WitchCraft Academy (The First Book)
The Ninth Chapter

The next couple of weeks pass by in a blur. There's still no news on Nico's investigation, and everyone has come to the conclusion that he must have snuck out and fallen victim to a wild animal. During this time, I rarely see Axel, and when I do, he barely acknowledges me, no flirting or annoying nicknames. However, I notice that he seems more sober than the last time we were together. Only slightly, though.

I've also made a habit of sneaking out every few nights to see Silas. He's been adapting to our modern world surprisingly well, and his grasp of our language is improving. He has a dark sense of humor that I find oddly entertaining. Silas wasn't joking about hunting his own food either, so I've stopped bringing snacks whenever I visit. On my last visit, I noticed a dead deer outside his cabin, evidence of his self-sufficiency.

As Christmas approaches rapidly, I can't help but feel a mix of emotions. It's the day before Christmas Eve, which also happens to be the anniversary of my mother's death. I spend the day in my dorm room, talking on the phone with my twin brother Jackson and my four-year-old sister Aurora. They inform me that our father has been passed out drunk on the couch all day. It's a familiar scene, unfortunately.

Jackson tells me that he and Aurora will be spending the night at his long-term girlfriend's place, Cecilia. It seems like they spend a lot of nights there, seeking refuge from our father's alcohol-fueled behavior. Cecilia has become a close friend of mine over the years, and I'm grateful that she's there to support my siblings when I can't be.p

I sit down next to Silas in front of the crackling fire. "Hey," I greet him, glancing at the TV screen. "What are you watching?"

"Home Alone 2," Silas replies, pausing the movie. "I don't understand why they would care about leaving that boy alone. He's almost a grown man."

I chuckle and shake my head. "Well, in my world, we don't leave young children home alone on purpose."

Silas raises an eyebrow. "The boy cannot be that important to his family if they forgot about him twice."

I nod in agreement. "That's a good point. Poor Kevin."

Suddenly, I notice Silas looking at me intensely, his gaze unwavering. It makes me feel a bit self-conscious. "Why do you stare at me like that?" I ask, curious and slightly flustered.

Silas's response catches me off guard. "Because ye are beautiful," he says simply. Before I can respond, he leans in and plants a soft kiss on my lips. It's over before I can fully process what just happened, and I feel my face turn bright red with embarrassment but I also want more of him.

Silas's face remains close to mine as he asks, "Do I make ye uncomfortable?"

I gather my courage and reply, "No, not uncomfortable. Just nervous."

He leans in closer and whispers in my ear, his fingers gently brushing against my white hair. "Why is that?"

My breath catches in my throat as I try to find the right words. "Because I don't know anything about you," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silas leans back, resting against the worn wooden wall of the old cabin with his hands behind his neck. "What would ye like to know?" He asks, curiosity evident in his voice.

"Everything," I reply, my interest piqued. "How old are you? What about your parents? Do you have any siblings? And how did you travel to my dimension? It's supposed to be almost impossible to travel between realms."

Silas takes a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "I am one and eight years old," he begins. "My mother and father are the king and queen of Hellspire. My mother was recently murdered. I have a ten-year-old brother who is currently missing. As for how I traveled to thy dimension, it was through a potion given to me years ago by my Uncle Magnus. It was meant as a gift, but I drank it to escape certain death, and now I am here. With ye."

My mind races with all the information he just shared. There's a sense of mystery and tragedy surrounding him, and I can't help but feel drawn to unravel his story further. "I'm sorry, Silas. I lost my mother three years ago today."

A gloomy grin graces his face as he surprises me, pulling me gently into his embrace as we continue watching the movie together. My attention wavers, unable to fully immerse myself in the film. One, because I've seen it countless times before, and two, because the sensation of being nestled against him is far more captivating. It sends waves of electricity pulsating through my veins, and I struggle to maintain steady breaths. The familiar scent of spearmint spreads throughout the air, overwhelming my senses.

"It's time for me to leave," I inform him once the movie comes to an end.

"I'll walk ye back," he offers, as he always does. Shoulder to shoulder, we stroll back to the Academy, playfully bantering about the movie and joking about how much Kevin's parents must despise him throughout the entire journey.

Upon reaching the entrance of the tunnel, Silas catches me off guard. His arms envelop my waist with a hint of roughness, and he kisses me passionately and fiercely, pushing me against the stone rocks. Standing on my tiptoes, I deepen the kiss, attempting to match his height as my arms instinctively wrap around his neck.

His tongue explores my mouth with a fervor unlike the clumsy encounters I'm accustomed to at the Academy. There's no trace of sliminess or sloppiness. Instead, it's a combination of unyielding intensity and searing heat. I reciprocate the kiss until he finally breaks away, leaving both of us breathless and craving more.

"Will I see you soon?" He asks, his gaze directed downwards at me, accompanied by a mischievous smile.

I can only nod in response, rendered speechless as I watch him fade into the ethereal haze of falling snow.

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