The Academies: Curse of Hekate

Cinnia gazed, rather shocked, at the perfect imprint of a bite mark at the base of her sister’s neck. Sharp teeth had sunk into the flesh where neck meets shoulder, and she did her absolute best not to show her horror. The wound still looked raw and bloody, although it had stopped bleeding. But by all that is living, it really did look nasty.

If the amused looks she received from the both of them was anything to go by, she probably looked as though she had just swallowed a lemon. She gave up trying to hide her reaction, it didn’t appear to have worked in the first place.

“Oh I give up! Here it comes.” She could no longer keep the words at bay, soon they would flow out of her mouth like a waterfall.She took a sharp breath and managed, with great effort, to rip her eyes away from the grotesque wound. Without hesitation she turned to Andrej and pointed a finger at him.

“I am warning you now, if you hurt my sister more than-” she made a vague gesture at Briettas neck “that” she continued before turning to her sister. She cut off her own monolog to add “And don’t tell me it did not hurt, I see how deep it goes.” when she saw the look on Briettas face.

“Anyway, if you inflict more hurt then I will personally make sure that you are castrated, am I being clear?” She gave the man, beast- call him what you will, an expectant look. She did not care that he was, supposedly, some kind of soulmate to Brietta.He held up his hands in a disarming manner and gave her a lopsided grin.

“As crystal.” He then lowered himself so that his mouth was next to Briettas ear, and whispered loudly enough so that Cinnia could hear too. “I like your sister’s sense of humor.” The sisters locked gazes and Brietta chuckled before she spoke.

“She’s being sincere.” Her words seemed to make it dawn on him, and for a moment he looked at her with surprise. Cinnia could not help but to raise a brow when he made the involuntary gesture to protect his… Balls.

Quite satisfied with the outcome of their first meeting she excused herself. She had a couple of scrolls that were due down back in the catacombs. As she turned around a corner and out of their sight she could hear Andrejs voice once more.

“Is it a general trait in your family to be so straightforward?” Her low laughter melted together with that of her sister, and the sound echoed ominously between the old castle’s stonewalls.

The Academy of Blocksberg was a castle completely made out of stone. As a legacy from times past it was complete with underground catacombs far below, a water-filled moat and a drawbridge. Its high turrets would disappear in the lowly hung clouds that sometimes swept this highground like a mist.

The catacombs were one of Cinnias favorite places, believe it or not. Instead of housing the dead, these catacombs held magic. Magic written down in grimoires or ingredients for rituals, spells and potions.She had spent the better part of her time down there since she enrolled at the academy two years ago. These labyrinths were as familiar as the back of her hand by now.Usually the students didn’t gain access to the catacombs until their third year, but then again- she was the headmistress’s daughter. And she wasn’t just any witch.

The heels of her shoes clattered against the floors, leaving a trail of echoes in her wake. With everything made of stone one could not move without making noise down here. The smallest of sounds were picked up and traveled distances it normally wouldn’t.

Therefore she also knew that she was not alone. She rolled her eyes at the person trying to conceal their presence. Without revealing that she was highly aware of them sneaking closer, she continued to place back the scrolls she had lent earlier.

A huge book called for her attention, she pulled it out and began to flip its pages rather scatter minded. An old archive.Its pages were obviously blank, but that wasn’t something her stalker was aware of.

“Come out whenever you’re ready, I know you are there.” A resigned sigh and a few, lightly stumping steps later he stood in front of her.She almost laughed at his sullen expression.

“Time to confess now- you have placed a spell on yourself which makes it impossible to sneak up on you, haven’t you?” His claims actually succeeded in luring her to release her contained laugh. He was one of the few people who were open and straightforward with her. Something she appreciated more than she would ever voice.

“I don’t know, Abel. You tell me- is that something I would do?” She flashed him a teasing smile, well aware of what he thought and what he would say. They were not always the same.

“Absolutely. You can’t accept that someone would be better than you at anything.” They locked eyes and stared at each other unwaverly for a few moments.Then his eyes softened and he continued.

“That you are better than anyone else at everything, that is another thing entirely.” She did not miss the suggestive tone of his words, or the anuedo either. It made her laugh for the second time before she gasped rather dramatically.

“Oh Abel, don’t tell me that you’re coming over to the dark side?” She let her hand travel over his chest, slowly. When he suddenly placed his hand over hers, she raised her eyes to his again. They were full of mischief and something she couldn’t quite pinpoint.

“Sometimes when I see you- I seriously doubt myself.” Had it been anybody but Abel, she might’ve believed them. But they both knew how things really were with them, and especially with Abel.

They dismissed the teasing game as quickly as it arose and went through subject after subject. Talking to Abel was the best kind of therapy. She knew, of course, that he had sought her out with a purpose in mind. He always did.She pretended to be ignorant of it, but she found comfort in his quiet solidarity. Although, they were anything but quiet.

Since this year was the year they officially gained access to the catacombs, it meant that Abel was completely green with it all. She didn’t mind showing him around and teaching him about the different systems they used to catalog everything.He was as quick of a study as ever, it would only be a matter of days before he learnt the hang of it.

Time passed without either of them noticing as they walked among dusty old scrolls, grimoires and jars with suspicious contents. Just as Cinnia began to describe the old archives, and the way they worked, the bells started to chime.

In some ways, Blocksberg was like a boarding school. That they had set times for meals was one example, even on free days.It wasn’t until they reached the ground level and saw the dark sky that they realized how much time had passed. They had walked the labyrinths since noon.

As they stepped into the giant hall where the meals were served all eyes instantly went to her. She never made a scene of it, but by now she was very tired of the prying eyes trailing her every movement.She could practically feel Abel glare at them, and those who found themselves caught in the act instantly looked away. When they reached their usual table she gave him a thankful look.

Lately he seemed to have made it a mission to make her laugh more, or atleast smile. The progress was slow, but he was way too entertaining to be unsuccessful.After all, she had a reputation of being cold and distant. It was quite right, well, the part of her being distant at least. And she never did much to change their minds about her; their opinions didn’t matter in the slightest.

Shortly after they had seated themselves they were joined by Brietta and Andrej. Who, by the way, seemed to be glued together, she noticed with amusement. She was more than pleased that her sister had gotten herself such a terrifying protector.

These thoughts awakened a few questions, she tilted her head and looked between them. Andrej was royal, a lycan prince actually. He must have royal commitments, no?

“I have been wondering, you mustn’t answer if you don’t want to but… Andrej is a prince, he has certain expectations to live up to. Surely you can’t stay here at the academy until Briettas studies are finished? How are you going to manage it all?” Her sisters’ confusion was plain as day, and it seemed that Andrej was not better off.

“What do you mean?” She had anticipated Briettas question.

“When he has to travel? I’m sure those travels can be quite lengthy, right?” She looked at him for confirmation, the look on his face spoke the words he did not. She gathered that they had not thought this far and looked down at her plate before she smiled and rolled her eyes.After all, they had been caught up in the moment, or some other bullshit Brietta had spluttered out.

“Anyway, I might have a solution for this predicament.” She told them about what she had thought about during the day. It could be disastrous for Brietta to miss her lectures, sort of. Especially with her gifts. She needed to get them under control and understand them. Cinnia would not have her sister repeat her mistakes.

Seeing these two together ruled out the possibility of them spending much time without each other. So that left them with the ideas she had thought of.

“I shall tutor you Brietta, I already know mother is planning something along the lines of that. We basically already have permission for that. However, there is another part I have doubts about…” It should be allowed, Cinnia had already finished her studies. The only reason she was still at the academy was to search for more answers.That, and the classes she was going to teach. They were few and far inbetween so it should be possible at the very least.

“You are being quite cryptic, just out with it Cinnia.” The expectant, and rather excited look in Abels eyes was the push that was needed.

“When Andrej leaves, and I know you will go with him, I shall come too. Your magic needs discipline and practice, so I can’t see any other solution.” The squeal that left Briettas lips made people stare at them again, but neither of them noticed.With movements faster than she thought Brietta capable of, her sister rounded the table and threw her arms around Cinnia.

“Oh! This is just perfect, did you hear her Andrej?” She quickly went back to her chair, almost vibrating with energy.

“But I thought you didn’t like ‘the beasts’, as you call them. How are you to manage?” Leave it to Abel to point out the sole problem with her plans.

“Oh shush, I can tolerate them just fine. Am I not being civil to Andrej?” She watched him from the corner of her eyes, he seemed to be struggling not to smile.

“Well… You did threaten to cut off his dick the very first time you met him, sooo…” Abel gasped at Briettas words, and then they both released their laughter. All at her expense, but she didn’t mind. Not when it was true.

“I must say, I always knew you were violent Cinnia. This is great.” He wiped a tear from his eyes, and their conversation sailed on calmer waters after that.

When the evening meal ended, and everyone went back to their rooms, their group lingered. It had been a good while since Cinnia had felt her spirit to be this light.

But as with all good things, it had to end. Her room was situated with the teachers, since she was no longer a student. And while the others walked back together, she went off alone after their goodbyes.

The torches lit her way, the flickering flames made the shadows come alive. They moved across the walls and ceilings, always at the ready to frighten those who were easily scared. She was not one of them.

A few of them moved off of the wall and found themselves in her way, it was nothing more than a featherlight caress of a presence. If even that, they were simply more like the lack of light and they had been her constant companions throughout life.

Knowing what was coming next, she steeled herself ready. All at once they threw themselves at her, with more coming her way. She took a deep breath and continued her walk, letting the black flames engulf her like an embrace of darkness.