Phoenix Academy - Lucy Auburn Page 0,60

a kind, warm palm on my shoulder. "What you did was very brave. You righted a wrong so old that most wouldn't even see it as one. With magic untethered to the will of men... well, I have the feeling the next era is going to be so much better and brighter than this one."

I swallow. "So you aren't mad?"

"On the contrary. I've never been more proud of a student of mine. And I hope..." His voice grows soft, his throat thick with emotion. "I hope that from now on, things between mages and witches will be different. I want them to be. I'm hoping to convince the mage council to take on more students and share knowledge more freely. It may take some time—a long time, I confess. But I'm determined. And I'm also determined to have more mages sent here, to meet witches and learn from them. I was hoping you might help with that as well."

"I'm not part of a coven anymore," I confess, feeling the ache of it like a hollow space in my chest. "Because of the Heretic, we were cast out. No one wanted to risk their family because of the soullessness in mine."

"Ah. Well, perhaps things will change."

"Once I kill him."

A dark expression shadows his eyes briefly. "You must be share not to turn into that which you fear in the process of fighting it. Whatever and whoever your father has become, he wasn't always this way. Remember that, Ari Wolfe. Or it'll be the death of your soul as well."

I swallow. His words chill me to the bone. "I'll try."

"I know you will. It's why I count you as the best and brightest of my students—and why I know you'll continue to make me proud. I have another gift for you." He pulls a silver chain out of his duster pocket, and I see as he holds it up that at the end is a feather, gleaming with a dusting of magic. "It's a rare owl feather I charmed. It will give you good luck. It's traditionally something mages give to their acolytes. And now, me to you."

I feel the honor and weight of it as I take the necklace from him. "I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing. It's your actions that show you worthy of being my pupil. Go with honor, Ari. Go and bring your sister back."

The rune book is full of delights I couldn't have imagined. There are so many ways to channel magic and set it towards a singular purpose. If my mother could see this book, and the dozens of runes within, she would spend the rest of her days experimenting with mage magic.

I know what it means that Auerbach gave it to me. Along with the feather as well. Both are gifts that show he trusts me with my magic—trusts me not to use the runes to hurt others or enrich myself. For centuries, mages have argued that their knowledge must be hoarded, kept behind lock and key, and only given to those they deem worthy.

Now a mage deems a witch worthy. Small steps, but towards a big, beautiful new world.

Taking a deep breath, I step out towards the campus gates and glance over my shoulder to the guys. They're arranged behind me, wearing tactical gear, each with a pack full of supplies and a weapon of choice strapped to their back or hips. David has his pistol, Reggie a rifle, and Xavier a sword that curves slightly in one direction. They're lending me their help, as always, and I can't imagine going on this journey with anyone else.

"Ready?"

"Ready," Xavier confirms, nodding sharply. The others give me their nods as well. "We're going to fucking ace this thing, Ari. I promise."

"Let's go get your sister."

My heart fills with pride and gladness. I never could've imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that this would be my adulthood: blue hair, flames that form wings behind my back, mage magic in my hands, and three shifters supporting my every move. I always thought that I'd grow up to be an old spinster, with my sister at my side, and the best we'd ever get was peace the moment the Heretic finally died.

Now I know that death won't happen unless I make it happen.

First, though, I have to get my sister back.

Kneeling down on the ground, I open the rune book to the page I've selected, even though I already have the rune in question memorized down to every