The Garden of Shadows

The sound of the clock ticking was unbearably loud inside the classroom. I spent a good amount of time thinking about the last question on the test paper before I finally wrote down an answer. After putting down my pen, I stood up from my seat and walked up to Prof. Ariston in front to submit my paper. He received it with a nod and a smile.

Finally, I was free from exams… for now.

Upon leaving the classroom, I found Emma in the hallway talking to a few of her male fans. It was obvious that she was just conversing with them to be polite, but that fact probably didn’t cross their minds. She bid them goodbye and immediately ran to my side as soon as she caught sight of me. I noticed she wore a new light pink hair accessory that day.

“Nice ribbon,” I said.

“Thanks. I’ve been making these lately to get rid of the stress from exams. I actually made you one too.” She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a black and crimson ribbon. “I was hoping we could wear them together during our school trip to the city.”

I happily received the ribbon. “Thanks. I’ll take it with me then.”

My words brought a huge smile to her face. “I can’t wait! I’ve already finished packing and I’ve also done some research on shops we could visit during our free time. I’ll show it to you later,” she said excitedly.

“When are we leaving again?”

“Tomorrow! Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all about it.” She was shocked.

“I’ve been so caught up with exams lately. I still haven’t prepared my luggage.”

“Don’t worry. There’s still time to pack.”

Elliot came out of the classroom and joined us. “I got stuck on the last question.”

The professors supplemented Elliot’s Focus with extra enchantments and it seemed to quiet the phantom inside him, so he was free to attend classes like normal. Although he was still under observation, his life pretty much went back to how it was minus the uncontrollable bouts of body takeovers.

“Same. It sounded like a trick question, but I wasn’t sure,” Emma replied.

“I still need to finish packing. See you tomorrow!” He waved at both of us before walking away.

“I need to stop by the library. Bartholomew mentioned he had something to give me before I leave for the trip,” I said after Elliot left.

“Alright. I’ll see you at the dormitory!” Emma waved and walked towards the greenhouse.

The library was quiet that afternoon, save for the subtle noises made by the ceiling tentacles. Now that exam week was over, the only students left in the library were those who read books to relax their minds. Everyone else just wanted to stay far away from anything that reminded them of the gruelling nights they spent pouring over volumes of magical lore.

Bartholomew was quick to appear in front of me waving a folded piece of paper. “I have a proposal for you, Ms. Ravenfire,” he spoke in his usual calm and somewhat posh tone.

“Something that you need from the city?” I guessed.

“Precisely. My supply of Earl Grey tea is in dire need of replenishment and I will take no other brand than the one I am accustomed to.” He showed me a box of tea to make sure the brand name Clementine was burned into my memory. “Remember that name. They have a shop in Revival City at 23rd Avenue. I wrote the address in case your memory fails you. I will require at least ten boxes.”

“And since this is a proposal, I’d also assume that you have something enticing to compensate me for my efforts?”

“Naturally. I have a contact in the city who would be willing to purchase those vials of poisons you’ve been producing during your leisure time. I can assure you that they will fetch you a good price. Tell him I sent you. He’d be a fool to turn you away.”

“Who is this contact?”

“Just an old friend I used to drink with. The details are in this sheet of paper, so don’t misplace it.”

I took the piece of paper. “You have yourself a deal, Bartholomew.”

He smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist such a sweet deal, Ms. Ravenfire. Enjoy your trip. I hear the city looks delightful at this time of the year.”

“Thank you. See you in a month.”

He added, “And if you bump into my brother Alistair, give him my warmest regards. Do remind him that he hasn’t returned my copy of The Oracle of the Lamb.”

Upon leaving the library, I literally bumped into the perpetually serious Salamander who was about to head inside. Ever since the last day of the school event when we had to face Lucien Blackthorn, his words have been slightly less vicious and more uncertain. It was as if he couldn’t decide between being nice and continuing our usual pattern of savage eloquence.

I noticed the book in his hand, a French poetry collection titled Les Fleurs du mal.

“Baudelaire?” I asked.

He glanced at the book nonchalantly. “I’m here to return it.”

“I never thought you were into poetry.”

“They’re enjoyable to read, but not enough to get you through a whole month in the city.”

“You’ll want to pick up Tolstoy then.”

He considered it. “War and Peace it is.”

“I take it that you’re not enthusiastic about our upcoming trip.”

“I’m not particularly excited to see the city. I’d rather stay here.” He noticed someone standing nearby. “It looks like somebody wants to talk to you.”

I turned my head.

“Hey,” Lysander greeted awkwardly.

Salamander stepped inside the library to give us some privacy. I took a deep breath and faced Lysander.

“I’m sorry about what happened on the night of the dance,” he said apologetically. “I shouldn’t have run and left you alone like that. Will you let me make it up to you?”

“How do you plan on doing that?” I asked.

“How about having dinner with me at the hedge maze? I’ll make it extra special.” He smiled.

“I’m leaving for a school trip tomorrow. I’ll be away for a month.”

“When you’re back then?”

I smiled. “We’ll see. Goodbye, Lysander.” I turned to walk away.

He tried to stop me. “Remina, I know I’ve disappointed you, but what else was I supposed to do in that situation?”

I turned my head. “I need someone who’s crazy enough to stay with me in times of danger. Not someone who flees. See you in a month.”

All the first year students were made to gather at the Hall of Mirrors at six in the morning. There weren’t a lot of us. We were just about thirty students in all, a little less than the other year levels. I suppose it was difficult to find people who had the potential for magic.

We were required to spend a month in Revival City for an educational tour and to attend the opening of a new museum dedicated to magical history. The headmaster thought it was a good idea to include a short apprenticeship program to help us determine our ideal career paths early on. We were to indicate things we enjoyed doing and topics we were interested in. A place would then be assigned to us based on that and our performance in school.

Naturally, I wrote down ‘creation of magical devices’ and ‘mechanics’ on mine. I hoped to get lucky enough to be assigned to a shop much like my uncle’s. However, upon receiving my card, I was surprised to learn that my place of apprenticeship would be Luceafărul, a book and antique shop run by none other than Bartholomew’s brother, Alistair. I wondered if this was a plot by the devious librarian to have me acquire his unreturned book.

Emma peeked at my card. “What’d you get, Remina? I’ll be having mine at the city hospital.”

“It seems to be some antique shop,” I replied.

“Sounds mysterious. And Elliot?”

Elliot looked up upon hearing his name. “Oh, it seems to be some kind of museum.”

I noticed Salamander standing quietly behind Elliot.

“What did you get, Salamander?” I asked.

Emma flinched the moment she heard his name. She still wasn't over her crush on him.

“The department of criminal investigation,” he replied while showing his card.

“Why do you get the fun apprenticeship?” I complained.

He smirked. “You’re regretting writing down ‘mechanics’ now, aren’t you? While you’re wasting away at the antique shop, I’ll be busy doing detective work.”

“Students, form a line. Keep your luggage close. We’ll be heading to the city now. Move quickly.” Prof. Ariston guided us to the mirror portal that led to Revival City.

Revival City was a fairly new city that was built just thirty years ago. It was an experiment to see how a community of mages and non-mages could co-exist together in The Land Between, which is what they seem to call the merged portion of the two universes now. It was also an attempt to revive the old culture lost to humanity, hence the name revival. They swore never to make the mistake of replacing tastefully decorated buildings with plain blocks that characterise modern architecture again. The result was a strange mix of different architectural eras that thankfully looked like a magnificent blend than a chaotic eyesore.

We were to stay at Hotel Crowe, a quaint place lavishly decorated with vintage furnishings that perfectly matched its damask wallpapers. Photos and paintings covered the walls, depicting places from the old world during its golden years. On the ground floor was a small café with its carved wooden rails serving as the demarcation line between the dining area and the hotel lobby.

The owner of the hotel, Mr. Crowe himself came out to greet us and the headmaster, Marcurius Scheep. He was a tall and pale man in a black business suit. His hair had gone completely white, a clear indication of his old age, yet his face had none of that weariness and wrinkles that characterise most of the elderly. Behind him were his three teenage children, equally pale and mysterious as their father.

“Welcome to Hotel Crowe, Blackthorn Academy. We’re quite pleased to have you with us during your time here at Revival City. I wish you a pleasant stay,” said Mr. Crowe before he stepped aside and beckoned us inside with a discreet gesture.

I couldn’t help but stare at the three standing behind him. The tallest was a brown haired boy, probably the oldest brother judging by how he sometimes nudged his black haired younger brother for making too much unnecessary movement. There was something about the younger brother that reminded me of Bartholomew’s mischievousness. Perhaps it was the way he smiled like he knew a secret nobody else knew.

The youngest was a petite girl with chin-length black hair and a blank look on her face. Our eyes met for a moment and it remained like that with neither of us turning away awkwardly. It was a look of curiosity.

We were soon made to move inside and have our rooms assigned. As soon as I stepped into the hotel lobby, I was not prepared to be greeted by a familiar face who was the last person I wanted to see.

It was Leslie Willows, standing beside Prof. Ariston. My jaw nearly dropped. Wasn’t she supposed to be recovering somewhere? Wasn’t she supposed to be expelled? I had so many questions. The worst thing about her being here was that she could expose me as the culprit for that little snake incident a few months back.

My eyes widened. I just arrived and the nightmare already started.