Nightworld Academy - L.J. Swallow

1

AMELIA

I cower beside Jamie as the firestorm fills the sky. The rugby pitch’s floodlights disappear beneath the intense light, and the magic explodes into sparks as if a dozen fireworks were lit at once.

What has Matt done?

Moments ago, I watched my shifter friend Ash and the academy team playing a match against the rival French academy team. This game is a greater challenge than the recent matches where we easily beat local human teams towards a place in the semi-final.

The French team are formidable opponents, completely focused on winning. They’re also another Nightworld Academy and have strong shifters on their side, and no sportsmanship.

Ash grumbled earlier how their rivals tried mental magic on several of his team members as they tried to find the team’s strategies hidden in their minds. A furious Ash confronted the shifter who captained the French team, and the heated argument led to more animosity. I’m impressed Ash kept his temper—he’s had issues with this recently and anger would’ve worsened the situation.

I half-expected a clash between the two teams on pitch. A subtle punch or two, maybe a harder than necessary shove, but I never expected magic.

And everybody gathered here knows whose magic this is.

The flames drop away as sparks fall from the sky and dissipate before they hit the pitch or anybody on it. The fire clears and the floodlights illuminate the area once more, including Matt Kohler dragged from the scene by Ash and their furious coach, Professor O’Reilly.

“We should’ve guessed Matt would do this,” mutters Jamie. “His magic is becoming out of control.”

I look to my friend, the tall wiry guy beside me who pushes his dark hair from his eyes and watches events keenly.

“What a stupid thing for him to do,” I agree.

“Matt pisses me off. This has ruined the match and I bet we’ll be forced to forfeit to the other team. Ash will lose his shit.”

“Good thing they’re friends then.”

Jamie looks down at me – literally since he’s almost a foot taller than me. Between us we blend into school society – the spirit affinity witch who spends half his life in the library and his diminutive elemental witch friend who struggles to cast her water based magic. I produce unwanted rainstorms, but by accident. Matt’s firestorm is deliberate.

Jamie and I join the crowd in watching the animated conversation between an angry Professor O’Reilly, Matt, Ash, and the headmistress, Theodora. The lamia vampire rarely visits the rugby side-lines and she’s out of place in her expensive black suit. Her high heeled shoes are muddied and sink into the ground.

The French crowd jeer and our academy call back insults as the rest of the players are marched from the pitch.

Ash finishes his conversation and strides towards us, his face thunderous. Jamie’s taller than me, but Ash looms, his broad shoulders and solid chest stretched beneath the blue and white team shirt.

He runs a hand across his head, through his short brown hair, and I wince as a string of colourful and impressive expletives pour from his mouth.

Jamie interrupts him. “Okay, Ash. No need to shout at us for Matt’s behaviour.”

“Why did he do something this dumb?” I ask. “Distracting the team by fire magic isn’t in the accepted rules.”

“No, since we play by normal rules, which that dickhead doesn’t. Ever.”

He’s right. Matteo Kohler is the most accomplished witch to set foot in the academy for many years. His abilities outweigh everybody, including Professor Kendal, the witch adept at all magic schools and who teaches the witches’ magic classes. Ever since he arrived, Matt’s taken pleasure in demonstrating just how amazing he is.

This ego is fuelled further by the status this gives him with so many students impressed by his talents. Especially the attention from half the girls in our year. With his captivating green eyes and seductive smile, he’s as impressive to look at as the fire he creates for them in the palm of his hand.

If he weren’t one of Jamie’s best friends, I doubt I’d talk to Matt. He rarely registers me on the days he sits with our group at dinner or hangs out with Ash and Jamie between classes. I’m one of those awed by him, but have never let him know this. Matt flusters me, when I want to dislike him. His arrogance isn't attractive, which keeps my hormones in check when I’m with him.

Matt is frequently in trouble, and he doesn't care.

“This time he’s pushed things too far,” says Ash and glares over his shoulder at