Chapter 27: The Familiar Stench of Magic
The grand gates of Saint Falcon Elementary loomed ahead as Dani approached, the chill of the evening air biting at his skin. As his boots crunched against the gravel pathway, he felt it—a faint pulse of magic, lingering like a shadow around the school grounds. It wasn’t strong, but it was enough to set him on edge. The magic was familiar, a sensation that made his stomach churn, though he couldn’t yet place it.
Dani reached the main entrance, where two guards, clad in ceremonial uniforms, stood at attention. They regarded him with suspicion, their hands hovering near their weapons.
“Halt,” one of them said, his voice firm. “Who are you, and what is your business here?”
Dani pulled a small, ornate emblem from his pocket and held it up. The Eesome family crest—an intricate design of a woman wearing a crown in reverse—gleamed in the torchlight.
“I’m here on behalf of the Eesome family,” Dani explained. “Miss Lili Eesome is gravely ill, and I’ve been sent to investigate.”
The guards exchanged uneasy glances before stepping aside. “Very well. But be warned—the sisters won’t take kindly to your presence.”
Dani nodded curtly and stepped through the heavy wooden doors.
The moment he entered, the oppressive atmosphere hit him. The air was thick with tension, the faint hum of fear palpable among the nuns and staff. Whispers echoed through the hallways as his presence was noticed. He caught glimpses of nuns ushering children into classrooms, their hurried footsteps resounding against the stone floors. Some stared at him with wide eyes, their fear barely concealed.
The sound of a bell clanging through the halls made him wince. The alarm had been raised. A witch was walking the sacred halls of Saint Falcon Elementary, and the sisters were clearly prepared to act.
“Wait!” Dani called out, raising his hands in a gesture of peace as one nun hesitated near a doorway. “I’m not here to harm anyone. I’m here to help Lili.”
The nun, a middle-aged woman with a face etched in worry, clutched her rosary tightly. Her lips moved in silent prayer, but her eyes betrayed her doubt. “You expect us to trust you, witch? Your kind brings nothing but curses and ruin.”
“I understand your fear,” Dani said evenly, his tone measured. “But Lili is cursed, and if I don’t help her, she could die. I need to see her—please.”
The nun hesitated, her knuckles white as she clutched her rosary. Finally, with a heavy sigh, she nodded. “Follow me. But make no mistake—if you harm a soul here, I’ll see to it you regret it.”
Dani followed her down the dimly lit corridors, the faint scent of incense masking something far more sinister. The further they walked, the stronger the sense of magic became, tinged with decay. It clawed at his senses, growing more recognizable with each step.
The nun led him to the infirmary, where a young boy stood by Lili’s bedside. Dani recognized him from Joy’s stories—Simon, Lili’s younger brother. The boy looked up as they entered, his expression cautious and curious.
“Who are you?” Simon demanded, stepping protectively closer to his sister.
“I’m Dani,” he said, lowering his voice to convey calm. “Your family sent me to help her.”
Simon hesitated, his small hands clenching into fists. “Why should I trust you? Witches aren’t allowed here.”
“Simon,” the nun interjected, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Let him look at her. If there’s a chance he can help…” Her voice trailed off, thick with doubt.
Simon frowned but eventually stepped aside, his eyes still wary.
Dani approached the bed and felt his stomach tighten at the sight of Lili. Her small frame was pale, her breathing shallow. Dark veins spidered across her skin, pulsing faintly with an unnatural glow. The air around her was heavy, reeking of something foul and unmistakable—magic that had gone rotten.
Dani knelt beside her, closing his eyes to focus. He reached out carefully, his senses brushing against the magical signature clinging to her. It was dark, invasive, and malevolent, wrapping itself around her like a parasite. But beneath the corruption, something clicked.
The magic was familiar.
Too familiar.
Dani’s jaw clenched as realization dawned. He had felt this before, in the Council chambers, lingering in the halls like a ghost.
Wardell.
No—it wasn’t him directly. But the magic was unmistakably tied to his family. It carried the same fiery undertones, the same sharp, cutting edge.
“What’s wrong with her?” Simon asked, his voice trembling.
“She’s cursed,” Dani said quietly, his eyes still fixed on Lili. “The magic—it’s feeding on her, draining her life force.” He hesitated, then added, “And I think I know who’s behind it.”
The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on everyone present. Dani stood, his fists clenched at his sides.
“We need to act quickly,” he said, turning to the nun. “I’ll need privacy and supplies to break this curse. Can you get them?”
The nun nodded, her fear overshadowed by the urgency in his tone.
“Simon,” Dani said, kneeling to meet the boy’s eyes. “I need you to stay here with her. Talk to her, hold her hand—anything to keep her connected to this world. Can you do that?”
Simon nodded fiercely, his resolve clear despite the tears brimming in his eyes.
As Dani began preparing to confront the curse, one thought burned in his mind: whoever had done this to Lili was going to pay.
