Malcolm Malice felt a twinge of nerves as he took a seat at the large round table in Mistress Obsidian’s office. The head mistress had not yet arrived. A group of older students sat around the same table and they watched Malcolm quietly. He found it somewhat intimidating that he was the youngest one here. They were all in the years above him, all exceptionally talented seers in their own rights. He tried not to let his nerves surface and instead tipped up his chin, reminding himself just how proud he was to have been invited.
Just then, the door opened and in waltzed Mistress Obsidian. Her long flowing black dress swirled around her as she sank into the throne-like seat at the head of the table. There was a triumphant smile on her face. She leaned forward and looked intently at each face of the group of students she’d asked to gather there.
When her eyes met Malcolm’s, he felt a spark deep inside of him, like Mistress Obsidian was sending a bolt of lightning directly into his chest.
She leaned back and drummed her black painted fingernails against the armrests of her throne.
“I have some wonderful news.” She paused for effect. “The Orb of Kandra has been seized.”
Malcolm felt a surge of excitement. The Orb of Kandra powered Amethyst’s stupid school. Without it, they’d be in big trouble. It might even collapse. He felt a smile of glee spread across his lips.
Mistress Obsidian continued. “We have it locked away and will soon begin the process of moving it throughout different periods of time to keep it hidden.”
One of the students raised her hand. “Excuse me, Mistress, but why not just destroy the Orb?”
The headmistress shook her head, looking a little irritated at the interruption. “It is too dangerous to destroy. Instead, we must hide it and buy some time. After twenty-four hours the Amethyst School for Seers will be so weakened it will collapse of its own accord. So we must keep the Orb out of their hands until that time can happen. That’s where you all come in.”
Malcolm sat up taller. He felt very important.
“I’ll be sending you out in teams,” the headmistress continued. “All with the aim of confusing Professor Amethyst and stopping him from finding the Orb and returning it to its plinth in the sixth dimension. We must cause many distractions and diversions so he has no idea where in space-time we are hiding the orb. And of course we can wreak a bit of havoc as we go.”
The kids began to smile, delighted at the thought. Mistress Obsidian’s expression matched their glee. Then she directed their attention to a chalkboard where she’d written lists of their names in her scratchy handwriting.
“I’ve split you into teams. Teams A through E are to carry decoy orbs. Their role is to distract Professor Amethyst. To force him to send out his own separate teams on a wild goose chase.”
Malcolm scanned the list. His name was not on lists A through E. His was on his own list with a much smaller group. He wondered what his mission would be.
Mistress Obsidian continued. “The final group is to go on a very important mission. Something a little special. A little extra.” She looked at Malcolm squarely. “We have something up our sleeve that Amethyst will never see coming. Malcolm Malice, I’m entrusting you to lead this important part of the mission.”
Every pair of eyes around the table latched onto Malcolm with envy. He felt a swell of pride in his chest. Of course he was the chosen one. He was the best student after all. He had the most unique power blend too. All his hard work was about to pay off. None of the bullying mattered now.
“Of course, Mistress,” he said. “I’d be honored. What is it you want me to do?”
The headmistress clapped her hands and the two security guards standing beside her office door opened it. In came several students carrying a large glass bowl. They rested it on the table in front of Mistress Obsidian and then retreated the way they’d come.
Malcolm frowned. Inside the bowl was a strange glowing liquid.
Mistress Obsidian leaned forward, her face lit by the glow coming from the bowl. All the students around the table leaned in closer too.
As Malcolm inched toward the bowl, Mistress Obsidian waved her hand over the glittering liquid inside. An image began to form within it.
Everyone gasped.
Malcolm leaned forward to get a better look. Inside the liquid, a face emerged. It was a boy. Rather strange looking, with dark hair and pale blue eyes set into a round, chubby face.
Malcolm scoffed with contempt. “It’s just an ordinary boy.”
Mistress Obsidian shook her head. “A human boy, yes. But far from ordinary.” A grin began to spread across her lips. “This is our secret weapon.”
Malcolm was puzzled. What use did they have for an ordinary mortal boy without powers? What made him a weapon?
Mistress Obsidian continued speaking. “We must kidnap this boy and convert him to our side. That’s where you come in, Malcolm.”
“Yes, Mistress?”
“You need to find him and lure him back to school. He’s the only person who can help us in this mission. Stealing the Orb of Kandra is just the first step to destroying those measly pipsqueaks forever. There is more to do. With this boy on our side, the Obsidian school will win.”
Mistress Obsidian sat back and drummed her nails across the table top and smiled. “He has a familial link to a young seer I’d very much like to see destroyed. One who is destined to be the most important seer in the universe. One Professor Amethyst tracked down before I could get my hands on him.” She beat her fist onto the table in sudden anger. Then the fury passed. “So we will make do with second best. Because of the link between them, once we kidnap…” She coughed, “…I mean lure this boy and convert him to our side, we will be able to use him to destroy the other.”
“But who is he?” Malcolm asked.
Mistress Obsidian smiled slyly at the chubby boy’s face in her glass vision bowl.
“His name is Christopher. Using him, we will be able to kill his brother. One of Amethyst’s seers. A boy named Oliver Blue.”