5

Our resident banshee’s cry didn’t go unnoticed by the rest who calls The Oddity home. Before I could wrap my head around the grave prediction, the entire apartment building showed up at the Kaluuya’s door, demanding an explanation. Everyone feared the same thing: that Haylie cried for one of them.

“Everyone, please, calm down.” I try getting them to lower their voices and keep the panic to a minimum, but no one hears me about their own noise.

None of my further attempts succeeded in restoring the peace and I was on the verge of raising my voice when, out of the blue, someone roared above the ruckus, “SILENCE!”

Like one man, the residents fall quiet, and all heads turn to the back where Mr. Vladimir, our resident vampire, stands by himself. Everyone is momentarily stunned to see his face contorted, the whites of his eyes blacked out, and his fangs reflecting the light in the hallway.

“Thanks, Mr. Vlad,” I tell him sincerely and face the crowd in the hall. “Everyone, meet me in the lobby in five minutes for an emergency meeting.”

Hopefully, that would buy me some time to figure out how the break the news about a blight to them – and Zari’s predicament. Right now, I accept that I need some help.

Closing the door, I rush to my mirror in my bedroom and give it an address. The glass begins to glow and ripple, and a moment later, I come face to face with my grandma’s living room…and her concerned eyes already staring into mine.

She wastes no time to enter my room through the mirror. “I had a vision; I knew you’d call soon.”

“I wish it was under better circumstances, Gran.” I lead her down the hall towards Zari’s room, explaining what Eisley told me along the way. “A blight has started at Alcove, one that only affects supernatural beings. It starts as a simple fever, and three days later, seizes control of the mind. It turns the victim violent or…worse. And as far as I know, the Academy hasn’t found a cure yet.”

“That would explain the trees’ warnings.”

I stop abruptly with my hand on the doorhandle. “You heard it too?”

“Oh, dearie, I felt it. The forests were screaming this morning.” Her eyes, light green and matching my own, swim with fear.

It’s enough to make me shiver.

“I think Zari caught it, Gran,” I finally say and open the door to reveal my unconscious friend. “And less than ten minutes ago, a banshee cried her name.”

With a cane carved from cherry wood in one hand and her purse in the other, she waddles into the room to see it for herself. Just as I did earlier, she examines the young werewolf. I help holding Zari while Gran rolls up her top to see the rash. As soon as she sees it, a frown tugs at her mouth corners, and she slowly covers the veins once more.

“This is no work of the average Magian,” she says, her tone grim. “Whoever did this, has an exceptionally strong aptitude. That or they acquired power by wicked means.”

“Blood magic?” I wonder out loud.

After wild magic, blood magic is the second form of magic the Academy banned from being wielded. Not only is it vile and wicked, but it is corrupting, turning even the strongest, most intellectual Magians into power-hungry, emotionless beings.

“Possibly.” Gran sighs deeply. “This will have completely spread come morning.”

I know that much, but that doesn’t mean I will let it happen. Luckily, there is a way to buy Zari more time. “What if…what if I slow it down?”

Gran only has to look at me to know what I’m thinking. Although a dangerous plan, her expression doesn’t give any indication that she’s against it. But that doesn’t stop her from voicing her concerns.

“You do realize the dangers of preserving your friend in a magically induced coma, dearest?”

I nod slowly. “I’m aware, Gran, but it’s the only way I know how to stop the blight from spreading and killing her. Plus, I know the rules. Zari’s a werewolf, the coma will only last until the next full moon before her transformation forces her out of it, which gives me a month to find a cure.”

This time, she seems genuinely surprised. “A cure? Sylvina, the only place you’ll find that has the resources for such an experiment is at Alcove. Surely you don’t plan on risking your life and your magic into going there.”

Knowing I can’t lie to her, I keep my mouth shut, forgetting that silence is also an answer.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize where this is going.

Gran looks at me, horrified. “Sylvina, please tell me you’re not suggesting what I think you’re suggesting. You are not going to the Academy. The Magians there are vile, short-sighted creatures. The moment they realize who you are and what you can do –”

“They won’t,” I interrupt her before she can draw any grim conclusions. “The Academy won’t suspect or discover me. Not if I enrol as an Acolyte.”

“No. I won’t allow it. First, I lost my children to that wretched place, and I will not let them take you as well –”

“Gran, please.” The moment I raise my voice, every light in the room flickers, affected by the intensity of my emotions. I remind myself to breathe and focus, and say in a calmer tone, “I understand how you feel, but Zari is my best friend – my only friend since Eisley left. I won’t stand by and watch the blight kill her, not if I can do something about it. I’m going to Alcove with or without your support, and I’m going to find a cure. That’s final.”

I never knew my parents, but from what Gran told me, I have my father’s kind heart and my mother’s stubborn resolve. Once I’ve set my mind to something, nothing can come in the way of me achieving that goal – not an earthquake, not the end of the world, and certainly not the Academy.

Then what chance does she stand?

At last, she accepts that I’ve made up my mind. With a deep sigh, she gives in. “Then you better get started.” Standing up and tucking Zari in, she waddles towards the door. “I’ll get the things for the spell; you should say your goodbyes.”

I wait until she left before sitting down at the edge of the bed. Reaching out, I gently brush Zari’s hair back and tuck them behind her ears. But as I check her temperature again, she stirs, and slowly opens her eyes. It takes her a few seconds recognize me sitting beside her.

“Syl?” Her voice is raspy and soft.

“Hey.” I smile.

She coughs and a groan, closing her eyes once more. “Have I ever told you that I hate when you’re right?”

I chuckle lightly at her attempt at a joke. “I assume you’re referring to the fever.”

“Werewolves don’t get fevers.”

“I know.” My heart sinks when I realize I now have to tell her about the blight – and the coma I’m going to put her in. Thankfully, Zari prefers ripping the bandage off rather than picking at it. She’d want me to be straightforward with her. “Listen, Z, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Does it include putting me in a coma so you can find a cure for whatever I have?” She opens her eyes just in time to catch the stunned look on my face. She smiles weakly. “I overheard you and your Gran talking. A coma is better than dying, I suppose. I’d make a badass Sleeping Beauty.”

At least her humour remains intact. I manage to smile at her joke despite the severity of the situation. She could make any magical princess look badass.

I don’t get the chance to tell her that, as Zari sniffs loudly and frowns. Turning her head in my direction, she inhales another deep breath and then looks at me suspiciously. “Why do you smell like a man?”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“You smell like you went on a date and he gave you his jacket.” Her dark eyes narrow at me, and she adds threateningly, “Syl, I swear, if you went on a date while I was clinging to life and didn’t plan on telling me –”

“No, no, wait,” I cut her off before she can jump to conclusions. “That’s not what happened.”

Zari crosses her arms and looks at me expectantly, waiting for an explanation.

Fidgeting with my many rings and bracelets, I briefly recall this morning’s events. “An Academy Official showed up at Odds and Ends today. It was nothing serious, he just had a few questions before taking his leave.”

“Was he handsome?” Zari inquires, lips curving into a mischievous smile.

I open my mouth to answer ‘yes’ but hesitates. Instead, I say, “More imposing if you ask me.”

“But was he handsome?” She asks again, nearly spelling out that last word.

The groan that escaped me answers her question. Giving in, I sigh and nod. “Yeah, he was handsome.”

“I knew it.” She grins. “He smells handsome.”

Steering my thoughts away from the guy, I check the time and feel my stomach turn. It is nearly time to perform the spell. Midnight is the only time that it’ll work.

“Are you going to see him again?” Zari must have noticed my spirits dropping and tries changing the topic to a more cheerful one.

I snort and shake my head. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“But are you?”

“I…” Well, technically I need him for my plan. That is, if he’ll hear me out and agree to an arrangement that will benefit us both. “Hopefully.”

Despite the exhaustion and growing fever, Zari emits a sound of glee. She’s almost given up on finding me a guy. I don’t have the heart to tell her that this guy wouldn’t think twice to turn me in if he learned about my magic.

The bitter truth is, he is from the Academy, and my existence depends entirely on how well I can keep my identity – and my magic – hidden from him. He’s the enemy regardless how handsome he is.

“Who knows, maybe he’s the guy of your dreams,” she says with a sly grin. “But listen, I’m not saying don’t bang him, but you better find a cure and still wake me, though. I’m too young to die.”

Leaning forward, I embrace her gently, careful not to touch her back. “I will, I promise.”

By the time the clock struck midnight, Zari succumbed to the spell and fell into a coma, her body preserved, and the blight temporarily paused from spreading. And come morning, I’ve said my goodbyes to The Oddity and Gran, and my quest to finding a cure officially began.