Page 9 of Magical Mischief

Sure, she’d managed to walk all over the Academy’s property as a fox, but what about stepping inside? I didn’t want Bella thrown a mile away.

I desperately wanted to believe Bella had been called and that it wasn’t just her fox form that could slip through the Academy’s Wards. We needed teachers, and she seemed extremely forthcoming with information. That’s perfect for a teacher.

Inside, my thoughts tumbled over one another.

Should I tell Grandma Elira that her son was never killed and about his current kidnapping? Should I confess the details of the brutal fight with Malore that had shaken us all? Confirm that her husband wasn’t a good man.

She seemed to know that already.

And then, the great doors creaked open before us. An amber glow spilled into the snowy night, and a gentle, resonant buzz of ancient magic filled the air, welcoming us inside.

Bella was our first teacher.

In that moment, every worry seemed to dissolve into the welcoming light. I stepped inside, and as the door closed behind us, a sense of calm washed over me.

It was as if the very heart of the Academy embraced us.

Both of us.

The Academy silently promised that, despite the chaos outside, a sanctuary would be found here.

And that needed to be expanded. I felt it deep in my soul.

Bella and I walked side by side, our footsteps echoing along the stone corridor. I sensed the gentle thrum of energy, reminding me that magic was alive and well here.

Whenever I stepped inside these walls, it felt ancient, along with a wise force that held secrets and promises for me to discover. I could only imagine how wonderful it would be when students and teachers roamed these corridors.

I looked around, absorbing the beautiful Academy, and felt a subtle reassurance. With its storied halls and protective Wards, the Academy was on our side. It would give me the answers I was searching for, despite my fears about time escaping me here.

I couldn’t ignore the shadow of my father’s absence, and the wound that refused to heal amidst all this warmth and welcome. The truth was that the fear of what lay ahead still tugged at my heart.

I had finally had him back.

And then, in an instant, I didn’t.

Every step deeper into the Academy reminded me that time was our ally and our enemy. Every moment inside these ancient walls could mean answers or an endless delay.

I turned to Bella, whose eyes sparkled with assurance.

“Do you think… do you think I should tell my Grandma about all of this? About her son and the fight with Malore?” I asked softly, the uncertainty evident in my voice.

It was nice to have someone to bounce questions off of instead of them endlessly spiraling in my mind.

Bella’s smile faltered momentarily, and she shook her head gently.

“Some truths must be shared when you’re ready and when the Academy is ready to bear them. For now, trust in the magic that guides you. You’ll know if the time is right.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, and we continued down the corridor together.

We paused near a large arched window where the moonlight streamed in.

“Maeve, you’ve brought company,” Grandma Elira’s voice coated me like hot fudge syrup on a sundae.

I spun around, nodding. “This is Bella. Our first teacher.”

My grandma’s lips curled into a wide grin, and she stepped forward, reaching for Bella’s hand. “Welcome.”

“She was…” I glanced at Bella. “She was the fox I saw outside the other night.”