Chapter Thirteen

Ephy didn’t know what to expect when she arrived at witchcraft class. She didn’t even know if her abilities were like those of witches and other human magic users. But she did have her aunt to tutor her separately, so hopefully that would be enough to let her do well and not upset her mother.

Just inside the room by the door was a plump older woman with white hair pulled up into a messy bun. She smiled gently at Ephy.

“Welcome, dear. I am Melora Mims. You must be Ephronia. I admit I was a little excited to have you in my class. You may call me Melora, or Mims, or Hey, You! I really don’t care as long as you follow it with an intriguing enough question.”

Ephy couldn’t help but return the woman’s smile. She matched Ephy’s mental image of a witch, except that she looked a lot less stern.

“What is your ability, my dear?” asked Melora. “I’m afraid they had a little mix-up with the rosters, and I got the water shifters, which I’m sure must be confusing for Axion Wellingham.” “Light-Bending,” Ephy said quietly.

“Like Iris? That’s wonderful. I’m sure your aunt must be very proud.” Melora Mims clapped her hands together in delight.

“You know my aunt?” It hadn’t occured to Ephy that Iris might know people at Eclipse.

“Of course! I’ve known your aunt for years. Is she helping you learn how to use your ability, too?”

Ephy nodded. “That’s the only reason Mother let me come to Eclipse Arts.”

Melora Mims sighed. “Yes, yes. I could see your mother doing that. A big fan of Heskalon, she is.”

Ephy couldn’t help rolling her eyes and was surprised when her teacher laughed.

“I guess my kind don’t usually come to Eclipse,” said Ephy.

“You are not the first half-god at Eclipse Arts, and you will not be the last,” Melora replied.

“There have been others?” Every god and half-god Ephy knew went or had gone to Heskalon.

“Of course, my dear! Take a seat now, so we can get started.”

Ephy nodded and found an empty seat near the front. Most kids at Heskalon competed for front-row seats in class, but Ephy had noticed that students at Eclipse filled up the back seats first.

Once the bell rang, Melora started passing out brown leather books. Ephy opened hers. It was an ordinary journal with a soft suede cover and lined pages. The edges of the pages were gilt with gold.

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Ephy raised her hand. “It’s empty.” Ephy held up her open book.

“Yes, dear; in it you will record anything you think is important about your abilities. You should take it with you when you go visit your aunt for lessons. We will talk about how to use your journal all year—really, all six years you are here—but to start, you will write down what you are thinking, feeling, saying, and doing when you use your powers, so you can have a record of what works and what doesn’t. No two abilities are the same, so you will all write your own textbook on your abilities.”

The journal drooped in Ephy’s hand. “How do you grade that?”

“You will have reading assignments and tasks to help you explore your abilities like in any other class. But each student will have different outcomes with the same assignment. I have resources for many kinds of abilities. There are more in the library.”

A boy with dark hair and a sour expression raised his hand. “She isn’t a witch. Why is she in this class?” He spat the words as he glared sideways at Ephy.

Ephy turned toward the boy, startled. She thought she recognized him from Latin class earlier.

“Witchcraft class is about learning to use your skills. And this class in particular is for students with unique abilities that may fall outside of the general curriculum of witchcraft.” Melora tilted her head down to give the boy a level stare. “As you well know, Mr. Darklighter.”

The boy glared back at the teacher; his lips pressed together so hard that his chin wrinkled.

This is Oliver Darklighter, the boy that upset Airin and Liska so much?

After a moment, Bellona raised her hand. “Like my family! We specialize in glamour magic!”

Melora nodded. “That is correct.” She gestured at Oliver. “And your family also has a specialty and unusual challenges with their magic, correct?”

Oliver blushed bright red and buried his face in his journal, studying it as if he had already written in it.

Bellona raised her hand again. “I think it will be interesting to have a goddess in class.” She smiled smugly at Ephy and then at the teacher.

Bellona would probably love Heskalon. The teachers there loved that kind of thing.

But Melora didn’t react at all. She was probably the calmest person Ephy had ever met.

Oliver was still studying his journal carefully. Ephy realized it was covered in black leather, unlike the brown journal on her desk, and his already had writing in it.

Did Oliver get a head start in this class? He’s already started his journal! But I do have Aunt Iris to help me fill mine out.

As if Melora Mims was reading Ephy’s mind, she said, “This book is not a journal in the traditional sense. It is usually called a grimoire or book of shadows, and many witches use them throughout their lives. Some people give them personal names, like a friend. You may call your book whatever you like.”

Ephy stared at the brown cover of her journal. Heskalon had textbooks like most schools but nothing like this. Book of shadows sounds a little scary. What should I name it?

Rubbing her hands over the soft leather, Ephy wondered if writing her own book would help her develop her powers. Maybe she would come up with a better name after she used her journal more.

Bellona raised her hand again. “Are we going to learn how to save the world in this class, like in books?” Casting a glance at Ephy, she added, “Or on TV?”

The elderly witch laughed, loud and hearty. “Oh, my dear, it would be nice if our powers were useful like that, but, like regular humans, most of our problems can be solved by making an effort to talk it out.” She spread her hands, fingers wide. “But our abilities can be fun to use, and I hope to show you how you can do that.”

Bellona crossed her arms and lifted her chin. She didn’t raise her hand again.

Mother won’t allow me to go to school just to have fun. I have to learn how to make my powers useful, like Aunt Iris, so I can stay here.