Goody Magic Academy, Year Three

Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

I finally fell asleep right before dawn, but my restless peace didn’t last long.

A sharp jolt rocked my body.

Twyla was shaking my shoulder, her fingers digging into my skin. “Peyton, wake up. They’re waiting for you at breakfast.”

The harsh morning light assaulted my eyes as I cracked them open.

My stomach twisted with a mixture of hunger and lingering anxiety from the night before. “Okay, I’m awake,” I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep. I stretched my arms and arched my back like a cat, feeling the satisfying pop of my joints. The cool air hitting my skin sent a shiver through me as the blanket fell away. “What time is it?”

“Almost ten.” She sat on the edge of my bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. “I’m sorry if I was a bit much last night. I’m just so worried about you getting hurt, that’s all.”

A pang of guilt tightened my chest at her words.

I pushed myself up to a sitting position, running a hand through my tangled hair. My braids had come loose, and I knew I must look like Medusa. The taste of morning breath lingered on my tongue, stale and acrid. “I’m sorry too.” I clasped her hand. “Let’s not fight anymore, okay?”

She nodded, but there was something else in her eyes that chased the sleep away from me.

I squeezed her hand gently. “Twyla, what’s wrong?”

She bit her trembling lower lip. “Jaxon called Simon. He’s already agreed to buy you, and then he’ll be auctioning you off. You’re expected at Ravenwood Estate today at noon.” Her voice cracked on the last words, and she burst into tears.

I could feel the blood drain from my face, my vision narrowing to a pinpoint. “Jaxon had Simon’s number?” The words came out as a whisper, my throat constricting around them.

“Yes. Valentin got it for him. Dimitri had it.” Twyla’s voice was barely audible through her tears.

The sound of my own heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out everything else. I put my palms over my mouth. “Shit, this is really happening, isn’t it?” My chest tightened as panic set in.

“I’m sure you don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to, Peyton.” Twyla’s eyes, red-rimmed and puffy, searched my face imploringly.

A whirlwind of doubt, fear, and determination raced through me. But if I didn’t do this, or at least try, the high priestess would condemn us all and I would lose everyone I loved.

I looked at her tear-streaked face. “What choice do we have, Twyla? If I don’t get into Ravenwood Estate, the high priestess will purchase the Dragon Nexus. She’ll kill Raven Acosta first, and then all the other mixed bloodline supernaturals will suffer a similar fate.” I gripped her shaking hands. “Is that really what you want?”

“Of course not,” she said miserably, her voice quivering. “But I don’t want anything to happen to you, either.” She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a desperate embrace. “You’re my best friend,” she whispered, her breath warm against my ear.

The scent of her shampoo, a mix of fresh daisies and spring rain, calmed my frayed nerves. I held her, feeling the tremor running through her body. “And you’re mine.”

We hugged each other, our grip on each other tightening as if trying to block out the approaching nightmare.

A deep ache settled in my chest as I finally disentangled myself from her. “Well, I guess I’d better get dressed before I’m…” The word sold stuck in my throat, refusing to be uttered.

Twyla’s gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “You really think Jaxon can protect you in that place?”

“I do. With all my heart.” I clasped her hands again, feeling the clamminess of her palms against mine.

Twyla slowly rose from the bed, her movements stiff and reluctant. “Okay, I’ll let them know you’ll be down in a few minutes. Rose has something for you.”

I frowned, a knot of apprehension tightening in my gut. “What?” I wasn’t sure I was ready for any more surprises.

She hesitated, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “You’ll see. Oh, and Costin provided you with some fresh clothes. They’re in the bathroom.”

Strange. She was obviously close with the headmaster, referring to him by his first name, but I didn’t think I’d ever be comfortable doing that. There was something ominous about him, and I planned to keep my distance.

I forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom. A pair of blue jeans and a black T-shirt were folded on the toilet. There were even black undergarments, too. My stomach was tied in knots as I quickly showered and got dressed, ready to be sold. I didn’t know if I’d ever wear jeans or a black T-shirt again after this.

My fingers trembled as I sectioned my hair, fumbling with the strands. I braided it in my signature style, the familiar motions offering some small comfort. The soft swish of hair sliding through my fingers filled the quiet bathroom. Twyla and I hadn’t expected to stay the night and so hadn’t brought any makeup with us, so I was going au naturel—bare-faced and vulnerable.

I leaned closer to the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection. My freckles stood out starkly against my skin, which had taken on an unhealthy pallor. A cold sweat broke out across my forehead as a fresh wave of fear washed over me. The harsh fluorescent light of the bathroom cast unflattering shadows, accentuating the dark circles under my eyes.

I stood in front of the bathroom door, my hand hovering over the knob. My heart pounded in my ribcage, each beat a painful reminder of what awaited me. The temptation to lock the door and hide in the shower, curled up in a protective ball on the cool tiles, was nearly overwhelming.

I shook my head, dislodging the cowardly thoughts. So many people——Mom, Finn, Kamaron, Twyla, even Jaxon—were depending on me. Their expectations could have crushed my straining shoulders, trying to push me to the ground, but I was stronger than that. I braced my shoulders and held my chin high.

With a sudden burst of determination, I wrenched the door open. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat as I hurried out of the room. Fear nipped at my heels, urging me forward. If I hesitated, I knew I’d never go through with it.

The carpet muffled my footsteps as I made my way down the hallway.

Just put one foot in front of the other.

Right. Left. Right. Left.

I stumbled slightly, catching myself against the wall before stopping in the open dining room doorway. Like last night, everyone sat at the dining room table, their faces lined with concern and apprehension.

Everyone was there—except for Jaxon.

The smell of coffee and toast hanging in the air was a jarring normalcy. My gaze locked onto Rose, then zeroed in on the two silver bracelets in front of her. Ice flooded my veins as recognition hit. They were exactly like the ones the high priestess had put on me.

My fingers twitched involuntarily, phantom pain ghosting across my wrists. Everyone stared at me, as if waiting for me to freak out.

And they’d be right.

Memories assaulted me—of pain, horror, and anger… My stomach roiled. I wasn’t going to go through that again.

Never.

I backed up wordlessly, shaking my head, my legs trembling beneath me. It was bad enough I was going to be sold. I wouldn’t wear those bracelets too.

Panic clawed at my chest, my breathing turning rapid and shallow.

I turned to run but Jaxon clasped my arms, suddenly behind me. “It’s not what you think.”

I twisted in his grip, terror lending me strength as I struggled against him. He was going to let Rose bind my magic.

“No!” I cried out, my voice raw with fear and anger. “Don’t. Put. Those. On. Me. Again.”

Jaxon’s grip tightened as I thrashed wildly, his fingers pressing into my cheeks. His eyes, dark and intense, bore into mine. “Peyton, please. Listen to me.” The urgency in his low voice sent a shiver down my spine but did nothing to dispel my panic. Memories of past pain flooded back, choking me with terror. I hissed and snarled, raking my nails across his arms, leaving angry red streaks. He didn’t flinch.

“Let go of me!” I spat, glaring at Jaxon. “You said you would protect me! How is this protecting me?” His familiar smell, usually a comfort, suddenly felt suffocating. I turned my furious gaze to Rose, who stood nearby with the binding bracelets. “Don’t you dare bind my magic!”

Rose’s chair screeched against the floor as she leapt up, startled by my outburst. She rushed over, her hands outstretched in a placating gesture.

“Peyton, please,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. She pressed a hand to her chest, her eyes wide and sincere. “I swear on my life, these won’t hurt you like the ones you had to wear before. We’re trying to help you.”

I faltered for a moment, confusion mixing with fear as I remembered past betrayals. Jaxon’s grip on me softened slightly, becoming more of an embrace than a restraint.

“Believe her, Peyton,” Jaxon murmured in my ear. “We’re on your side. This isn’t what you think.”

My chest heaved as I looked between them, trying to make sense of the situation. The binding bracelets glinted menacingly in Rose’s hand, but the genuine concern in both their faces made me hesitate.

“Then... What is this?” I asked, my voice a hoarse whisper. “Why do you need to bind my magic?”

Rose took a cautious step closer. “It’s not to take your powers away,” she explained gently. “It’s for your own protection you while you’re at Simon’s estate. Please, let me explain.”

The adrenaline was still coursing through my veins, making my hands tremble and my breath come in short gasps. But as I looked from Rose’s earnest face to Jaxon’s concerned eyes, I allowed myself to take a deep breath, then another.

“I made these bracelets myself,” Rose continued, her words tumbling out in a rush. “They’re different. You’ll still have total control. It’s just...a disguise, that’s all. To fool the high priestess and the others at Ravenwood.”

Suddenly, I saw the situation in a whole new light. The binding bracelets glinted in Rose’s hand, but they no longer seemed like shackles. Instead, they looked almost...like armor.

My muscles quivered with exhaustion as the fight slowly drained out of me. Rose’s familiar scent of lavender washed over me as she drew closer. I searched her face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I saw was concern in her big green eyes.

“Then what...” I started, my mind racing to catch up with this new reality.

Jaxon’s grip on me softened further, becoming purely comforting. “Think about it, Peyton,” he said gently. “What’s the one thing that would keep you safest right now?”

And then it hit me as my fear dissipated. “They’re not to constrain my power,” I breathed, “but to hide it?”

Rose nodded, a small smile of relief crossing her face. “Exactly.”

“So…these bracelets…” I said slowly, reaching out a tentative hand toward them, “they’ll make me appear powerless?”

“To anyone who doesn’t know better, yes,” Jaxon confirmed. “You’ll be hiding in plain sight.”

Embarrassment at my outburst, relief at learning the truth, and a growing excitement at the possibilities this presented swirled through me.

“I’m sorry I doubted you,” I said to Rose and Jaxon softly. “I thought... I was so sure...”

Rose stepped closer, offering the bracelets to me rather than trying to put them on by herself. “It’s understandable, Peyton. Your fear was valid, given what you’ve been through. But we’re on your side. Always.”

Jaxon’s eyes, dark and intense, held mine with an unwavering steadiness. Sincerity was etched in every line of his face, devotion clear in the set of his jaw. When he spoke, his voice was low and fervent, each word resonating with conviction.

“I will always protect you, Peyton,” Jaxon said, his thumb brushing lightly across my cheek. “Never doubt that.”

The simple touch sent a thrilling shiver down my spine, as well as a warmth that spread through my chest, chasing away the last remnants of my earlier panic. I found myself leaning into it as the world narrowed down to just the two of us, the intensity of the moment making everything else fade away.

“This is our chance, Peyton,” he murmured, his voice low and urgent. “A way to keep your magic free. They’ll never see it coming.” His gaze softened, vulnerability creeping into his expression. “The only question is,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, “do you trust that I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again?”

I stood frozen, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Everyone’s warnings echoed in my head—friends, family, even my own past instincts screaming caution. But my traitorous heart sang a different tune—one of stolen glances, gentle touches, and the fire in Jaxon’s eyes when he looked at me. It reminded me of the times he’d stood by my side, fought for me, protected me.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. The choice loomed before me: trust my mind, with its cold logic and bitter memories? Or my heart, with its wild hope and desperate longing?

The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. I took a shaky breath, teetering on the edge of decision.