Born to be Witchy - A.J. Macey

Dedicated to:

A.J.-

My daughter, Evelyn Rose.

Look up to the stars and remember how much there is still to explore around you.

Jarica-

My boys, Owyn and Kellan, who remind me everyday that there’s still good in the world.

I love you

May 31st

Wednesday Morning

Aris

Hells bells and tarot tells. I finally made it.

Graduation from Aether Academy of Crystal Magic and Witchcraft.

The black ceremonial robe was laid out on my bed with the navy and burnt orange crest embroidered on the front with silver accents. The material was thick yet soft under my fingertips as I ran my hand across it. Three and a half years after everything changed for the better—the world, my life, my family.

My men and I had only grown stronger, Kye, Drayce, and Xan, all having graduated over the years but never going too far. Drayce had taken over Torryn’s history class, growing into a well-respected and enjoyable teacher, while Torryn had taken the school by storm as headmaster. Not only were the school and its witches thriving, but he had grown into his job. He worked with students and professors to make sure they were getting the best education possible, and he’d shed his reputation as a harsh stickler for the rules. People even started calling him Headmaster T and fist-bumping him when they saw him.

It was quite the hexing sight when it first happened.

Xan had done the one thing he’d wanted to his whole life—paint and create some of the most beautiful art I’d ever seen. So much so, he had a permanent exhibit at the museum in the Volcanic Forest, which had officially reopened this last summer... after many extensive repairs to the building. Thankfully, there had only been a few small pieces damaged in the ambush.

Kye had been working with his dad and Olive’s vlog team on technorunes and growing the reach and encryptions of the Witches Glass streams. Meanwhile, Caspian and I had been in school, but with the help of our coven and friends, he had opened up an ‘online’ potion shop, where witches all over Akasha could buy from the convenience of their Witches Glass. Kye and his dad had worked together to streamline the ordering process, using runes to make it run as smoothly and securely as possible. There was an actual storefront opening once we graduated, but one final touch still needed to be added.

As for me, classes, spending time with my friends and guys, and learning what I could about the other academies had taken up my time. I had weekly meetings with Prime Minister Gennady and the newly revamped council, along with different professors and headmasters from the other schools. Each meeting was a bit different but no less important, and our hard work had finally paid off. Classes and courses had been added or expanded to include all types of magic.

All in three and a half years.

I stood stunned, lost in my own world of memories, until I heard a loud knock on the door before Olive’s strawberry blonde head and bright smile came skipping in.

“What’s taking so long?” she asked, her eyes going wide when she saw me standing there awkwardly. “How are you not even ready yet, Aris? The ceremony starts in like five minutes!”

“Oh, broomsticks,” I exclaimed, rushing to throw my robe on. “I got stuck in my own head and apparently, lost the last half hour.”

“That doesn’t surprise me one little bit. Now, hurry it up! Cas is waiting down at the bottom of the stairs for us.”

As soon as my robe was fastened around my shoulders, I darted over to the tree hammock, scooping up a sleepy Mr. Stripes on my way out the door. My fuzzy familiar made a cute, irritated, and huffy squeak before snuggling into my arms as I locked my door behind me. Realizing we were doing something important as we scurried down the staircase, Mr. Stripes perked up.

“Hey, Cupcake,” Caspian greeted cheerfully when we reached the main floor, Coral hopping up and down on the ground when she saw Mr. Stripes.

“Sorry I took forever,” I sputtered out between panting breaths. Caspian’s smile was understanding, his russet brown hair flopping into his ocean eyes. Glancing down, I appreciated the sight before me. His robe fit him nicely, showing off his broad shoulders and well-toned body, his lean swimmer’s build having filled out with more muscle mass over the years.

“Pinkie here got distracted,” Olive teased before continuing her jogging. “Come on, slowpokes!”

With that, we ran down the dormitory’s hall to the front doors. The