Little 15 (Cities In Dust) Read online

  I didn’t feel much like taking a casual stroll around the medieval castle and teleported from the charms class to the corridor in front of her office. There was no guard keeping me from entry and I took it upon myself to enter. “Master Finnegan, please enter and take a seat in front of my desk.” She was preoccupied, trimming branches off a bonsai tree. The needles are useful in healing burns, much like aloe vera can soothe burns, bonsai makes the pain and scars disappear. Although that little tidbit has no relevance to my reason for being in the headmaster’s office, I just thought I’d mention that to show I did learn something in this school. I would hope so, anyway, I’d been here since I was eight-years-old. I was seventeen now and my sentence at the school was almost finished.

  “Brendon Finnegan.” It was all she said before she took a seat and opened, what I assumed, was my file. “You’ve been an outstanding student here and I am ready to graduate you early.” That was all she said, while she skimmed through my file. I sensed there was more to this than the revelation of my early graduation.

  “That’s wonderful news, Professor McCullough. Where do I go from here?” Typically a graduate is given the choice to remain at the school as a professor, but that wasn’t my thing really.

  “How old are you?”

  Duh?! What kind of question was that? “I’m seventeen, just turned seventeen so I am too young to be a professor. Although, if it’s on the table, it would be an honor to accept the position.” Not really, it just seemed the appropriate thing to tell her.

  “I am not offering a position of professor. Your professors all said one thing about you that stood out. You’re protective of the lower classmen...it’s unanimous and I am here to offer you a position of guardian.” Professor McCullough said with a gentle smile, which was unusual for her. I wasn’t sure she had the capacity to show any emotion.

  “Guardian? I’m not sure what that is.” It must have been some clandestine position that only a few were offered. I felt my stomach flutter with the thought that I was considered one of their more elite warlocks.

  “The idea of a guardian is to watch over a lost witch or warlock, with the idea to lead them down the right path. Some magic mongers who are born with it have no idea how to control what gift they’ve been given.” The professor rose from her desk and sat on the edge in front of where I sat. “Is this something you think you can take on? There are challenges with this position. The assigned magic monger may be volatile and cause undue harm to their guardian. Or there is a matter of a guardian stepping over boundaries that go beyond. If you are assigned to the opposite sex, I’ve no problem with falling in love - but we’ve had in the past some guardians take advantage of their post and cross the line. If they weren’t killed by the turbulent client, they were executed. Unfortunately, it happened, although that was about a hundred years ago.”

  “So, I will be a glorified babysitter?” She shook her head at my question.

  “No, you will protect her and guide her on how to control her magic. You will instruct her on when it is necessary to use it.” Professor McCullough informed me and the fact it was a girl perked my attention even more. A smile developed on her face, “you will enjoy your celebration dinner tonight.” She held her palm flat and waved her hand to make a file appear. “You will head to Ocean High School in Santa Barbara and register as a junior in high school. While you’re there, you will look for a young girl named Samantha Flowers. She goes by Sammie.” The professor laughed, “she faked her former school’s transcripts and now is in over her head due to abusing her magical ability. Oh and she’s befriended our little Becca.” I rolled my eyes. This was a small package of trouble herself, who had more abilities that were beyond what could be taught here.

  “So, since she has befriended Breakneck Becca, I need to do double duty then?” I asked, while laughing.

  “Becca has been on her best behavior since arriving there in California. However, if she finds out Sammie is a witch, she may not influence her positively. Don’t steer Sammie away from Becca, she needs friends. Just steer her from making any unwise decisions.” I rose to my feet with this bit of highly important information. “You’re dismissed. You have time to pack and make travel plans before dinner tonight.”

  I rushed out of her office and opened the file, staring too long as I stroked a single finger over Sammie Flowers’s sweet, innocent and stunning face. The only challenge I can foresee was not falling in love with her. Yet, I couldn’t. I had a job to do. I sat on one of the benches in the corridor to scan her file. My eyes widened when I noticed her mother’s maiden name, Mavis Byrne. It was no coincidence that she was the daughter of Ciara McCullough’s predecessor, headmaster, Professor Brendon Byrne. This raised the ante of urgency and importance of guiding and protecting Sammie Flowers. The Byrne name was like royalty in these parts and Mavis was the most powerful healer in these parts, along with her twin brother, Aidan. My understanding was she had a gold-plated heart and was very nurturing until another threatened her peaceful existence. However, Aidan was a cold-hearted, dark warlock whose only purpose was to cast a dark cloud over us all and who wanted nothing but great power. He was exiled, who knows where and has been gone for over twenty years, rumor has it he was beheaded for treason, which is an antiquated form of punishment, but then I live in a world where they still live in medieval times. As I stated, only rumors. No one has any idea what truly happened to the Byrne twins, but none of us were too eager to look for them. Enough story time, I needed to get ready for my long trip to California, in the United States of California.

  SAMMIE -BECCA’S ROOM

  “Your cuticles are a hot mess, girl!” Becca told me as she plopped my feet in the foot massager. The warm liquid whooshing around my feet was welcomed after being on my feet for hours and especially after a rigorous gymnastics practice. “You know I used studying Jane Eyre as a ploy. I thought you were one of these studious types who spent her free time studying.” She smirked as she slid a damp cotton ball over her nails and turned on her favorite group, Kero Kero Bonito. I’d never heard of it, super poppie with Japanese mixed in. Cute music, just not my kind I’d choose to listen to. All I could get was ‘how many shrimps does it take?’ Something like that.

  Becca turned the music down so we could talk without yelling. “I read, but I don’t spend any more than two hours studying. Any longer than that, my brain turns to mush,” I said as I threw my head back and closed my eyes.

  “Oh, so do you think your parents would let you go out tomorrow with me and the Rembrandt brothers? There is a teen hangout by the ocean and one of our favorite live bands is playing tomorrow - Moonshine and Kitty Whittles. I so heart them.”

  I burst out laughing, “it sounds more like some children’s group - like Barney and the Teletubbies.” I continued laughing.

  “Well, do you wanna go or not? Lucas couldn’t take his eyes off you today.” Becca did nothing short of begging.

  “Lucas couldn’t stop looking at the mustard oozing from the side of my mouth, until you slyly handed me a napkin.” I sighed heavily at the thought of Lucas, “I will be happy to go out with you and the Rembrandts, but Lucas isn’t my type - there are no sparks there. He’s good friend material, but nothing romantic. I have my dream guy ingrained in my memory and Lucas Rembrandt doesn’t fit that bill.”

  Becca moaned and laughed, “Do tell me about your dream guy. Does he have a name?”

  “I will name him Cillian, I’ve always liked that name. Dark, wavy hair so soft I can’t help but to thread my fingers through it. His eyes are a mysterious light green and he’s Irish and the way he calls me Sammie-kins is too adorable for words. And when he kisses me, it’s like magic.” I opened my eyes and glanced at Becca who had the look on her face like she wanted to hear more. “There is nothing else to tell. He will be my first -my first kiss, my first - um- in the act of love. We are going to be married and have two little wee bairns running around.”

  Becca shook her head, though smiling. However, I
really needed to ask her about what I saw during lunch the day before and I was succeeding at pussy footing around it. “He sounds super dreamy.” She pulled my feet out and started to file my heels and the arches of my feet. I flinched and giggled, the downfall of having sensitive feet.

  “Becca?” I opened my mouth trying to think about how to approach this topic. “I saw what you did with the carrot yesterday at lunch.”

  She stared at me and her olive toned skin drained to a lovely shade of alabaster. “You weren’t supposed to see that.” Becca sat back on her knees and dropped the emery board to the floor. “I try to keep this hidden, but sometimes I don’t notice I’m using magic.”

  I smiled and sat forward, “Can I show you something?” I didn't wait for her to answer as I lifted a finger and levitated the emery board to make it do a little dance and flip flops. Becca’s mouth gaped open and her face brightened with a smile.

  “Y-you’re a witch?” She rasped and without missing a beat, snatched the emery board from the air before continuing on my feet. “Is it something you studied or were you born with it?”

  “I was born with it, inherited from one of my weird ancestors, from what my parents told me.”

  As though I said something wrong, Becca stopped what she was doing once more and arched her brow. “That’s highly interesting. Do you know your mother’s maiden name?” What did that matter what her maiden name was? I was afraid to tell Becca anything else after how sketchy she was acting.

  “Ummm, no, I don’t.” I lied, I just chose not to give her anymore information, I wish I never brought it up as I started to envision that Becca would no longer see me as a friend and start this magic war between the two of us.

  She smiled and continued with my feet as if this conversation never existed. “Did you ask your parents about tomorrow night?”

  I chuckled, “No, you just invited me minutes ago. I’m sure it’d be okay so long as I’m home at eleven on the dot.” If my father knew that he worked for Becca’s father, I’m sure it would be no problem at all. Even so, I had to ask, just to be on the safe side. It was the Friday before a holiday, no school the day after. I called my father.

  “Hi dad?”

  “Where are you? Your mother said you never made it home from school?”

  “Tell her to check her texts, I asked if I could hang out with Becca and she said it was fine, so long as I was home before dinnertime.” I tried not to become defiant with my father, but his overprotectiveness was ridiculous and I found myself lipping off. I didn’t mean to, it was just a defensive trait, I suppose.

  My father chuckled, “She just texted me and told me that she forgot about it. So, what’s up? I know you didn’t call just to check in.”

  “Becca, your boss’s daughter, asked if I could go out with her and the Rembrandt brothers to a concert on the beach tomorrow. Can I, please?” I covered the phone and told Becca, “he’s confirming with your father about tomorrow.”

  “You have my permission, but please no underage drinking or makeout sessions.”

  “DAD!!” I disconnected the call and we both cheered when I told her I was able to go out with them. This was my first double date ever. Well, not so much a date, but it was with a boy, so it was a date. Oh, I don’t know, I was so beside myself with excitement I didn’t care really. I only hoped that Lucas was a gentleman, so I wouldn’t have a reason for my magic to go haywire.

  BRENDON ARRIVES IN SANTA BARBARA

  As I stepped off the plane, my stomach was turning and I ran to a corner to empty the bags of pretzels and soda I drank. Although delicious at the time, this smaller aircraft that brought me to the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport made for a super treacherous flight.

  I leaned against the wall of the terminal, letting my stomach settle and my misery was interrupted by the phone buzzing. I held it to my ear, “Aye, I made it here. How are ya able to reach me? We’re not in the same dimension.”

  “We are in the same dimension, ya daft idiot. It’s Becca, I mean, Aisling and fer some odd reason I knew yer number and I sensed ye were here. She’s here and I sensed her spirit the moment she walked into the student office. I am her guardian, you need to back off.”

  I don’t understand how Aisling is so protective of someone she isn’t even assigned to. Now I wonder what happened to the girl she was supposed to guard. “What happened to Druzilla?”

  “Priscilla ended up in a coma after one of her spells ricocheted onto her. The doctor’s don't think she has too long and may be a dnr case.”

  “What’s dnr?”

  “Duh! Do not resuscitate. But fine I will release ma hold on Sammie, but ya better not fall in love with her. Sentry and love don't mix, ya got it.” Aisling disconnected the call and even though she went off on me about this Sammie girl, she still sent me a couple pictures of her. She was pretty, beautiful even, and looked exactly like her mother. Sammie had the same large almond shaped eyes with hues of gray and blue. However, her face was more a cherub heart-shaped with flawless, creamy white skin. I couldn’t help it as my finger lightly stroked her picture, now I was anxious to meet her, nervousness mixed with excitement that is. I just know I will make a fool of myself when I am face to face with her.

  “See you soon, gorgeous Samantha Flowers.”

  Melody Flowers (Mavis Byrne)

  Twenty Years Ago

  I was breathless and so frightened that I felt the paralyzing fear in every nerve and every trembling muscle. Deep in the woods, I felt Aidan behind me with the only intent ta merge his magic with mine. I was dead set against it since this would end up killing one of us and sure it would be me. Aidan was far more powerful than I was and there was no doubt I'd get the short end of the stick. That is the downside ta being twin witches and merging magic is unavoidable upon our eighteenth birthday unless one of two things happen. I could be killed or kill myself, which both are extreme or I could extract ma magic into an object and hide it from Aidan or anyone who wants ta steal it for their own purpose.

  “Maaavis, ya can’t hide from me and ya can’t run from this. It’s been our destiny since birth,” Aidan’s voice echoed through the barren forest, but I couldn’t stop running no matter how exhausted I was.

  I remembered a large tree somewhere in this part of the forest with a hollowed-out alcove at its base. After what seemed ta be an aimless trail, I finally found it. I slid in there and used a cloaking spell in order not ta be found. As he ran past the spot, I breathed a sigh of relief.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the necklace my late mother had given ta me when I was younger. Laying my hand over the pendant, I closed ma eyes and chanted. After repeating the chant numerous times, suddenly I felt free of the chains I was born with. In order ta keep it far and away from Aidan’s greedy hands, I looked for a place ta hide the necklace. While on my knees, it was hard ta see in the dark, but there was one spot with what looked like a small ledge made of rock. With my hands, I pulled enough dirt up ta ensure the necklace was buried so well even the most powerful warlock would never be able ta find it.

  My breath was shallow and my heart pounded out of my chest as I leaned against the wall. I had ta test myself and tried a simple spell of moving a small pebble. Nothing happened and I tried it again, same result. I laughed, celebrating that I successfully freed myself of magic. Now I could carry out my plans to leave this dimension and start a new life as a human named Melody Burns.

  Friday Night with Becca

  “Oh my God, that band was terrible, why didn’t you warn us, Todd?” Becca yelled over the music blaring in Todd’s car.

  “Hey, I never told you they were good. But you had a good time, right?” Todd asked Becca and I watched as he placed his hand on her thigh, which seemed to be slipping further where no boy’s hands should go. However, I took into consideration that Becca was a bit on the promiscuous side. I had been subjected to their make-out sessions a few times tonight, so seeing this didn’t surprise me to say the least. Anyway, who am I to ju
dge? I’m not interested in even going that route with any boy, I was only fifteen and sex is the last thing on my mind. I just want to stay in the same school for longer than one semester.

  “Hey guys! The taco stand that Glenn told us about is a mile up. I am starving.” I yelled and the boys cheered for tacos, whereas Becca groaned, obviously with other things on her mind. She’s been indifferent to me all night and Lucas hasn’t said but two words to me all night. I have no idea why. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned being a witch. For all I know, she sees me as competition. As if I would compete with someone else just like me. I thought it was cool that we had something in common.

  Yeah, admittedly I was uncomfortable and wanted to go home, but my hunger pangs were increasingly worse since I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch. Finally we stopped and I wasted no time running to the stand, it was more to get out of the frigid air in the car.

  “Where are you running off too Sammie?” Lucas called out. Hmm, that was the first thing he said to me all night, man he’s so odd. Adorable, but odd.

  “Do I have the plague or something? You have basically ignored me all night and even Becca has been a bit curt with me.” Lucas only shrugged his shoulders. Obviously, he was a man of little words and didn’t feel the need to elaborate on what I pointed out.

  Lucas grinned bashfully and said, “you look cute tonight. Psychedelic Furs - your t-shirt, totally retro.” He said in his best attempt to start a conversation. I nodded at his observation of the same shirt I’ve had on for the past four hours. Now it was just an awkward conversation. Lucas must have felt my cold demeanor and went back to the car. As I watched him walk away, I didn’t realize a couple cut in front of me in line.