WitchCraft Academy (The First Book)

"This is never-ending. We've been at this for hours and it feels like we've barely made a dent. And my arms are killing me," I complain to Axel, slumping against the dirt wall.

"We can't give up. Who knows what they're doing out there," Axel responds, struggling to move a stubborn boulder.

"We need a break. We should conserve our energy. Silas must have snuck in some chips, pop tarts, and bottled water for Magnus, but it won't last. If we don't find a way out of here, we'll starve to death for sure," I suggest, and Axel sighs, joining me on the ground. "I'm sorry we're in this mess."

"Stop blaming yourself. You couldn't have known," Axel reassures me, leaning back and closing his eyes.

Out of nowhere, Silas materializes, and I jump to my feet. "You deceitful bastard! I trusted you!" I yell at him. “What the fuck is wrong with you, Silas?”

"Calm down, Mo Chridhe. We won't harm anyone else unless we have to. I already talked to my uncle about his unnecessary murders. Aside from Phoenix, I did that one for you. And once my father is gone, you and I will return to Hellspire together, and you'll become my queen," he says, a smug half-smile on his face, the same one I used to adore.

"You must be joking," I respond in disbelief. "You're trying to take over my world, you've killed people, and I don't want to be your queen! I don't even want to be your girlfriend anymore!"

He continues to grin at me. "Soon, everything will change. I'll shower you with lavish gowns and precious jewels. Every woman in the realm will envy ye. And you'll bear me many sons to carry on my legacy after I'm gone."

"I can't believe this! You've got some nerve, Silas! How could you betray us like this?" I demand, my voice quivering with a mix of anger and disbelief.

Silas shrugs indifferently. "My uncle was like a second father to me. I owe him this much," he retorts, his tone lacking any remorse. "It's nothing personal, this doesn't change anything between us."

"What the hell are you doing here, man? Just leave her alone. She's made it clear she doesn't want anything to do with you anymore," Axel interjects, standing up and leaning against the wall, his arms crossed defiantly.

Silas smirks, his eyes narrowing. "Both of you will die here, you know. The rocks are too heavy to move. You'll either die of thirst or hunger before you even have a chance to escape. But there is one way out," he says, turning to me and locking eyes, a pang of pain shooting through my heart. "I know a spell that can transport you out of here in an instant."

Suspicion fills me as I raise an eyebrow. "And what's the catch?"

Silas's smile widens, his tone chillingly casual. "You become my queen in my realm, and Axel dies."

"Go to hell!" I snap, my anger flaring up in defiance.

"Fuck you!" Axel adds, his voice dripping with contempt.

Silas chuckles, his confidence unshaken. "The longer you suffer in this hellhole, the more you'll reconsider," he taunts, his smirk never wavering.

I stand my ground, my voice firm. "I won't. I know you won't let me die. You still care about me."

Silas's smugness lingers as he responds, "You're right. If it comes down to that, I'll save you and kill him. No hesitation."

"So I don't even have a real choice?" I question, a sense of helplessness creeping in.

Silas's eyes gleam with a twisted amusement. "Not really. I'll make it seem like your choice until there's no other option left. I love you, Mo Chridhe. I'll see you soon," he says, vanishing into thin air, leaving me speechless and shattered.

"What the fuck just happened?" Axel mutters, pulling out his pack of cigarettes and lighting one up in an attempt to calm his nerves. "He's a complete psychopath."

"He was so sweet... It felt so genuine," I say, sinking down against the wall, struggling to hold back tears of betrayal as I wrap my arms around my legs and hold my knees to my chest.

Axel sighs, taking a seat next to me and offering me the cigarette. Without hesitation, I accept. "His feelings may have seemed real, but it's not love. It's an unhealthy obsession," he says, his voice laced with a mixture of concern and frustration.

"I know I have to face the truth," I admit, my gaze fixed on the ground, my heart heavy with disappointment.

Suddenly, the room is filled with the ethereal presence of Mr. Grimshaw, who appears through astral projection. Thank goodness Silas is gone.

"I have a way to get both of you out of here, but you need to be prepared to fight. Time is short. I can only teach you the basics of battle magic, although it's considered forbidden. But given the circumstances, exceptions can be made," Mr. Grimshaw announces.

Anxiety fills me as I ask, "Are The Sisters still alive?"

"Yes, but they're acting as if nothing has changed. I suspect they are under some form of mind control," he informs me, rubbing between his eyebrows. “We are taking care of it.”

"Dad, I'm sorry," Axel speaks up, his voice filled with remorse. "I should have done something sooner. I had a feeling something was off about that guy."

"It's not your fault. Right now, we need to fight back. Silas and Magnus possess magic from a realm we know almost nothing about," Mr. Grimshaw explains, running his hand through his long hair, mirroring his son's stressed-out gesture.

"What do you need us to do?" I ask, determination burning in my eyes, the thought of saving Axel from death driving me forward.

He demonstrates hand and arm movements, accompanied by chants in a foreign language. 'Éclair de feu' for fireballs and 'Éclair de foudre' for lightning bolts.

"It's getting late. Hold yourselves together for one more night, practice the battle magic as much as you can, and we'll get you out of here tomorrow. Be prepared to fight as soon as we do," Mr. Grimshaw instructs before vanishing from the room.