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SHADOW
Institute of Unpredictable Magic #1
SADIE MOSS
Copyright © 2021 by Sadie Moss
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C ON T E N T S
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Also by Sadie Moss
CHAPTER 1
P enelope and Max fly out to see me walk at graduation the next
week. Cassidy stays home with the boys, since at four and two
years old, they’re a bit too young to really appreciate what’s
happening, and flying with them would be a nightmare.
It’s a big deal, my siblings flying out to see me, since I’m on the
west coast near Portland. It’s a long way from Boston, and I hope I
make it clear how happy I am to see them and how much I
appreciate it.
Everyone walks across the stage to get their diplomas and shake
Dean Hardwick’s hand, and when it’s my turn, I can hear Max and
Pen cheering loudly for me. Max films the entire thing, the nerd, and
both of their faces glow with pride.
I know I shouldn’t be embarrassed by their obvious enthusiasm.
This moment really is a big deal. Things have changed so much for
Unpredictable magic users over the last few years. Once, we were
distrusted and reviled by nearly the entire magical community. We
were seen as freaks and outcasts, and some families were ashamed
of having an Unpredictable sibling or child.
But that’s a lot less common now, as evidenced by the huge and
enthusiastic crowd. The admins decided to hold the ceremony
outside on the main quad instead of in the assembly hall to
accommodate all the family members who wanted to cheer on the
graduating students.
Dean Hardwick looks a little misty as he surveys the boisterous
crowd. He was a champion for Unpredictables even when few people
were willing to speak up for us, and I know it means a lot to him to
see how much public opinion has turned.
There used to be limited options for Unpredictables. Going to
Griffin wasn’t a guarantee of a better life or a good job. It was only a
guarantee that you wouldn’t have to have your magic ripped away
from you. Now I’ve actually got the chance to have an amazing
career, and so do the people around me.
It’s pretty freaking incredible.
After the last student collects their diploma, Dean Hardwick gives
a short speech, beaming out at the crowd as he speaks.
“It’s truly amazing what can be accomplished in so short a time,”
Hardwick says, gripping the podium lightly with both hands. He’s a
tall man, with salt and pepper hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and a
fatherly demeanor. “In only three years, these young people have
gone from struggling to control their magic to being in full command
of it. Likewise, Unpredictables have gone from a frustrating struggle
on the fringes to becoming a full and valued part of magical society.”
Everyone cheers, and I do too, excitement thrumming through
me. Hardwick nods, letting the noise die out before he continues.
“It hasn’t been long since our community faced the most
dangerous magical attack we’ve seen in years. And when that
happened, it was Unpredictables who rose up and played a vital role
in fending off the danger. In keeping the entire magical world safe.”
He smiles, sweeping his gaze from side to side as he surveys all of
us. “Elliot Sinclair, the woman who led that fight, was a student here
just like all of you. She had struggles and successes here, just like all
of you. And she used her magic to help and protect others, just as I
hope all of you will. Let’s continue to show the world what
Unpredictables are capable of.”
Another loud cheer goes up, and when Hardwick wraps up his
speech, we all throw our caps in the air. Not long after that, the
ceremony wraps up, and as the crowd begins to mingle and
disperse, I find my brother and sister in the throng. They both give
me huge hugs, and we snap some photos.
“I’m so proud of you!” Penelope says for the dozenth time. She
glances around at the groups of students near us. “Do you want to
get pictures with any of your classmates?”
I look around and see that a lot of my fellow graduates are
taking photos together, grinning at the camera with their arms slung
around each other. Something hot bubbles up in my throat, but I
shove it down, forcing a smile. “No, I’m good.”
Really, it’s fine. Some people wave at me and say congratulations
as they pass, but nobody makes a point to find me. Nobody rushes
up to me. And why should they? I’m friendly with everyone, but I
never made time for deep friendships.
During my first year here, people would sometimes ask me to
hang out or grab a meal together. But I was always too busy, and by
the time my second year rolled around, the invitations had stopped.
Everyone knew they shouldn’t bother.
I clear my throat, shoving away the vaguely disquieting feeling as
I look at my siblings. “Should we get something to eat?”
Max smiles, his expression lighting up at the idea. “Sure. I’m
paying.”
“No, I am,” Pen insists.
“You paid last time.”
“Yeah, but that was in Boston, so that doesn’t count. In Portland,
you paid last time, so it’s clearly my turn.”
I grin as I listen to them bicker good-naturedly, then raise my
hand, arching a brow. “Considering you both flew out to see me
graduate, I think that means I get to pay. It’s the least I can do to
thank you.”
Max drapes an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in for another
hug. “Of course we came, little sis. You think we’d miss this? Not a
chance.” Then he grins. “But I’m still paying for dinner.”
I laugh, and we all head toward my dorm so I can change before
we go into town. The strange feeling in my gut dissipates as
Penelope and Max talk excitedly on either side of me. Maybe I
missed out on some of the normal college experience by being so
focused on my studies, but I have an amazing family that loves me
and supports me one hundred percent. And soon, I’ll have the job of
my dreams.
That’s plenty.
Right?
M y alarm goes off just after five o’clock on my first day of work.
We don’t have to be there until eight, but I want to give
myself plenty of time to make sure I don’t forget anything and that
I’m not in a rush.
When I show up at the Institute of Unpredictable Magic
headquarters, which is located just outside of Portland, I can see
right off the bat that I’m one of a dozen new recruits. That’s not
particularly surprising, since I knew I wouldn’t be the only one they
hired. When I applied, the woman I spoke to mentioned that they
get hundreds of applicants and only take about a dozen at the most.
I hope I don’t look as nervous as the others. Every one of them
is staring around with wide eyes as we’re ushered inside the
complex.
I have to admit, though, this building is pretty intimidating. It’s a
huge, multi-level compound, and the Circuit obviously put a lot of
money into it.
Since magic users keep our powers secret from normal humans
and have entire communities hidden within larger human cities, we
have our own separate government as well. Local governments are
called Circuits, and entire states are run by the District Circuits. Then
there’s the High Circuit, which governs all the magic users in the
country.
Given how important Unpredictables were during the magical
attack by a deranged megalomaniac a few years ago, I’m not
surprised that IUM is so well-funded now. The primary mission of
the institute is to find and support Unpredictables, many of whom
were driven into hiding during the years when we were oppressed.
They also identify new Unpredictables when their magic sparks and
help them find the training program that best suits their particular
powers.
But the other part of IUM’s mission is to protect the magical
community from any new threats that may rise. Our wide array of
magic makes us uniquely suited to the job.
I keep my expression calm, glancing around the massive entry
hall as we’re escorted through. I don’t want to gape and stare like
everyone else. I want the IUM admins to see that I’m ready for this
and can handle anything.
We’re led to a small assembly room with some fold-out chairs
arranged at one end, probably for a presentation or orientation of
some kind. I pick a spot toward the back, surveying the other
recruits. Some of them are in their mid-twenties like I am, and some
are older. I recognize a few from Griffin, but grimace as I realize I
don’t know their names.
Shoot.
As I’m wracking my brain to remember at least one name, feeling
a bit like an asshole since Griffin isn’t a huge school, the door opens,
and one last recruit is ushered inside.
I glance toward the door, then do a double-take as my stomach
drops like I’m on a rollercoaster.
Holy… wowza.
I have to work to keep my jaw from dropping, and I swallow
hard.
Oh my God. The new arrival is tall, with insanely broad shoulders
and dark blond hair swept away from his forehead, and a jaw that’s
so chiseled I could probably cut glass with his face.
I didn’t know guys this handsome actually existed in real life.
That shoulder to waist ratio alone, I mean, holy shit. He looks like he
could pick a guy up and throw him across the room, no problem.
I quickly look away as he nears the group of chairs, hoping that
the feeling of my face burning up doesn’t mean I’m blushing as red
as a fire hydrant. The last thing I need on day one is to make myself
look like an idiot over some cute guy. I’m not here to flirt, I’m here
to work.
Not that I’m any good at flirting. Or maybe I am. I don’t know.
I’ve never really tried it.
I’ve been a little busy the past few years. I never had much time
for friendship, and I definitely didn’t have time for a relationship.
My skin prickles with awareness as the blond-haired guy settles
into the seat next to me. I keep my gaze averted, not trusting
myself not to stare if I look at him again. There are several open
chairs left, and I really wasn’t expecting him to pick the one right
next to me. He even smells nice. Something pleasant and spicy, like
oak and cinnamon.
Before I can make too big a fool of myself by sniffing at the air
like a bloodhound, someone else enters the room and strides into
the small open area at the front of the room. It’s almost a stage,
except that it’s not elevated.
The woman holding our attention is wearing a crisp, light gray
suit, her platinum blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun. I
recognize her immediately. It’s Aurora Montgomery, the woman I
first spoke to about working for IUM. She’s a pretty big deal. She
used to work with the Circuit helping get magic users into the right
school until IUM was created. Now she works here, recruiting for the
institute.
“Good morning,” Aurora says, and the few people who were still
chatting fall silent immediately. She gives one sharp nod, apparently
pleased. “Welcome to IUM. You are fortunate to be part of the new
wave of Unpredictables who are respected within the magical
community. But it wasn’t always this way. It was only a few short
years ago that your kind were distrusted, disenfranchised, and
looked down upon. That is not something to take lightly. Just
because we have achieved such a great step forward does not mean
that this journey is finished.”
She surveys us all carefully, her pale blonde hair gleaming under
the light. Aurora isn’t an Unpredictable herself, but she’s been
involved in our community for years, so it makes sense that she was
brought on when the institute formed.
“As an IUM agent, you will represent the entire Unpredictable
community. You have a responsibility to continue to show the
magical community at large that you are what people have finally
accepted you to be: good people. Responsible magic users.”
Aurora’s manner is pretty much the same as when I spoke to her
about applying to IUM. She takes care to find each one of us at
some point as she talks and look each of us in the eye. Her no-
nonsense attitude is a little intimidating, but I appreciate it. There’s
nothing wrong with taking your job seriously.
“I will be in charge of your training as agents,” she continues. “As
the person who recruited you, I am responsible for your presence
here. If your conduct as an IUM agent is anything other than
responsible, honest, and professional, you will be hearing from me.
And you do not want to hear from me.”
Yeah, I can believe that.
The Adonis next to me grins slightly, and his shoulders move up
and down. It’s not quite a snort, since he makes no noise, but it
feels like one. Not like he’s making fun of Aurora, but more like he’s
agreeing with her about nobody wanting to hear from her.
It makes me crack a small smile to myself, and I turn my head
away to hide it.
Serious. This is serious, Rae.
“Your primary job here at IUM will be to find Unpredictables for
whom the former system has failed.” Aurora presses her hands
together, her tone as sharp and businesslike as ever. “We want to
recruit these Unpredictables, bring them out of hiding, and help
them to get any training or education they need.”
I nod along as she speaks. I’ve read through the IUM mission
statement at least a dozen times by now. I could probably recite
large chunks of it by memory. In my sleep.
“It used to be that Unpredictables faced a hard choice when their
powers were discovered. You could either have your magic removed
from you, or you could go to the only school in the entire country
that trained those with Unpredictable magic. Now, there are more
options and opportunities available. We want to make sure that now
all new Unpredictables can take advantage of the new system.”
The guy next to me leans forward a little, a small smile curving
his lips. He’s got a little dimple in his cheek that pops out when he
grins.
Of course, as soon as I notice that, I also realize that I’m paying
attention to him and not to Aurora’s speech. Flushing, I drag my
focus back to the woman at the front of the room.
“We maintain a massive database of Unpredictables and their
magic so that we can understand the different powers and how they
work. And of course, IUM is also prepared to face possible attacks
from rogue magic users,” Aurora says. Then she pauses, lifting one
eyebrow. “But I’ll be frank with you. Most of your job is going to
focus on education, support, and outreach, not on running around
fending off magical attacks. Am I clear?”
There’s a chorus of quiet affirmations from the recruits around
me. I nod along with everyone else.
“But of course,” Aurora finishes, “before we get to any of that,
you will first have to prove that you’ve really got what it takes to be
a part of IUM. That you are in fact made of the right material.
Because while it is highly unlikely that you’ll deal with any kind of
magical attack, you need to be prepared for one. So we’ll be starting
you out with a series of tests, beginning today. Best of luck.”
She pauses, her eyes coolly assessing us as she sweeps her gaze
over everyone. She doesn’t have to say anything else. I can
practically feel her thinking some of you won’t make it.
Well, I’m not going to be one of those who doesn’t. I’m sure as
hell going to pass whatever tests or challenges they throw at us.
This is exactly why I kept my nose to the grindstone for the past
three years. So that I’d be prepared for anything.
I can feel the nervousness of everyone around me, people
fidgeting in their seats as they absorb Aurora’s words.
Only one other person seems to be as ready and determined as I
am. The broad-shouldered man next to me isn’t fidgeting or tensing
up. In fact, the little smile curving his lips only seems to have gotten
wider, as if he’s excited about the prospect of having to prove
himself.
If there’s anyone in this group who’s going to give me a run for
my money as the top of the new recruits, I have a feeling it’ll be this
guy.
I can’t decide whether to be impressed or annoyed by that.
CHAPTER 5
Transcriber’s Notes:
Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.
Perceived typographical errors have been changed.
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