William Isaak Corvus Academy or WICA- as the students refer to it- has a special branch of studies that specializes in magic and the creation of new witchers. Kate Graham, a last year student and candidate for the prophet crown, is the perfect witch...
A group of ten last-year students argued over the circle of five's poor attempts to calm down the room. Since the incident with the witching, everybody had been on edge when it came to campus security.
"The barrier is on and there are no signs of a break-in or any recorded malfunctions," Octavia said with an even tone while she checked the tabled in her hand. She was not affected by the room's panicked state and neither was Alexander Stormwell, the High Priest, and Headmaster.
"Are you saying that it was suicide?" Mary said. Kate grimaced at her high-pitched voice. It was a mystery to her how anybody could consider the girl for a prophet.
Octavia simply glared at Mary for a long second and completely ignored her when she turned to Alexander. "Maybe we should call for help or even protection."
The principal sat on his chair, at the head of the table, with a pensive look in his eyes. He stroked his well-kept beard with one hand while his eyes stared through the window at the end of the room.
"We can take care of it ourselves, there is no need to call those dreadful, good-for-nothing, lazy, police-wanna-be witchers." Tamara, another one of the council of five's members, said as her face picked up color from the listed insults.
"Let's not get worked up over it, Sister." Iryn intervened, resting a hand on the short woman's shoulder.
"Wait, who are we calling?" Mary asked again, stepping away from the group of students that continued to argue at the other side of the space.
Kate had kept her distance from the beginning, choosing to join the council's conversation instead.
"Octavia," Alexander's deep voice froze the room in icy silence. He turned to the slender woman by his side and she blinked once to indicate her attention. "Call the Crows."
The silence in the room became heavier as some students tried to decipher what he was talking about and others realized the gravity of the situation.
"Is it that bad?" Kate asked, speaking for the first time since the meeting had been called.
"Unfortunately," Alexander said. "Thomas Lindsay did not die by accident or by his own hand. Marks on his arms revealed signs of a struggle and a toxin called Ziraxan was found in his blood. Ziraxan can only be found in the paralyzing agent that hell-hounds use to stop their victims from escaping."
"So, there is a breach," Kate said. He gave her a silent nod.
"I'll make security run more tests along the barrier, and I'll make that call to the Crows," Octavia spoke while she typed the information in her device. She walked out of the room leaving with her high heels clicking behind her.
"These are top security matters, so I'll kindly ask of you to keep them private from other students. We'll tell the media, and the rest of the staff and students that don't belong to Corvus, that it was a suicide. Meanwhile, we will have the Crows investigate the campus. A message will be sent to the rest of the Order's members to make them aware of the situation."
He stood up after he finished talking and exited the room. The other four Sisters remained in their seats. Iryn, being the oldest, took over the command in the room. "Please return to your dormitories, I understand that this was a tragic event, but life goes on and this should not stop any of you."
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When Kate returned to her dormitory, she filled in D.C. with the meeting's events. Two hours later they received a collective text message with a basic explanation of the events and the involvement of the Crows.
"Just great!" D.C. threw herself on her bed, hiding her face in her pillow. When she was done being dramatic, she turned around and lifted her torso on her elbows. "I've got a thousand tests and exams in two weeks' time and if the Crows are still here, I'll fail them."
"You won't, I don't see how the Crows will interrupt your studies?" Kate asked and raised an eyebrow. She sat on her bed with her legs crossed while her hands worked on braiding her long hair.
"When was the last time you saw me study?" D.C. sat up and crossed her arms. "Let me answer that for you, never. If the crows are here it will be impossible to use the Recordae spell and you know I suck at theory."
"That's on you, maybe you could try it the old-fashioned way? Get a book and learn it." She threw the finished braid behind her back and made herself comfortable against the wall.
"You're so prehistoric." D.C. joked. Kate rolled her eyes. She picked up the book from her nightstand and opened it from the last marked page.
"Really? You're reading now? We have a killer loose on campus and you are thinking about books and studies?" Kate sighed, dropping the book in her lap.
"Dee, you're being dramatic. There is nothing to worry about." She started. "The council is perfectly capable of protecting us all if anything at all even happens."
"I get it, you have Iryn, the high priest, and Luca looking after you at all times. It's nerve-wracking sometimes and I don't understand how you cope with so many eyes on you at all times, but for the rest of us, we're on our own." D.C turned her attention to her nails, avoiding eye contact. "Things are starting to change around here and lately I don't feel that safe."
Kate didn't say a word. She watched D.C in silence for a moment, realizing how lonely she really was. The tough girl exterior was only armor and even though she had never shown it, Kate knew well how vulnerable her friend was. Dee was an only child with an overprotective family and a poor relationship with her mother.
In a way, they lived similar lives. But where Kate had a maternal figure to look up to, D.C. only had her father who was rarely there when she needed him most.
The bed creaked when Kate climbed next to Dee and wrapped her arms around her. "You've got me, I'm always here for you and you know that I'll look over your dumb ass my whole life."
"You promise?" D.C. pouted playfully.
"Pinky promise, " Kate smiled and lifted up her pinky.
"Then you better be ready to bail me out of jail next week." Dee wrapped her finger around hers.
"What did you do?" Kate's eyes widened and her friend grinned.
"Nothing yet, but I'm going to kick the living daylights out of Lauren from psych for flirting with my man."
"Please don't. I don't have enough ingredients to make the memory wipe potions, and you always leave a trail." D.C. laid down next to Kate and hit her arm playfully.
"Thank you for always being here for me, Kate. I feel like I don't say that enough." Her hand wrapped around Kate's and gently squeezed.
"Anytime." She said. You're the sister I never had, she thought.
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