Hidden Magic

Chapter Thirteen

I am standing in a dark forest, I don't bother trying to move my arms though, familiar with this part, in knowing that they were already bound. This same dream had haunted me ever since I arrived at the academy, for three nights now, but this time the details feel clearer, less fuzzy, as if every time I am pulled into this strange dream, a little more of it is revealed to me. What was blurred in darkness before, is partially revealed, there were some sort of twigs lining the ground, they circled me in what seemed to be a pentagon shape, but it had lines trailing off of it, making a pentagram and on the points of the star was a man, tied to a pole much like me, but they weren't awake like I was.

I hear that same twig snap, my head whips up unable to stop this reaction, even if I already know what is coming, seeing that beautiful women walking towards me, that dreaded knife glimmering in her hand, even in this dark forest. I can't help but to struggle against my bonds, trying to get free, even if I know I won't manage to, even when I know this dream is about to turn into more of a nightmare. she gets closer and closer to me, smirking at me cruelly. I don't even bother to speak, to plead with her, because I know it won't work, instead a small whimper escapes me, as a single tear slides down my cheek.

She raises her knife and swings the blade down at me, no mercy in her eyes at all, resolute in having to this for some stupid reason that I don't know. I scream as I feel the burning in my wrists that were bound above my head, feel the warm blood dripping down my arms and onto my head after she savagely slashed through my wrists, even if I had already experienced it, it almost feels worse this time, the pain clearer to me.

I whimper, the pain overwhelming me, tears trail down my cheeks along with my own blood, and still, she stares down at me, raising her knife again, my blood looking black against the moonlight, she lifts up her other hand and in it is a silver goblet, she lets my blood drip inside of it. I shake my head, not wanting what happens next. "Please don't do this!" It was strange, this dream, because while it revealed knew things to me each time, almost like I was reliving a memory I had forgotten, it also interacted with me, like no memory I knew of, one blink and again time had skipped as she is suddenly in front of me, ready to force me to drink that foul liquid.

"I'm sorry, but you know I have to. You are the only thing that can save us!" She shoves the goblet against my lips, forcing me to drink it, I struggle against her but there is no point, that same liquid still goes down my throat, and it burns like acid, there was no way my blood was the only thing in there. She finally lowers the goblet and laughs, this crazed maniac laugh that makes my ears ring and then bright light is hitting my eyes, blinding me. "Your death will not be the end, it is only the beginning for you, and the men who care for you." Her words confuse me, making my eyes dart over to said men only recently revealed to them, but I have no feeling of recognition when I see them, they are but strangers to me, but if this was not my dream or memory, whose was it?

I wake up with a sigh, feeling remnants of that pain in my wrists and throat, it fades after a few moments, but just the thought of having to relive that dream again tonight chases away any trace of tiredness still lingering. My pixie and I had come to an agreement, it woke me up at my desired time and I brought it a slice of fruit, which seemed to work the same as money or candy, but I was told they appreciated the others more.

It was so nice to have other people to talk to in my branch, that weren't at all mocking when they answered my silly questions, I had gotten into a sort of routine, even with this only being my third day here, I had been going to human school most of my life already, this was just a little different because I lived at the school and my courses involved magic instead of math, at least most of them.

Intro to Sikrit went as I expected, informative but slow, Formal etiquette was a hell I wished I would never have to go to ever again, lunch though was exciting, if only for the fact that Amalia had indeed kept her word and met up with me for lunch, seeming delighted to be introduced to the friends I had made in Sira branch.