Chapter 4: Cassandra

"Have a seat, Cassandra." His voice was controlled for a man who had to be mad for leaving the guild so early in the morning. I doubted he'd had time for his breakfast with the other guild members who stayed on campus. I sat in the chair across from him. He laid out the newspaper in his hands. I tried not to look. "Twenty-four people killed, though they aren't sure if the deaths were caused by the Sarchi or by the witch who was supposed to be there to save them." He ran his finger down the article. "Estimated property damage around thirty-two million."

"I'm sorry," I said, though I knew sorry helped nothing.

"As am I, Cassandra. Want to tell me what in the hell happened out there?" His voice was beginning to lose control. "I have an entire city to answer to. There're people waiting for my return at the guild. I'll be writing checks for years."

I explained my side of the story, ensuring him it would not happen again. I did point out the fact I killed the Sarchi that attacked the city in the first place. He had to give me kudos for that. I ended with sorry and another assurance there would not be a repeat. But we both knew there probably would be. It was just the way things went with me. "I know I'm new at this, Guildmaster. Braeden has promised to help me along. Tomorrow we're going to work on potions."

"First it was the farmer's entire herd of cattle. Remember that?" he asked. I nodded. A wolf had been stalking the herd at night while the farmer slept. I snuck into the field late one night and cast a dome of protection over the herd. The fireball cooked every cow in the field. For twenty square miles people claimed to smell steak and hamburgers. "And I don't even want to talk about the time you used your power of wind and blew away an entire village."

"I'm sorry," I interrupted. But he wasn't finished.

"There are at least a dozen other examples, including the fae city. Remember that one?" He folded the newspaper. "We need to figure out what we're going to do, Cassandra. I can't allow this to continue."

"I will train more," I said.

"Unfortunately, that's not enough for the guild members."

"Please don't, Guildmaster Ren. I can do better."

He shook his head and looked away. "I don't want to do this, but you are no longer welcome at the guild. Your mistakes have almost bankrupted the guild. We'll be paying damages for the next ten years. We can't accept any more losses." He took a deep breath and sighed.

A tear ran down my cheek, and I swiftly wiped it away. Crying would show weakness, and it wasn't the time for weakness. "You could have waited until I arrived tomorrow at the guild," I said.

"It would have been bad for the both of us if you'd shown up." He raised a hand to stop my protest. "I'm here for another reason, Cassandra." He stood and paced the kitchen. "I see a lot of me in you when I was your age. I understand you. I even understand your constant screw ups. Believe it or not but once upon a time I was a rebel like you."

"Thank you, I think."

"So, I have a proposition for you. And before I continue, let me say that I still need to discuss this with Headmaster Eliphas." He stopped pacing and sat in the living room. I followed and stood by the fireplace. "You've heard of the Enchanted Academy?"

"Everyone's heard of it," I replied. "Those who've gone there and come back say it's a brutal experience."

"I wouldn't say that," he said. "It's an academy that focuses on discipline in the craft of magic. Though it's difficult, it is one of the best in the world."

"I don't want to leave here, Guildmaster Ren. Surely I have a choice?"

"The guild members don't want to risk another catastrophe," he said. "Several are threatening to leave the guild if you're allowed back. Those I've spoken to have agreed that if you graduate from the academy, they will allow you to return to the guild." He stood and joined me at the fireplace. "It's the only way, Cassandra. If you don't, the guild will revoke your powers, and you will have to find a new line of work."

"They can't do that."

"They've already voted, Cassandra. It's you or them, and there are too many of them for you to stay. We have guild members who've not had a pay increase in years because of the expense we incur cleaning up your messes. They won't stand for it any longer and are threatening to leave the guild. If that happens, the guild will close, and it will be your fault."

"I don't know that I'm good enough for the Enchanted Academy," I said. "With all these calamities I've caused, why would they take me?"

He walked to the front door. "Because not even the guild members can deny your potential, Cassandra. You're young, beautiful, and have terrific power that only needs to be harnessed and controlled." He opened the front door. "I believe in you, Cassandra. I really do. But you must make this decision. The guild is expecting me to return with your answer. I need it now."

"No pressure," I replied and crossed my arms. If I'd stuck out my bottom lip to pout, he would have walked out. I looked around the room at all the things I would be leaving. But what bothered me most was the thing not in the room I would be leaving - Braeden. We'd been together as friends far longer than we had not. He would be disappointed. I didn't have many friends at the guild but would miss them dearly. I wasn't entirely sure I could graduate the academy, meaning I'd be returning early when things didn't work out.

"Cassandra, I need your answer now."

I nodded and he sighed. "I will go."

"I'll contact the headmaster and make sure we can get you in." He stepped out onto the porch and stopped before looking back. "You made a wise decision."

"I'm not so sure," I said. "I like it here. My friends and the people I trust are here."

"One last thing, Cassandra." He looked at the floor, bad news about to follow. "I have to request you stay in your house until you leave for the academy." He raised a hand when I started to protest. "There are people looking to cause you harm. It's for the best."

"But...,"

He closed the door and I heard the swoop of wind that was Guildmaster Ren as he rode a streak of light back to the guild. He'd been as diplomatic as he could. I knew enough about the guild members to know few of them were in my favor.

I plopped on the couch and glanced around the house, so much of what I could see had yet to be used. I'd buried myself in my elements: wind and fire, leaving little time for the finer art of being a witch. The Enchanted Academy would change that. It did excite me that I would be learning from some of the best witches and warlocks in the world. Of course, they were strict. I'd heard that most were crass and didn't tolerate insubordination.

I picked up the phone and called Braeden, asking that he come over. I had important news to tell him. He didn't seem surprised, so I wondered if he knew or at least had an idea I was in trouble. Maybe he had negotiated with Guildmaster Ren to give me this one last chance. Braeden showed about an hour later, satisfaction on his face that he had helped me the best he could.

"Guildmaster Ren was here when I opened the door this morning."

Braeden took a seat on the couch. He refused to make eye contact. He knew. "I'm sorry, Cass."

"You knew, didn't you?"

"No, not really. But the damage in Wayfair City was too catastrophic that I didn't see any way they would not punish you." He patted the seat next to him. "Sit with me and let's talk."

"I told him I would go to the Enchanted Academy if they would have me." I sat next to Braeden, and he put his hand on my knee, comforting me. I couldn't remember him touching anything except my hand. I wanted him to move it higher, but I said nothing.

"It's the right decision," he said. "Did Guildmaster Ren say when?"

"As soon as possible. He's talking to Headmaster Eliphas today." I put my hand on his. "Braeden, I don't want to leave you behind."

"There's something I need to tell you, Cass." Braeden's face became all smiles. "I honestly didn't know Guildmaster Ren was going to send you to the Enchanted Academy. I really didn't. But this morning, after seeing the news about Wayfair and the citizens asking for your head to roll, I thought it a possibility he might do something like send you there." He took my hands in his. "I spoke to someone close to Headmaster Eliphas, and I've been accepted for the fall."

A wave of relief washed over me. I wasn't going to go alone. "I will add an addendum to the agreement," I said. "I will agree to go as long as it's in the fall!"

"We should go celebrate," he said.

"I've been quarantined to the house."

Braeden rested his chin on his palm. "No worries. We'll practice here. I expect you to be ready first thing tomorrow. We start with potions and then move on to hexes." A smile spread across his face. "I have confidence in you, Cass." He stood and walked to the door. "Remember, the greatest witches and warlocks in the world graduated from the Enchanted Academy."

I watched Braeden leave, but I longed for him to stay.