Spellbound

The New Trainer

My ears ring as lilac fireworks explode in the darkening sky. The roar of the field drowns out the pounding in my chest, as I curl up on the cold, hard ground. My head, throbbing. My veins, flooding with ice until I feel nothing but the stinging cold against my skin. Every breath, every movement, excruciating—and then, nothing.

In the few seconds it takes for my eyes to adjust, I see Noah hovering above me; The residue of purple glitter smeared across his cheek and noticeable concern plastered on his face; Beside him, a bespectacled boy with dirt on his nose, and another boy with a sour expression.

"Let's get you up," Noah says, taking my hands in his.

Ky-Bo wraps his hands around my waist, and together they bring me to my feet. The sudden rush, makes my head spin and I almost fall, instead, they drape my arms over their shoulders and steady me.

"We should get her inside—" Cody says, leading us away.

We come to a common room—not one I've seen before. This one is for all students, Witches and Warlocks alike. There's an eclectic mix of colours and showy tapestries—ornate carvings along the walls and elaborate, sizeable portraits staring down at us.

Noah and Ky deposit me into a large plush armchair and Cody offers me a glass of lemon water. No one says a word. Instead, the three boys I know almost nothing about, watch me curiously.

"Thank-you," I finally say.

Ky-Bo stands close to the corner, sword tucked neatly in his belt, and arms folded across his broad chest. His eyes are dark and narrowed at me in suspicion, but I'm too weak to block his feelings, so I endure it.

"Thanks guys," Noah tells them, "I'll stay with her."

They exchange awkward glances, before Cody says, "we have garden club at midnight," holding up his watch, "don't be late." And with that, he leaves.

Ky-Bo on the other hand, doesn't move.

"What happened to you?" He says.

His tone surprises me. He's not asking because he cares, I know that much—it's more like an interest. A need to know.

I try to act like his question doesn't bother me, straightening up in my chair, and staring into his eyes, "I've been unwell," is all I choose to tell him.

He looks to Noah, who nods reassuringly. For now, that seems to be enough, and he leaves us alone.

"Thanks again," I say.

Noah's face falls. Without any words, I know everything he wants to say to me.

I sigh, "I'm okay, I promise."

He pulls up a footstool and takes a seat in front of me. He looks at me in a way I can't remember anyone looking at me before, and it makes my heart break for reasons I can't quite understand. Sweet, reliable Noah. Since the moment I met him, he has only ever tried to help me, to point me in the right direction, and care for me when I felt alone and unsure. Besides Serena, he's the only other hand guiding me through this darkness, and I have no idea why it's so hard to open up to him. To anyone.

So for once, I swallow my pride, "Fine," I tell him, "I'm not okay."

Turns out, Noah is a pretty exceptional listener. I tell him everything. And I mean everything. From my mortal life to this moment right now. The prophecy, my parents, my powers, Marigold, Fox, Adrian. All of it. When I'm finally finished, he stares at me again. For the briefest of moments, I want to take it all back—