The freshmen boys of Asher College have obsessed for weeks in anticipation of Phi Lambda Phi’s annual ‘Harvest Moon Panty Raid’ but Nick Wilder has other plans. He’s got his eye on one Phi Lamb in particular and he’s not about to screw it up by being like everyone else. But plans change and so must Nick if he’s going to get the girl of his dreams.

Chapter 21

The young blonde girl checked the watch on her impossibly small wrists. “Thank you for being prompt.”

Nick had trouble speaking. It was clear this was no ordinary blonde.

The girl leaned in close, her smothering perfume causing Nick's head to spin. "I heard you were quite the center of attention last night.”

“I … uhhh …” Nick looked around the hall.

The girl smiled. “My … my … you are quite raw Nikki.”

Nick gathered his courage. “Who are you? How do you know about last night?”

“I use the name Heather when I visit South Quad. I would think the rest is obvious but we can make it a game if you’d prefer.”

Heather didn’t look up as she started eating her meal of granola mixed with yogurt.

Nick said, “You’re a witch.”

“Obviously.”

Nick gave himself a moment to think, taking a bite of the cheeseburger he’d grabbed from the lunch line, and making several chews before answering. “You said you know about last night. Are you part of the Phi Lambs?”

Heather said, “Many witches outside the sisterhood know about last night.”

“I think all of them do by now.” Nick stared at the pretty girl. Her face betrayed nothing. “Gwen told me to meet with you so I bet that means you’re a Phi Lamb or an associate of some sort.”

“Better.” Heather nodded, “Continue.”

“Umm…” Nick picked up four french fries and began gnawing on all of them at the same time. “You’re older than you look.”

“Older?” The blonde’s eyes flash red, “I have hexed fools for less. Are you sure you want to start our first conversation by insulting me?

“I … uhhhh …” Nick tried to think of a way out of this mess. “… I meant you seem self-assured.”

“Nice save.” The girl smiled a wicked toothy smile.

“Sorry.”

“Never apologize Nikki. Continue your thinking…”

“You sound like a teacher.” Nick took a deep breath. “You know the inner workings of Phi Lambda Phi. Are you a teacher?”

“Give the girl a prize.” Heather’s face brightened, “Maybe you aren’t as dumb as some around campus are claiming this morning.”

“People are talking about me?”

“Only everyone.” The girl held out her hand in a most delicate manner. “Most at this school call me Miss Applebottom though I prefer Heather while wearing this guise. I’m a teacher and the house mother of Phi Lambda Phi.”

Nick shook the woman’s hand, a jolt of electricity arcing between them as their skin touched. “You watched last night?”

“Me? Watch? No … no … no … That would have been against the rules. Last night’s proceedings were for current members alone.” Miss Applebottom smiled a cryptic smile. “But I have been known to break the rules from time to time.”

“So you watched?”

“I saw the Choosing.”

“So you know who I was up against.”

Miss Applebottom ignored the comment, “You and I will have breakfast at this table every morning from 7AM until 8AM every Monday to Friday for the next month to work until I am satisfied you have completed remedial instruction.”

“I didn’t know magic existed until last night.” Nick paused to take a bite of his cheeseburger then followed it up with a handful of french fries.

“So I’ve been told.” Miss Applebottom said, shaking her head. “But I’ve always liked a challenge.” She looked around the room, her gaze fixing on one particularly buff freshman. “I do love coming to south campus so it’s not all bad.”

Nick protested. “I’ve already got fifteen hours of class. Now you want me to spend another hour every day learning magic.”

“It’s worse than you know.” Miss Applebottom retrieved a piece of paper from her purse. “Here’s your new weekly schedule. It’s the same as your old schedule but with ‘A History of Magic’ at 3PM on Monday-Wednesday-Fridays and ‘Spellcasting 101’ at 3PM on Tuesday-Thursdays along with everything expected of you at the Phi Lamb house.”

Nick looked at the list. “This is impossible. I’m barely keeping up with my studies now.”

“Nothing is impossible.”

Nick tried to do the math. “I’ve got class. I’ve got to study. I need to be at the Phi Lamb house by 4PM and who knows when I’ll be able to leave that place.” Nick looked at his state of dress. “And it’s going to take me twice as long to get ready in the morning.”

“I’m glad you brought that up.” Miss Applebottom pulled a brush from her purse and began combing her hair. “Your face reeks of Miss Bradford’s magic. Freshmen aren’t allowed to cast Level 1 spells on campus. I understand her reasons but I won’t be lenient if I catch it again. I suggest setting your alarm at 5AM for the foreseeable future.”

“5AM?!?! We don’t meet until 7AM.”

“How much experience do you have with makeup?”

“Some.”

Miss Applebottom smirked, “Dabbling at your mother’s dressing table while she was away doesn’t count.” The corners of her mouth turned upward in what some might consider a smile. “Women face a much more daunting prospect every day. Your face will be judged by every line you draw on your face and it needs to look perfect. That’s doubly true of a Phi Lamb. The artistry of makeup is learned through years at a makeup table not shortcuts. Many witches have found their ruin by becoming too reliant on magic. Hard work and dedication are what we teach at Asher.”

“I can’t cast spells anyway.”

Miss Applebottom didn't appear phased. “Your file says you’ve always wanted to know how the other half lives. You’re getting a crash course.”

Nick shook his head. “It’s too much.”

“Quit with the complaints. You’ve never had anyone push you out of your comfort zone, Nikki. I’m going to push you so far you won’t recognize yourself by the end of the year. Remember, it was your choice to remain in the contest.” Miss Applebottom made a slight wave with her hand. A second later a stream of hate and lust hit Nick.

“I removed the shield spell Miss Bradford placed on you. Can you feel the energy the room is feeding you?”

Nick nodded.

“Every woman, even those without magic, faces this feeling every day. The truth is there aren't enough hours in the day for any of us to get everything done.” Miss Applebottom’s face softened. “You aren’t alone, Nikki. Life is a series of choices and made easier by finding alliances. For example, I think you’ll find several girls at the house who would love to spend a weekend putting makeup on your face, taking it off, and putting it on again.”

“Ohhhh.” Nick said as the room’s energy continued to surge into him. “Zoey might help.”

Miss Applebottom nodded. “A perfect choice.”

Nick ran a hand through his hair. “I could cut my hair.”

Miss Applebottom didn’t look as happy with this idea. “It would be a pity to cut such beautiful hair but again it’s your choice. You will find shortcuts and compromises necessary to meet the challenges of your new life. I expect you to fail … I expect you to fail quite often if I’m being honest but you will not feel my wrath as long as I think you are putting in the effort.”

Nick shuddered. Wrath? He popped the rest of the cheeseburger into his mouth and began to chew. “I need to sleep sometime.”

Miss Applebottom waved her hand unleashing the full force of the energy in the room. “Witches don’t need sleep. We can and usually do because it’s the best way to replenish our stores but we don’t NEED to sleep.” Miss Applebottom stared at a nearby group of guys. “For example, You’ll find the boys around here to be quite an invigorating morning pick me up after an all nighter. Soak in their energy. They’re literally offering it to you.”

The lustful stares gave Nick a burst of energy, but also caused unbidden thoughts in return. “Ohhh…”

“Do you feel it?”

Energy stirred in Nick’s belly. “I feel something.”

Miss Applebottom waved her hand and the energy went away. “You are feeling magic in its raw form.” She slid a book across the table. It stopped an inch from the edge. “That is your spellbook.”

The book looked like a regular notebook you could buy at the campus bookstore. "Spellbook?" Upon opening Nick saw page after page of nothing. "It’s blank."

“Place your left hand on the inside cover and your right on the inside back cover. It may begin to feel hot, but don’t move your hand. Grimoires are quite rare and very expensive.”

As Nick placed his hands, the book began to bulge, the covers growing hotter and hotter but short of the point of pain until an electric jolt shocked both arms. “Dammit. That hurt.”

“Good. The pain means you’ve attuned.” Miss Applebottom smiled. “We’re making great progress.”

“You could have warned me about the shock.”

Miss Applebottom smiled. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Nick re-opened the book, expecting to see writing. “It’s empty.”

“Check the front.”

One page in particular caught his eye.

Name: Nicole Wilder
Age: 18
Sex: Female
Caster Level: 0
Specialty: None
Inventory: None

The name read the same as his school ID. “That’s it?”

“Magic isn’t as simple as reading words off a page. It takes work.” Miss Applebottom pulled a book from inside her purse. “This is my grimoire. I’ve spent decades learning my craft and mine is a quarter full.” Nick noticed Miss Applebottom now stood, assuming the posture common to many teachers. “Turn to the table of contents in your grimoire.”

The table section that listed spells by category:

Abjuration - Shield, ward and protection spells.
Conjuration - Bring forth creatures or objects from other dimensions.
Divination - Grants Insight into the unseen to gather information or locate hidden things.
Enchantment - Manipulate the minds/emotions of others.
Evocation - Direct manipulation of elemental forces.
Illusion - Deceive senses. Create false realities.
Transmutation - Temporarily alter the physical properties of an object or living thing.
Transformation - Permanently alter the physical properties of an object or living thing.

“Evocation sounds cool.” Nick said, wiggling his fingers. “Ka-zam!”

“This isn’t a movie Nikki.” Miss Applebottom shook her head. “Even if you become skilled in evocation, you won’t be casting spells in that specialty for a long time, if ever. Not only are they high level and hard to learn but they are extremely regulated in our society. As I’m sure you are aware, witches have good reason to blend into society. In the 21st century, we rely on knowledge and illusion instead.”

“So no magic missiles?”

Miss Applebottom ignored him, “Spells will appear under the appropriate level and category after you’ve learned how to accumulate and channel your power.”

“Channel my power?” The idea sounded ludicrous but little of the last day made sense. Nick stared at a nearby group of guys chatting and laughing, totally unaware most of them spent half the night being drained of essence. “This is a lot.”

“You are part of our world now. The sooner you come to terms with your new reality, the quicker we can begin your instruction.”

Nick looked at his hands and wiggled his fingers and pretended to cast a spell, “Abracadabra…”

Miss Applebottom didn’t look amused. “We will cover the basics until you prove yourself to me.” She placed a book on the table with an ominous sounding title ‘Colonial Economics in Pre-Revolution South Carolina’. When Nick picked up the book, the title changed to ‘‘Magic – A Beginner’s Primer’.

“Neat trick.”

“It is no trick. It’s an illusion which is something you will understand once you read the book. We will cover this book and others until you’re caught up to your classmates.”

Nick looked around the dining hall. “Is everyone at this school a witch?”

“Not all. Only a small fraction.” Miss Applebottom said, shaking her head. “The current freshman class currently has a total of ninety-three witches, most of whom are female. Male witches tend to stick to the state schools for some reason.”

“Football games?”

“Perhaps.” Miss Applebottom smiled, seeming genuinely amused by Nick’s answer. “I think the truth is they fear us. Men are a minority in the witching world and the instruction at Asher is quite competitive. This might be my alumni bias showing but there’s no better place to learn magic in New England.”

“Was that supposed to make me feel better?”

“I’m not here to make you feel better.” Miss Applebottom gave a studious glare followed by a wave of her hand. “Ready to start your first lesson?”

Nick doubled over as the surge of energy caused a shudder. “What did you do?”

“A witch’s body craves energy, MIss Wilder.” Miss Applebottom smiled. “But to store more energy one must exercise it like a muscle.”
Torrents of energy streamed into Nick, “Wh…what’s going on?”

Miss Applebottom’s voice remained steady. “Every new witch has difficulty storing magic within themselves but it’s nothing to fear. Embrace it. Once you’ve learned that, you’ll be able to reach into your core and tap into it.”

Nick closed his eyes while taking a deep breath, allowing the warmth to settle in the pit of his stomach. He felt it for the first time when he’d entered the Phi Lamb house but this felt different. It filled him with … something … growing … building … morphing … as his hunger grew.
Images of the guys ravishing his naked body flashed in Nick’s brain as the warmth expanded through his chest, spreading to his arms and down his legs before diving deep into his loins.

Miss Applebottom spoke in a whisper, “Don’t fight it.”

Nick closed his eyes, feeling each boy’s approach, feeling their essence enter as their imaginations grew stronger, each boy’s imagination more lurid than the last. They pulled at Nick’s body, touching his shirt, removing his top, one pushing him to his knees until Miss Applebottom’s voice sounded in the distance.

Miss Applebottom spoke in a calm tone. “Close your eyes and breathe. In and out. In and out. You are seeing the dreams of silly boys. Nothing is real.”

Nick pressed through the maze of groping hands and ran towards the light.. When his vision Miss Applebottom smiled from across the table.

“Not bad for your first foray into controlling male essence.”

Unbidden thoughts continued to bounce in Nick’s brain. “I think it controlled me.”

Miss Applebottom nodded, “Girls have desires, same as boys and that’s doubly true for the Chosen. You were created through the essence of male yearning but it goes away after a few weeks.”

“That’s what Gwen said.” Nick caught a cute guy at a nearby table staring at his breasts causing a reciprocal shudder. “I don’t want to feel like this. Why can’t I use a shield?”

“Embracing your abilities is the only way to improve.”

“It’s too much.” A look around the hall showed everyone going about their daily lives. In the middle of the room Roger sat next to Stanley in their normal spot, both laughing and talking, neither bothered by Nick’s disappearance. “My friends are over there, eating lunch without me. I ate with them every day for the past month and now they don’t know me.”

“If it makes you feel better, every Chosen has gone through a similar process.”

“It doesn’t.” Nick looked across the room to where his friends were laughing. “I always knew I was different. But this…” NIck looked down at his body. “Finding out I had a centuries old curse that turned me into a sex witch wasn’t something I’d ever considered.”

Miss Applebottom shook her head, “Don’t use that word.”

“What word?”

“Sex-witch. I find it offensive.”

“Oh.”

“Open your Magic Primer to page 4.”

Nick did as asked. On page 4 he found the following:

Magic is accumulated through the three pillars - Mind, Body, and Soul.

Mind - Essence gained through harmony of spirit
Body - Essence gained through physical exertion
Soul - Essence gained through emotion

Miss Applebottom said, “Magical essence permeates everything. It is in the air we breathe and over time accumulates in organic matter. Every creature, every tree, every person - has some magic inside them. If you go to a forest, and learn to listen to the trees, they will give you a portion of their magic. Witches have always communed with nature as a means to fuel their spells. You can find a similar form of magic through prayer and devotion. There’s nothing like a good church sermon to fill your stores though it does tend to make one self-righteous for a few days.”

Nick interrupted. “That doesn’t explain my feelings.”

“Less talking … more listening.” Miss Applebottom’s eyes grew sharp before relenting. “Every time a guy sees a pretty girl and fantasizes about her, he accumulates a small amount of essence. Then he sees other girls, repeating the process over and over. This can occur over the course of months and sometimes over years. It is an easy source of magic for any witch. It’s the Phi Lambs tapped into last night.”

“Don’t remind me.” Nick thought of the lines of guys in the courtyard.

“Sex is the one of the most potent sources of magic as it starts in the mind, moves to the body, and upon release, touches your soul in a way nothing else can. It is why many witches throughout history have found their calling in a brothel and there’s nothing wrong with that. But being a sex-witch, as the girls call it, is not the only path forward. At Asher we teach a balance of all three sources. It is why you must learn discipline. You will feed your mind while training your body and searching your soul.”

Nick asked. “I need to start working out?”

Miss Applebottom smiled. “Was that the only thing you heard?”

“I heard the other stuff.” Nick insisted. ”It’s just … like I said … I’ve got a full schedule.”

“You will find the time.” Miss Applebottom’s face grew grim. “I will help you. You should know there are things you will hear about my past when the girls start their gossips. I want you to understand it is easy for a witch to lose themselves if they forget the pillars. If there’s one thing I want my witches to learn during their four years at Asher, it is balance.”

“I will try my best.”

“That’s all I ask.” Miss Applebottom didn’t speak for several seconds, “I think that’s enough for today.”

Nick nodded. “I appreciate you taking time out of your day to spend it with me.”

“Of course. It’s what I’m here for.” Miss Applebottom had a faraway look in her eyes. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a guy on the other side of the room who hasn’t stopped looking at me since I arrived.”

Miss Applebottom stood then pranced across the room. Every eye in the room followed.

Chapter 22

“Did she tell you about the pillars?”

Nick nearly jumped out of his chair. “Where’d you come from?”

Gwen smiled. “You zoned out. I didn’t want to bug you but we need to leave now if we’re going to get to your next class.”

“Uh … sure.” Nick looked at the clock on the wall. Time had flown by. “Miss Applebottom hit me with a lot of stuff. She said... ” He looked at the nearby tables. “... am I allowed to talk about this here?”

Gwen nodded, “I put up a barrier.”

Nick gathered his things and stuffed them in his bookbag. “I thought freshmen weren’t allowed to cast magic on campus.”

Gwen nodded. “Inert spells like protective barriers and shield spells are allowed.”

Nick wasn’t sure what to believe. “I found out you lied to me. Magic isn’t always about sex…” Nick tossed the books Miss Applebottom gave him into his bookbag, a flash of lust hitting as he stood and guys all over the room turned their gaze in his direction.

“You were saying?”

Nick shuddered under the weight of the room’s gaze. “The Phi Lambs aren’t sex witches. Miss Applebottom made it clear I wasn’t supposed to use the term in her presence.”

“That wasn’t a total lie…” As Gwen smiled, the energy hitting Nick decreased by half. “... but with all this free energy we might as well be. Just wait until the first time you have sex.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Planning on joining a convent?”

“No ….” Nick hurried out the door and into the courtyard to avoid the stares. “You made me think I had no choice.”

“Sex is hard to avoid in our world. Most guys you meet are thinking of one thing. They make it so easy to take their energy.”

“You make it sound like no big deal.”

Gwen shrugged, “It’s not. Not for me, at least.” She closed her eyes. “I love the feeling of a guy wrapping his arms around me, feeling his heart quicken and mine quickening to match. The best lovers are the ones who take their time, allowing the power to build and build and then …” Nick nearly fell as he felt Gwen’s whole body shudder from the memory.

“I think I had a contact orgasm.”

Gwen laughed, “You’d be in a state of delirium if you experienced one of my orgasms. I’ve spent years honing my craft, and perfecting the art of lovemaking.”

Nick took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of the energy surge. “I’m going to need you to cast another shield. Miss Applebottom removed the last one.”

“I’m not allowed.” Gwen explained. “Miss Applebottom instructions were quite clear. I wasn't to cast any more spells on you, and that included defensive spells. She says you need to experience the world without a crutch or you’ll never improve.”

Gwen's words echoed in his mind, as he watched classmates passing by on the sidewalk, their thoughts about him as plain as the noses on their faces.

Gwen asked, “What’s your next class?”

“Pre-Civil War US History. We finished the War of 1812 and the War Hawks. I expect we’ll be talking about the rise of Andrew Jackson today.”

Gwen yawned. “Sounds boring.”

“It’s not … oh shit.” Nick froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s Roger.”

“What about him?”

“He’s in my US history class.”

“So?”

“I sit next to him.”

Gwen shook her head. “He’s not going to recognize you. He doesn’t even remember you. It’s unlikely he’ll sit next to you … then again …” Her smile turned devilish.

Nick shook his head, realizing what Gwen was thinking. “No way.”

“No, this is perfect. He’s not one of us. He’ll never know.” Gwen nodded, convincing herself with every word, “Go talk to him. Stretch out your feminine wiles.

Nick exclaimed. “I don’t have feminine anything.”

Gwen laughed. “Do you need me to pull out a mirror?”

“You know what I mean.”

“You’ve got to talk to a guy sometime. You told me last night that Roger’s a nice guy.”

“He is … but has stalker tendencies.”

Gwen’s face looked way too excited. “I’ll zap him if he gets out of hand.”

“What about Miss Applebottom’s prohibition on spells?”

“I won’t tell if you don’t.”

Two dozen eyes turned in Nick’s direction as he walked into the hall. The feeling was not so intense this time as he scanned the hall. He found Roger in the normal spot, middle back of the last row.

Nick took a deep breath as he made his way up the row. “Is this seat taken?”

Roger looked one way and then the other then back to Nick. “Are-are y-you t-talking to me?”

It was nice to hear a familiar voice. The first week of class had been rough on them both even if Roger would never admit it now. Most people thought Roger was an asshole but they hadn’t listened to him speak about his deepest insecurities in the dark of night.

Nick smiled. “Is there anyone else sitting here?”

Roger sat up straight causing the accumulated crumbs of the cookie he’d eaten to fly from his chest onto the floor. Nick smiled at the panicked display from his friend, enjoying his surprise of seeing a Phi Lamb standing in front of him. As a side benefit, the surge of panic overrode any sense of desire, allowing Nick a brief respite.

“Oh, uh, yeah, sure.” Roger said, moving his books to make room. “Are you sure you want to sit here?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You normally sit over there.” Roger stammered, pointing to a group of girls Nick assumed to be witches.

“Someone told me you know a lot about history.” Nick smiled. He’d heard it from himself.

“I dabble.” Roger said, his obvious nerves lessening. “My favorite period is ancient Rome. I find antebellum US history to be quite dull.”

“Not me.” Nick said. “The period is full of men who set the course of the country. Jackson, Calhoun, Webster, Scott, Taylor, Polk, and then there’s Douglas and Lincoln.”

“There wasn’t a president worthy of the office after Jackson.”

Nick smiled. He’d had this argument countless times while laying in their beds. When Roger said he liked Roman history, he meant he liked reading about the Roman Empire. Nick preferred the Republic.

Nick held out his hand. “I’m Nikki, spelled with one N, two I’s and two K’s.”

Roger’s hand was clammy to the touch. The surge of energy that followed in its wake made Nick glad he was sitting down. “I’m Roger.”

“Nice to meet you, Roger.”

The teacher stood at the front of class, looking at the ceiling and reciting facts from memory...

...Andrew Jackson’s rise to power marks the change from the Revolution period in the United States to what could be considered the country’s adolescence. Jackson was orphaned at a young age and rose to prominence through sheer determination, becoming a lawyer, a landowner, and a military hero. Jackson was far from a perfect man. He killed a man in a duel after the man insulted his wife. Jackson was a slaveowner like many of our founding fathers, and while president pressed for the expulsion of native tribes from their homeland.

It was Jackson’s military exploits, particularly the decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 that catapulted him into national fame. This triumph not only solidified his reputation as a formidable leader but also laid the groundwork…

Sitting next to Roger had an unexpected benefit. Instead of a torrent of stares he’d experienced in class that morning, most guys ignored him, directing their emotions of disbelief at Roger instead.

As the teacher moved through Andrew Jackson’s political advancement in wake of the Seminole Wars, so too did Roger’s arm slowly make its way up the armrest until their arms nearly touched at which point, Roger lost his nerve. When the teacher began explaining the Election of 1824, Nick used a convenient yawn to break the impasse.

“Ooopsie.” Nick said, remembering Zoey’s favorite word.

Roger appeared unable to speak as the steady flow of energy flowed into Nick. It was a strange sensation, being at the center of someone else's inner turmoil.

The energy felt like the feelings Miss Applebottom showed to him, then grew stronger as the images from Roger’s brain grew more distinct. Roger taking off his clothes. Roger getting in the communal shower. Nick felt himself growing wet as someone turned the knob, then fell to his knees when Roger turned.

“No.”

Nick looked around, hoping he hadn’t spoken out loud. Seeing several classmates had turned to stare wasn’t what he wanted to see. By instinct, Nick took Roger by the hand to keep their conversation private, pushing the images back into his friend as the scene moved to their dorm room.

Nick laying on his back without a stitch of clothing while Roger, wearing a pair of silk boxers, took firm hold of Nick’s breasts, the accompanying loud moan only occurring in Nick’s mind. At least he hoped that was the case.

The scene changed and Nick started moving the power back and forth in a rhythmic dance, the titillation growing more vulgar with every change of scene.

It wasn’t the first time Nick had dreamed of being with a guy. It wasn’t even the first time he’d dreamed of being with Roger. Nick gagged as his vision took Roger in his mouth. This didn’t count if it was a dream.

Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pushing the intrusive thoughts away, blocking out the overwhelming surge of energy that threatened to engulf him. The scene shifted to one Nick remembered well which allowed him to regain control. The scene returned to the dorm room with Nick sitting on the bed.

‘Hey man, good to meet you. I’m Roger Cooper. I’m your roommate.’
‘I’m Nick. Nick Wilder.’ Nick felt his face blush.
‘A shy guy … don’t worry. Stick with me and you’ll be swimming in pussy.’
Nick felt his face blush even more.

Nick pulled back, realizing he had crossed a line. The emotions running between him and his friend was palpable, and Nick had gone too far.

The sound of his classmates standing pulled Nick from his stupor. A look at Roger showed his friend staring into space. "Thanks for letting me sit here," Nick said with a friendly smile.

“A-any-anytime.” Roger stammered, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "It was nice talking to you."

“Maybe we could do it again sometime.” Nick said, immediately regretting the words. He moved down the aisle as quickly as he could, knowing better than most the monster he’d unleashed.

Roger’s lust coursed through Nick’s veins, the feeling calling to Nick as he struggled to leave the classroom, the anxiety so unsettling Nick welcomed the wave of desire and hate when he appeared in the hallway.

“How’d it go?” Gwen asked, appearing out of nowhere.

“Will you stop doing that, Gwen?”

“Doing what?” Gwen said with a grin.

“Appearing out of nowhere.” Nick said, “Wait … didn’t you have a class in a different building?”

Gwen nodded, “I did but I thought it would be more fun to watch you pop your cherry.”

Nick blushed “I assure you no cherry popping happened in that classroom.”

Gwen gave Nick a knowing look as she peeked into the classroom. “Roger hasn’t moved. What did you do to him?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Gwen looked again. “You did something.”

Nick grew concerned. “Is he ok?”

“He’ll survive.” Gwen looked again. “We should get out of here before someone notices.”

The pair sped out of the hall and into the courtyard. Nick said. “I can't believe I did that.”

Gwen smiled. “How are you feeling?”

Nick stopped walking, drinking in the feelings of desire pouring into him in hopes it might make the feeling disappear. “Hornier than a toad in Texas.”

“Oh-my-gawd … you’re such a dork.” Gwen laughed, “Tell me exactly what you did so I can cast an appropriate counterspell.”

Nick tried to pull as much energy as he could from the guys in the quad but the images of Roger wouldn’t go away. “I touched his arm.”

“For how long?”

“I don’t know.” Nick shrugged, “Thirty minutes?”

“Thirty minutes?” Gwen laughed. “No wonder he’s in a daze. You mind fucked him.”

“Is that bad?”

“Nah. Just be careful. Your friend doesn’t seem the type to let go easy and few boys want any other meat once they’ve had a taste of Lamb.”

Nick shook his head. “You say something like that and say I’m the dorky one?”

Gwen smiled as she pointed up the sidewalk towards the Phi Lamb house, “We need to find a safe place for you to drain off the extra energy or you’re going to be useless the rest of the day.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“Only if you don’t tell me all the details.”

Chapter 23

“Am I a bad person?”

“Nah.”

Nick expected Gwen to take him to the Phi Lamb house. Instead they sat under a copse of trees next to Bishop Hall.

Gwen pointed to the trees one by one. “It’s peaceful here … don’t you think?”

“Yeah.”

“Some of these trees were around when the town was founded.” She pointed to an old oak. “The founders of this place formed their charter on that very spot.”

“Wow.” Nick stared at the old tree’s twisted limbs and ancient bark which dominated the other trees in the grove.

Gwen said, “This isn't just a tree, it’s a living archive. Generations of witches have found shade and shelter under its limbs. It’s my favorite spot on campus.”

Nick looked up the path, watching students making their way to their next destination. “I never noticed this place before you brought me here.”
“That’s by design.” She pointed at the old stone building next to the grove. “Witching classes are in Bishop Hall. This whole area is spelled to be inconspicuous. Most people walk by and never give it a second glance.”

“That’s cool.”

Gwen smiled, “Our society learned the hard way over the centuries of the need to be invisible. You’d think modern society might grow more enlightened as the years pass but we’ve found the opposite to be true. So we’ve learned to hide ourselves from the world, usually in plain sight.”

“Does that mean witch doctors are a real thing?”

“Not how you’re implying.” Gwen grinned. “But there are Witch-doctors, witch-lawyers, witch-politicians, witch-scientists, witch-computer nerds, witch-lobbyists, witch-business leaders, and witch-whatever. We are everywhere and nowhere.”

Nick said, “Sounds like the Illuminati."

Gwen nodded. “It is in a way. There are many factions in the witching world, each with their own agenda, but we know it’s in our best interest to work together when it comes to secrecy. Nothing is more important than keeping our existence hidden which is why some of the majors here are devoted to training our members in SecOps. No one outside our world can know about us. Billions are spent every year to make sure that happens..”

“So I can’t tell my Mom?”

Gwen shrugged. “Outsiders have been brought into our world but it’s best if she doesn’t know.”

Nick shook his head. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“It’s for her protection… and for yours.”

Nick said, “I tell my Mom everything.”

Gwen laughed. “I know that’s not true or are you forgetting the time spent in her closet..”

“Not everything, obviously.” Nick sighed. “It’s just … I’m all she has.”

“You don’t have to part ways. You live the same but keep that part of your life from her. I have several good friends who aren’t witches. It’s not always easy but nothing worth a damn is.”

Nick asked, “Is that how it works with your parents?”

Gwen shook her head, “My parents are witches.”

“Oh.”

Gwen explained. “Most young witches have fun mixing with normies for a while but eventually find it easier to stick within the community. It’s easier to marry a fellow witch than to hide a secret life from your spouse.”

“Makes sense.”

Gwen said, “The odds of having a child with abilities are greater when you marry another witch too. That’s why you normally see the most talented witches coming from the old families. It’s also why someone like you has created such a buzz.”

“I’ve created a buzz?”

“New blood always creates a stir.”

Nick looked up at the old oak. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

Gwen took Nick’s hand, “I blew Billy Peterson under the basketball bleachers in ninth grade.”

“Uhh … thanks for sharing.” Nick said.

Gwen ignored him, “I was in your shoes once. I didn’t know about magic. I might even have said, ‘I can’t do this’ on this very spot.” Her face took a faraway look. “I sensed Billy liked me and I liked him too. One thing led to another and next thing I know he’s taking me under the bleachers. I couldn’t stop myself. The bastard told everyone in school and I ran home in tears.”

“That’s terrible.”

“My parents said they kept the knowledge of their world from me to protect me.” Gwen’s eyes glistened as she spoke, “My grandmother was sitting at the kitchen table when I got home from school. My Mom’s car pulled into the driveway a few minutes later. We got in Mom’s car but no one told me the destination. I cried in the back seat the entire trip.”

“That sounds sucky.”

“A poor choice of words considering my experience with Billy Peterson but yeah… it sucked.” Gwen’s face cheered some. “We parked at the Phi Lamb House and they brought me here. Grandma explained how female witches don’t usually start showing signs of power until their first blood. They’d been watching for years to see if I showed power. She told me she’d seen promising signs but nothing definitive. Then it broke through in the most embarrassing way possible…” Gwen’s voice trailed off. “Anyway, that’s how I found out I was a witch.”

“What happened to Billy Peterson?”

Gwen gave Nick a wicked grin, “Lots of memory charms, a social media sweep, and an unfortunate streak of bad luck to the classmates who wronged me. They made the mistake of messing with a witch with an excellent memory.”

Nick drew back. “You can be scary when you want to be.”

“Then you should be grateful I like you, perv.” Gwen smiled. “Close your eyes.”

Nick closed his eyes, the images of Roger continued to bounce around in his brain.

Gwen asked, “What do you feel?”

Nick said. “I see Roger.”

“Of course you do but look past that … tell me what you feel.” Gwen’s voice softened with each word. “Center yourself. Listen for an older, wiser presence.”

Nick quieted the scattered memories of the past day until the only thing he heard was a background hum. “I think I hear something.”

“Let the trees share their energy with you.”

Nick cleared his mind, the hum tickling the back of his throat moving down his spine and to his extremities as a musky odor filled his nostrils.

Energy from the trees flowed into him, a sudden calm as each tree introduced themselves one by one. Oak, Maple, Ash, Beech, Cherry, Chestnut, Cedar, Birch, and Elm. Each had their strengths and all had their weaknesses but together they exuded a power unlike any Nick had ever felt.

Energy moved back and forth, Nick’s power a mere speck compared to the power of the trees, their whispers soothing his thoughts and taking his pains without complaint.

“Nick?”

Nick opened his eyes to see Gwen standing over him. Nick’s phone showed he’d been in a trance for a half hour. “Wow. I was out for a while.”

“How do you feel?”

He couldn’t feel a trace of Roger’s energy and the angst and sexual tension he’d accumulated all morning had dissipated too. His body felt clean and full of energy, unburdened by the stresses of the world. “That was amazing.”

“Now you know why some stories show witches as hermits living in the middle of a thick forest. It’s just as easy to get addicted to natural magic as it is sex.”

“Thanks Gwen. I feel better.”

“Gathering magic from nature takes a lot of time but thankfully this grove is faster than most. You’d need to sit there all week to achieve the same result in a young forest.”

“Damn.”

“The time factor is one of the reasons there are more sex witches in the world than druids.” Gwen sat down in front of Nick and held up a shiny object in her hand. “Now that you’re full of tree juice, would you like to learn a magic spell?”

“Is that allowed?”

“You’re a witch. Of course it’s allowed.” Gwen grinned. “Miss Applebottom has forbidden me from casting another shield spell on you. She didn’t say you couldn’t cast one yourself and your next class is with a room full of witches, most of whom hate you. Do you want to go in there unprotected?

“What do I need to do?”

Gwen placed the crystal on the ground between them. “Pick it up.”

Nick picked up the crystal, feeling the smooth surface warm against his skin. “It feels hot.”

“That’s a spell stone.” Gwen said, the small smile growing on her lips "It’s a practice aid meant to help new casters. I’ve cast a shield spell on this one. Clear your mind and listen like you did with the trees to see if you can pull it out.”

Nick closed his eyes, focused on the stone, and connected with its warmth. A second later he felt his body begin to grow hot. The warmth started with his hands, moved up his arms, then his head, his torso, his legs, and his feet.

“Congratulations.”

“Huh?”

“You cast your first shield spell.”

“I did?”

Gwen nodded. “Look in your grimoire.”

“My grimoire?” In the excitement of the day, Nick had almost forgotten about the book. He opened his backpack and pulled out his spell book. “This book?”

“You tell me. It looks like a normal book to me. You’re the only one who can read it.”

Nick opened the book to the table of contents. The section marked ‘Abjuration’ had a new entry.

“Scutum?”

Gwen explained. “It’s the Latin word for shield. The grimoires most witches use today were first developed by medieval priests. They named the spells after Latin words though you can train yourself to use any code word if you prefer another name.”

“Like abracadabra?

“Don’t be a dork.”

A sharp pain seared Nick’s whole body. “Owwww. What did you do to me?”

Gwen smiled a mischievous grin. “I cast a ‘Pilum’ spell on you. It’s the fastest way to take down someone’s shields.”

“That hurt.”

“Don’t be a baby.” Gwen raised her hands as if to cast a hex. “I’m going to cast another ‘Pilum’ spell. You better have a shield spell up before I do or it will hurt a lot more.”

Nick grabbed the spell stone and focused on its warmth. A second later its warmth covered his body. A second after that he felt a sharp pain. A look at Gwen showed her smiling.

“It didn’t hurt as much that time.”

“That’s because your shield is stronger. Improvement is easy at first but takes years to master. Try to cast the spell without using the stone. You know the spell, to cast it - remember the feeling and say the words.”

Nick tried to remember the warmth of the stone. As he did, he said the word, “Scutum”. An instant later, a familiar warmth covered his skin. “I did it.”

“Congratulations.” Gwen said, the mischievous smile growing on her face. A second later Nick felt the sharp pain of Gwen’s Pilum spell.

“Ouch.”

Gwen said, “The summer after my ability showed itself, my parents sent me to a camp where kids cast ‘Scutum’ and ‘Pilum’ spells at each other all day. Every cast makes your shield stronger. If you learn a spell but rarely work on it, your spell gets weaker. Improving your witchcraft is a constant cycle of learning and training. Are you ready?”

Nick cast ‘Scutum’.

Gwen cast ‘Pilum’.

“Hey!” Nick said, “It didn’t hurt at all that time.”

Gwen nodded. “Good. That means you’re improving.” She cast a ‘Pilum’ spell without warning.
“No fair.” He quickly recast ‘Scutum’.

“How do you feel?”

Nick realized he was sweating. “A little tired.”

Gwen smiled. “A person’s ability to cast a spell isn’t the only determinant of their strength. Casting a spell takes a lot of energy, more than any witch can regenerate. So it’s important to tax your energy stores and with continued practice you will be able to store more energy. At camp we spent our days casting spells at each other, exhausting ourselves, and at night learned to replenish our stores.”

Nick gave Gwen a look. “Does that mean what I think it does?”

“For most of the kids in camp, yeah.” Gwen looked up at the old oak. “I learned to talk to the trees. The other kids teased me all week but they learned a hard lesson at the end-of-camp competition.”

“Did you win?”

Gwen smiled. “Asher has their pick of the best witches in the country and the Phi Lambs are the best of the best. What do you think?”

“Asher apparently gets the most modest witches too.”

Gwen laughed, “Are you ready for class?”

Nick recast a ‘Scutum’ spell. “Yeah.”

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