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I woke up with a start, breathing fast. Sweat slicked my skin, and my heart hammered against my ribcage like it wanted out. The nightmare clung to me like a relentless echo of the past—my parents’ faces twisted in horror, their voices cut short by an unseen force that had snatched them from this world five years ago. The images haunted me, blurring the lines between dream and memory, leaving a bitter taste of unresolved anguish.
Jeez, brain. Way to start the day with a bang. Or more like a whimper. At least my subconscious was consistent, serving up the same horror show on repeat.
“Bad one, huh?” Agatha asked, slinking into my bedroom. The early morning light seeping in through the blinds streaked her black fur with bands of gold. Her green eyes held a depth that seemed almost human, and she jumped up onto the bed.
“Yeah, really bad,” I said, raking a hand through my hair. “Holy hell...”
“Language, young witch. And...I’m sorry about your parents.”
Agatha was more than my feline familiar, she was a confidant, a fragment of sanity in my chaotic world. I reached out to scratch behind her ears, and she leaned into the touch, purring her approval.
“Right, the Echoing Locket.” I slid my legs over the edge of the bed.
The power of the amulet was not lost on me, and if it fell into the wrong hands...well, we’d all be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I padded across the room, still wrestling with the tendrils of sleep. I swung the door open to find my best friend, Evie, a coffee in each hand, her hazel eyes bright.
Ah, Evie. My personal caffeine fairy. If friendship had a smell, it’d be freshly brewed coffee at stupid o’clock in the morning.
“Morning, sunshine,” she greeted, pushing one of the cups into my hands. “Figured you’d need this.”
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee was enough to chase away the last remnants of the nightmare.
“Thanks.” I took a grateful sip. The warm liquid thawed the coldness from the nightmare, grounding me back to reality. “Let me go change. Be right back.”
I headed back to my bedroom, the wood floor cool beneath my feet. The mirror above my dresser reflected a disheveled version of me, with tangled hair and dark circles under my eyes from the remnants of sleep. I peeled off my sweat-soaked nightgown, tossing it into the laundry basket with a sigh.
Great. I looked like a zombie extra from a B-grade horror flick. Maybe I could market this as a new trend. Nightmare Chic. It’d be all the rage at the Institute for the Arcane Arts.
Opening the closet, I pulled out a pair of well-worn jeans and slipped them on. I paired them with a cute floral blouse that added a touch of brightness to my otherwise gloomy mood. My favorite ankle boots, scuffed but stylish, completed the outfit. I ran a brush through my hair, taming the wild strands into something more presentable, and then went into the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water to erase the last traces of the nightmare.
Feeling more like myself, I returned to the living room where Evie was waiting. She was flipping through a magazine on the coffee table, her own cup of coffee half empty.
“Ready to face the day?” she asked, looking up with a smile.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I took another sip of my coffee, feeling the warmth seep into my bones.
Evie drank her mocha latte. “I came by because I think we should start looking for the Echoing Locket. If we don’t find that thing before someone uses it for nefarious purposes, Ingrid will have our heads.”
I nodded. “That locket was Ingrid’s pride and joy, a piece of history. The Archmage Zephyria’s work, no less. We need to get to Ingrid’s office. See what we can scrounge up.”
“Let’s do it, bestie.” Evie nodded.
“Try not to bring the building down, young witch,” Agatha said.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, but you’re coming with us.” I finished my coffee and slipped on my jacket.
We stepped out into the brisk morning air, a trio bound by friendship, purpose, and the pursuit of a dangerous truth. Emberwick Crossing was waking up around us.
“Off to Ingrid’s office, then?” Agatha leaped onto my shoulder, her claws gently grazing my jacket.
“Yep,” I said.
My friends and I made our way up the hill towards the Institute for the Arcane Arts. The towering castle-like structure emerged against the blue morning sky, its Gothic spires piercing the clouds.
“I miss school.” Evie was eyeing the grand wrought-iron gates that creaked open at our approach.
“Welcome back to college.” I smiled.
We navigated through the stone corridors and spiraling staircases until we reached Ingrid’s office. The door was ajar, which was unusual for someone like the High Witch, who prized privacy like a dragon hoards gold.
“Looks like the High Witch isn’t here.” I pushed the door open with a tentative hand.
“Or maybe she’s invisible and watching us.” Agatha deadpanned, jumping down off my shoulder to prowl the room.
Still feeling a little sleepy, I yawned before turning to Evie. “Let’s see if there’s anything weird.”
Evie nodded, and we began to scour the room, looking for clues that would help us find the Echoing Locket. Everything appeared untouched. Too untouched, like a staged scene right out of a play. I moved to Ingrid’s ornate desk, running my fingers over the polished surface. The neatly stacked papers and pristine quill seemed out of place for someone as busy as the High Witch. I carefully opened the top drawer, revealing an array of precisely organized scrolls and sealed letters. Each item was in perfect order, not a single piece out of alignment.
Evie rifled through the bookshelf on the opposite wall. She pulled out volumes at random, flipping through pages and checking for any hidden compartments. Her frustration grew evident as each book revealed nothing but dust and ink.
Agatha, prowling the floor with feline grace, stopped at the base of a tall cabinet. She sniffed around its edges before looking up at me with a curious glint in her eyes. “Something’s off here.” She meowed, her tail whooshing with impatience.
I joined her, opening the cabinet to find rows of potion bottles and labeled jars, all meticulously arranged. I carefully examined the contents and everything seemed ordinary. Closing the cabinet, I turned to Evie, who was now inspecting the large, imposing portrait of Ingrid that hung above the desk.
“Anything?” I asked, feeling a sense of urgency rise within me.
Evie shook her head, her hazel eyes reflecting our shared frustration. “This place is too perfect. It’s like she knew we’d come snooping.”
I approached Ingrid’s personal datebook, prominently displayed on a pedestal. The book was locked, and a quick spell from Evie’s hand opened it. I flipped through the pages and dates, then I noticed something odd—a torn page, seemingly ripped out in haste. It was the only imperfection in an otherwise flawless room.
I stepped away from the pedestal, showing the ripped edges to Evie. “Found something. Whatever was on this page, Ingrid didn’t want anyone to see it.”
Evie nodded, a grim look on her face. “I heard Freya works here part-time as healer. She might know something.”
“Good call.” I glanced at Agatha. “You coming?”
“If I must.” My cat lifted her head from where she sniffed at the bookshelf.
We found Freya in the infirmary. She had a compassionate countenance that made people want to tell her their life story.
“Freya, hey,” I greeted. “Have you noticed anything strange around Ingrid’s office lately? There is a missing item, and we’re trying to track down what might’ve happened to it.”
“Not really. Only the usual enchantments.” Freya’s brow furrowed. “There was an odd energy the other night, though. Felt like dark magic static in the air.”
Damn. Because regular magic wasn’t complicated enough, now we had to deal with its evil twin.
“Static could mean a lot of things, but dark magic? That only means one thing—badness.” Evie frowned, exchanging a glance with me.
Freya shrugged. “It’s hard to say more without knowing the exact nature of it.”
“Thanks, Freya,” I said.
We left her to her duties.
“An ‘odd energy’ could mean someone was messing with the locket,” I said.
“Or trying on new perfumes.” Agatha snickered. “That office always smells like a potion gone wrong.”
“Helpful as ever.” I rolled my eyes.
“Let’s go back and—” Evie stopped mid-sentence.
Professor Elderwood emerged from a nearby classroom, his auburn hair a disheveled halo around his head.
“Professor Elderwood, do you have a sec?” I called out.
“Ah, Miss Holland, what can I do for you?” He lifted a hand, adjusting his glasses in a distracted manner.
“Did you notice anything unusual around Ingrid’s office recently?”
He scratched his cheek. “Um, yes... dark energies were amiss.” He sighed. “Your parents, bless their souls, they knew how to read the signs. Used to frequent an old bookshop for rare magical texts. Might hold some clues to this darker energy.”
My chest tightened at the mention of my parents. Their absence felt like a perpetual stubbed toe on my heart.
“In Emberwick Crossing?” Evie slanted her head.
“Yes, indeedy! Mystic Tomes, it’s called. Now run by a peculiar little man, but don’t let appearances deceive you...because...because...” Professor Elderwood said, his voice trailing off. “Now I can’t remember. Anyway, you should check there, kids.”
“Thank you, Professor,” I said.
“Anytime, anytime...and do visit the bookshop.” Professor Elderwood was wandering off in his own world again.
“Looks like we’ve got our next stop,” Evie said.
“Let’s just hope this isn’t another wild broom chase,” Agatha muttered.
I laughed.
“Better than a snipe hunt,” Agatha said, sashaying ahead of us.
We made our way out of the Institute for the Arcane Arts with a new lead and walked back into town.
The door of Mystic Tomes creaked ominously when we stepped into the brightly lit bookshop. The perfume of aged paper mixed with the subtle tang of magic filled the air, a cocktail for the senses that made my skin tingle with anticipation. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes and leather-bound volumes lined the shelves. Dust motes danced in the sunlight streaming through the large, arched windows, creating an almost ethereal glow.
My eyes were drawn to the far corner where a small reading nook was located, complete with overstuffed armchairs and a cold fireplace. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes from magical history, and every available surface was cluttered with stacks of books.
The shop’s owner stood behind the counter, his long, white beard flowing down to his chest and his brown eyes bright. He gave us a nod, then went back to sorting through a new shipment.
We moved further into the bookshop, each step on the groaning wooden floorboards seeming to echo throughout the building. I half expected the floor to give way and dump us into some magical basement filled with talking books and snarky bookworms.
“Feels like stepping into a forgotten world,” Evie whispered, her gaze sweeping over the spines of countless books.
“Or a dust mite’s paradise.” Agatha was perched on my shoulder, her eyes glinting in the brilliant morning light filtering through the stained-glass windows.
I grinned at her dry humor.
We moved deeper into the warren of bookshelves, each one packed with volumes. I felt a buzz under my skin, a tingling sensation tickling my fingertips every time they brushed against the leather-bound spines.
Great. I liked that my magic was acting up like an overexcited puppy in a park full of squirrels. This was going to be fun.
“Whoa! Do you guys feel that?” My voice was hushed.
“Feel what? The overwhelming urge to sneeze?” Agatha glanced around with a hunter’s focus.
“Your intuition kicking in, Sage?” Evie’s hazel eyes met mine.
“Something’s calling out to me.” I frowned, following the feeling until my hand landed on an out-of-place grimoire, its cover less dusty than the others.
Typical. Of all the books in this magical library, I just had to pick the one that screamed “danger” louder than a banshee at a rock concert.
“Odd duck out, huh?” Evie leaned closer.
I pulled the book from its slot. It fell open to a page marked by a cryptic note, symbols floating and glowing before our eyes—clear signs of powerful magic at play.
Nothing said relaxing day out quite like stumbling upon ancient, potentially world-ending magic. Mom and Dad would be so proud.
“The Archmage Zephyria.” I instantly recognized the sigils associated with the legendary witch who vanished without a trace. “Could this be connected to the Echoing Locket?”
“Did you say The Archmage? Oh, no, young witch, this is like finding a needle in a haystack...if the needle was also trying to poke your eyes out,” Agatha said, her whiskers twitching.
Leave it to Agatha to sum up our predicament with a dash of sarcasm and a pinch of impending doom. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or start planning my will.
“Looks like more than just bedtime stories for dark witches.” Evie moved closer, leaning in to study the fragmented messages.
I bit my lip, trying to process the gravity of our discovery. We were just two witches and a witchy cat, stumbling upon what could be the magical equivalent of a ticking time bomb. And to think, I’d woken up this morning worried about whether I’d remembered to water my plants.
“Let’s take this with us. We need time to decode it.” I tucked the note into my pocket after purchasing the grimoire
I noticed the shopkeeper eyeing us with an unreadable expression. “Careful, witches,” he warned in a gravelly voice.
“Careful is my middle name,” I replied.
“More like Reckless,” Agatha murmured.
I grinned. “Let’s not argue semantics now, Agatha.”
We stepped outside the bookshop and froze.
“Think you’re going somewhere?” a masked figure snarled, emerging from the shadows with three others clad in dark clothing, bearing the emblem of the supernatural uprising.
“Evie, get ready,” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Shadow playtime!” Agatha hissed, slinking off my shoulder and melding into the shadows around the building.
Overhead, the sun rose higher in the sky as it neared afternoon.
“Let’s have some fun.” Evie smirked, rolling her shoulders.
“Bring it on.” I backed up, conjuring a shield of whirling scripts and glyphs around us.
“Look at the little witches and their parlor tricks,” one of the attackers mocked, lunging forward with a blade shimmering with dark energy.
“Watch it, that’s not child’s play. Well, not really. “Evie retorted, dodging and weaving through the assault, her potions at the ready.
I cast a spell that solidified the air around one assailant, trapping him in place.
“Nice trick, young witch.” Agatha purred from the shadows, her own magic entwining with the enemies feet, causing them to stumble.
“Keep them busy!” I shouted, throwing another spell that burst into blinding light, disorienting the attackers.
“Okay!” Evie called out, her concoctions turning one assailant into a harmless, if rather large, fluffy bunny.
“Should’ve brought more than knives to a magic fight,” I taunted, feeling adrenaline surge through me as we fought tooth and nail against the mysterious aggressors.
“Remember, Sage, no collective triumph,” Agatha reminded me, a wry edge to her voice despite the chaos.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I promised, as we each held our ground.
The air fizzed with magical electricity. I deflected another attack, my shield of glyphs shimmering with each impact. One of the masked figures lunged at me, dark magic swirling around their fists.
“Sage, watch out!” Evie yelled.
I ducked, the attacker’s fist sailing over my head. “Thanks for the heads up!”
“Anytime, bestie.” Evie grinned, hurling a potion that exploded into a cloud of rainbow smoke.
Two assailants stumbled out, coughing and disoriented. One had sprouted donkey ears, and the other now sported a peacock tail.
I grinned. “Cute look. Really brings out your eyes...I mean masks.”
“Enough games!” the leader snarled, conjuring a whip of crackling power.
I raised my hands, ready to counter, when Agatha’s voice purred from the shadows. “Allow me, Sage.”
A tendril of darkness shot out from Agatha, wrapping around the whip and yanking it from the attacker’s grasp.
“Oops. Butter paws.” Agatha snickered.
The leader growled in frustration. “Take them down!”
The four assailants charged, magic pulsing from their hands. I braced myself, drawing on my power to craft a new spell.
“Hey, uglies!” Evie shouted, lobbing another potion. “Catch!”
The vial shattered at their feet, releasing a swarm of glowing butterflies. The delicate insects swarmed the attackers, their wings leaving trails of sparkling dust.
“Aw, how sweet,” I teased. “They like you.”
One of the masked figures sneezed violently, stumbling backward. “What is this stuff?”
Evie smirked. “Just a little pixie dust. Side effects may include sneezing, itching, and sudden urges to frolic in meadows.”
I seized the opportunity, weaving a complex pattern in the air. The ground beneath the attackers’ feet softened, transforming into sticky taffy.
“What the hell?” one yelped, struggling to lift their feet.
“Sage, you genius!” Evie cackled. “Now that’s what I call a sticky situation!”
I grinned but my victory was short-lived. The leader raised his hands, dark energy sizzling and sparking between his palms. “Enough of this nonsense!” he roared.
A wave of black magic exploded outward, shattering my taffy trap and sending us flying backward. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from my lungs.
“Sage!” Evie called out, scrambling to her feet.
I pushed myself up, wincing. “I’m okay. Where’s Agatha?”
A low growl answered my question. Agatha materialized from the shadows, fur standing on end. “Right here, Sage. And not amused.”
The leader of the masked group stalked forward, dark energy swirling around them like a malevolent aura. “You’ve been a thorn in our side for too long. It’s time to end this.”
I stood my ground, magic tingling at my fingertips. “Bring it on, ugly.”
The leader’s hands shot forward, tendrils of darkness lashing out like venomous snakes. I threw up a hasty shield, the impact making my teeth rattle.
Evie darted to the side, fumbling with her potions. “I’m running low here, guys!”
“Then make it count!” I shouted, reinforcing my shield while another barrage of dark magic slammed into it.
Agatha’s voice echoed from my side. “Perhaps it’s time for a change of tactics, kittens.”
Before I could ask what she meant, Agatha burst from the darkness, growing to the size of a panther. She pounced on one of the masked figures, her shadowy form passing right through him.
The attacker screamed, his body convulsing as Agatha’s magic coursed through him. The man collapsed, twitching.
“Holy crap, Agatha!” Evie exclaimed. “Since when could you do that?”
Agatha’s disembodied voice chuckled. “A lady never reveals all her secrets, honey.”
The remaining attackers hesitated, clearly unnerved by Agatha’s display. I seized the moment, channeling my power into a new spell.
“Hey, mask squad!” I called out. “Ever wonder what it’s like to be a pinball?”
I clapped my hands together, and suddenly the air around us solidified into shimmering, translucent walls. The attackers found themselves trapped in a giant, magical pinball machine.
“Evie, now!” I yelled.
My best friend grinned, pulling out her last potion. “Time for the grand finale!”
She hurled the vial into the center of my magical construct. It exploded in a burst of swirling, kaleidoscopic energy. The masked figures were sent ricocheting off the walls, bouncing wildly when my magic and Evie’s potion combined into a dizzying light show.
“Woo! High score!” Evie cheered.
I maintained the spell, sweat beading on my forehead. I kept the magical pinball machine running. “Agatha, a little help here?”
“With pleasure, young witch.”
Shadows coalesced around the bouncing attackers, forming into ghostly hands that grabbed and spun them, adding to their disorientation.
The leader, however, wasn’t going down without a fight. They managed to steady themselves mid-bounce, dark magic crackling around them.
“Enough!” they roared, releasing a pulse of energy that shattered my spell.
The magical walls dissipated, and our opponents tumbled to the ground, groaning and disoriented. All except the leader, who stood tall, radiating fury.
“You think this is a game?” he snarled. “You have no idea what forces you’re dealing with!”
I stepped forward, magic swirling around my hands. “Why don’t you enlighten us then? Who are you working for?”
The leader laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. “You’ll find out soon enough. This was just a taste of what’s to come.”
The mages raised their hands, sinister power gathering between their palms. I braced myself for another attack, but instead, the energy exploded outward in a blinding flash. When the spots cleared from my vision, the masked figures were gone.
“Well, that was dramatic.” Evie sighed, brushing dust off her clothes.
I nodded, the adrenaline slowly fading. “Yeah, but they got away. And we’re no closer to figuring out what’s going on.”
Agatha materialized beside me, back in her normal cat form. “Don’t be so sure, young witch. I managed to snag a little souvenir.”
She dropped something at my feet—a small, silver pin bearing the emblem of the supernatural uprising.
I picked it up, turning it over in my hand. “Nice work, Agatha.”
“Always happy to help. Now, I believe I was promised tuna for my efforts?”
Evie laughed. “Guys, what do we do now? Those creeps know where to find us.”
I pocketed the pin, my mind racing. “We need to tell the High Witch.”
“And tell Brad,” Evie added. “He needs to know what’s going on.”
I nodded, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest at the mention of Brad’s name. “Right. Let’s get outta here before they want a rematch.”