon as you drink this, you should be feeling as good as new.
The headmistress gently picked up Olivia’s head and brought the vial to the silver-haired witch’s trembling lips. The silver-haired professor began to greedily sip the concoction, like a wolf draining a baby lamb dry, and I watched with fascination as the color slowly returned to her cheeks, lips, and skin.
“Easy,” Theodora warned. “Do not choke on it, you know this is a powerful brew.”
“I know,” Olivia panted once she drank the potion and then licked her lips. “Thank you, Theodora. I truly appreciate it.”
“Of course,” the headmistress responded before she set the empty vial aside and then regarded the weakened Wicca. “Now, let’s get you into something more comfortable.”
Theodora took a small step back and flicked her wand, and then the pale pink dress Olivia wore quickly vanished and was replaced with a sheer, white nightgown. The fabric was completely see-through, and I did my best not to marvel at the silver-haired witch’s slender, pale body, and her full breasts with their rosy buds.
I averted my eyes when the exposed professor caught me staring and then turned my attention to the headmistress, and she smiled coyly in my direction.
“Come along, Cole, let’s retire to my office,” she instructed. “We have much to discuss.”
“Yes, Headmistress.” I nodded.
I followed Theodora out of the infirmary, and by the time we reached the doors, I could hear Olivia breathing in a steady rhythm, and I knew she was already in a deep, peaceful sleep. I didn’t really know anything about the silver-haired Wicca, but still, the fact she was resting and in no apparent danger or pain brought a relieved smile to my face. Yet, a small part of me pitied her. This was her first night in the castle, and she was already suffering from the elders’ wrath. The thought made my blood boil, and my smile quickly died as I balled my fists by my side.
Who did those elder fuckers think they were?
“She will be fine,” Theodora repeated as if she could read my mind.
“Of course, she will be,” I remarked as we headed down the corridors. “She’s in your hands.”
“I appreciate your faith in me, Cole,” the headmistress answered after a pregnant silence. “To be honest… after my vision failed me, and I was rendered unconscious by that general bastard, I feared my students, the professors, and the High-Court would not regard me in the same light.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “You know your women are loyal to you, as my coven is loyal to me.”
“Your words are filled with comfort, Cole,” she sighed, “and I want to believe your every word, but you must understand from my point of view… I am in a precarious situation.”
“Are your powers weakening?” I asked without thinking, and when the words left my lips, I immediately regretted them. “I… I meant no disrespect, Headmistress. I am simply asking you out of concern for your well-being.”
“No,” she answered after a moment, “at least, I do not feel my power waning in any way, shape, or form. But at times… I fear the High-Court might be questioning my abilities… I fear they believe I am diminishing from this world, and that soon, it will be time to find a new Headmistress.”
“Why?” I demanded in a sharp tone. “After everything you’ve done to protect Scholomance? How dare they!”
Theodora softly chuckled under her breath and then turned to face me as we stood before her office doors.
“My dear Cole,” she whispered as she placed a warm hand on my face. “Do not worry about me. I can fend for myself. And as I said… it is only a feeling. I have no concrete evidence they are planning to replace me anytime soon.”
“But--” I began, but she raised a hand to cut me off.
“We will discuss it no further,” she ordered. “I have other things that need your undivided attention. Understood?”
“Yes, Headmistress,” I sighed in defeat before she whirled around and pushed her grand office doors open.
“Come and take a seat by the fire,” Theodora ordered in a firm voice. “Would you care for a glass of spiced wine or a cup of rosewood tea?”
“No, thank you.” I shook my head.
“Suit yourself,” she answered with a half-smile before she poured herself a full goblet of dark wine.
My heart thumped like a hummingbird’s wings as I sat down in a red velvet chair by the warm fireplace and then waited for Theodora to take a seat beside me. I observed her as she took a hearty sip of wine and then slowly paced around the room as if she were preparing a speech in her head. I remained still and patient as she continued to nervously stride around the office, but it started to grate on my nerves after a while.
“Headmistress…” I said after I couldn’t bear the silent tension any longer. “Whatever it is you need to say, I think it would be better if you just told me.”
She chuckled bitterly before taking another deep sip of wine and then setting the goblet down on her desk. She smoothed out her skirts and pushed back a loose curl that fell over her exhausted and white-washed face. Finally, her pale-blue eyes slowly lifted to meet mine, and she let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
“Well,” she began, “as you and the rest of the academy know, we are now dealing with an even greater threat. That voice you heard… it was the voice of King Donovan. He is considered one of the most powerful elders in all the realms, and now, he has obviously set his sights on Scholomance… and on you, Cole. Something tells me he knows of your great power.”
I took a deep breath and then studied my hands. I tried to find the right words, but nothing of real comfort came to mind. At last, I regarded the headstrong headmistress and forced myself to smile at her.
“Look, Headmistress,” I said with as much ease as I could muster. “I know you have your fears and concerns… they are valid and stem from sensible reasons, but think about it. We’ve faced the elders once…. surely, we can do it again. We cannot let them hold any power over us, and that includes fear.”
“I admire your faith and determination, dear Cole,” Theodora answered with a small smile, “but we’re facing more than just an army. King Donovan will do anything and everything within his power to see us fall.”
“So, let him try,” I replied with my chin raised. “We’ll kill him, just as we killed his fucking general and his men.”
“This will be different,” Theodora sighed. “I can feel it. The man will stop at nothing to see our defeat. You heard him yourself… his voice was filled with bloodthirst and fortitude. I’m sure he’s already recruiting more followers as we speak. No doubt of magical and non-magical blood.”
I swallowed hard before I responded. I knew she was right, and deep down, I knew we were just one school against a growing, deadly regime. Yes, we built our army, but surely, it wouldn’t be enough to stop such a powerful king.
“Then, what do you propose, Headmistress?” I questioned. “I know you have an idea.”
“I do.” She nodded. “I want to expand Scholomance.”
“You mean, you want more students?” I inquired. “Where else can we find them? We’ve already bled the holy graves dry, and I doubt other academies are just going to give up their students.”
“I’m not only looking for new students,” Theodora answered before she began to pace around the room again. She folded her hands behind her back and then raised her chin up into the air, like an elegant swan searching for her ducklings. “I want to recruit all kinds of soldiers and followers. King Donovan will seek to build his own armies through mortal villages, powerful kingdoms, and even other Wicca or warlock academies who have strayed from their true faith. We must be clever and subtle in our own method of recruitment.”
“I see,” I answered as I rubbed my chin. “Well, I will do everything in my power to abide by your wishes, and we will see King Donovan fall to his death. No matter what it takes, we will see the Wiccas of Scholomance grow, and we will continue to practice ancient magic against the elders. I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”
“I know you will,” she replied. “I have all my faith in you… however, it is crucial to remember that although King Donovan is one of the most powerful elder kings to walk the realms, he is one of many. His death would be a victory, but alas, it would only be one chess piece eliminated.”
“I understand,” I said as I stood up from my seat, “but as you always say, let’s focus on one threat at a time. What do you need me to do right now? Just say the word, and I will gladly abide by your wishes.”
Theodora flashed me a warm smile before she turned to look at the hearth with its glowing flames that cast towering shadows across the rug. The bright inferno crackled loudly as she studied the colors and curls of the fire, and then finally, she gazed upon me once more.
“At this moment, we need the academy to rest and recover,” she answered with a small nod. “The students need their full strength before they can return to advanced lessons. However, there is something I need from you and your coven. Something that isn’t directly related to King Donovan, but it’s still just as important.”
“What is it?” I asked in a rushed voice.
“So eager,” she responded with the same serene smile, but there was deep concern lingering behind her pale blue eyes.
I watched as she stopped pacing and then swiftly turned to her fireplace. She began to rearrange the artifacts on the mantelpiece, including the golden clock, the silver candelabra, and the small black owl statue. When the knick-knacks were moved, the flames abruptly died, and then the empty hearth made a deep, rumbling sound as the stones began to organize themselves into various positions. The fireplace quickly and neatly split itself in two, and before us laid the small, dark tunnel where she stored the ancient books.
“Wait here,” Theodora ordered in a firm voice.
I nodded, and an icy breeze swept through the room as I waited patiently for Theodora to step inside her fireplace. The headmistress swiftly crept inside the dank space, and I could hear her muttering to herself while she retrieved whichever book she searched for. Finally, she emerged from the opening, and in her hands, she held a deep, emerald green book I’d never seen before.
“What--?” I started to ask, but she placed a slender finger against her lips.
“Just wait,” she answered before she flipped furiously through the pages. “Ah, here it is.”
She strolled over to me and then gently placed the open book down on my lap. I stared down at the page and found myself looking at a picture of a melon-sized stone with a shimmering black texture and small, diamond-like gems embedded inside the heart of the oversized artifact.
“Do you recognize it?” Theodora asked after a moment.
“It almost resembles the…” I trailed off, and then I raised my eyes to meet hers. “It’s a Defero stone. Isn’t it?”
“The third and final one,” she remarked before she took the book from my hands. “I need you and your coven to retrieve it and bring it safely back to Scholomance before King Donovan or any of his followers get their hands on it.”
“Satan,” I breathed as I remembered how grueling it was to retrieve the other two stones.
We’d been on countless life-threatening missions before, but every time we sought out one of Theodora’s precious stones, it was within the dwelling of a Wicca-loathing village or kingdom with a ruthless leader and imbecilic citizens. As I stared deeply into Theodora’s eyes, I knew I didn’t have a choice. Moreover, why would I want to deny her wishes? She was my headmistress, and we were in this together.
“Cole?” she asked after a moment. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m just wondering,” I said, “when do we leave?”
“Tonight,” she responded with a small sigh.
I blinked hard at the headmistress and then took a deep breath. I shouldn’t have been surprised at the urgency, but I still wondered who or what she was resurrecting. I was loyal to her, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t curious.
“Headmistress,” I began, “I know what the sole purpose of the Defero stones is… I don’t suppose you’re ready to finally tell me who or what you are retrieving from the land of purgatory?”
“No, Cole,” she responded in a soft voice. “I’m afraid there are still some secrets I must keep from you, but I swear, it is for your own benefit. One day, you will thank me for this, but for now, I just need you to trust me, as you have always done.”
“Alright,” I said with a broad grin, “since that’s out of the way… where are we going?”