Consort of Spells

By Molly Lavenza

Shocked but not shattered.

After my friend Taran led his girlfriend Merith to Arda Academy, our lives were left shaken like figures in a snow globe. My little sister Clare, always high strung and anti-social, now hides herself away with her piano, drowning her devastation in music and solitude. As class president and a role model for other students, I have no such luxury, forcing myself instead to face the truth head on. My best friend Danica remains at my side, her tough as nails exterior resolved to support me as I struggle to control my magical power, but will she ever let me close to the girl beneath, the one I have loved since the moment we met?

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Kyle Thorne has everyone's back. His classmates and friends know they can count on him, but the pressure to be perfect after the chaos brought into Arda Academy when Merith Leigh brought her personal battle into the school is overwhelming. The two most important girls in his life have the power to both devastate and defend him: his younger sister Clare, always unreachable and distant; and his best friend Danica, strong and sure, and also completely unaware of his love for her. When his efforts to control his unique magic fail as his confidence plummets, will Clare and Danica be able to give him the strength he needs to stop another disaster from destroying Arda when it is at its weakest?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Molly Lavenza
• Release date: Nov 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005707279

Molly Lavenza

Molly Lavenza is a student at Kent State University. She loves her home state of Ohio, her cats, little sister, and her boyfriend, whose dark, curly hair and obsession with Converse sneakers was the inspiration for Declan, the hero in The Changeling Covenant.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Consort of Spells

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Epilogue

About the Author

Consort of Spells

Arda Academy

Book Two

by Molly Lavenza

copyright 2020 by Molly Lavenza

all rights reserved

cover design:Fantasia Cover Design

Chapter One

T here he is!

A girl from the other side of the cafeteria squeals loudly, and I lift my head in time to see several fluttering plaid skirts rush across my vision.

It seems like Arda Academy’s resident ghost is appearing more often lately, and students don’t miss a chance to claim that every shadow or flicker of light must be him.

Are you going to share those, Kyle? It’s not like you to keep them all to yourself.

Taran, who is two years younger than me but more mature than the kids I see huddled together at the window, has his eyebrows raised as he asks, and I shake my head, sighing while I use my foot to slide a chair out and sit down at the table.

Thanks, Kyle, Merith, Taran’s girlfriend, reaches out and tentatively takes a waffle from my plate. I nod, hoping to reassure her, although I don’t completely trust her myself. She’s an incredibly powerful witch, but at the same time, an insecure girl who is still getting used to the busyness of boarding school life.

Of any life outside of the home in which she was trapped since she was born.

I frown at the group of students squealing and pointing their fingers at the window, or at whatever they claim is outside of it. True, strange things happen at Arda, and legend has it the building is haunted by a man who worked on renovations over a century ago.

Some of those strange events, however, have been caused by a thread of uncontrollable magic that runs through the property, magic my father wanted to harness in order to make himself more powerful.

Clare’s been playing some incredible pieces. I’m guessing that’s where she is now, instead of eating lunch?

My best friend Danica takes my hand in hers, resting them together on her knee, and I take a deep breath involuntarily, hoping she won’t notice. We’ve been friends since the first day of freshman year, when she found my little sister hiding in the gardens and hauled her back into school over her shoulder.

I had been searching everywhere for her, frantic that something bad had happened. Our father, the headmaster here, had been too busy to bother, claiming that Clare was probably fine. She was, but he didn’t recognize her need for his attention.

Our need for his attention.

Danica has been by my side since, unaware that I lost my heart to her when she dropped my screeching sister at my feet over three years ago.

Probably.

It’s common knowledge that Clare spends most of her time outside of class in the music room, her eyes closed as her fingers trail expertly over the keys. She takes stacks of anatomy and science books out of the library, reading them in the halls as she walks between classes, but that is her only other visible interest.

I miss the sneers and snarky, sometimes cruel comments she used to snap at whoever got in her way, whether they were teasing her or trying to make friends.

Clare doesn’t want friends, or so she claims.

You’ll be staying here for winter break, right, Merith?

Danica squeezes my fingers, as if to remind me that although she’s talking to Taran’s girlfriend now, she is thinking of me.

Does she have any idea that I am always thinking of her?

I push the tray with the plate of waffles towards Taran and Merith, and Taran frowns before taking another waffle. He doesn’t say anything, though, allowing the girls to continue their conversation.

I don’t have anywhere else to go, and honestly, I think it’s safer for everyone if I’m with people who understand me. As much as I can be understood.

Merith is talking about her magical abilities, which have caused more than a little havoc here at Arda. She’s right. Between Taran, Danica, me, and the rest of The Guardians, our magic society, we’ve been able to help her find a measure of control, even if we’re not exactly sure how or why.

Actually, it’s mostly been two girls who helped the day my dad was killed who have been her biggest supporters. I haven’t done all that much, except be skeptical and wary.

What if she does something to hurt Danica again?

Or Clare?

I wish I could stay here, too. But I’ll visit, Taran leans close to Merith and kisses her lightly on the lips. Her pale face grows pink, but she grabs his arm and holds him so the kiss goes on.

I clear my throat, but they don’t pay any attention.

Not hungry?

Danica stands up suddenly, dropping my hand. I miss the warmth of her touch instantly, as I shake my head.

I’m going to see what hasn’t been picked over by the guys yet. I’ll bring you back something, because you have to eat. So does Clare.

Leave it to Danica to think of something practical like eating when it comes to Clare. I love my sister to the point that I have nightmares about being separated from her, but when it comes to everyday needs or girl stuff, I’m worthless.

Clare and I are orphans now, our only family our newly revealed sister, who is currently making out with Taran across the table from me.

Hey, you two, I clear my throat again and rap my knuckles on the table, my hand inches away from Taran’s arm. He’s the first to pull away from their contact, and while I'm still getting used to the idea of Merith as my little sister, I’m pleased to see how gently he touches her cheek as her eyelids flutter open.

He’s a good guy, and they’ve known each other for over two years now, so it isn’t as if this is some kind of physical thing for either of them. Although obviously, they have that attraction going on.

I wish I could touch Danica, look at her, the way Taran is gazing at Merith right now.

But that’s not how our relationship is, and I have to accept our friendship for however Danica wants it to be. I don’t want to lose her.

I can’t lose her.

The crowd along the windows starts to disperse, and I watch the familiar figures, girls in their plaid skirts, boys in their black pants and white shirts an echo of my own attire, and wonder why I had to fall in love with Danica instead of someone else. Sure, it was the first day of school, but Clare and I have lived at Arda our whole lives, and have seen countless students come and go.

Life would be easier if I was in love with someone else, and could talk about my feelings for them with my best friend.

You’re especially brooding today, Kyle. Is it Clare?

Danica rests her hand on my shoulder, her other hand carrying a bowl of what looks like rice mixed with chicken and vegetables. My stomach growls just loud enough for her to hear.

She shakes her head, and when she takes her hand from my shoulder and sits down, I lean towards her without thinking. As always, she smells like oranges, her favorite flavor and color, and I long to move closer and kiss the skin along her neck, where some of her blonde hair has escaped its ponytail.

Ugh. I’m turning into some kind of hormonally-driven vampire from a teen novel.

I guess, I tell her, letting my weight fall back into my chair and crossing my arms over my chest. I feel the stiffness of the starch in my shirt underneath the pressure, and can’t wait to change into jeans and a polo shirt after classes are over.

But I have a meeting with The Guardians later, and I should probably keep my uniform on.

Has everyone gotten their notes?

Danica nods at my question, just as she shoves a spoonful of rice into her mouth. I look away, squinting as I stare out the window.

Something is definitely moving around outside, behind the school, but it’s probably a maintenance worker or landscaper.

They should all be there tonight, including Taran.

Taran, who is whispering with Merith now, doesn’t hear his name, but it doesn’t matter. Both of them will be there, even though Taran has no magical abilities, just like Danica.

Clare doesn’t have any either, but she’s part of The Guardians, and has always offered intelligent, thoughtful commentary, even if it is always delivered with disdain and condescension.

This is my last year at Arda, as it is Danica’s. Next year, Clare will be here on her own, without the two of us to look out for her.

I need to go into town.

As if on cue, Clare appears at my side, one hand on her hip and the other on the back of my chair. Her tone is insistent and impatient, like a princess owed her due, but I look closely at her face, the milky hue of her skin slightly blue, like she’s too cold.

And too thin.

Did you eat yet today, Clare?

Danica interrupts the staring contest my sister and I have just begun with a remark that isn’t as casual as she’s trying to sound. Clare is picky when it comes to food, but since our dad died, I’ve hardly seen her eat at all.

I wonder if it’s more about our mother than our father, though. Losing our dad was difficult, but finding out our mother wasn’t dead, only for her to die alongside him moments later?

Standing up, I take Clare by the elbow and pull her towards the glass cases of food arranged around cash registers, plastic blue trays neatly stacked at each end along with bowls, plates, and silverware.

Did you hear me?

She jerks away from me, but I hold tight, stopping only once we’ve reached the silver machine tucked neatly into a corner. Before we were officially Arda students, we used to sneak in here after service hours to get ice cream, great globs of chocolate soft serve with plenty of sprinkles poured over it.

No one said a word about the sticky, empty bowls we left at the cash register, although our dad warned us about the consequences of eating too much sugar.

I’m not hungry.

My sister spits out the words and rubs her elbow when I let her go so I can grab a bowl, but when she backs away I capture her gaze and she stops.

Just once, okay? Have some ice cream with me.

She shakes her head, but her eyes are damp, and I watch her swallow whatever emotion is making her so upset.

Not interested in social hour with your fan club.

My fan club? Where did that come from?

We can sit right here, just the two of us. Like it used to be, when the lights were off and all we could hear was the hum of this.

I pat the ice cream machine like it’s a family pet, and Clare’s lips curl into a pout, as if she’s eight instead of fifteen. Merith’s mother, our mother, had Merith and Clare so close together, and I wonder how she could have taken Merith away with her and abandoned Clare.

She abandoned me, too, but because I was a boy. Boys are no use to the Leigh witches, and I am glad of it.

But not glad she chose her sisters and their livelihood over all three of her children.

Merith seems to be thriving, but Clare is a train wreck.

I have no time to worry about myself.

Don’t they have any sprinkles?

Clare’s whine makes me smile, and I glance around to look for our childhood favorite as she grabs at a bowl.

Hey, Clare. Haven’t seen you around much lately.

A boy’s voice rises behind us, and I’m pleased that my sister ignores him. I look back and narrow my eyes at him. If I’m not mistaken, he’s a sophomore, like Taran and Merith, and usually hangs out with a couple of loser bullies who regularly hassle Taran.

Go find something else for dessert, smart guy.

I lift my chin as Clare pushes me out of the way and puts her bowl under the spout, lifting the handle to start the ice cream flowing. The boy nods to me, intelligent enough to understand that he needs to go away, but he steals a furtive look at my sister before he turns and walks off.

Chapter Two

Clare and I eat spoonfuls of ice cream as we sit across from each other, alone at a small table far from anyone else. No one bothers us, but we’re silent, Clare staring into her bowl as if something mysterious lurks at the bottom of it, and me, watching her.

She can’t keep on like this, avoiding everyone, eating hardly enough to stay alive.

Danica gives me chocolate sometimes. She keeps candy bars in her room, and she says I can have them whenever I want.

As if she knows what I’m worrying about, she says these few words in a voice hardly above a whisper, with no trace of sarcasm or nastiness. I know that food is an issue for some of the students here, and I’ve seen some girls and even boys spiral into eating disorders for one reason or another. But Clare isn’t worried about her weight, or about being perfect.

Perfection is my impossible goal, not hers.

She’s a good friend, I offer, before sliding a spoonful of chocolate ice cream drowned in rainbow sprinkles into my mouth. Clare finally looks up at me and rolls her eyes. Hard.

Friend, sure. Whatever.

She licks her spoon and drops it with a clatter into her empty bowl. I lean back in my chair and cross my arms, wishing I could take off my jacket. It might be December, but I’m always too warm in it. Besides, it isn’t all that cold today, but Ohio weather is so unpredictable that anything could happen.

Arda is the same.

I ignore Clare’s inference about the friend status of my relationship with Danica. The two of them spend way too much time together for me to be comfortable talking to my sister about my feelings.

My feelings aren’t that important when it comes to dealing with my magic and protecting the girls I love. I don’t have time to wallow in drama, not when lives are at stake.

When Merith came here a few months ago, she had disastrous difficulty controlling her own powers, and while I would never admit it, I feel a certain kinship with her in that regard.

No one can know that I lack control or even understanding of my magic, not when they look to me for security and guidance.

Sitting here watching you daydream about Danica isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. I’m out, Clare pushes off the table and stands up, turning away and leaving her bowl and spoon behind.

Wait, I follow as she heads towards the doorway, and while she stops, she doesn’t turn around. I make a mental note to go back to the table and take our bowls up to the counter so as not to leave extra work for the employees.

You can talk to me, you know. Whatever it is, we’re here, together.

Her small hands curl into fists at her sides, but she doesn’t move or speak as I continue.

We’ve both lost the same thing. The same people.

It sounds lame to my own ears, and Clare’s only response is to stomp off, at least for a few steps before she speeds up and nearly runs away from me. I fight the urge to cover my eyes with my hand, since it would look bad if I seemed upset.

While not all eyes are on me at this moment, as class president of the seniors and the son of the former headmaster, part of the family that founded Arda Academy over a century ago, anyone who is looking will expect a man in charge, one who will solve their problems and keep them safe.

I wonder if I can do this while determining exactly what my magic abilities are and how I can manage them, before I leave this school for college.

Before I leave the only home I’ve ever known.

Hey, Kyle.

The boy who had approached my sister earlier is suddenly beside me and I frown, trying to remember his name.

Mason?

It comes to me as I remember an instance when his buddy Jason made a crack at Taran in the hallway, and neither he, this guy, or their other friend realized that I was standing behind them. Jason had stammered a false apology when he noticed me, and the third kid ran away with him. This one, however, had lingered for a brief moment, flashing an apologetic smile at Taran and then me before following them.

His name, unfortunately, as I now recall, rhymes with his idiot companion’s.

He smiles, nervous and twitchy, and I would feel bad for him if he hadn’t just been sniffing around my little sister.

Surprised you know my name. Uh, I just wanted to see how she is. Clare.

His lips twitch into a larger grin, then it fades as his smile grows flat while he keeps talking.

"She’s kind of moody, I know,