The Moonstone (Enchantment Book 1) (16 page)

"For those who can see at night and can control light, here is Gaïa."

A serious-looking Asian woman steps forward, moving softly with feline grace while at the same time turning her raised hand toward the ceiling and making the ambient lighting crackle. She goes over and stands beside Colin and is quickly joined by five others.

"The eccentric Octave, for the regeneration of limbs."

A man with dangling greasy hair walks to the middle of the room, staring at the floor. He is covered in piercings and his obvious fragility and pale skin gives him a ghoulish look. He raises his head and smiles, revealing a toothless grin. Digging through the various sharp weapons attached to his leather belt, he chooses a machete that seems well sharpened and salutes us with one hand before cutting it off in a single motion. A groan rises up from the audience while in an instant the hand grows back, looking exactly as it was earlier. He rolls his hands as if he is a magician and is quickly joined by three others, all of them pleased with their future professor's welcome display.

"And next is one of the newest members of my team. I am proud to present Carmélie."

Then, a tiny blonde girl wearing a frilly blue dress skips through the crowd, holding a teddy bear in one hand. This must be a joke; she can't be a professor. The little girl turns around to look at her audience with a giggle. She then stops cold, gives us all a fierce stare and bursts into flame. Given the disconcerting image, I panic, but those around me applaud. She waves her hand and the crowd starts to scream. I turn around and find faceless hands reaching out to grab me, and unquenchable fire all around me. The whole room is suddenly an inferno.

"Carmélie, I think they understand your talent. So, for those whose gift is horrification, please follow my dear friend."

And with that, the room returns to its normal state and everyone seems to calm down. Flicka whispers in my ear:

"Her gift is to activate your greatest hidden fears."

"Isn’t she a little young to be a professor? It seems to me that she should be at least eighteen years old to be part of the warrior training."

"Yes, but she’s a prodigy, it's quite rare. She's somewhat like a human prodigy. Her power is stronger than even some of the ancient enchanters. I despise horrifiers but she’ll no doubt make a great professor," she said, still whispering to me. She is probably as disturbed as I am by demonic little girl’s transformation.

A few people, around ten, walk toward the angelic little girl. So many candidates with this gift, I would have preferred more blacksmiths, they seem much less offensive.

"So, now we’ve finished with those with the gift of Fire. I believe that hidden among you are some real promising candidates. Now we continue with Water sign. This time, please welcome a couple, Rônin who has the gift of finely tuned senses and Kaly for body liquefaction."

A translucent-looking woman steps forward holding hands with a tall, thin man who seems to be keenly observing all the room’s details. Suddenly, before our eyes, the woman transforms into a puddle. The puddle slowly inches along the floor for a few moments and then it coalesces and she returns to her place next to her spouse. A few more people gather around her.

Our attention is redirected toward the front of the room and now my eyes seem to be playing tricks on me. There are suddenly two of Bethany! Did I drink too much champagne? The leftmost Bethany suddenly turns into a man in his mid-twenties sporting a thickly braided ponytail and with distinctive Native American features. Bethany puts her arm around him.

"I present another member of my team, Marcus, who has the gift of temporary cloning."

Only two people join him.

"The third sign is that of Air and we begin with our dear Finn."

The ones that remain at the center of the arena sway in unison as an invisible force unexpectedly shoves us all. Next, Bethany's champagne glass flies out of her hand and floats gently around the room.

"Enough of your tricks, Finn. Show yourself please, we don't have all day."

At that instant Finn appears, holding Bethany's glass in his hand. His hair is standing on end and he has a mischievous smile. This is apparently somebody who takes full advantage of his invisibility.

A couple of people start to giggle as five enchanters appear at his side from across the room.

"And now, you'll recognize the Academy's receptionist and our professor of teleportation, Sienna, who is also a member of my team."

Sienna moves from one side of the room to the other in an instant. She then beckons seductively to a few other individuals who quickly teleport to her side. She’s a little minx; those who join her are all men. She'll take full advantage of that situation.

"Now, please welcome Derek who was kind enough to provide our earlier starry sky. He is our master of illusion and our dreamy Sandman."

A charming young man with his hands in his pockets steps forward while staring at the ground. Behind him is a large cloud with the image of a stormy ocean projected onto it. He raises his head and grins as a large group gathers around him. I estimate about twenty of them. Our new friend Pax is among them, now chewing on his lips as he leaves Flicka’s side, runs his fingers through his hair and joins his peers. The masters of illusion must be very useful in a society that lives on the margins, hidden from the rest of the world. There are now roughly forty people left in the center of the arena.

"We continue with one of our most significant signs, or at least the one with the highest number of candidates, Earth sign."

Flicka shoves her elbow into my ribs. "… And the best sign," she says, winking at me.

"For our ferocious beasts, here is Karim."

A majestic lion makes his entrance and roars loudly. I still prefer my little Nyx, or rather Gertrude. The lion transforms into a black man, and given his imposing stature, he is as majestic as the lion he has just incarnated. A few enchanters join him, some as cats, as birds, as wolves, a small zoo in fact. With all these animals surrounding him, Karim seems like a king surrounded by his subjects.

All these gifted enchanters, and here's me, the novice. It only intensifies my feeling of being an imposter.

"Now, my witch and her favorite cauldrons. Here is Romy, the most celebrated creator of potions... known far and wide for her love potions."

"Certainly not as good as Charles’ and she’s really obnoxious," Flicka whispers into my ear.

A small redhead with a mischievous look waves to us, and is followed by about ten young enchanters. I could see Charles being a great professor here, despite his rather solitary existence, which is probably just put on for show. His way of talking to me is certainly inspiring; I can imagine he could motivate others as well.

"You’ll want to get to know those who have the next gift, because it's always practical to have a healer on your team, or at least to know one. Here is Cleo."

Flicka whispers:

"That's me, see you later my friend."

She leaves my side and walks toward Cleo, a tall woman with long straight hair, soon to be joined by a few others and Flicka skipping towards them. I look over at Pax and see that he’s watching her, amused by her enthusiasm.

At the center of the room are now no more than ten candidates, so I will soon be unmasked; I nervously chew on my lips in the hope that it will all soon be over.

"Now, the last but not least of the Earth sign, my dear sister Jézabel who is also a member of my team. Please welcome her for the control of magical creatures."

The main door opens, and the animal of every little girl's dreams enters the arena, a majestic unicorn ridden by a very extraordinary woman. She has disheveled blond hair and her lips are coated in scarlet that also stains her teeth. The fact that her mascara is running down her face only adds to the original impression that she’s eccentric. Her outfit is torn and she’s laughing as if she should be in a straightjacket. Her lack of self-control and apparent disregard for her appearance are in high contrast with her sister's perfectly ordered look. Bethany seems to have total control over every aspect of her life. Her feelings of discomfort at witnessing her sister’s confusing appearance are palpable. I'm guessing that she invited her to her team out of obligation rather than by wish. Jézabel has her unicorn bow to the assembled crowd and those last few individuals who were protecting me from complete discomfort leave me to stand by her side.

I instantly feel the intense stare of the crowd, as if they were an army ready to attack. All those eyes on me, but yet I can only notice one pair drilling into me, making me feel small and insignificant. I raise my eyes to stare back at him and we stand there, studying each other until Bethany interrupts us.

"As you can see, we are lucky this year to have a student whose sign is Ether, like me. I ask you to welcome Lou and to be kind to her. Lou has had the misfortune of being raised by humans. Thankfully we've saved her from her fate and we count on you to show her the beauty of the world that she now belongs to. Of course, given the fact that her sign is Ether, she will be able to choose her own team without having to go through the selection committee. Having a team with an individual of this element is more than desirable, so make sure you impress her this week."

The way she talks about my past with humans makes me feel as if she is undressing me in front of a crowd that is ready to stone me. Why? Why would she do that to me? Doesn't she want me to fit in? Mr. X looks away, seemingly disgusted by me. I wish the floor would just open and swallow me up. I look at Flicka who takes her ferret out of her bag and signals to me. Not knowing why at first, I finally understand that she wants me to give a little demonstration of my gift. Merlin comes towards me and in an instant I turn my discomfort into a ball of energy that is large enough to reach him. Merlin is now a few feet from me and frozen on the spot. The room is suddenly silent, amazed faces smile back at me and finally loud applause fills the room. I break my concentration and Merlin shakes himself before running quickly back to his mistress.

"As you’ve just witnessed, Lou has the gift to control time. Ether is rare, but this gift is even more so. As I was not able to reach the professor who usually teaches this gift, I will be personally supervising her training. We have therefore completed today's introduction of teachers."

But wait, I don't understand. If she introduced all the teachers, then who is Mr. X?

"Before leaving you to your respective courses, let me present you someone of paramount importance to us, because he is our benefactor. Please give a warm welcome to Lord Black."

OH! MY! GOD! Mr. X is Lord Black!!? Not possible, I can't be attracted to my worst enemy. I stare at him and he doesn't even look at me.

"Are you afraid, little creature?" says the voice in my head, and then he turns, staring at me unnervingly. My open mouth probably gives away my shock. How could I have been so stupid? How can it be possible to be attracted to someone and then once the truth of his identity is revealed, detest him so powerfully?

"Oh, poor little rabbit, you want to run away. Nailed to the spot among all these vultures. You’re an intruder here, raised by humans and in the midst of wolves. They’ll make an easy meal of you. It's a shame that you’re Ether; I feel sorry for those who have to be on your team."

That's enough! I’m dead and he’s the devil incarnate. I can't manage an answer, but I do try to send him my most menacing glare. Bethany is watching us with a confused look on her face and interrupts our staring contest.

"Now, students, follow your professors. For the combat course you’ll be paired by sign and not by gift, so this morning we’ll start with Ether and your teachers will provide you with your schedules. We'll meet back here at the end of the day and tonight there will be a big banquet where each of you will be able to show off your talents."

The teachers leave the room with their new students, leaving me alone with Bethany and him.

"Come closer, Lou, I want to introduce you to our benefactor in person."

I approach them, avoiding his eyes and staring at the floor.

"Miss Mills, I believe?"

Wow! His voice... it’s nothing like the resonant voice that still echoes in my soul. It's a voice that is just as deep, but much sweeter. To hear him pronounce my name rather than the denigrating nicknames he’s been using for me is perplexing. I look up and into his eyes. For a few instants he seems normal, almost likeable, with a small grin. How can someone so attractive also be so unpleasant at the same time? I imagined Lord Black in person to be hideous; never did I conceive of someone like him!

Extending his hand to me, he approaches and is suddenly in my personal space. I notice his impressive size and build and I feel even smaller now that I’m next to him. His scent, a mix of pine needles and fresh soap is intoxicating and wraps itself around me. I grab his hand and an electric shock runs through my body. I notice his surprise at the reaction and he quickly pulls his hand away.

"Don't you dare contaminate my hand," orders the voice in my head, in complete conflict with the man who stands before me.

Lou, don't let yourself be fooled by his Don Juan attitude, he really is like the voice in your head, he's a monster.

"Lou will certainly be a strong element of this summer's crop of candidates, don't you agree, Lord Black?"