“Well, I’m a weird witch, I guess,” I shrug.
“You’re speaking with three mermaids who are walking on land so they can go to school,” Orion smiles. “We’re all weird.”
WOLVES AND PANTHERS
Maggie
We while away the rest of the afternoon by the lake. At first the mermaids’ forthrightness (and lack of blinking) is disconcerting, but after a while, I don’t mind so much. It’s actually sort of refreshing. Unfortunately, none of them are joining me for my first class, Beginner Herbs and Potions. As the sun begins to set, they each take off their gems and head into the lake. It’s bizarre watching them dive under the waves and disappear, but I’m getting used to expecting the unexpected.
I realize I have no idea where my class is, so I hurry back into the castle to find it.
“You know, you can summon me and I’ll find it,” Pan grumbles, leaping from a wall sconce onto my shoulder. “For a witch, you’re not particularly resourceful.”
I scowl at him. “Or I’m just willing to ask for directions.”
“Pfft, you weren’t going to ask for directions. You were going to wander around for hours before you accidentally stumble upon it.”
“Or just go back to my room,” I sigh. “I don’t know what I’m doing here, Pan. I didn’t even know those students were mermaids! I’m just going to keep embarrassing myself. I don’t fit in here.”
“You’re doing fine, it’s only your first week,” he nips me on the earlobe, in what he thinks is a sweet gesture. “Your next class is outside, in the greenhouse. You’re not even slightly close. If you apologize for last night, I’ll show you where it is.”
I do feel bad about that. “I’m sorry, Pan. I shouldn’t have left you behind.”
He grins, and takes off across the clearing. I follow him. The greenhouse is on the other side of the lake, and I make it just in time. I’m delighted to see Hallie, sitting on her own on a bench. She spots me immediately and waves me over, beaming.
“I’m so glad we have this class together!”
“Me too,” I smile, and sit down beside her.
The greenhouse is enormous, and filled with every type of plant imaginable. Huge palm trees tower above us, and moss grows thick along the ground. I think I see an enormous venus fly trap with actual teeth, licking its lips in the corner. But it could be a trick of the light. The sun has set, so the greenhouse is illuminated by glowing lanterns.
“Welcome, class.”
A witch with a pointed black hat breezes into the room, and takes her place at the front beside a wooden desk. She has small, light brown eyes and purses her lips as she surveys the students.
“My name is Professor Cortes, and I’ll be your Beginner Herbs and Potions instructor. While this class is beginner, I assume that you have a basic working knowledge of magical herbs and their properties, befitting the university level. We’ll be moving quickly through the material, so I hope you’re all prepared for a thorough, rigorous curriculum.”
I am absolutely not prepared for a thorough, rigorous curriculum, and I wish Hallie hadn’t chosen the second row. We’re way too close to the front of the classroom.
“You,” she says sharply. My heart skips a beat, but luckily she’s not looking at me. Her eyes are on the dolphin shifter from earlier, who’s lounging in the back row, his feet up on the bench in front of him.
“Hi, Professor,” he grins at her.
It’s clear she’s not charmed. “Where is your Book of Shadows?”
“Um, Book of…?”
“Shadows, young man,” she says, primly. “In order to record spells and potions. Where is your’s?”
My heart skips another beat. I didn’t even think to bring my Book of Shadows with me, or anything else, for that matter. I feel completely unprepared and I hunch to the side, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible.
“Oh, I didn’t bring one,” the shifter is explaining, “I’m not a witch, I didn’t-”
“That’s no excuse.” Professor Cortes narrows her eyes at him, her voice stern. “If you aren’t able to respect our ways, you’re not welcome in this classroom. Get out, and don’t come back until you’re prepared.”
There’s a heavy, uncomfortable silence. The shifter gets out of his seat and exits from the back of the greenhouse, shaking his head.
Hallie looks at me out of the corner of her eye.
