WitchCraft Academy (The First Book)

I wake up the next morning, feeling a surge of energy coursing through my veins. The bed beside me is empty and still made, Juniper never made it back last night. I brush off any worry and climb out of bed, stretching my limbs and petting Sable, my scaly companion.

"Good morning, Sable," I greet him.

He grunts in response, leaping off the bed and scratching at the door. I let him out, allowing him to explore the school while I prepare for the day ahead.

Sometime last night I tied mhair up in a ponytail, I don't recall when I did it, but I dismiss the thought. After a refreshing shower, I slip into a comfortable pair of jeans and a cozy sweatshirt.

Suddenly, Harmony's voice reverberates through the walls, demanding the attention of all students and staff.

"All students and staff, report to the gymnasium immediately. No exceptions," Harmony's voice echoes.

Curiosity piques within me as I hastily make my way down to the girls' dorm. On my way, I bump into Axel and Juniper, who appear hungover and tired.

"Wow, you two look like you've been through hell. Did you stay up all night partying?" I tease as we walk together through the hallways.

"Yeah, we ended up falling asleep when Harmony made the announcement. I think I'm still drunk," Juniper groans, clutching onto my arm for support.

"I'm definitely still drunk," Axel mutters, his sad eyes accentuated by dark circles beneath them.

We arrive at the gymnasium, where The Sisters stand on a small stage, surrounded by bewildered students and staff.

"This is not an easy announcement to make. There was an incident last night, and we have lost a student," Harmony begins solemnly.

Panic ripples through the crowd, voices clamoring with questions and speculations.

"Taylor Lawson. She was discovered lifeless outside the game room. Her life force had been completely drained, a forbidden spell that has never been taught in this school, for good reasoning," Harmony reveals, leaving the crowd in shock and despair and Juniper tightens her grip on my arm, a sob escaping from her lips.

"Furthermore, a portion of my memory was wiped away last night. Another forbidden spell, not taught here. Finding the culprit behind this memory manipulation may lead us to the same person responsible for Taylor's death," Melody adds, her words fueling the growing panic.

As fear grips my heart, I try to maintain composure, only to find Axel gazing at me with deep concern in his eyes.

As Harmony announces that they will search everyone's memories of the night Taylor died, the students erupt in protest. Harmony acknowledges that some may have been engaged in intimate moments with their partners or breaking the rules, but assures them that only the murderer will face consequences.

I can't help but wonder if the person who wiped Melody's memory will also be held accountable. This realization fills me with dread. I hope that being asleep during that time will be enough to convince them, without revealing that I cast the memory charm. This situation has me feeling completely trapped and totally fucked.

The Sisters line us up, forming two orderly rows. One by one, they proceed to touch our temples, attempting to reveal our memories from the previous night. When it's my turn, I take a deep breath, and Melody places her fingers on my temples. But to my surprise, nothing happens. I don't feel or see anything.

"You were asleep, you can go," Melody says with a smile. I let out a sigh of relief as she moves on to Axel, who follows behind me shortly.

"What the fuck, Em? If they find out you erased Melody's memory, they'll blame you for Taylor's death," Axel whispers urgently in my ear.

"I know. Fuck," I respond, my eyes scanning the gym until I spot Juniper sitting by the main door, crying. I walk over to her, trying to offer some comfort. "Hey love, it's going to be okay."

"No, it's not," she sobs. "Phoenix told me that it's my fault Taylor died. She was outside the Game Room looking for me so we could talk."

My stomach drops, and anger starts to bubble inside me as I see Phoenix sitting with a group of friends, receiving their support.

"Stay with June, I've got this," I tell Axel, making my way toward Phoenix before he has a chance to respond.

"Hey Phoenix, I hear you're trying to blame this on Juniper," I say casually, approaching her. She wipes her eyes and stands up to face me, her friends still fussing over her.

"It is her fault. Taylor went out to look for her last night. She wanted to apologize for how things ended," Phoenix argues, her usually tough and bitchy demeanor softened.

"That's unfortunate. I'm sorry for your loss. But it's not June's fault! Taylor broke up with her!" I defend my friend.

"Yeah, because she's a sexually confused dyke with too much trauma to ever have a decent relationship. It should have been her instead," Phoenix sneers at me, her usual bitchiness back.

Suddenly, my anger gets the best of me. I draw back my arm, forming a fist, and without thinking, I punch her right in the nose with all my might. I hear a sickening crack beneath my fist, and blood gushes from her nose. Our actions catch the attention of the other students, but before anyone can react, Harmony grabs my arm and drags me out of the gym.