Chapter 1
My Aunt Mary had awoken me in the middle of the night. She had instructed me to get dressed and pack my suitcase. I was used to nightly packing and moving at random times of the night by now. But there was a look in her eyes. Something was dire this time. Were we being hunted by people who she had burned bridges with in the past? I couldn’t tell you. My name is Binella Born. I’m seventeen years old. I have long dark hair, a slim body frame, and am pretty.
“They found us!” she spoke with fear in her voice. She held a clear quartz crystal in her right hand. She tossed it into the air. To my surprise, it transformed into a glass door. She pulled on the handle, and it opened. “Don’t just stand there,” she grew stern with me. “Hurry and go inside!”
“What the hell?” I asked as I held my two suitcases in my hands by the handles. She pushed me through the door, and I stumbled as I caught my balance. “Where does this lead to?”
“Somewhere you will be safe.” She grabbed the crystal she wore around her neck and tossed it to me before she closed the door. “Your parents will wait for you once you reach-”
They cut her words off as someone stabbed her from behind. My eyes widened in shock, and my mouth hung halfway open as I watched helplessly.
“Where is the girl, Agatha?” A man dressed in a black business suit and dark sunglasses asked her casually.
“Somewhere you will never find her,” my aunt spoke in a weak voice as blood dripped out of the corner of her mouth. “Now let me die in peace.”
“The girl is gone,” the man spoke into his earpiece. “I’ll search the city and bring her in.” He turned and exited the room.
“Aunt Mary!” I screamed in panic as I struggled to pull open the door. They made the knob of glass and wouldn’t turn!
“No, Binella,” she shook her head as she locked eyes with me. “You must go to the Holiday Academy… they cannot get to you there.”
“I can’t leave you!” I cried as I banged my fists against the cold glass.
“Go!” she screamed. “You are the last of the Tower Watchers!”
The glass spun around, and I was in an elevator made of pure glass. It came to a stop, and I heard a clicking sound. I hesitantly turned the knob, and to my surprise, it opened. I pushed the door and quickly grabbed my suitcases, and walked onto the dark street. The lamps were on. I turned around, and the door had vanished. I was all alone. Or at least I thought I was.
“You must be Binella Born,” a cool female voice spoke from in front of me. I yelped in surprise as I turned and looked at her. “Come inside the academy where you will be safe from the Holiday Slayers.” She whispered in such a quiet voice that I barely heard her.
“After you.” I forced a smile as I followed her up the path and through the tall metal gates. There was a barrier that was blue that we easily passed through. I looked up at the enormous building. I read the name to myself.
SILVERMOON HOLIDAY ACADEMY
“My name is Valentina Valentine,” she smiled warmly at me. “The headmaster has been waiting to meet you since you were a young child.”
“Really?” I asked as we trotted up the steps. She pulled open the heavy wooden door, and I quickly entered the building. She followed suit, and I followed her up the hall. I followed her inside as she stopped at the office. She knocked on a door and opened it.
“Go on in,” she nudged her head. “He doesn’t bite… much.”
I gave her a peculiar look as I walked through the door.
“Binella Born,” a tall, thin man spoke as he was filling out paperwork on his desk. He didn’t glance up at me as he spoke. “We have been expecting your arrival at our prestigious academy.”
“I don’t know you people,” I replied. “I don’t know how you know me?”
“I know your father,” he went on. “He is the most powerful warlock among our community.”
“My father is alive?” I asked in utter shock. “How can that be?”
“Hello Binella,” a friendly male voice spoke from behind me. I spun around to see a tall, muscular man with graying short hair, purple eyes, a long, slim bridged nose staring back at me. “My name is Ward Mumme… I am your biological father.”
“So,” I started, as I was unsure what the hell was happening in my life. “I’m a witch?”
“That is correct,” Ward nodded curtly. “Our family is to watch the clock tower and the ball dropping on New Year’s Day.”
“This all-sounds ridicules,” I scoffed. “You can’t possibly be saying we dedicate this entire city to holidays, are you?”
“It is,” the headmaster spoke as I turned and looked at him. “Welcome to Silvermoon Holiday Academy, Miss. Mumme.”
I had entered a world I hadn’t known existed.
A world where holidays are celebrated regularly.
The life I was living as a mundane was over.
My life as a witch was about to begin.
