Hidden Magic

Chapter Thirty-One

We were waiting in the lunch hall, waiting for our names to be called, I knew of course that this was going to be another one of those incidents where the legacy students got first priority, ridiculous, but I can imagine the worry of the more powerful families complaining about having to wait after the less powerful families got to see their families first, it was just easier this way. Thankfully while visiting day started a little later than most classes did, starting at ten in the morning, it lasted as long as we wanted, as long as we still knew there were classes tomorrow.

Being one of the families to found this academy, I knew my name would be among the first called, so when my name was called after Ezekiel's I wasn't surprised. Seth gave my hand a tight squeeze and the rest of my friends gave me supporting looks, knowing that I was about to find out whether I still had a grandmother or if I had been disowned. I ignored Ryker and Thane, ignoring the confused looks they gave me, the conversation we needed to have could wait until after I spoke to my grandmother. I step out of the academy and into the courtyard where the rest of the parents were waiting, considering there was probably eight hundred students here that was a lot of parents, and I could see my grandmother no where, even though I know she must be here.

"You insolant devil child! I'm over here!" My head snaps over at my grandmother's annoyed voice, her words making my heart pound nervously, I walk over to her slowly, uncertain as to what her reaction to me would be. I can feel the judging stares of the other families, many of them seemed smug, pleased even, like they were looking forward to watching me being disowned.

I step up to my grandmother nervously, an inch or two taller than her in my heels, when we were normally the same height, she was wearing heels as well, but not nearly as tall as mine. I shift nervously as my grandmother slowly looks over me with an assessing gaze. "Sira branch suits you well my darling girl." The warm affection in her voice makes my shoulders sag in relief as my eyes water slightly, the worry I felt about losing my only parental figure over something I couldn't control having felt immense, I lunge at her, pulling her to me in a big hug.

She was stiff in surprise from my sudden attack, but she soon relaxes in my grip and hugs me back. "Pleased to see me or just excited that I brought blackberry pie?" My nose twitches finally noticing the smell of her pie, that her assistant was dutifully holding beside her.

I pull back and give her a watery smile that was full of relief and joy. "I was worried about how you would react, I've been told that some parents don't react well to their children being in Sira branch, though the pie certainly makes my worry worth it if I get the whole thing?" She rolls her eyes and laughs at me, swatting me on the arm lightly.

"Silly girl, they told me what branch you were chosen for the day after your ceremony, if I had an issue with it I would have come here two months ago, and not waited till now to see you. Like they could have refused me entry if I wanted to see you, our ancestors built this academy and we still own it, they would have no right to deny me entry. I have no issue with your branch, my darling Karinna, all of the branches exist for a reason, equal in nature, we need all of them to maintain balance, without one there would be chaos, anyone who believes one is above or below the others is foolish. Though in truth I am glad you are in Sira branch, it is such an honor to be chosen for that rare branch of magic." She glares around us at the other families that had been watching us, and they all look away from my grandmother's threatening gaze, daring anyone to try to say otherwise, that I wasn't someone she could be proud of, she was always a forced to be reckoned with. "There are prying eyes and ears here, let's take a walk why don't we? You can show me anything that you think might have changed since I've been here." I was more than relieved to do just that, all of the worry I had felt earlier just draining out of me.

"Do you want to see Sira branch?" I was confident at least that everything would be kept rather tame on visiting day, no one wanted their parents to accidently see them like that, my grandmother looks at me with amusement.