Rosemary Johns - Rebel Academy - Curse

I laughed, and Hartley shivered, falling back on her ass. Snow rained down on her.

Then Magenta appeared, as the storm died down, in the midst of coiling black mist.

Now that was an entrance.

Magenta was wicked and she was the most powerful witch here. The entire academy shook on each step.

How close were we to breaking the wards?

For the first time, I firmly believed that Magenta could unmake this academy.

When Magenta sauntered towards me, I gazed at her, mesmerized.

My dick hardened. Now was not the time to test if I could come untouched, simply by the power of Magenta’s awesomeness.

Yeah, it was possible.

My dick pulsed, and I bit my lip.

Magenta leaned over me, stroking through my curls, before murmuring, “May I kiss you?”

“My dick will never forgive you if you don’t,” I murmured.

She grinned. “Well, we can’t have that.”

When Magenta pressed her lips to mine, I knew that I’d never be rejected again. I moaned, as her yew-scented magic, caressed mine in time with the strokes of her tongue. I deepened the kiss, giving everything that I was, because she gave me everything that she was.

When she drew back, sucking at my lower lip, like she never wanted to break the kiss, I smiled against her lips.

Then Magenta turned to look at Hartley who was still sprawled on the floor. “How enchanting to finally meet you. I’m the Wickedly Charmed witch from the House of Crows who cursed this academy, and you’re the bitch who hurt my lover.” Her smile was all teeth. “Hurt him again, and see what fun we’ll have.”

Hartley’s mouth tightened, and she scooted backward. “I’m not here for him. I’m here to match Emerick.”

Magenta raised her eyebrow. “I once believed that I had no option but to be trapped in a loveless marriage. Then to escape it, I destroyed everything. Are you sure that you wish to continue such a tradition?”

Hartley pulled herself shakily to her feet. “My mum…”

“Lied about Reed,” I said. “And lied that witches couldn’t love mages.”

Hartley wiped angrily at the tears on her cheeks. “This matching is off.”

Damelza stalked towards Magenta. “Do you know why I hate those who destroy matchings?”

“You’re the Grinch?” I suggested.

“Insecure matriarchy?” Emerick ventured.

Magenta tilted her head. “Irritability caused by appalling tea etiquette?”

“Because the House of Jewels was meant to be united with the House of Crows, and you’ve just undone decades of work.” Damelza’s cheek twitched. “Since you’ve wrecked my chances at the money this academy needs, then you’d better impress the patrons at the Enchanted Ball. Perhaps, I should have a Hunt with Snow and Emerick the prey to be savaged, since he’s no use to me as a son.”

Emerick flinched, and Snow hunched his shoulders.

“There’s no need to harm him.” Hartley laid her hand on Emerick’s arm.

If I squinted, I could imagine she cared.

Damelza’s eyes flashed. “My dear, if you don’t want him, I can discipline my son any way that I like…both my son and your brother.”

Hartley hugged her arms around her middle.

I should never have forgotten what a master manipulator Damelza was.

“Be careful,” Hartley’s voice was icy. “I admit that it’s come years too late, but I’ve realized that my brother is sort of epic. Release him from that contraption.” My mouth was dry, but I still shot Hartley a grin that she met, shyly. Joy thrilled through me. After all these years, I still only wanted to see Hartley happy. To my surprise, the straps opened. “The House of Jewels doesn’t take well to threats.”

Damelza fiddled with the feather charm, which was tucked behind her ear. “That suits me, since the House of Crows only issues promises . Sweet Hecate, are the younger generation all this spoiled?”

Juni darted a nervous glance between Hartley and Damelza. “Mother, there’s no need for…”

“Don’t mother me.” Damelza swung to Magenta; her eyes glittered. “And you , materializing with your flashy tricks and even flashier morals. Let’s just see how wicked you truly are. I can say with utter certainty that you’re the worst behaved student today and have earned the punishment of the Memory Theater. What will your lover think of you, when your memories and secrets are revealed?”

I stood in the center of the Memory Theater, waiting for my mind to be violated of its secrets. My hands balled into fists, and I scrunched my nose against the overwhelming aroma of sage and with it, the hungry magic of this theater that was eager to devour my memories.

Damelza waltzed to her feathered throne, throwing herself into it like she was eager to watch the Magenta Show.

Ah, the thrills of theater.

So, she expected wickedness, hidden cruelty, and excitement? Perhaps, another treasonous patricide like Willoughby’s or the moment that all hope was extinguished like Fox’s?

I’d had the misfortune to live my life the first time around, and I’d even bored myself.

It’d gone mostly: embroidery — cup of tea — walk around the lake – cup of tea — reading Jane Eyre — cup of tea .

Except, then there’d been Robin.

He’d been a mage, and I’d loved him. I glanced at Fox and the sister who’d rejected him simply because he was a mage. It delighted me to see her on her behind at his feet.

I straightened my shoulders, twisting my magic into the jaws of the ancient theater’s magic. It shuddered in shock.

Let it drag out my best and worst memories with Robin…our first kiss, his death, and my transformation into a wicked witch, as I cursed the entire academy…because then Fox would know just how much a mage could love.

The spotlight shone brighter on me, before it flickered. The walls groaned.

“Shall we?” Damelza’s self-satisfied expression faltered. “Before you lose control again and pull down this whole place on top of us. What was I thinking wanting to get inside your mind? I’m trying to be optimistic but I expect it’s as withered and blackened as Hecate’s Tree.”

Hartley’s eyes widened.

“Who wants to watch a boring tree trunk?” Fox blurted. He blushed, when I raised my eyebrow. “I mean, not that Magenta has wood between her ears…okay, I’m going to stop digging, before this hole is deep enough for a foxy grave, but I’ve been bad today, so why not punish me instead?”

The Memory Theater had destroyed Fox last time, and he had far more nightmares in his past than me. I couldn’t let him relive them, when his sister was here to witness them as well.

To my surprise, it was Hartley who shot to her feet, pointing at Damelza. “In the name of Hecate, you’ll do no such thing. I let mum lie that Reed was dead, but I know that Fox is alive now. Don’t think you can harm him. I’ll be checking up.”

Damelza huffed. “Don’t you know the definition of a whipping boy ?” Then she sighed. “Have it your way, but Confess can’t be excused the general classes and training of the academy. I have my reputation as an educator to think of. I’ll also be looking forward to a sizable Don’t Harm the Mage Fund from the House of Jewels.”

Hartley’s lips pinched, but she nodded.

Damelza flicked her wrist, and I was spun around to face the images that flickered on the back wall. My guts roiled to see the fae, vampires, angels, and gods (all of them Rebels), who’d been trapped here for hundreds of years.