Witches and Devils

Classroom

John Henry or I weren't exactly welcomed into the Coven with open arms, but Cordelia did find a place for us, teaching a few classes. Well, John Henry taught a few classes, Cordelia had paired me with Zoe to help train Mallory, the young witch Cordelia truly believed was the next Supreme. "What has she been able to do so far?" I glance to Zoe as we walk down the hall to the classroom where Mallory is practicing.

Zoe shrugs, "she's been able to literally open someone's throat and then close it up again, without leaving a scar."

"Damn, now that's power."

"Exactly," Zoe nods, "today we are working on Vitalum Vitalis." I nod and follow Zoe into a classroom, inside Mallory is sitting at a table focused on a bird, that appears to have died of old age. Mallory tries a few times, but fails.

I smile and step into the room, Zoe and I having stopped in the doorway, "you're trying too hard."

Mallory looks over to me, "I don't get it. I used to be able to do this."

"You're exhausted, it takes a toll on your powers," Zoe walks in behind me.

I nod, "try to relax and don't push so hard."

"Witchcraft is an art. But our powers only develop as fast as we do."

Mallory looks a bit confused and I smile to her again, "just give it time. That's all we're saying. You're young and you're still growing."

Mallory shakes her head, "what about you two? We are all the same age, why are you two so far ahead of me."

Zoe shrugs, "I got here before this place was a real school and had to rush through my studies to find the Supreme after Fiona Goode."

I nod, "and since I was in a school of only teenage boys, I studied to fill my time."

"That and you were sleeping with a professor," I turn and see John Henry in the doorway, he shrugs and smirks, "that helped a bit too."

I shake my head and turn back to Mallory, "I don't recommend that course of action by any means."

Mallory chuckles a bit and shakes her head, "we don't have time. Michael said he was coming to kill us all."

"We'll be fine as long as we stay here, in this house," I reassure Mallory, "Cordelia put all of Robichaux under the protection of an aura shield."

Zoe nods, "every witch will be safe, but any human, demon or other will find it impossible to step through our front door."

"Then why is he still here?" Mallory points to John Henry.

I chuckle, "because he was here when she cast the spell. But once he leaves he won't be able to reenter."

Zoe looks down at her watch, "it's almost time for my next class. Could you take it while I help Mallory?"

I nod and smile, "of course." I turn and walk out, John Henry walking beside me as I head down the hall.

"And so the student becomes the teacher," John Henry chuckles.

I shake my head, "shut up, I'm nervous enough."

"You're right, I'm sorry," John Henry stops and grabs my hand to stop me as well. Pulling me in close to him and placing a hand on the small of my back, "listen, you're gonna do great. But I did need to talk to you."

"About what?" I smile up to him.

"I am getting ready to head back to the Academy to protect the students and send them all home, until I can get more staff. Chablis and I aren't enough. But when we leave, I want you to stay here."

"What why?"

"Because here you can be protected by Cordelia and the others. We can't offer you an aura spell or anything like that and with the students leaving we don't even have safety in numbers." John Henry sighs, "please don't fight me on this, just stay here."

I sigh and nod, "fine, but I am going to the Academy as soon as I can."

John Henry nods before giving me a kiss, "fine." He smiles, "now, go knock 'em dead." He lets me go and I step away, hurrying to the class I am now late for.

"I am so sorry I am late everyone," I smile at the group of young girls in the room, all sitting around a table. "Ms. Benson has been held up due to Council matters and has asked me to step in. I am Ms. Sinclair." I look over the notes and see the lesson is on energies and the Guardian's Chalice. I have some knowledge of this, but I don't know about teaching a class.

As I walk around the room, Queenie walks in and smiles, "don't worry girl, I got you."

I smile and nod, before beginning the lesson, "we can't always control the energies around us. Negative emotions, sickness, toxic people, unwanted spirits. These things are unavoidable."

"Like the clap at Plato's Retreat," the older witch in the room comments as she lifts the toothpick out of her martini.

I chuckle, "but the Guardian's Chalice is our first line of defense against all of that. Kind of like a bear trap for bad juju. You just stash one in or around a space you want to protect..."

"And even that's not gonna be enough." Queenie comments, "not without this dope ass mantra to recite before." Queenie continues passing out some papers. "That's gonna put all of the power into these jars of junk." Queenie walks up beside me and looks around, "Everyone repeat after me. We'll do it together." Queenie and I pick up one of the Chalices, "all unwanted spirits and negative energy, you must leave now. Any evil presence, leave this place. Only light and healing energy is allowed in here..." we repeated this a few times.

"Clearly that mantra's bullshit," I look over and see Michael standing in the doorway.