Witches in Training (#2 in the Witches Trilogy) [rewrites ongoing]

Chapter Nine: All Hell Unleashed

"Oh, no," I say, staring at the flames, "oh, no."

VERA

Eleven hours previously...

"Vera." Kieran says quietly, halfway through the fourth hour-long period of the day. He slips a piece of paper into my hand. I unfold it subtly, keeping an eye on the teacher, and read Kieran's artsy handwriting.

6.30 PM TONIGHT. CLASSROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR. PAIGE WANTS TO TALK.

I look at him. "Blink if you're serious." I whisper. He gives me a slow, deliberate blink. I nod slightly and turn back to face the front of the classroom.

What could Paige possibly have to say?

*

"Keets, pass the ketchup."

Kieran sighs and waves his hand. The bottle floats over and sets itself down in front of me. I discovered that Kieran can manipulate the water elements in things like ketchup, and ever since I've been taking some advantage of it.

"Vera," he says sweetly, "pass the pepper."

The pepper's all the way at the other end of the table. I grumble, reach for it and pass it to him. He doesn't need pepper. He's just doing it to get back at me for the ketchup.

"Did you know," Kami says thoughtfully, chewing, "that Stephen's like a mix of three different creatures? Wraith, goblin and something they call Exiles. Not sure what it means."

"Aren't those all dark creatures?"

"Primarily dark." Kami corrects. "But yeah, pretty much."

"Figures." I say. "He has a dark aura."

"You noticed it too?" Kami says one hundred per cent seriously. "When I met him his aura was like, dark grey. Now it's almost pure black."

"You can see his actual aura?"

Kieran looks at me. "Can't you? Most magical creatures can see auras. Like yours is a very pale cream. Not sure what that's supposed to be. Kami's is silvery blue-standard for dryads. Auras are like this energy silhouette of a person, reflected in different colours. You sure you can't see them?"

"Colourful shadows? Nope."

Kieran shrugs. "It should develop. Don't worry. I'm going in to get another slice of pizza. Don't follow me, Vera." He adds. I sit back down; Kieran grins and leaves to take his fifth slice of pizza.

"So what do you think of all this?" Kami asks, gesturing around her. We're seated in an outdoor cafeteria sort of set up, with the buffet inside, where Kieran's gone.

"It's interesting. They say they want to isolate themselves from the normal people, but this set up's pretty normal."

Kami nods. "I'm going to get more Coke. Want anything?"

"No, thanks."

Kami carefully stands, grasping her cup, and navigates through the throngs of kids, disappearing inside. Before I can even take another bite, she runs back out, yelling. "VERA! VERA! COME SEE THIS. NOW."

I stand up, abandoning my food, and quickly make my way over to Kami. She pulls me into the buffet area, and before I can process the evident chaos that flashes in front of my eyes, she squeals and pulls me aside. Shards of ice smash into the wall where my head had been, and I take in the scene.

Kieran is standing on top of the buffet counter, above the salad. The floor is wet and slippery again, and the kitchen sink's tap has a large hole in it. Several more gaps dot the walls. He keeps his eyes focused on Stephen, who, I realise, seems a little off.