Shadow - Sadie Moss Page 0,1

a large building on the Academy of Unpredictable Magic campus.

Still just as badass, though.

A yelp escapes me as sharp crushing metal jaws reach up out of the floor, bigger than I am, like a mechanical Venus flytrap. I leap up and shift into a kangaroo to jump high enough to stay out of the way, bouncing all over the place as more and more of these jaws of death spring out of the ground at me. I finally land in front of the pedestal and shift back, eyeing it.

I doubt I can just grab the ring without a hitch. That wouldn’t be enough of a challenge. This test isn’t just about running a physical gauntlet, it’s about being clever and showing that you know how to problem solve and use your magic.

Behind me, I can hear the footsteps of my pursuers getting louder, so I throw my hand back and feel with my mind for the figures, picking them up with my magic and throwing them like rag dolls. My arm aches from the effort, and I have to take a second to breathe after hurling the last figure to the side.

I can’t afford to use my telekinesis like that again. I’ll faint dead away from exhaustion.

Still breathing hard, I study the ring where it sits on the pedestal. I don’t see any kinds of spells or locks or wards on the pedestal, but I know it’s probably booby-trapped. There’s no way my professors would make this last step any easier than the rest of the obstacle course.

I guess that just means I have to be fast.

Transforming into a cobra, I coil myself up and then raise the upper half of my body. Cobras can grow up to eighteen feet in length, and I can raise half of that up off the ground to strike. Although this time, I’m not going to be injecting venom.

I lash out, biting onto the ring and hooking my fangs around it before yanking back. The strike is sharp and fast—just quick enough that I’m already out of the way when a heavy stone drops down, crushing the pillar and making my heart jump.

But it’s done.

I did it.

Finally, I transform back, holding the ring in my hand and panting hard as I turn around. The professors who gathered on the sidelines to review and grade my performance all nod approvingly, and a tired grin spreads across my face.

That’s it. I finished my final exam.

I’m officially done with my magical training.

“Well done, Raelyn.” Josephine Tamlin steps away from the group of professors, crossing the room toward me. She looks as polished and poised as usual, in bright colors that complement her dark skin, and makeup that highlights her high cheekbones and deep brown eyes.

Tamlin is one of my favorite professors. She’s worked closely with me over the last few years, since my Unpredictable powers are so physical and she’s in charge of combat training.

She smiles when she reaches me, extending her hand to shake mine. “That transformation from your eagle form back to human was seamless. You hit the ground running—literally—and didn’t even break stride. I’m proud of you. I never had any doubt that you’d pass, but that was exceptional work.”

I bite back a broad grin. Damn right. I’ve excelled in pretty much all my classes ever since I got to Griffin Academy. I won’t settle for anything less. But hearing her say she’s proud of me is definitely the icing on the cake.

“We’ll have to tally up your final scores,” Tamlin goes on. “And we’ll report your official grade soon. But I think I can safely say that you’ll be receiving very high marks. You should be proud of yourself.”

My smile breaks free at those words, despite my efforts to keep a serious, professional expression on my face. I do feel like I’ve done well, which isn’t always the case. Despite the fact that I’ve never gotten worse than an A- on an assignment, I’m such a perfectionist that I’m never really happy with my work. I always feel like I could’ve done a little bit better, no matter what.

But today is one of the good days. I’ve spent hours taking exams and magical tests, and this obstacle course was the last one. It was designed to be a practical test to see how well students can control their magic under pressure when threatened.

And I know I did well.

Now it’s time for me to take everything I learned at Griffin over the past three