The Curse (H. Academy Series #1)

He knew.

There was no way he didn’t know.

He knew we figured it out and he was trying to get ahead while there was still time.

“Is it that serious?” I asked, some hidden acting talent emerging under the pressure and taking over my mouth.

No, how would he know?

We were careful.

Yes, we’ve done some dangerous shit over the past few weeks, but teachers intervened on all accounts. Thar and Lorenia handled the shields around the school. Lange tried to locate the Headmaster. Darth dealt with the black ooze. They knew what they were doing.

“I’m afraid we can’t risk any more lives without figuring out what’s going on.” My father continued, either oblivious to my inner turmoil or pretending to be so. “This is an order directly from the Arch Mage.”

I searched his eyes for any sign of a lie. Anything at all.

“Alright.” I nodded, voice suddenly careful. “When are you going to tell the students?”

“First thing tomorrow morning.” His hands intertwined under his chin. “Once everything is arranged.”

I swallowed, “Why are you telling me now?”

“I will arrange transportation vehicles tomorrow night at 10PM. All students that wish to leave are to be in the main hall in the main building at 9PM sharp.”

“That wish to leave?”

“Of course.” My father leaned back. “Whether you will leave the school or stay is entirely your decision. I will not force anyone to do anything. Personally, I will stay, and I’m confident the other teachers will do the same.”

It took a moment to gather everything he thought I knew.

“It’s easy for you to stay. You’re a black magic user.” I said. “The others can’t defend themselves.”

He met my gaze, “There is always a way to defend against the enemy. You just have to find it.”

I had no idea what to say. Why would someone in their right mind stay here?

“Alas,” He continued, “I understand the need to get away from this school, and I will support all students that wish to get to safety.”

Something bothered me; tickled the back of my brain, urging me to dig deeper. Why now?

“You will stay and defend the school?” I asked. “How?”

“Well, we need more information.” My father said.

So, he would be staying behind, no matter what happened. He was either confident that he could take on a demon, which was foolish, or he truly was behind the entire thing.

But he was also right. Teachers would stay behind. Thar would stay behind.

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked again, realising he’s never answered my question.

“Because I want you to leave.”

My brain rewired.

What?

What?

I opened my mouth-

“Your mother wouldn’t be too pleased if anything happened to you.” He answered.

What?

“And there is no reason for you to stay behind anyway.” He continued, not giving me enough time to process his words. “We don’t need any liabilities.”

Oh, there he was. Phew.

“Understood.” I offered a stiff smile. “Is that how you feel about all students or just your daughter?”

He chuckled, “My feelings are entirely irrelevant. I rely on logic, and logic tells me none of you are capable of fighting an actual demon.”

He wanted me to leave. That much was certain. But he didn’t want me to leave because my mother worried about me. My mother only cared about the abstract, the unattainable, unrealistic. Her daughter’s safety was way too tangible and real for her tastes. He also did not want me to leave because I was incompetent. Maybe I wasn’t strong enough and maybe he was right, but it wasn’t his primary motivation. That would require him caring about my safety.

He didn’t want me here. He didn’t want witnesses to whatever he was about to do.

And strangely enough, for the first time in my life, I felt recognised by my father. Recognised for seeing through his bullshit.

“I agree.” My shoulders slumped. “I- I think all students should leave. All of us.”

“Wise.” My father nodded. “And tell everyone not to worry. We have everything under control.”

“Okay.” The words stumbled off my lips. “I’ll let my friends know. Thank you for telling me sooner.”

He did not smile, “You’re excused.”

Thank Goddess.

As I exited the Headmaster’s chambers and dragged myself back to my dorm, the sun had already set and darkness settled over the Academy. The place was eerily empty with only a few faint lights coming from dorm rooms. It has become emptier and deader ever since the black ooze attacked.

I climbed up the stairs to my floor and entered Amma’s room. Everyone was there, waiting for me. Dean and Bella were sitting on the carpet, Eugene and Morta on the bed, Amma was pacing back and forth, and Leon was smoking on the window-sill. The blackboard was empty. We had no more plans, no more schemes. When I walked in, they all faced me. The air in the room was thick, stuffy, and warm.

I was only sure of two things.

First...

“He’s evacuating the school.” I dropped the satchel on the chair’s back rest.

“What?” Eugene pulled himself to the edge of the bed. “When?”

“Tomorrow night.” I sat in the chair and crossed my legs. “He’s telling students first thing tomorrow morning.”

Morta glanced up, “Why is he telling you now?”

“I don’t know.” I shook my head. “But he wants me to leave.”

“Because he loves you?” Leon blew the smoke out of the window.

“Doubt it.” I sighed. “Anyway, he said he’s not going to force anyone to be here and he’s also not going to force us to leave. We can stay if we want.”

My friends’ gazes dropped on the floor. There it was. The choice.

“Fuck it, I’m leaving.” Bella murmured.

“Same.” Dean agreed.

“I mean-” Amma spoke. “I guess if he wants to evacuate us, maybe we were-”

“Don’t even say it.” I cut in. “We aren’t wrong. He’s a master manipulator. And if he wants to evacuate the students, he’s doing it for his own benefit. He doesn’t want us here. My guess is, he doesn’t want any witnesses.”

“What about the teachers?” Eugene asked. “Are they staying?”

“I-” I opened my mouth. “I think so. He said they could-”

“Teachers are witnesses, Jade.” Morta said. “Far better witnesses than students.”

“Yeah, if he didn’t want witnesses, he’d first get rid of the teachers.” Leon inhaled more smoke, then added through his teeth. “Maybe we are wrong and he’s not behind it.”

I gaped like a fish, words catching on my tongue. No, I needed to think rationally.

“Something just doesn’t feel right about it.” I said instead of outright shouting that my father is a monster. “Why now? There hasn’t been an attack in weeks. Why not evacuate us right after the black ooze showed up? Why bring Winston Academy students here if he’s going to evacuate us all anyway?”

Eugene’s forehead wrinkled, “You’re right. The timing is off.”

“Fuck that.” Bella jumped in. “I don’t care why he’s evacuating, I’m leaving.”

“Can’t believe I’m agreeing with cheap Barbie, but yes.” Morta murmured. “At this point, it doesn’t matter why he’s doing it. It’s dangerous here.”

“Okay.” Amma took in a breath. “What do you think he’s planning?”

They would all walk out on me, and I couldn’t blame them.

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I think he wants the school to be empty for some reason. And no, I don’t know what he might do. And I don’t know why he allowed teachers to stay. But I know my father. Everything he does is for a reason.”

“You ever think he might want to keep the students alive?” Bella asked. “Sounds like good enough reason to me.”

“But why now?” I repeated. “It just doesn’t add up!”

“Jade, I think this is a bit personal for you.” Morta said. “We’ve done more than I ever imagined we would. We alerted the teachers, found out why their magic wasn’t working against the ooze, eavesdropped, stalked, and broke every rule in the book. But you can’t expect us to stay and fight. We’re stupid and can’t use magic.”

“That’s not true.”

“Actually, it is.” Dean jumped in. “Hell, I’m in fourth year and I still have no idea what I’m doing. You’re a freshman.”

“Need I remind you I already fought the ooze?”

“And we’re grateful for that, but-”

“What about a demon?” Leon asked suddenly, his eyes on me. “Have you fought a demon?”

My lips tightened.

“You didn’t.” Morta said. “You’ve no idea how to fight a demon. You’ve never even paid attention in Demonology.”

“Sure, I did.”

“You haven’t done a single homework.” Amma raised her eyebrow.

My shoulders slumped.

“Fine.” I said. “You can all leave. I never said you had to stay.”

“But you’re expecting it.” Amma said.

“No, I-” I took in a breath. “Something’s just off. Doesn’t feel right.”

“We’re in a witch university and demons are attacking us.” Morta let out a laugh. “Nothing is right about that.”

They were right. They had every right to want to leave this wretched school. My need to prove my father wrong was none of their business. They deserved safety. And still...

“I was right about it all.” I spoke in one last desperate attempt. “I was right about something being off in this school from the start. We were right about the Headmaster. We were right about the someone tampering with the teachers’ magic. Why won’t you trust our gut feeling now?”

The group looked at me, their lips pursed. I had nothing else to say, except hope they’d listen to their intuition. Then again, why would anyone trust intuition when one could rely on logic?

Bella broke the silence, “I’m still leaving. I don’t give a fuck.”

“Me, too.” Dean mumbled.

Morta met my gaze, jaw ticking, “I’m sorry, Jade. But this is too much to ask for.”

“I agree.” Amma nodded. “We can tell Thar and Darth to keep an eye on your father, they’ll notice if something suspicious is going on. There’s nothing else we can or have to do.”

My heart sank.

“Fuck it.” Eugene stood up. “I’m staying.”

Relief flooded me, “Thank you.”

“Why, though?” Dean asked. “You’ll put yourself in unnecessary danger.”

Eugene shrugged, “Call it scientific curiosity.”

“You’re by far the most competent mage here.” Amma whispered. “It’s easy for you.”

“Exactly.” Eugene said. “And I’m not expecting anyone else to stay. I just enjoy the thrill, you know? The near death experience.”

“Well, you’re crazy.” Bella murmured.

I looked at Leon, and he glanced at me in return.

“You’re only doing this because you want to contradict your dad.” He said.

Ignoring the pang in my chest, I chuckled, “I guess you’re leaving, too.”

“Of course.”

“Fine.” I stood up and grabbed my satchel, trying not to feel betrayed. “Have a safe trip.”

I was only certain of two things.

First, my father was evacuating the school.

And second, I was going to stay.