Expelled: Miss Primm's Academy for Wayward Witches, #3

By Christine Pope

She's just gotten control of her wild magic. Now she'll have to set it free…

 

Now that she's finally got a handle on her unruly magic — and a future to dream about with Lochlan — Callie Dobkins is looking forward to her final year at the Academy for Wayward Witches. Until the sour-faced Miss Hendricks makes a somber announcement. Miss Primm is missing…and so is Master Marco of the School for Woeful Wizards.

 

Even though the students are told to keep their noses to the grindstone of an increasingly dangerous course load, Callie and her friends can't help but connect the dots. But Callie alone can't shut out the inner voice warning her to keep quiet about her suspicions.

 

In a horrible moment, the conniving Mr. McGee exiles Callie to Mundania. Although his evil enchantment fails to erase her memory, Callie will have to draw on all her wild magic to find her way home to her family. To Lochlan. And to the circle of friends who will try to root out the corruption at the academy once and for all.

 

Note: Expelled is the final installment of a three-part story which began with Misspelled and continued with Dispelled. All three parts are available now for download. They are best enjoyed in order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Valentine Press
• Release date: Nov 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201355487

Christine Pope

A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in grade school and is currently working on her hundredth book.Christine writes as the mood takes her, and so her work includes paranormal romance, paranormal cozy mysteries, and fantasy romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection. While researching the Djinn Wars series, she fell in love with the Land of Enchantment and now makes her home in New Mexico.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

THE LADY VANISHES

Miss Primm is missing. Those words rang in our heads all through the subdued meal which followed Professor Hendricks’ announcement. That meal would traditionally have included a welcome speech from the headmistress to signal the formal beginning of another year at Miss Primm’s Academy for Wayward Witches. They continued to clang in my ears like a discordant peal after we were finished eating, when Juno, Helen, Celeste, and I climbed the stairs to our third-year rooms on the enormous mansion’s third floor.

As soon as we’d said good night to our friends — Professor Hamilton, the Working With Familiars professor, had walked up to our floor with the third-year students, as if instructed to make sure we all reached our rooms safely — Juno shut the door and stared at me, eyes still wide.

She must have been reeling from the announcement that the headmistress had disappeared, just as I knew I was. Honestly, what could have possibly happened to a woman who was a powerful witch in her own right and should have been able to defend herself against any attacker?

Nothing good, I feared.

However, it seemed Juno’s thoughts had been traveling in different directions than mine, because she asked, Do you think they eloped?

I blinked at her, then ventured, Miss Primm and Master Marco?

No, Juno replied with a twist of her coral-glossed lips, Miss Greenbriar and the head gardener. Of course I mean Miss Primm and Master Marco!

True, the likelihood of Miss Greenbriar, who oversaw the kitchens and was in her late fifties and quite plump, and Master Laidlaw, the ancient individual who made sure the gardens that surrounded the academy were kept in perfect shape, running off to the Seychelles did seem rather remote. And because it had been fairly obvious to anyone who was paying the slightest bit of attention that the headmistress of our academy and Master Marco Mazzetti, headmaster of the separate remedial school for wizards, had been indulging in something that seemed far more serious than a mere flirtation, I supposed I could see why Juno had jumped to what seemed to me like a sensational explanation for their disappearance.

However, I shook my head as I said, I really can’t see Miss Primm doing something so outrageous. This school is her responsibility. Even if she’d decided to break with tradition and marry Master Marco, I know she would have told someone about her plans, and then made some sort of accommodations for someone to take over her duties. No, I’m worried that some kind of foul play must be involved.

Why would anyone want to kidnap Miss Primm? Juno asked. The teasing glint in her eyes had disappeared, and now she looked more worried than anything else.

I don’t know, I said. I suppose some might say she has a bit of power as the headmistress of this academy, but it’s not as though she’s royal or titled or someone with spectacular wealth. She’s not the sort of person you’d think would be a target for kidnappers.

This was all nothing more than the simple truth. And actually, crimes such as kidnapping tended to be very rare, since the Council of Magical Affairs had a subdivision staffed with people whose magical abilities made them very good at sniffing out all sorts of transgressions. The rewards of participating in capital crimes generally weren’t enough of an incentive when weighed against the very real possibility of getting caught and exiled to Mundania, the world with no magic that was held over everyone’s heads as punishment.

Including ours. Not, of course, that it was actually called punishment when a student was removed from Miss Primm’s, but merely a natural consequence of not being able to gain control of one’s magic. Still, the end result was much the same.

Juno went over to the wardrobe so she could hang up her red school cardigan. When she turned back around, her expression was still troubled. You don’t think this is going to affect us finishing school, do you?

No, I said immediately, although of course I was only making an educated guess. We were in uncharted territory, and none of us could really know what was going to happen next. At least, I don’t think it will. Miss Primm runs the school, but she doesn’t actually teach any of the classes. I’m sure we can muddle along for now until the Council figures it out and decides what to do next.

Into the uncomfortable silence that followed my words, Juno’s budgie familiar Fred began to squawk, Muddle along! Muddle along! Mouth twisting in annoyance, she grabbed the cloth she used to cover his cage so we could get some peace and quiet at night, and draped it over him, effectively stifling the noise.

As we both began getting ready for bed in blessed silence, I sincerely hoped I wasn’t being too sunnily optimistic about our current situation.

It seemed the professors had gotten together after dinner and had a council of war to determine what needed to be done regarding Miss Primm’s disappearance, because when we all gathered for breakfast the next morning, Professor Hendricks stood in front of everyone and gave a little speech.

I know this must feel like a frightening time for all of us, she said in her brisk, no-nonsense way. Actually, seeing how calm the Spells professor appeared — and how she sounded completely normal, and not stressed at all — made me feel a bit better about the situation. Miss Primm might have vanished, but the professor appeared completely unflapped. However, we consulted with the members of the Council of Magic last night, and they instructed us to carry on as best we can while they open an investigation into Miss Primm’s disappearance. For the time being, I will be the acting headmistress here at the academy, although those duties will not interfere with my teaching classes, and I expect to carry on as normal.

Next to me, Juno let out a sigh and stirred a glum spoon through her oatmeal. Like many of us, she clearly was wishing that Professor Hendricks would have stepped down from her teaching duties, if only temporarily. Two years of rigorous Spells classes — along with the monthly trials she’d instituted during our first year at the academy and which had continued during our tenure at the school — had made us all a bit tired.

Unfortunately, it seemed none of us were going to get the break we’d been hoping for.

It seemed there was yet another shoe to drop, however, for the professor added, It appears that Master Marco has disappeared as well. While I’m sure this additional development may lead some of you to speculate that these disappearances are related, I must stress again that as of now, we simply do not know precisely what has happened. Because of this, I must urge all of you not to indulge in useless speculations.

Next to me, Juno wiggled a significant eyebrow. I had to admit that with both the headmistress and the headmaster confirmed as missing, my friend’s theory about the two of them eloping did seem much more plausible. While such actions might not have been viewed as precisely responsible, I would much rather think that the two of them had run off together than believe something more sinister was at work here.

Your schedules will not change, Professor Hendricks went on crisply. And while I know that Miss Primm’s disappearance has upset us all, I must ask that you not waste your time and energy on useless speculations. The investigative division of the Council is hard at work to discover what has happened to her…and to Master Marco, of course…and we must all wait to hear what they have to say. You are here to study, and to pass your courses so that you may all become contributing members of magical society. Please bear that in mind in the days and weeks ahead. Any questions?

A low murmur swept through the room, as though those listening were taking a quick survey amongst themselves as to whether they dared make any inquiries. I glanced over at Juno, who was usually the first to put her hand in the air. This morning, though, she seemed unusually subdued, and didn’t relinquish hold of her spoon to ask any questions.

Since no one else appeared ready to say anything, the professor went on, One more thing. I know that two years ago, Miss Primm established a somewhat regular schedule of dances and picnics and other outings in conjunction with the students at Master Marco’s school. For a number of safety reasons and other considerations — chief among them that neither Miss Primm nor Master Marco are here to manage those activities — the other professors and I have decided to curtail all those events until the headmistress and headmaster return. I hope you understand our reasons for doing so. That will be all.

She inclined her head toward the watching students as another murmur moved amongst the crowd, then returned to her seat. Not, I was glad to see, in the large chair positioned at the center of the high table, the seat that had always been Miss Primm’s, but in the Spells professor’s usual place off to the center left.

Well, that’s just peachy, Juno grumped. She set down her spoon, her appetite clearly gone. Seriously, the only thing that was going to get me through this year was the chance to get out and see the boys and have some fun. Now what are we supposed to do?

Apply ourselves and make sure we graduate, Celeste replied. Of course, that was easy for her to say. Isaac, the boy from Master Marco’s she’d been dating, had already graduated and gone to live in London, so she wouldn’t have been able to see him until she also graduated and was free to do as she pleased. I know this doesn’t sound like much fun, but really, we came here to graduate and prove to the world that we can control our magic. The academy isn’t a social club, after all.

Helen let out a tragic-sounding sigh. We all know that, she said. Just like we know it’s not as if Professor Hendricks has gotten rid of traditions that have been going on for years and years. But still, it does seem a bit harsh. There’s no reason we couldn’t still have picnics and such, even if the various balls were too much work.

I had to agree with my friend’s assessment. Because we students weren’t involved in the planning of the dances, we didn’t have much idea of what went on behind the scenes to make sure those events ran smoothly. However, like Helen, I didn’t see why we couldn’t continue to have the picnics, as long as the weather cooperated. There was a bit of work for Miss Greenbriar, who ran the kitchens at the academy, and presumably for whomever was her analogue at Master Marco’s school, but I had no doubt there were those among the student body who would have been more than happy to pitch in and help if it meant we would still have a chance to have some sort of social activities during the school year.

But clearly, Professor Hendricks thought even that sort of reduced social schedule would be too much. I wished I had the courage to stand up and point out facts that seemed crystal clear to me, but right then, it seemed better for me to do my best to gracefully accept my fate.

I hope Miss Primm comes back soon, Helen said. It appeared disappointment hadn’t dampened her appetite too much, since she reached for the cinnamon roll on her plate and broke off a large piece, then took a bite. Then everything will go back to normal.

Juno shot her a withering look. Do you honestly think that’s going to happen? Callie and I both think she must have eloped with Master Marco…or the two of them were kidnapped.

Celeste’s dark eyes widened. Are you certain you should be saying those sorts of things out loud? she inquired in a murmur. It’s just wild speculation at this point.

Nobody said we couldn’t speculate, I returned, not bothering to lower my voice. Well, all right, that was a bit disingenuous, as Professor Hendricks had admonished us not to waste time with wild theories about the disappearance of the headmaster and the headmistress. Still, if she’d really thought we wouldn’t discuss the subject, she didn’t know very much about human nature. I went on, It just makes sense that either they decided they needed to be together no matter what, or something horrible must have happened to them. Or do you really think Miss Primm would simply decide not to return from her holiday and leave us all hanging like this? She’s far too dedicated to do such a thing.

An uncomfortable silence fell. From the sideways glance Helen and Celeste exchanged in the next minute, I guessed they’d already had a discussion along similar lines, even if they’d decided not to bring up the topic in public. No one who knew anything about Miss Primm could possibly believe she would abandon her post in such a way, no matter what her feelings for Master Marco might have been.

We were quiet for a minute more, and then, still subdued, did our best to resume eating our breakfast.

Whatever else happened, it made sense to keep our strength up.

We’d been given our class schedules several days earlier, and so I already knew that Advanced Spells would be our first selection of the day. I wasn’t looking forward to having my most challenging course first thing in the morning — even though I’d drunk several bracing cups of tea to try to make sure I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — but then, I tried to cheer myself up by thinking of it as getting the worst part of the school day out of the way early on. Once I was done with Advanced Spells, it should all be an easy downhill slide from there.

Juno was uncharacteristically silent as our little group of four made our way down to the first-floor classrooms. Perhaps she was more upset at not being able to see Dev, my own boyfriend Lochlan’s roommate and the boy she’d been dating, than she wanted to let on, or perhaps she was merely trying to husband her resources for the upcoming class. Like most of us, she wasn’t precisely what I would call a morning person.

The classroom look exactly the same as it always had when we entered and took our seats. However, this morning it felt different. Not simply because of Miss Primm’s continuing absence, but also because I knew how much hinged on my performance this year. Every single point, every single test, seemed to count far more than any others I’d ever earned or taken.

But I also knew I needed to do my best to push those concerns to the back of my mind, or the worry would take over to the point where I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything else. I flashed Juno a quick encouraging smile, and she grinned as well, offering me a thumbs-up in return.

Immediately afterward, Professor Hendricks entered the classroom. As usual, her expression was both austere and serene, and so I had no way of telling whether she was at all upset about Miss Primm’s vanishing, or whether the professor had taken the headmistress’s disappearance in stride the way she did everything else.

Because it was our third year, and we generally knew what to expect, she didn’t waste any time on routine housekeeping, but got started right away. She said, Good morning, everyone. In Advanced Spells, we will seek to refine the skills and expertise you have gained in your first two years here at the academy. We will be attempting more difficult spells, but always bear in mind that I will be here in the case of any…mishaps. The last thing I want is for any of you to worry over what might happen if a spell goes awry, and have that stop you from working magic to your fullest potential. Also, she went on with a glance at Juno, as though she knew she was forestalling the inevitable raised hand, the monthly trials will continue. The first one will be held on September thirtieth, which will give you a full month to prepare. The theme for that trial will be illusions, so you can all begin thinking of what your team will want to do to dazzle us all.

I let out a relieved breath. While illusions didn’t use to be one of my stronger skills — Celeste had always been the best at them of those of us in our little group — my newfound insights into working with my magic had allowed me to master talents that had previously eluded me. This would be a team effort, of course, and so if Celeste wanted to take the lead, I would gladly step aside…but I was also inwardly thankful to know that I should be able to manage matters well enough