Once upon a Midnight | BOOK I

Nine

Can my life get any more complicated?

That was the question I asked myself when I got to my room last night. The portal had thankfully led me directly to my room after the trial, and after I slumped on the soft bed, that was the only question that filled my mind. I agree, I wasn't the one with the most issues in the world, but I at least had to be among the top fifty percent. The midnight trial, shadow magic, a shadow as a familiar, and I seemed to have even made enemies. My thought shifted to Hannah Blossom for a minute and the punishment I would inflict on her later on, before I went back to thinking if my life could get any more complicated. I got an answer to my question sooner, rather than later. A couple hours later, and the answer wasn't at all very calming.

After a very well deserved sleep, I woke up later in the day feeling like a new being. I'd skipped breakfast, but I didn't care about it, instead, I plunged myself into Mum's grimoire. I realised changes in my magick use instantly. It looked like what Mum said was true, familiars did make us stronger. I was in the process of studying a Mesopotamian curse when I heard a knock on the door. Midnight meowed. After watching the black cat for a second, I swiped my hand in the air and the door flung open. Nicolas was standing in the doorway, clad in nothing but a swimming trunk. He was wearing a smile which vanished when he saw me sitting in the chair with oversized clothes on my body.

"Good morning...?" I trailed. What was the mind reader doing here? My eyes took in his slightly muscular body and turned back to the grimoire.

"Erm... You aren't ready?" he asked.

I gave him a puzzled frown. "Ready for what?"

He groaned loudly and facepalmed. "Mikoto told me she informed you to get ready to go to the Enchanted lake," he finally said.

"Oh... Well, she didn't. It must've skipped her mind, I guess." I offered a forced smile. I knew we'd known each other for a few hours now but I wasn't expecting anyone to start including me in outings and gatherings. A thought of declining the offer crossed my mind, and truthfully, that thought sounded absolutely perfect. But I wasn't willing to decline Mikoto's invitation. "Give me a minute to get dressed." Carefully taking Midnight off my lap, I stood up and went towards the wardrobe.

"Okay." Nicolas smiled.

I turned back to Nicolas. "Can you please shut the door?" I said with my brightest smile. He quickly shut it while shutting his eyes in embarrassment. I slid out of my oversized clothes and picked out a dark blue swimsuit. When I came outside, Nicolas was playing with a tiny ball of fire, and he quickly put it off when he saw me. He flashed me a small smile, his gaze wandering down my body. I returned the smile said to the golden-haired bloke, "Shall we?"

"I believe I should be the one asking that question," his smile broadened. "And what in Satan's name is the bag for?"

I patted the small bag I had across my shoulder. It was a beautiful red bag and I couldn't resist picking it up at the last minute. "It contains chalk and marker," I answered.

Nicolas sighed and led me down the hallway. "You're old fashioned, dear. Why don't you use a wand like everyone else?! They're the best for drawing runes."

"Well, if you remember, I'm an excommunicate," I reminded him. "You need a license to get those wands, and my excommunicated behind can't get one."

He held my hand when we got to a corner. "Fine. Are you ready?"

"Firstly, why are we in a corner, and secondly, ready for what?" I frowned. I didn't like mysteries, I liked facts and not being left in the dark. Though, judging by all my recent discoveries, I suspected that a lot of things might've been kept from me. I knew what my mum would say if I asked her. She'd say she was doing it to protect me, but I still didn't think I could trust her. At least, until I figured out more about the shadow magic and the mystic rune on my back which is clearly not a ghost-repellent.
Nicolas' touch was warm and it felt like it was getting warmer with every passing second. "Well, I don't want to be seen by those surveillance demons the council are using to watch every one of us."