The Witch Academy

Chapter 1

She was sitting on the front porch, reading a book on the fading evening light, when she first saw them. One moment, the street was empty, the next, two teens with dark hair and weird clothes stood at the end of the driveway.

Eva Grant blinked. Then they were gone.

Shaking her head at her imagination, Eva closed her book and headed back into the house.

If Eva had looked again, she might've seen the two teens appear again, this time behind a tree, beside the house. She might have noticed that it was a boy and girl, both wearing a long, billowing black cloak. But Eva didn't and so her life would remain normal for just a bit longer.

Inside the house, Eva sat beside her newly-wed husband, Terence, watching the news, as was normal for them at this time. Outside, with nothing else to do, the two teens did the same, remaining silent.

Finally, evening turned to night and it was safe for the two to talk. Well, as safe as it ever was for the two, anyway.

The girl was Angel, small, eighteen, and beautiful, with long, wavy, dark brown hair and wide brown eyes. She had long dark eyelashes that seemed to glitter in the moonlight and perfect golden-toned skin the seemed to glow. Beneath her cloak, Angel wore the modest black robes of her position. Her small, nimble hands were clasped and her eyes cast down.

The boy was Ash, tall and handsome boy of nineteen years. He was pale, with jet black hair and dark blue eyes. Clad in the black cloak and heavy black and gold robes, his expression proud and sad, he was a prince, through and through. Even so, he looked more anxious than the poor baker's daughter beside him.

Ash watched silently as Angel unclasped her hands and fingered the one piece of jewelry that she was allowed to wear, a small silver ring on a delicate chain. The ring bore no jewels, it was a simple band, as narrow as it could be and still bear its carved words. He had wanted her to have something prettier, but, being Angel, she had refused.

Ash continued to watch her. He knew she noticed, but she remained silent and refused to meet his gaze. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

"Angel, look at me! Say something!"

Angel looked up at her prince, the boy she loved, the man she had to give up. Sadness shot through her, almost unbearable. She looked away.

"Angel..." She could hear the pain in his voice, knew that if she looked at him, she would see his eyes full of desperation.

"Ash, I told you. My father needs me. And I could never be who your parents, who you need."

"All I need is you. Not some princess that I could never truly love."

Ash gazed down at her, wishing she would change her mind. He knew she wouldn't, but he had to try. Try anything to keep her.

"What about Rowena? She deserves to know her mother."

"And I wish I could know her, too. But you know that I have to do this, for me and for Al-, I mean for you."

Angel supposed Ash probably thought she was losing her mind, as she kept almost mentioning names that had no meaning to him. But she couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell Ash that he had not just a daughter, but triplet children. Couldn't tell him because twins often had special powers and triplets... They had even more.

And, if her own prophecy was right, Sadie, Alec, and Rowena powers would be amazing, even for triplets. And if anyone else knew about them, especially the Royal family, they would be used. Ash wouldn't, but the others certainly would. Angel couldn't risk it.

I'm their mother. I have to protect them. I have to protect my three, beautiful, dark-haired children. Any way I can.

"Ash, you have to go now. I have to do this on my own."

Ash gazed down at his love. He still wasn't sure what she was doing but he did know that this was probably the last time he would see her.

"I love you, Angel. I always will. I promise I will protect Rowena."

"Goodbye Ash," Angel whispered. "I love you. Take good care of her."

On impulse, Angel stood on her toes and kissed him gently. Then she gave him a little push and, with a last sad look, he vanished.

"Lillian?" she called softly. A moment later, the only person who knew about Alec and Sadie appeared. Lillian had dropped out of the academy in her fourth year, a year before Angel had, and kept her first name, something Angel hadn't been willing to do, but admired Lillian for. She was the most trustworthy person Angel knew.

"Angel? I brought them."

And she had. Lillian, in her gray robes and thin brown cloak stood before Angel, Sadie in her left arm, Alec in her right.

"Will you help me explain?" Angel asked, gently taking Sadie.

"Of course," her friend said softly. The two of them began to walk towards the house.

"Wait," Lillian said, "What about their symbols." She paused. "Do they have symbols?"

"Not in ink." Angel took two amulets from the pocket of her robes. They were simple, only a cord with a wooden carving, but she hoped they would protect her children.

"I'll give them to Eva; tell her to give them to them...when the time is right." And with that, the two walked up to the house and Lillian knocked on the door.

The door was opened by a young woman of about twenty. She had light brown hair and blue eyes, and wore the clothes that the non-magic folk wore.

"Eva? Eva Grant?" Lillian asked.

"Yes. Who are...? Oh! Alexia?"

Angel blinked. It had been a while since she'd heard that name.

"Yes- but call me Angel. That's my-"

"The name that school gave you, I know. It suits you." Eva smiled, but looked pained. "I assume you had a reason for coming here?"

"Eva, I dropped out. Father couldn't really afford it and I felt too bad taking all of his money. Ash would've supported me but he shouldn't and-"

"Please Al- Angel- come in. You look..." She trailed off and gestured us inside.

A few minutes later, we and her husband were all sitting in her living room. Sadie and Alec were still asleep, thankfully.

"So... Angel... You dropped out and?" Eva looked hesitant.

"Yes... And now I'm here... I need to ask you something important."

"Yes?" Eva asked wearily.

"Can you take care of S-Sadie and Alec? I can't- I c-can't let can't let them know-" Angel choked back tears. "Ash c-can't know- Triplets- T-too powerful- Th-their safety..." And she could no longer keep tears from running down her cheeks. "Please," she whispered.

Eva's mouth was open in surprise. Then she carefully took Sadie from Angel's arms.

"I suppose I," She didn't get a chance to say anything else though. Angel felt stabbing pain her head and let out a gasp.

"No! Not yet," she whispered.

"Angel?"

"Angel, are you alright?"

But she couldn't answer, her head felt as though it were on fire.

"Thought I'd have more time... Take care of them, please! Tell her- Lillian, tell her... Everything..."

"Angel, what's happening?"

"I should've told you, Lillian... Morgana... I'm sorry... I won't. Last. Much. Longer..."

Angel let out a cry. She was chalk white, her face covered in sweat. She couldn't see, and there was blinding white light everywhere. Angel screamed in pain.

Then there was silence, a silence that would soon be broken by the awakening of a dead girl's children.