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SHADOW
Institute of Unpredictable Magic #1
SADIE MOSS
Copyright © 2021 by Sadie Moss

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or


mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a
book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and


incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely
coincidental.

For More Information:


www.SadieMossAuthor.com

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LIST.
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

T he attack seems to come out of nowhere, a fireball hurtling


right toward me.
I dodge, leaping to the side. My skin ripples, shifting and
changing quickly in mid-air. My snout elongates, fur springs up, and I
land on my feet as a wolf.
My heart is beating about a mile a minute, but I stay calm and
focused. This is my biggest and most important final exam at Griffin
Academy—affectionately referred to by almost everyone as the
Academy of Unpredictable Magic—and I really want to ace it.
You can do this, Rae. You’ve got this.
My paws pound heavily against the floor as I navigate the
magical obstacle course set up in one of the largest training rooms
on campus. The goal of the final exam is to successfully complete
the course and grab the small golden ring that’s waiting in the
center of the room.
Sounds easy, right? Well, it would be, if not for the dozens of
magical attacks and obstacles set up in my way.
Speaking of which…
My footsteps slow as several figures step forward into my path.
They look like shadowy versions of people, and although I know
they’re not real, they’re definitely corporeal. And they’ll definitely try
to stop me.
I rear up onto my hind legs and transform back into my human
form—my true form—then thrust my arm out, palm flat, fingers
splayed.
The telekinetic blast that hits the fighters sends them all flying
backward. I grit my teeth and leap forward, transforming mid-jump
into an eagle. I can’t use my telekinesis when I’m in animal form,
and a blast like the one I just sent out drains a lot of my power. I’m
not sure how many of those massive bursts I’ll be able to create
before my magic taps out.
Unlike normal magic users, most Unpredictables have more than
one power, and what those powers are varies from person to person.
Hence, the name “Unpredictable.”
Regular magic is divided into seven pillars. The four types of
elemental magic account for four of those pillars, then there are
illusionists, enchanters, and potion brewers. Unpredictable magic
represents the eighth pillar, and it encompasses all the strange and
unique types of magic that don’t fit in any other category.
I have two types of magic: shifting and telekinesis. And I’ll need
to use them both strategically if I want to do well on this final exam.
Another fireball comes flying at me, and I bank left, feeling the
flare of heat on my wings as it narrowly misses me. I dive down,
tucking my wings behind my back to make myself more
aerodynamic.
Just because one of my magical powers is the ability to shift into
various animal forms, that doesn’t mean I get the animal instincts
that come with the form. I can turn into an animal, but when I’m a
wolf or an eagle, I don’t automatically know how to fly or hunt or
track the scent of someone through the woods. I’ve had to teach
myself all of those things over the grueling last few years at Griffin
Academy.
I’ve studied my ass off, and I’m hoping to graduate with honors.
My grades have always been top of my class, but that doesn’t mean
I’m gonna sit back and half-ass this final. I’ve never been the type to
half-ass anything.
Up ahead, several large stone shapes rise up out of the floor,
blocking my path to the ring. They weren’t there a moment ago, I’m
sure of it. I land on the ground in human form and sprint forward,
trying to think of what animal form would be most effective for this
challenge.
Something good at climbing…
Ah hah!
I transform into a chimpanzee as I reach the first massive
boulder and begin to climb up the side of it. Behind me, I can hear
the footsteps of the magical figures I blasted back earlier. They’ve
recovered and are coming for me.
My pulse quickens, but I don’t dare turn around. I just keep
climbing, flinging myself over the obstacles and trying to keep a
good pace. I can’t let them catch up with me.
When I reach the end of the obstacle course, I feel the air shift
with magic, and I know without looking behind me that the
obstacles have vanished now that they’re not needed. I turn back
into a human, and up ahead, I can see the gleam of the ring on a
pedestal.
I feel kind of like Lara Croft right now. Only I’m not in some
crumbling temple, I’m in a magically designed obstacle course in a
large building on the Academy of Unpredictable Magic campus.
Still just as badass, though.
A yelp escapes me as sharp crushing metal jaws reach up out of
the floor, bigger than I am, like a mechanical Venus flytrap. I leap up
and shift into a kangaroo to jump high enough to stay out of the
way, bouncing all over the place as more and more of these jaws of
death spring out of the ground at me. I finally land in front of the
pedestal and shift back, eyeing it.
I doubt I can just grab the ring without a hitch. That wouldn’t be
enough of a challenge. This test isn’t just about running a physical
gauntlet, it’s about being clever and showing that you know how to
problem solve and use your magic.
Behind me, I can hear the footsteps of my pursuers getting
louder, so I throw my hand back and feel with my mind for the
figures, picking them up with my magic and throwing them like rag
dolls. My arm aches from the effort, and I have to take a second to
breathe after hurling the last figure to the side.
I can’t afford to use my telekinesis like that again. I’ll faint dead
away from exhaustion.
Still breathing hard, I study the ring where it sits on the pedestal.
I don’t see any kinds of spells or locks or wards on the pedestal, but
I know it’s probably booby-trapped. There’s no way my professors
would make this last step any easier than the rest of the obstacle
course.
I guess that just means I have to be fast.
Transforming into a cobra, I coil myself up and then raise the
upper half of my body. Cobras can grow up to eighteen feet in
length, and I can raise half of that up off the ground to strike.
Although this time, I’m not going to be injecting venom.
I lash out, biting onto the ring and hooking my fangs around it
before yanking back. The strike is sharp and fast—just quick enough
that I’m already out of the way when a heavy stone drops down,
crushing the pillar and making my heart jump.
But it’s done.
I did it.
Finally, I transform back, holding the ring in my hand and panting
hard as I turn around. The professors who gathered on the sidelines
to review and grade my performance all nod approvingly, and a tired
grin spreads across my face.
That’s it. I finished my final exam.
I’m officially done with my magical training.
“Well done, Raelyn.” Josephine Tamlin steps away from the group
of professors, crossing the room toward me. She looks as polished
and poised as usual, in bright colors that complement her dark skin,
and makeup that highlights her high cheekbones and deep brown
eyes.
Tamlin is one of my favorite professors. She’s worked closely with
me over the last few years, since my Unpredictable powers are so
physical and she’s in charge of combat training.
She smiles when she reaches me, extending her hand to shake
mine. “That transformation from your eagle form back to human was
seamless. You hit the ground running—literally—and didn’t even
break stride. I’m proud of you. I never had any doubt that you’d
pass, but that was exceptional work.”
I bite back a broad grin. Damn right. I’ve excelled in pretty much
all my classes ever since I got to Griffin Academy. I won’t settle for
anything less. But hearing her say she’s proud of me is definitely the
icing on the cake.
“We’ll have to tally up your final scores,” Tamlin goes on. “And
we’ll report your official grade soon. But I think I can safely say that
you’ll be receiving very high marks. You should be proud of yourself.”
My smile breaks free at those words, despite my efforts to keep a
serious, professional expression on my face. I do feel like I’ve done
well, which isn’t always the case. Despite the fact that I’ve never
gotten worse than an A- on an assignment, I’m such a perfectionist
that I’m never really happy with my work. I always feel like I
could’ve done a little bit better, no matter what.
But today is one of the good days. I’ve spent hours taking exams
and magical tests, and this obstacle course was the last one. It was
designed to be a practical test to see how well students can control
their magic under pressure when threatened.
And I know I did well.
Now it’s time for me to take everything I learned at Griffin over
the past three years and forge ahead with it.
Watch out, world. Here I come.
CHAPTER 2

I shake the hands of the various professors who were watching me


and taking notes, and then I head to my dorm room to take a
shower. First, I was sweating from nerves, and then from physical
exertion, and now I just know that I stink.
The shower’s relaxing, and I take a little extra time in there to
soak up the water. For once, I have nothing to do, nowhere to be. I
don’t have homework that’s due or a class to attend. It’s all… blank
for the next few days on the calendar.
But only for the next few days, I hope.
My older sister Penelope offered to let me live with her as long as
I want if I need some time finding a job, but I’ve applied to a few
places already, and I should be hearing back from them shortly.
They want to see what my final test scores are, I bet, but my grades
are already pretty damn good. I don’t think they should have any
reason to not hire me.
I lather my skin with body wash, letting the hot water sluice over
my diminutive frame. I’m only five-foot-three, but all the bigger guys
in my classes quickly learned to respect my abilities despite the fact
that most of them had at least six inches of height on me. I may be
little, but I pack a punch.
The heat and steam do wonders for my sore muscles, and by the
time I step out, I feel like I could probably run another obstacle
course if I had to. I swipe my hand across the mirror to clear away
the steam that’s gathered, blinking at the bright green eyes of my
reflection. I twist my long, dark hair to wring out the excess water
before wrapping a towel around it.
When I finally emerge from the bathroom in a billow of lingering
steam, I notice several notifications on my phone. I missed a bunch
of texts from Penelope, and from my brother Max too.
Oops. I totally lost track of time. I was supposed to video call
them after I got back from my finals.
I shrug on a bathrobe and relax back on my bed before dialing
Max’s number. I got a single room for my final semester so that I
could focus on studying without any distractions. Not that I’ve got
anything against the roommates I’ve had during my time here. They
were all great and easy to get along with. But when I found out that
a single room had opened up, I jumped at the opportunity.
I know not everyone takes their studies as seriously as I do, and
I know it makes me a nerd, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to be
able to study at all hours of the day or night without worrying about
keeping someone else up.
“Hey!” I wave as Max’s face appears on the screen.
“Hi, Rae.” He grins, pushing his dark hair back from his forehead.
He turns his head to one side and calls, “Hey, Pen! It’s Rae.”
Penelope’s face pops onto the screen a moment later, edging Max
to the side a little as she beams at me. “Hi, little sis! How’d it go? Do
you feel good about it?”
“Yeah, I do.” A flutter of happiness works through my chest as I
nod. “Tamlin said it was some of the best spell work she’s ever seen
me do, and I know she wouldn’t just blow smoke up my ass.”
“That’s fantastic! Congrats.” Max shifts the phone a little as he
speaks, holding it a bit farther away so he and Penelope can both be
seen in video more clearly.
I can hear noise in the background of his place. He’s got two
boys, Oscar and Caleb, and they’re both little hellions. I love them to
absolute pieces. If I were to guess, I’d say they’re charging around
the house playing monster or something equally likely to—
“No running in the house!” Max calls over his shoulder, right on
cue.
I hear unrepentant giggling, and a grin spreads across my face.
“Boys being boys?”
“They’re going to tear this place down one day,” Max replies with
a shake of his head. His green eyes, almost the exact same color as
mine, twinkle with resigned amusement. “Cassidy and I will be
helpless to stop it.”
Cassidy is Max’s wife, and probably the sweetest woman in the
entire world. He’s the middle kid, just a couple years older than me,
but he got married young. Penelope’s like I am, more focused on
other things—although she somehow manages to forget her own
type-A personality when she lectures me about how I need to relax
and chill out sometimes.
Neither Penelope nor Max are Unpredictable like I am. Her magic
is potion brewing, and she’s made a lot of advances in the field, but
it hasn’t left her a whole lot of time for a social life. She’s always
telling me to be different, but isn’t her hard work ethic what’s made
her so respected in her field? Isn’t it what’s enabled her to make
such important advances in healing medicine?
She’s not really one to talk about putting a social life ahead of
your career, and I can’t help but want to follow in her footsteps. I
want to do important work. I want to make a name for myself in the
magical community.
“Any big party plans now that you’ve graduated?” Penelope asks,
her voice hopeful.
I wrinkle my nose. “Well, I don’t actually know if I’ve graduated
or not. My professors still have to tally up the scores.”
“Oh, right, because we’re all in doubt about whether you’ll make
it,” Max deadpans. Then he cocks a brow at me. “Your final exam is
important, but you’ve kept your grades up this whole time. You
could probably flunk your exam entirely and still have a high enough
grade to graduate.”
The idea of flunking any one of my exams makes my stomach flip
over.
“Don’t even joke about that.” I narrow my eyes at him, fixing an
aghast look on my face.
“Well, someone has to make the jokes around here since you
never make any.”
“Aw, that’s not fair, Max,” my sister puts in, grinning evilly. “Her
face is a joke. That more than makes up for the lack of humor.”
“Hey!” I flip Penelope off as Max laughs. “Rude!”
She shrugs, laughing too. “I’m your sister. It’s my job to be rude.”
“Seriously, though,” Max interjects, “are you going to be
celebrating?”
I tug my bottom lip between my teeth. I know there are a couple
of parties going on now that everyone’s done with finals, but I
haven’t made plans to go to any.
“Nah, not really. I mean, I’m sleeping in tomorrow. That’ll be
nice.” After pulling countless all-nighters in my time here, I’m ready
for a good night of rest. “But I think I’m just going to stay in and
watch a couple movies.”
“Shouldn’t you have dinner with your friends, at least?” Penelope
asks. “To congratulate each other?”
My sister is the oldest of the three of us, and maybe that’s why
she takes it upon herself to mother me so much. Our parents died a
long time ago, so there’s no one else to really fill that role. I know
she worries about me, but I don’t want her to. I’m fine.
I shrug lightly, glancing away as I shake my head. “I don’t
really… no, I think they’re all busy.”
It’s a nicer way to put things than I don’t really have any friends.
I have people I’m friendly with, sure. I don’t have any enemies—
at least, as far as I know. I just don’t have anyone I’m really close
to. I’ve been so focused on schoolwork over the past three years
that my social life has dwindled to basically nothing.
But if I say that out loud, it’ll make me sound sad and lonely. And
I don’t want my siblings feeling sorry for me. There’s nothing wrong
with my life. I’m perfectly happy.
“You should find some time to relax,” Max says, as if he’s
somehow managed to read my thoughts. “Come up for air a little,
you know? You’ve had a shitload of work on your plate these past
three years, and—uh—Caleb, don’t repeat that!”
He raises his voice as he calls after his son, who must’ve been
nearby and heard him swear. I chuckle, imagining my nephew’s
devilish grin.
“You should come out to Boston!” Penelope says brightly. “The
offer to stay at my place still stands. You can visit all of us. It’s only
May, so you can get here before it’s miserable and humid, and you’ll
beat most of the summer crowds. It would be so nice!”
Both Penelope and Max live in Boston, where we all grew up.
Penelope’s got a nice apartment all to herself, and Max lives in a
townhouse with Cassidy and the boys. It would be fun to visit, but
I’m hoping I’ll have a job lined up soon.
“I might, thanks. It will depend on if I hear back from any of the
places I applied to,” I tell them. “I—”
My words are interrupted as my phone dings. I glance at the
notification at the top of the screen and see that I’ve got a new
email from…
Oh, holy shit.
Max must notice the way my eyes widen, because he raises his
brows. “What is it, Rae? Everything okay?”
It’s an email from IUM.
The Institute of Unpredictable Magic.
Holy crap.
IUM is still new and has only been around for a short time. It was
funded and created right before I started my training at Griffin. But
for such a young institution, it’s done a lot, and it’s been my dream
to work there ever since my Unpredictable magic sparked. I applied
to other places because it pays to be smart and hedge your bets.
Pinning your hopes on just one job opening is pretty stupid. But I’ve
been hoping…
Keeping the call with Max going but turning off the video, I open
up the email, my fingers shaking. My eyes scan the screen as my
heart lodges in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
D ear Ms. Parker,
It is our pleasure to inform you…

“R aelyn?” Penelope asks. Even without being able to see her, I


can hear the curiosity in her voice. “You okay?”
“I got it.” My voice sounds muffled and far away, as if it’s coming
from someone other than myself. Happiness and adrenaline flood my
veins as my mouth drops open. “Holy shit! I got the job at IUM!”
My siblings both burst out into cheers, congratulating me. My
heart feels like it’s going to pound right out of my chest.
Holy shit, I can’t believe it. I did it. I got in.
“I start in ten days. There’s an orientation period, and my first
day will be May twenty-ninth,” I say breathlessly.
“Looks like you won’t be taking a break after all,” Max jokes, and
I grin.
Yeah, maybe not, but it’ll be so worth it to be at my dream job.
CHAPTER 3

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?

A fter my graduation, Penelope and Max stay in town for a few


days, helping me move out of the dorms and into the small
apartment I’ve rented in Portland. On their last night, we have
dinner at my new kitchen table, and then it’s time for them to go.
My brother hugs me as Penelope grabs her things before the taxi
arrives to take them to the airport.
“Hey, I’m really proud of you, kid,” he tells me, his voice warm
and sincere.
I hug him back hard. “Thanks.”
Max pulls back and claps me on the shoulders, ducking his head
a little to meet my gaze. “Try to relax once in a while, okay, Rae?
See where life takes you. Let it surprise you.”
I blink, not quite sure what to say to that.
The undercurrent of concern in his tone takes me by surprise.
Penelope and Max have always dropped comments here and there
about how I work too hard and stuff. They’re my older siblings, so
it’s basically in their job description to worry about me. But Max
sounds really serious about this. Like I’ve been messing up
somehow, and he wants to give me some important life advice
before I get myself hurt.
Huh.
“Yeah, okay.” I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “I
will.”
His green eyes narrow a little, as if he can see right through my
bullshit, but before he can say anything else, a horn honks outside.
“That’s the cab,” Pen says, bustling into the room with her
suitcase in tow. She glances at Max. “You ready?”
“Yup.” He gives my shoulders another squeeze, then steps back
to give my sister room to hug me.
“Talk to you soon, Ms. IUM Agent,” she says teasingly as she
squeezes me tight. “I can’t wait to hear all about it. You’re gonna do
great.”
“Thanks.”
The horn honks again, and they hurry outside. I stand in the
doorway and wave as they get into their taxi and drive off.
Once they’re gone, I head back into the kitchen to clean up from
dinner, turning on some music so that the place doesn’t feel so quiet
without my siblings here. And even as I keep myself busy, Max’s
words keep floating through my head. Not just his words, but the
look in his eyes as he spoke. As if he were seeing a side of me I’ve
never even seen myself—some part of me that made him sad.
Does he really think I’ve been missing out on life that much?
Let life surprise you, he said.
But what’s the point in letting life surprise you when you can
study hard and work hard and take charge of your own destiny? I
didn’t get that job at IUM because I just relaxed and went with the
flow. I got it because I worked my ass off and earned spectacular
grades and spent hours honing my application.
And that’s a good thing. Without all that work, I might’ve missed
out on this amazing opportunity.
Still, as I drift off to sleep at night, I can’t shake the lingering
feeling that there’s something else I’m missing instead.
CHAPTER 4

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

A urora gives everyone in our group a chance to introduce


themselves quickly after she finishes her orientation speech,
and I learn that the too-handsome-for-my-own-good man sitting
next to me is named Logan.
Once that quick formality is out of the way, she leads us down to
a room in the basement of IUM. I glance around as we walk inside,
a mixture of excitement and nerves fluttering in my belly. The space
looks familiar, very similar to the training rooms back at Griffin
Academy, and that calms me down a little.
I know how to do this. I’m great at tests, and I’ve spent the past
three years honing my abilities. It’ll be just like being back in
Tamlin’s class—only a bit more challenging, most likely.
Once we’re all inside, Aurora goes to a large bank of panels on
the wall and activates several charms. Magic sparks on the air
around us, and she turns to survey the gathered recruits.
“You were all brought on board at IUM because of your excellent
academic credentials and your abilities. But this job isn’t just about
being a powerful magic user. It’s also about being smart. About
using your power wisely and doing it under extreme pressure if need
be.” She activates one last charm, and the air around us shimmers
as an illusion settles into place, encompassing the entire room. “So,
we’re going to give you a chance to demonstrate your quick
thinking.”
I glance around, taking in what looks like a street in downtown
Portland. The illusion is really good, every little detail present and
accounted for, making it easy to forget I’m actually in an
underground training room at IUM.
“When the test begins,” Aurora tells us. “You will need to identify
and contain potential threats, while also protecting and being careful
not to harm those who are not threats. Magical attacks don’t happen
in a vacuum. It’s very likely there will be innocent bystanders, and
we don’t want them caught in the crossfire. You need to be able to
make those determinations quickly and efficiently. Are you ready?
The challenge begins… now.”
As she speaks the last word, the light in the illusory street scene
changes suddenly, growing darker and more ominous, as if night has
suddenly fallen. Then bright flashes of light flare up and down the
street. People and creatures begin to flood the street too, screaming
and shouting amid the loud sounds of bangs and pops.
It’s chaos.
My heart rate immediately jumps, and I suck in a deep breath to
steady myself as I stride forward.
Identify and remove the threats.
Don’t harm civilians.
You can do this, Rae.
Casting my gaze around, I raise my hands, ready to unleash a
blast of telekinetic energy when I find a target. Aurora wasn’t
kidding. In the chaos, it’s hard to tell who’s a threat and who’s not,
and I hesitate for just a second, not wanting to make the wrong call.
A scream draws my attention, cutting over the rest of the din,
and I see a man with dark red cracks in his skin towering over a
woman with a baby in her arms.
There!
I raise my hands to blast the man away from her, but before I
can hurl my attack, a bolt of lightning strikes the man in the chest,
sending him flying back. I jerk back, startled, my gaze flying to
Logan. That’s the only person it could possibly be.
He catches my eye and gives me a lopsided grin as if to say,
better luck next time, before turning and wading deeper into the
Another random document with
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having conquered the valley of the Nile, his lieutenant Amrou
suggested to him the formation of a canal direct from Suez to
Pelusium; but,” continues Monsieur Dupin, “was it likely that the
man (Amrou) who was guilty of burning the Alexandrian library,
should possess sufficient capacity to carry out so grand an idea.”
Now there are here almost as many errors as words. First, the
Emir Omar never did conquer the valley of the Nile. Secondly, he
could not have rejected the idea of the construction of a canal
from Suez to Pelusium, for the very good reason that the canal
already existed; and lastly, he did not burn the Ptolomean library
of Alexandria, as it had been destroyed two centuries and a half
previously.
[16] This literal translation from the passage in Arabic is due to
Silvestre de Sacy. G. Heyne, in his Opuscula Academica,
explains concisely all the vicissitudes the Alexandrian Library
underwent.
[17] Mémoire de C. Langlès, Magasin Encyclopédique, 1799, Vol.
III.
[18] Martinus Polonus died about the year 1270, that is to say 184
years after Marianus. His remarks on Pope Joan are not fit for
transcription.
[19] Familier éclaircissement de la question si une femme a été
assise au siège Papal de Rome: Amsterdam 1747, in 8ᵛᵒ.
[20] In his dissertation De nummo argenteo, Benedicti III.: Rome
1749, in 4ᵗᵒ.
[21] Inserted in vol. II. part 1. of the Rerum Italicarum Scriptores.
[22] Annales de Philosophie Chrétienne: Février 1863.
[23] This decree of the council is delivered in terms sufficiently
damaging to the reputation of the convent of which Eloisa was
prioress: “In communi audientiâ conclamatum est super
enormitate et infamiâ cujusdam monasterii sanctimonialium quod
dicitur Argentolium in quo paucæ moniales multiplici infamiâ ad
ignominiam sui ordinis degentes, multo tempore spurcâ et infami
conversatione omnem ejusdem loci affinitatem fœdaverant.”
(Gallia Christiana, Vol. VII. p. 52.)
[24] Dulcius mihi semper exstitit amicæ vocabulum aut si non
indigneris, concubinæ vel scorti. Charius mihi et dignius videretur
tua dici meretrix quam Augusti imperatrix.
[25] The rest is better left in Latin: “Concupiscentia te mihi potius
quam amicitia sociavit, libidinis ardor potius quam amor. Ubi igitur
quod desiderabas cessavit, quicquid propter hoc exhibebas
pariter evanuit.”
[26] Frustra utrumque geritur quod amore Dei non agitur. In omni
autem Deus scit, vitæ meæ statu, te magis adhuc offendere
quam Deum vereor. Tibi placere amplius quam ipsi appeto. Tua
me ad religionis habitum jussio, non divina traxit dilectio. Vide
quam infelicem et omnibus miserabiliorem ducam vitam, si tanta
hic frustra substineo: nihil habitura remunerations in futuro!!
[27] M. Lenoir, at the time of the publication of his work, was the
keeper of the Musée des petits Augustins, in Paris.
[28] Annales archéologiques de Didron, 1846. p. 12.
[29] Lettres d’Abailard et d’Héloïse traduite sur les manuscrits de
la Bibliothèque Royale par E. Oddoul, avec une préface par
Monsieur Guizot Paris 1839, gr. in 8ᵒ, gravures.
[30] It was taken down 1861 and a plaister statue of Tell erected
in its place.
[31] L’illustre Châtelaine des environs de Vaucluse; dissertation et
examen critique de la Laure de Pétrarque. Paris 1842, in 8ᵛᵒ.
[32] As already stated, a large tablet was carried before her on
which her alleged crimes were inscribed.
[33] Namely: Mémoire tiré des archives de Chateaubriand par feu
le Président Ferrand.
[34] Mignet, Amédée Pichot, and W. Stirling.
M. Gachard has rather given the rein, we believe, to his
imagination, and adopts the legend of the funeral obsequies. We
shall see how triumphantly M. Mignet rebuts it.
[35] It was the Venetian, Frederic Badouaro, who conceived the
comical idea of representing Giovanni Torriano as a simple
clockmaker. Cardanus, in book XVII. of his work De Artibus,
mentions a wonderful piece of mechanism constructed by
Torriano.
[36] Henry Coiffier de Ruzé d’Effiat, Marquis de Cinq-Mars,
beheaded at Lyons in 1642 by order of Richelieu. He was secretly
married to Marion Delorme.
[37] The author of this letter adds in a note: “The Marquis of
Worcester, who is considered by the English to be the inventor of
the steam-engine, appropriated to himself the discovery of
Salomon de Caus and inserted it in a book entitled Century of
Inventions, published in 1663.”
[38] Some very interesting details on Salomon de Caus and on
the honourable appointments he held until his death may be
found in a work of M. L. Dussieux: Les Artistes Français à
l’Étranger, Paris 1856.
[39] Only a very few of the innumerable Histories and Biographies
of Charles V. will be mentioned here.

Transcriber’s Notes:
Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.
Perceived typographical errors have been changed.
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