The Curse (H. Academy Series #1)
Chapter 3: Heart of Ashes

The main hall was a massive room, with a ceiling two stories high and huge chandeliers hanging from it. The rows of tables and chairs were full of students, all whispering amongst themselves. The panic in the air was evident, tangible even. I felt it claw at me as soon as we entered. At the end of the table, a small podium stood, where teachers gathered and talked quietly.

Morta led us to one of the tables closest to the podium. Someone kept three seats for us and I was glad, despite the situation. Who would’ve guessed that Morta would be the one saving my social life.

“This is Eugene.” Morta nodded to the boy that was sitting right next to us. His blondish hair fell into his chocolate eyes and hid his perfectly symmetrical face. The silk cherry red shirt he wore glowed up his face, making the colour of his hair stand out and his eyes deepen. For a boy, he was way too pretty.

“Hello, nice to meet you.” He offered a wide smile.

“Hi, I’m Amma!”

“Jade.” I offered a hand and Eugene lifted his eyebrow, looking me up and down.

“Jade Montgomery?” He took my hand and gave it a slight peck. The caramel-skinned boy next to him put his hand around Eugene’s waist and smiled at me. Unlike Eugene, Dean had a sharper jaw and sterner gaze, but they were both equally pretty.

“Hello, Jade, I’m Dean.” Dean’s lime-coloured eyes sparkled with interest, but I decided not to hold it against him. Perhaps it was time for me to get used to being the main attraction.

“Yes, I’m me.” I murmured.

“So, guys, what’s going on?” Amma interrupted, saving me from some possibly awkward questions.

“They didn’t say anything officially.” Eugene leaned over the table, causing all of us to mimic him. “But, apparently someone has been murdered.” His lips twitched weirdly, as if he was trying not to smile.

“Murdered?” Amma’s azure eyes widened and fear seeped out of them.

“They’re panicking without reason.” Eugene snickered. “Two years ago, a girl committed suicide by jumping off the tower and we had to sit here for hours because they wanted proof it wasn’t a demon.” His lips twitched again and I didn’t like that, insensitivity was not my favourite characteristic in people. Even Dean offered a slight frown, to which Eugene shrugged.

“Why here, though?” I asked.

“The main hall is demon-proof. Some ancient spells guard this place and no entity can come in. At least they hope so.” Morta explained and this, for some reason, made Eugene laugh out loud.

“The problem is that no demon has actually tried to enter for fifteen years. And the last time he did, he got in.” Eugene said, covering his mouth with his hand to keep himself from laughing too outwardly.

“Come on, E, behave yourself.” Dean frowned visibly.

“Demons aren’t that funny.” I added, knowing that might not be the smartest thing to do considering the rumours, but I couldn’t help myself. In this world, people divided into two groups, those so scared of demons they barely used magic out of fear and those ignoring their existence and playing with fire.

“You’d know.” Eugene snickered and I clenched my fists.

“Actually yes. Pretending I don’t know you’ve heard rumours is becoming dumb. I’ve seen consequences of demon deals first hand. And if you think it’s no big deal, you’re wrong.” I mumbled.

Eugene was just about to say something, most likely mean, when Professor Lange cleared her throat and shushed the hall by appearing on the podium.

“Students,” she spoke, “we are so terribly sorry to inform you that one of your colleagues was found dead in the library on the fourth floor in the main building.” Gasps followed her words and I felt the shiver climb up my spine and down my hands.

“Rest assure that a thorough investigation will be held and the building will be checked for any signs of foreign entities. Until we know for sure that the Academy is free of demonic activity, all students are required to stay in the main hall.” Professor Lange shot her stern gaze towards few individual students and I guessed they had history of running away during situations like this.

“Professor Lange, what was the cause of death?” Someone asked.

“Professor, who was the person found dead?”

“Can you give us the details? We have the right to know!”

“Yes, we have the right to know!”

“Settle down!” Professor Lange shouted, her melodious voice was forceful enough to shut everyone up. My gaze darted from the students to the white-haired Professor on the podium and the other teachers nervously fidgeting behind her.

“They know more than they’re telling us.” I concluded.

“They always know more.” Morta offered a blank stare. The tension in the hall gripped our group, too, making Amma bite her nails and Morta seem more serious than usually. The two boys whispered amongst themselves and I looked over at the podium.

“You will know all the details as soon as we, ourselves, replace out something tangible. Until then, I suggest you don’t spread false rumours and unnecessary panic.” Professor Lange returned to the table where all the teachers sat.

“Hey,” I stopped the whispers of my group, “do you know all the teachers?” I asked Eugene primarily because he said he’s been here two years ago. He followed the direction of my gaze.

“Professor Lange you’ve probably met, she’s in charge of new students. She’s teaching Elemental Magic in the first year, as well as Latin. Later on, you’ll only see her if you have a Spirit affinity.” Eugene explained and I nodded.

“We’ve met Professor Darth, too.” Amma jumped in.

“Yeah, he’s a pain in the ass, Demonology is extremely hard, it took lots of sleepless nights to pass that thing. Possessions and Exorcisms is much easier, but Practical Invocations are rumoured to be one of the hardest subject in all five years.” Eugene leaned onto his elbows.

“We’re looking forward to it.” Dean put two fingers on his forehead as if he held a gun.

“That beautiful, fairylike lady is Professor Lorenia.” Eugene nodded to the woman sitting on the far end of the table. Her strawberry blond hair fell loosely over the silk, coral-coloured, off-the-shoulder dress with long wide sleeves that created an illusion of her hair continuing all the way to the floor. “Healing Magic and Intro to Potions.” Eugene said.

“I hate her.” Morta murmured. “No person can wear so many lively colours. And she’s so positive all the time, a fucking hippie.”

“You’ll see her later in Advanced Potions and Curse Cleansing. And if you have an affinity for Water Magic.” Eugene ignored Morta. “She’s a great teacher and she doesn’t make you learn unnecessary stuff, so it’s quite easy to pass. Unless you’re Morta. Morta managed to fail Healing Magic.”

“Things die under my touch, I can’t help it.” Morta shot a dirty look towards Eugene.

“What about the Headmaster?” I asked.

“He’s in Vatican, as far as we know.” Eugene said. “You should know more about it, considering your father is an important figure.”

“I didn’t want anything to do with this world. They made me go, because I needed to learn how to protect myself.” Or at least that was what my father told me.

“If Dereck Montgomery’s pushing his daughter into school so she would learn how to defend herself, it might mean something’s cooking up in the witchy world.” Dean jumped in, but I avoided the conversation. Of course, I never asked my father about any of it.

“A question,” I interrupted, “are any of these teachers black magic users?”

“Only Thar Adara, but he’s probably inspecting the crime scene. Why?” Morta turned towards the podium to check. An idea was already clearly formed in my head.

“Anyone got a black pen?” I asked and Amma immediately pulled out multiple colours. The group leaned towards me and Morta tried to hide me with her body.

I reached down deep within, where that hidden bubble of power hid, waiting patiently for me to be call for it. The difference between white and black magic was innateness of it. White magic was everywhere, in the elements, objects, even people. Users of white magic had the ability to tap into that power and bend it to their will. But users of black magic had the power within.

I scribbled signs for air and senses down on my hand. That would be quite enough for this little trick.

“You can do that with white magic.” Eugene puffed, making me smirk.

“Yes, but everyone in this room can detect white magic.” I leaned closer to my hand and whispered the words. “Handy little ear, secrets are hidden, answers are needed, so please, let me hear.”

I put my palm on my ear and focused on the podium. This spell was one of my favourite, I used it when I wanted to listen in on my parents or when I wanted to know what the cute boy thought of me.

In the main hall full of people it was hard to focus on one conversation, the sounds merged and dispersed as I searched for my target.

“This is literally putting one’s ear down.” Morta said, shattering my concentration. I shot her a mean look and she shut up. Professor Darth and Professor Lange were the only professors I met, so singling out their voices was easier than listening in on people I’ve never met.

Is Thar done?

I don’t know, he’ll be with us shortly.

What do we tell the students?

Something that will keep them from panicking. Professor Darth talked to the pretty professor, Lorenia, and I averted my gaze because I didn’t want to seem obvious.

“What are they saying?” Eugene whispered.

“Shh!”

We can’t lie to them. The pretty professor raised her voice, to the point others shushed her which caused buzzing in my ear.

And what exactly do you suggest we tell them? That a mysterious force broke into this school? The school that is supposed to be safe? We should wait for Thar. Professor Lange’s voice sounded urgent, despite its quietness.

“Something broke into the school.” I said once I realised they were done talking for now. “They called it a mysterious force, now they’re waiting for the Black Magic professor. Also, they don’t know what to tell us, they want to keep us from panicking.” I recited.

“What force?” Amma asked.

“They don’t know.” I rested my head on my hand, hoping the position looked casual enough. My focus shifted from my ears to my eyes once I saw the unusually young, tall, dark-haired man walk into the room.

As soon as he entered, I sensed his aura. Tremendous power rumbled underneath his skin, almost bursting through his tense muscles. He was the only one in the room dressed casually, in jeans and a black shirt. His strong jaw was clenched, as well as his fists. His entire expression seemed haunted. As he approached, teachers circled him like vultures.

What is it?

Leftovers of black magic are lingering all around.

Did you determine the cause of death?

Yes, the girl’s heart burnt out. Literally, it went up in flames. Her heart is entirely in ashes. My heart skipped a beat and I stared in awe, unable to avert my gaze, feeling entirely overwhelmed.

He grimaced. His eyes shot up and met mine across the room.

“Oh, shit.” Panic surged through my veins as I broke the spell, forgetting about everything else. My heart pounded loudly and I averted my gaze, pretending to be interested in whatever I found on the table.

“Jade, he’s coming this way.” Morta squeezed through her shut lips and I desperately tried to keep calm. First day and I was already about to get myself in trouble.

“Miss Montgomery.” A deep, soothing voice reached my ears and I took a deep breath as I lifted my gaze. “A word?” His umber eyes seemed infinite to me, like they pierced straight through my soul.

“Oh-okay.” I stuttered and pulled out my chair. The group around my table was as silent as the graveyard and gazes followed me as I got up. All eyes were on me and I couldn’t help but feel like I was confirming all the rumours about my family.

Thar Adara walked over to the berry-red double door and I followed him. I couldn’t believe I was so dumb. Information that he revealed made me forget about the fact this guy could actually feel my magic. He closed the door behind us and we found ourselves alone in the hallway.

“I’m so, so sorry, I shouldn’t have-”

“What did you hear?” Thar Adara interrupted me immediately and I felt like a little girl, scowled for my behaviour. If this reached my father, I would be in trouble.

“Nothing much, really. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again. I don’t know what came over me.” I recited the words that reached my tongue, unsure what he wanted to hear. He leaned onto the wall and went through his dark hair with his hands. What was I thinking? Using amateur spells like that in front of someone clearly more experienced in magic. Of course, he immediately sensed me.

“Just tell me what you heard, Jade.” He said my name gently, which confused me.

“The girl’s heart burnt out.” I admitted, compelled to tell the truth. To my surprise, his gaze wasn’t angry, it was perplexed.

“I heard you’d be coming to this school and frankly, I was glad. The only black magic users here are currently you and me.” He bit his lower lip, the veins in his neck tensing. “It’s really hard to uphold a certain level of respect here, considering the reputation black magic users have. And when you gamble it away like that, it tells me that you’re nowhere near ready to take on any responsibility.” Well, now I felt like shit.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to know what’s going on-”

“Can I trust that you’ll be discrete about this?”

“You should tell the students what’s going on.” I went into the offensive immediately once I realised he wanted to shut me up.

“I want to.” He looked straight into my eyes and I knew he could sense the quickened beat of my heart. “But I can’t if I don’t know what’s going on. Unless we’re entirely sure, it’s best to keep everyone from panicking.”

“We might be in danger.” I looked to the floor and felt him come closer. The scent of his cologne overwhelmed me, he smelt of coffee and earth. Under his gaze, I felt exposed, even though I tried my best to keep my secrets to myself.

“Jade, do you know something?” There it was again, the gentle voice, lulling me to admit the truth.

“Are you casting a spell on me?” I withdrew from him, almost stumbling over my feet.

“What? No!” But his eyes told a different story.

“Oh, my Goddess! You are compelling me to tell the truth! So, so, very rude.” I crossed my hands on my chest while he looked at me, entirely confused. After a few moments of staring contest, he sighed.

“Fine, I’m sorry.” He didn’t speak to me like a teacher to a student, maybe because he was so young. I wondered how old he was and how was it possible he was already a teacher. “I don’t know what to make of it. I’ve never seen anything like it. In order to determine the cause of death, I had to open up her chest. It was like the only thing that burnt was her heart, everything else was completely untouched.”

“Do you think it was a demon?” I whispered.

“Why would you ask that?” He caught the meaning behind my words and I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling the truth come out even without the compulsion.

“Because that’s the same thing that happened to my grandmother when the demon came to claim her soul.”