141
Lucy
I blinked, looking around for Jordan, if maybe it was a trick, but no one I asked seemed to know anything about Jordan. They didn’t even notice anyone being near me during lunch.
I tried to keep an eye out for him for the rest of the day, but I didn’t see him.
Finally, it was Friday and time for the field trip with Luke and Duke. I used the moving ring to get from Stacy’s to the coven campus. It felt like a surge of energy raced through me and then whisked me away. In an instant, the world around me shifted, and I found myself standing on the Hecate campus.
Soon, Duke appeared, walking up from the front door.
“Do you know a Jordan?” he asked. “I… Well, we talked yesterday, but no one spoke to knew him.”
“I was going to ask you the same thing.”
Thomas came up behind us. “Glad to see you two are excited.”
“You’re coming too?” I asked.
“I’m only hear to ensure there’s no need transportation,” Thomas said. “I promise not to intrude on the field trip.”
We headed further into the building and walked into Luke’s office as he was finishing packing up his bag and hauling it on his back. He grinned.
“Glad you got these two trouble makers here,” he said. “We’re taking moving rings, so no need for a car. IT would take way too long, anyway.”
Thomas nodded and turned to Duke. “You remember the rules.”
He flushed. “Blue drilled be on them at least three times. I’ve got it, I promise.”
He nodded and grinned at me. “Make him use his moving ring, eat, and take his potions, hm?”
Duke sputtered, and I nodded. “I’m on it.”
“It’s not like she didn’t pack me six years’ worth of food,” Duke snarked as Thomas left.
Luke laughed. “Come on, let’s get going.”
“Luke, do you know a Jordan?”
Luke went still and turned back to us slowly. “Jordan?”
I nodded. “Tall. Dark hair? Brown eyes. Pretty friendly and laid back?”
His lips twitched. “Jordan… died several years ago.”
My eyes widened. “Wh-What? But we—”
I looked at Duke who looked solemn. “He’s… in the in-between?”
“Another victim of the Moon Goddess,” Luke said. “Don’t worry about it. He’s… mostly happy. He always wanted to attend Hecate. I think he’ll pass on soon.”
My jaw trembled. “L-Like a ghost?”
Luke nodded and led us out of the room. “Supernatural beings leave a stronger presence than humans. We have a chance to linger, so to speak. It helps with necromancers and healers looking to resuscitate people, of course, but it’s also… a bit sad. I’m glad he’s talking to someone. Don’t be alarmed. He was always sweet.”
He paused, and his lips twitched. “You might see him again on the field trip.”
Luke led the way, guiding us through the winding paths of the campus. As we walked, he spoke of the ancient magical practices used by the witches and other museums.
“We’re not going to a museum exactly. Somewhere a little more hands-on.”
The campus buzzed with activity, students engaged in spirited discussions and practicing their magical skills. We passed by various training grounds and classrooms, each one a gateway to a different aspect of magic. I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder, my heart brimming with anticipation.
Finally, we reached another courtyard. He gave us both a ring and told us how to use it before popping off.
“Ready?” Luke asked.
I nodded. He reached out and I smiled, taking his hand and squeezing. We activated the rings and the world shifted around us until we landed in a clearing. The scent of pine struck me. I heard Duke gasp and look around.
The scent of fresh earth and the crisp air was familiar. The trees formed a canopy above us. The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the plants, casting a warm glow around us. The air felt old and a little tingly. It was so peaceful. I felt safe. Duke sank onto a nearby stone looking around.
“This place…”
Luke chuckled. “Don’t melt into awe just yet. We’ve got to get to the main event, hm?”
I nodded and offered my hand to Luke who still stared up out into the distance.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve… been here before,” Duke said.
Luke turned. “You’re sure of that? Not just in your dreams?”
He nodded. “I’ve… I’ve been here before.”
Luke narrowed his eyes and came down the slope to us and cupped Duke’s face, turning his eyes to look into his eyes.
“You’re a bit shocky. Let’s get to our accommodations and we’ll talk.”
Duke got to his feet. I took his hand and he tightened his grip on mine as we followed Luke down the path.
With each passing step, I felt more at ease, more like I had been here before. The sense was growing as the scent of pine settled in my bones. I saw a figure nearby, a little girl who waved at me. I waved back before she vanished and I realized that she had to be another ghost.
We kept walking and a white wolf stepped into our path. I screamed and jumped back.
“Lucy!”
I tumbled back, losing my footing and tumbled back down the slope, landing on a flat section and still trying to push away. Luke hurried down, avoiding the white wolf as he came down.
My breath quickened, and a wave of panic washed over me, threatening to engulf me completely. It was them. It was Matt or Tony. I felt my body trembling, my hands shaking uncontrollably. I tried to think, tried to breathe, but I couldn’t do much more than panic.
“Ring.” I got out. “Go. Have to—”
“Calm down,” Luke whispered. “Focus on my voice.”
Another white wolf appeared. And another. I had to be going crazy. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes.
"Luke," I whispered, my voice shaky and filled with desperation, "I can't... I can't calm down. It's all too much. They’re e-everywhere. S-So many. I can’t--"
My words cut off and stuttered out of me, choked by the rising panic that consumed me. Fire and darkness flashed through my mind. I heard screaming and running. Luke cursed and dug something out of his bag before settling it on my head. They all vanished, and I sucked in a deep breath as Duke wrapped his arms around me, rocking me.
"Lucy, just focus on my voice," he murmured his words a lifeline in the midst of the chaos. "Breathe with me. In... and out. In... and out."
I closed my eyes, trying to follow.
They were all gone.
They were all just ghosts. As the panic attack subsided, I leaned into Duke's embrace, and shuddered.
“Stay with her,” Luke said.
Duke cooed at me, and I heard Luke moving away. There was a warm burst of air, and I felt something spread around us. The memories and visions still lingered, but they started to fade.
“Better?” Luke asked.
As I opened my eyes and took in the serene surroundings of the forest, I nodded. All the ghosts were gone. The tingling in the air was gone.
“What just happened?” Duke asked.
“It seems that Lucy has a bit of a sensitivity to ghosts,” his lips twitched. “And perhaps was a bit triggered by the sight of white wolves.”
“T-Tony and Matt are white wolves,” I swallowed. “Sh-She always shows up with white wolves.”
Luke shook his head. “Of course, she does, the high-handed wench. Come on. Let’s get you both inside.”
Duke helped me up. I was a bit sore from my fall, but the longer we walked, the easier it was, and we didn’t see any more ghosts.
“You’ll be wearing that diadem until we leave. I’ll take down the ghost barrier once we get you up to the cottage.”
We walked on and up the slope until we reached the top and there was a cute little cottage tucked away in the trees. He turned and grinned proudly. He looked so young and carefree.
“Welcome to the Whitetower Cottage!” He smiled. “We’ll be here for the weekend safely in a space where you can train, practice, and we can work on some of your control.”
He led us into the house. I’m not sure what I expected, but the place felt cozy. There weren’t any photos or anything on the walls, but it looked like it had a lot of bedrooms. Luke led us up the stairs and showed us to our rooms across the hall from his.
“We’ll reconvene for dinner in a little while. Get settled in.” He pointed down the hall. “Bathroom is down the hall. I’ll be setting up dinner downstairs. Duke, feel free to bring that six years’ worth of food down.”
Duke chuckled. “Glad to be rid of it.”
“And your potions.”
He grumbled and went into his room as I laughed.
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