The Charm (H. Academy Series #2)

Chapter 1: In Your Head

THREE MONTHS LATER

My reflection in the window stared at me. I tried to glance behind it, into the darkness. The library was in the back of the house, and instead of the road, it faced the forest.

I was certain something was there. Watching me. Waiting.

But I couldn't feel it, just like I couldn't feel anything for the past three months.

The damn books weren't helping, either. Magic was like breathing. Once you took your first breath, it came naturally, forcefully even – a necessity. There were no records of anyone ever losing their magic.

Then again, there were also no records of anyone ever bringing an insufferable twat back from the dead using demonic language.

I closed Intro to Demonology and buried my face in my hands.

Two weeks ago students of Hunt Academy were allowed back into the school. It took two and a half months to restore the main building and get rid of every ounce of black ooze. My father said the threat was gone and the demons wouldn't be attacking anymore.

I believed him.

And that scared me.

It meant he had moved on to the second part of the plan, and I had no idea what it was.

All I knew was that the door between our world and the demon world was open. Whatever that meant.

My eyes jumped to the darkness beyond my window.

Something was out there. Its presence lingered around me at all times, but I never knew whether it could reach me. There were shields around my house. My father would never leave his own home unprotected. I couldn't feel the shields, though, and an irrational fear that I was fully exposed to demons followed me every single minute of every day.

I swallowed it now and took another book – Intro to Potions. The clock ticked 6PM. Maybe I'd have more luck with Potions than Demonology.

I tried to keep up with the curriculum.

Morta sent me pictures of assignments, homework, and even her own sloppy notes. I clung to the hope that someone would tell me I wasn't expelled anymore, so I tried to study. Exams ten days from now, starting with Valentine's day.

I took my phone and called Morta, suddenly in desperate need of some reassurance.

"Hi, Jade." She answered.

"Tell me you can't deal with Darth's demon nomenclature anymore."

"I can't handle written word anymore." She sighed. "I think he gets off on torture."

I chuckled, "At least Amma has instant pass."

"Goddess, she's not leaving her room." Morta murmured. "She won't even study with me."

Amma lost her right arm three months ago. The arm she wrote with, made notes with, mixed potions with.

"Hey, there's no way she would allow herself to fail something." I tried to smile, but I was scared for her.

"I hope so." I could see Morta sucking her lip. "I worry, though. I wish you were here. Maybe she'd listen to you."

I swallowed, "She's not answering my calls, Morta."

"She answers no one's calls these days. You need to tear her door down, Jade. So, come here and help me."

"You know I can't do that." I whispered.

"Oh, come on." Morta spoke. "Just get your ass over here. Tell your dad he's an asshole and you won't listen to him."

I kept quiet for a second.