A Class of Conjuring
Chapter 24 — Cassandra

I sat with everyone around the picnic table in the middle of the park, waiting for the professor to return. The cultural festival was a week away, so he thought it might be helpful if we visited the city and get a feel for our surroundings. He said sometimes magic was as much about atmosphere as it was about power. I enjoyed being away from the academy for a bit and getting fresh air. I needed for the semester to come to an end and count it as a success.

The last few weeks had been a roller coaster ride of emotions and struggling with classroom work since not all of my power had returned. Though two-thirds was better than nothing. The witch-goblin potion wore off a few days after I was splattered. I stayed in my room for those few days and only saw Ruby who spent all her free time consoling me. That was also when my powers started returning, so maybe it helped a little. If she hadn't been around, I would have left the academy. The guys tried their best, but they didn't understand women enough to know what I was going through. I suggested to Kyler maybe he should shapeshift into a woman for a week and then he could come back and advise me on all things female. He politely declined.

I watched Braeden and Dash talk with the others. Every now and again they would look at me with a flirty smile or a wink. I slept with Braeden a couple more times, each time more amazing than the last. We were still friends which made things a little weird when we talked about the other guys. The five of us just considered ourselves friends with each other and whatever else happened, well, that was okay. Four guys all to myself seemed like something that only happened in dreams, though I was still plutonic friends with both Oliver and Kyler. I knew my time with them was coming. It was a matter of when and not if.

Ruby never said one negative word about me to the guys. Her relationship with her long-distance lover was strong. There were nights when I heard her talking on the phone to him and then I would hear buzzing and moans. Occasionally he would fly in, and I would listen to her bed hitting the wall. She told me all the things they did and then about the things they wanted to try. The academy was teaching me more than just magic.

Sex with Dash was always an adventure. He liked things rough one minute and then soft and sensual another. We enjoyed ropes and blindfolds and spankings. He took me down some sexual paths that made me think twice, but things always turned out with just the right amount of awesomeness. Neither he nor Braeden asked how well the other was in bed, something I was grateful for. Truth be told, they were equals, each offering me a blissful, often times carnal, experience. As a group, we were adjusting quite well to our new arrangements. There was no jealousy among the guys, and I learned to treat them all as equals, knowing that each had a special talent. I kind of guessed what it might be like with Oliver and Kyler. The anticipation made me both giddy and wet.

"Okay, everyone," the professor said. He'd opted for regular clothes instead of his robe. He said the robe drew too much attention when out in public. "We're going to head into the middle of the city where there's a battle mage waiting for our arrival." He smiled when he saw our reaction. "Good, that's what I was hoping for. He'll be teaching you about specialty weapons, wands, and higher-level spells. The man trained in all four magical elements when he was a student at the academy. He is one of the best in the world. I wouldn't cross him on the tour if I were you."

We followed the professor into the city beneath the guise of darkness. I thought he did this solely for the fact someone might recognize me as the witch of destruction. I didn't mind because I'd learned to let go of the past. I couldn't change a damned thing about the things I'd done.

"Hey," I said to Braeden as we walked. "You're awfully quiet lately."

"It's nothing," he said, and quickened his pace. I caught up with him.

"It is something, Brae. What did I do wrong now?"

"I'm afraid you'll give up, Cassandra," he said. "I've done everything I can to make you not, and now I'm not sure what you'll do. If you give up, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to forgive you. There's just too much riding on all of us."

I placed my hand on his arm and made him stop. The last thing I needed was my best friend doubting my commitment. "I give you my word, Braeden, I haven't given up and never will. I can't." I wrapped my hand around the back of his head and pulled him to my lips. When I ended the kiss, I said, "I promise it won't happen." He smiled, and I knew he believed me.

"If you two are done being lovey-dovey, I'll catch everyone up on what we're about to learn," Oliver said. He had a book in his hands and looked eager to open it.

"Okay, brainiac," I said, "fire away!"

Oliver turned red, and his eyes seemed to twinkle when he looked at me. He opened the book he was carrying and began educating us.

"Says here the museum was opened in the late 1700s by a super-archmage named Santanna. He studied in the far east before heading to the states." He flipped a page.

Kyler peered over Oliver's shoulder. "He was responsible for bringing over many of the artifacts," Kyler said, and Oliver nudged him out of the way.

"There's something called a slate shield," Oliver continued and brushed back Kyler again when he tried to read over his shoulder. "The shield supposedly will deflect a spell and send it back at the spell caster."

Kyler jabbed his finger at the page, and Oliver quickly closed the book. Kyler yelped and jerked his finger back, holding it with his other hands. Everyone laughed, and Kyler showed a different finger.

"Lighten up, Oliver," Dash said. "You don't have to be studying all the time. Live a little."

We stopped at the front of the museum, an old building with grand archways made of stone and stained-glass windows. A man opened the front entrance.

"This is battle mage Sheol," the professor said. "He's an expert in all the arts. Pay attention and the possibilities are endless."

"If you'll follow me," Sheol said brusquely. He definitely needed to work on his people skills. He stopped us inside the lobby. "It was not until the early sixteen hundreds that the battle mages became a decree. Magic was still a hidden art that most of the world knew nothing about." He went on to tell us about the king's decree and the rest of the battle mages history. All of which Oliver soaked in like a sponge.

I was actually interested in the history because my mother had spent a good portion of my childhood teaching me the history of magic and why it wasn't until recent times that magic became an accepted norm. She told me you hand to understand where we came from in order to know where we were going. That had been one of her favorite sayings. I missed her knowledge and the lessons she tried to teach me.

"Unbeknownst to much of the world," Sheol continued, "we work with many governments, guilds, and academies." He led us to the first section of the room, and the guys acted as if they'd died and gone to heaven. "This is our weapons room."

Dash studied several robes, suits of armor, and other battle clothing, none of which compared to his black boots, black leather pants, and white long sleeve shirt. The top for buttons of his shirt were undone. He caught me looking at him, and he winked.

The first weapon we passed was the slate shield Oliver had read about. I heard him tell Kyler I told you so. Along with the weapons were some pretty cool outfits. Witches were no longer wearing black robes, pointy hats, and riding on brooms. Magic had evolved. It was possible to be both a witch and sexy as hell.

Sheol opened a glass case and removed a two-foot metal rod. "It's called a Barringer rod," Sheol said. He masterfully spun it around his hands.

"Named after Slade Barringer, a German warlock," Oliver interjected.

"Very good," Sheol said, and everyone playfully nudged Oliver. "Barringer needed a way of casting spells in multiple directions at the same time." Sheol pushed a button in the middle of the rod, and two sharp twelve-inch emerald blades shot from each end. "These emerald blades were carved from large stones found in volcanoes on the island of Iceland." He looked at me. "The weapon is surprisingly light." He pressed the button again, and the blades retracted. He then tossed the rod to me.

The entire thing felt no heavier than a pound. I pushed the button, and the blades emerged. I twirled it like a baton, surprised at my ability to handle the new toy. "I can cast a spell from both ends?" I asked, and everyone immediately came at me to put the weapon down. "Not funny," I said, and everyone laughed. Sheol tossed me the belt that sat in the case with the Barringer rod. I wrapped it around my waist and slipped the rod into the notch on my hip.

"You look badass," Dash said, checking me out. He leaned closer. "Maybe I should squeeze your behind."

"Maybe," I said playfully.

"Come on, lover boy," Kyler said to Dash.

Sheol stopped at another glass case at the end of the hall, me still wearing the Barringer rod. I would put it back as soon as Sheol ordered me to. Wearing the weapon made me feel powerful again.

"This is a paradox box," he said and retrieved the small box from the case. "It was used by the English to trap witches before they really understood we were not all bad. Once inside the box, a witch could only be set free by her captor. No other witch." Oliver nodded at the box. "How does it work?" Sheol tossed him the box, and Oliver fumbled with it before securing it in his hand. He studied the six sides and scrunched up his face. "I don't get it."

Sheol took the box and rubbed his thumb over a series of images on the box. One side of the box opened, and we all felt the box's pull. Sheol closed the box, and the pull ceased. We glanced at each other, thinking the same thing. How could we get Challis in something like that?

Sheol showed us other weapons in the room, Oliver and Dash showing the most interest. Braeden and Kyler seemed to be off in another world. The professor constantly checked the time on his phone. Only Oliver asked questions, though I listened to the answers intently.

In midsentence, Sheol suddenly looked toward the opposite end of the room where Challis stood, a knowing smirk on her face. We turned on our heels and prepared for battle, but Sheol quickly moved in front of us. The professor dropped his phone and began moving us toward the exit. We stopped before leaving.

Sheol charged Challis, screaming an ancient spell before going airborne. The two cast spells and at first, we thought Sheol was as good as the professor had said. But then things changed. Sheol cast another spell, lightning bolts shooting from his hands. Challis soaked in the power, and then the entire room seemed to lose its air as she sucked Sheol's powers out of his body. He dropped lifelessly to the floor.

Challis stood over Sheol, taunting the unconscious warrior. She had neutralized him with ease. She turned her attention on us. "A little far away from home, aren't you?" There were a dozen students and the professor, a lot of power for her to steal. But she ignored all but four, focusing her attention on Kyler, Oliver, Braeden, and Dash. It was obvious she wanted to take what belonged to me.

"You can't have them," I said. "You know I won't let you."

"You have no powers, little witch," Challis said.

I took another step forward and raised my hands. She looked a bit surprised but then cackled. "Make your move," I said.

Challis released a series of large icicles. I managed to melt each on their approach. I shot a fireball at her, and she skillfully caught it and swallowed the damn thing. I heard Braeden yell something to the others.

Spells flew around the room, damaging walls. I screamed for everyone to stop casting spells and move the fight outside. We lured Challis outside the building where the battle raged. Fireballs, water, light and wind filled the battlefield. Challis defended well. She'd come with a plan. We had not. I glanced around at the beautiful buildings, streets, and greenery. A flashback to Wayfair City shot across my mind, and my anxiety increased. I couldn't have a repeat.

Kyler changed forms and raced through the small grouping of trees, trying to flank Challis as she fought Dash and Braeden. Kyler changed back to human form and cast a spell into the trees around the building. The trees came to life and began grabbing at Challis. She cackled and destroyed the trees with a series of fireballs, all the while repelling Braeden's bolts of light, actually swallowing the shards.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Oliver conjuring a spell toward the river running alongside the museum. A wall of water rose up, and Oliver thrust his hands toward the cackling Challis.

Challis used a tornado of wind to send the massive wave back at Oliver. The wave crashed down on him and sent him sprawling across the ground, knocking him unconscious.

I charged with everything I had, rapid firing fireballs at Challis, and she knocked them away with ease. She enjoyed the fight, especially since she was winning. This was personal to her, and I assumed it was because of Dash. That was her fault, not mine. Let a good one go, and someone else would snatch them up.

"Watch out!" Ruby yelled.

I leapt into the air when the sheet of ice surged past me, slipping under Challis' feet. Challis stumbled momentarily but then regained her footing. She launched a spell at both Ruby and I, and we were both knocked back against the museum. When I finally regained consciousness, I saw Dash and Braeden laying on the ground, neither man moving. Challis hovered above Dash, and I watched as she pulled his powers from his body. The wisp of color rising from him was almost blood red. Once finished, she leaned over and gave him a kiss. He moaned in pain and rolled over. She then moved on to Braeden and as she did so, I began summoning my powers. She sucked Braeden's powers from his body, and I watched them disappear into a small crystal around her neck. I finally had a piece of knowledge I could use against her.

Challis approached Oliver about the same time my powers hit their max. With her attention squarely on Oliver, I launched the two fireballs and hit her dead in the chest. Hurt, she flailed away from Oliver. We were beaten again despite all our firepower. I stopped to check on Kyler, and that was when Challis made her move.

Challis returned to Braeden and wrapped him in her arms. He vanished before my eyes.

Challis laughed again and swooped toward Dash. I tried to grab Dash before she got to him, but I was a second too late. She scooped him up into her arms, and he vanished as well.

I moved to my feet and watched her in disbelief. None of us could defeat her. "What do you really want?" I asked. "If it's me, then take me and leave everyone else alone."

Challis swooped down and stood in front of me. She studied me as if I were her opponent in a boxing ring. "I've heard so much about you," she said. "But none of it seems to be true." "What do you want?" I repeated. "And where are my friends?"

"If you want to see your friends again, Cassandra, you'll meet me for a friendly, or not-so-friendly, duel. Do you understand?" She looked me up and down. "Though, I think you'll be an easy win." "Why not now?" I asked.

"You'll meet me on my terms," Challis said. "When and where I say." She smiled wickedly. "You for their freedom." She then disappeared into the darkness.

"Nothing will stop her," Ruby said as she and the other students approached. I looked around for the professor but found him nowhere.

"I'll have to meet her," I said. "It's the only way to stop all this."

"No," Kyler said. He brushed the dirt from his pants. "Even if you meet her, and you don't win, she'll return. It's a trick."

"He's right," Oliver said. "We have to come up with a better plan. Something where the rest of us don't lose our powers or our lives."

We took the long walk back to the train, Kyler and Oliver trying to talk me down from meeting Challis' demands. They assured me there was a better way. But as far as I was concerned, we had tried everything. It was time to try meeting Challis on her own terms, hopefully lure her away from everyone else.

I still had one last concern. Headmaster Eliphas. When he found out what happened to Dash and Braeden, he would most certainly send me away. I couldn't let that happen