Chapter 3 BROKEN SPELL

CHLOE'S POV

I stared at the heavy black glove in my lap, my chest tight.

I leaned over and nudged Sienna with my elbow, holding the glove out. “Hey, Si, look at this…”

“YES! GET HIM!” Sienna screamed, throwing both hands in the air and jumping up and down on the metal bleachers. She was completely lost to the world, screaming her lungs out along with three thousand other students as Ethan smashed some warlock player into the glass wall.

She didn't hear a single word I said.

I rolled my eyes, pulling my arm back. I quickly looked around to make sure nobody in the crowd was watching me. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the ice, so I shoved Ethan’s massive hockey glove deep into the right pocket of my coat, letting it sink out of sight.

I tried to go back to scrolling on my phone, but my eyes kept subconsciously drifting down to the ice. I didn't understand a single rule of the game, it just looked like a bunch of aggressive guys chasing a tiny black disk but I couldn't stop following Ethan. Even with one hand bare to the freezing air, he moved like a monster. Controlled, lethal, and completely terrifying.

After a long, painfully boring hour, the horn finally blew, signaling the end of the match. Ethan’s team won, which honestly wasn't surprising given how aggressively they played.

The moment the final whistle ended, I grabbed Sienna’s arm. “We’re leaving before this hallway turns into a stampede.”

I practically dragged her through the arena doors, ignoring her endless, excited ranting about the game, the players, and how fine Ethan looked. My mind was already miles away, focused on one thing: getting back to our room and completing the shortcut spell for my assessment.

When we finally got back to our dorm, I kicked off my heels, ripped off my heavy coat, and tossed it right beside the circle of purple candles on the rug.

I grabbed a match, kneeling down to light the four wicks one by one.

Sienna stood near the door, her high-energy game mood instantly evaporating as she watched me. She let out a long, nervous sigh.

“Chloe... do we really have to do this?” she asked, her voice dropping into a tense whisper. “This is forbidden magic. If the school faculty catches us, we will literally get expelled.”

I didn't stop lighting the wicks. “Not again, Sienna. It’s either getting expelled for trying, or my father throws me out like trash for failing. I’m cooked either way. Don’t worry, if we get caught, I won't implicate you.”

Sienna grunted, pacing over to her bed. “Gosh, I hate your dad.”

“Yeah, me too,” I muttered, tossing the match into the small trash can. “But at least he gives me enough money to buy whatever the fuck I want. He’s investing really well in me, don’t you think? Now let me focus.”

“Hold on,” Sienna said, suddenly stopping. She closed her eyes and raised her hands, a soft purple light glowing around her fingertips. “Let me cast a scent-concealing spell first so the magic is untraceable. We definitely shouldn't get caught.”

A cool, light breeze swept through the room as Sienna’s magic settled over us, masking the energy in the space.

“Okay,” Sienna said, opening her eyes and wiggling her fingers. “Go on now. Chant your spell.”

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and began the Latin incantation.

One time. Two times. Three times. Four times. Five times.

I held my breath and anxiously flew one eye open, scanning the dark room. Nothing. I opened the second eye.

We waited in dead silence for a few long, agonizing seconds. The purple candle flames flickered normally against the draft.

I threw my hands up in the air. “Is the goddamn spirit playing hide and seek with me or something?! What the hell is going on?!”

Sienna threw her hands up too. “I don’t know, bitch! You’re the one who cast the spell!”

“This is insane!” I groaned, running my hands through my hair.

“Maybe try again?” Sienna suggested, leaning over the edge of her bed.

I glared at her. “Are the spirits deaf now?! Do I have to fucking swallow a boom box for them to know I’m summoning them?!”

Sienna doubled over, wheezing with laughter as she clutched her stomach.

“It’s not funny, Si!” I snapped, though my lips twitched slightly.

“I’m sorry, girl!” Sienna gasped out, trying to catch her breath. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Now do it again before the candle wax runs out!”

I let out a harsh sigh, shutting my eyes tightly once more. I started chanting the words again in my head, moving through the Latin phrases as fast as I could. Halfway through, my brain tripped over the pronunciation. I accidentally mixed up two of the ancient words but caught myself quickly before I summoned some vengeful spirit or whatever.

I opened my eyes, leaning forward.

Still nothing. The room was empty.

“Okay, we are going to try again…” Sienna started.

“This is complete bullshit,” I grumbled, stepping out of the candle circle and rubbing my sore temples.

Before Sienna could argue, a sudden, heavy knock sounded on our front door.

I flinched, my heart dropping straight into my stomach. “Oh god.”

“I’ll get it,” Sienna whispered quickly, jumping up. “Just stay there.”

I walked over to my bed and flopped backward onto the mattress, staring up at the ceiling in utter frustration.

Sienna unlocked the door and opened it just a crack. But the second she looked through the gap, her face went totally pale. She slammed the door shut so hard the wood rattled in the frame, backing away like she’d just seen a ghost.

I sat up instantly, my chest tightening. “What happened?! Sienna, did we get caught by the faculty?!”

Sienna didn't answer. She just stood there, staring at the brass doorknob with her mouth hanging open. Slowly, as if she couldn't control her own hands, she reached out, unlocked the door again, and pulled it wide open.

A tiny, high-pitched squeal escaped her throat. “Oh my god... Chloe...”

I scrambled off the bed, stomping over to the entrance. “What the fuck is it, Si?!”

I pushed past her shoulder, looking out into the hallway, and my voice completely died in my throat.

“What the fuck...?” I whispered.

Standing in the dimly lit hallway, staring directly into our room with stone-cold, dark eyes, was Ethan Silver.