Some of you have been asking me what the bonus novella in the Magic University digital box set is like. I figure the best way to answer that question is give you all a little taste! But note! SPOILER ALERT! The novella takes place AFTER the series, so you really need to read the series first before you understand what’s going on here and why it matters.
Info on how to get the novella for free here: https://blog.ceciliatan.com/archives/2613Info on ordering the digital box set that includes it here: https://blog.ceciliatan.com/archives/2609
Christmas Magic
by Cecilia Tan
Excerpt:
“Dante’s fucking inferno, Tristan.” I press the phone against my ear as if I can squeeze hard enough, my head won’t explode from frustration. “The conjuration was supposed to be your part of the ritual.”
My classmate’s voice sounds tiny, as if my ire has shrunken him. “I know. I’m sorry. But Frost, you’re clearly the best conjurer on the team.”
“Not when I have no notice or time to prepare!” I snap. We’re supposed to do a group ritual in tomorrow’s class. I look around the common room as if some kind of help might appear, but it’s mid-afternoon and everyone else is at class or out. “What about Megan. Could she take over for you?”
“I called her first,” he says miserably. “Everyone knows you’re the best.”
“Yes, but I’m also the best ritual designer and that was supposed to be my role on the team.” I look out the window at Harvard Yard but there is no help from that direction either. “And I told you, I can’t perform conjuration well without… a lot of preparation.” My hesitation is not because I am telling a lie, though I am not telling him the whole truth.
The reason they all think I’m such a top-notch conjurer is I used to have power to spare. It used to practically ooze out my pores. Ever since The Storm, though, my situation has been decidedly different.
I check the time. Half past three. The first of December. That means we’ve only got about forty-five minutes of sunlight left.
Through the wavy, ancient glass of the window I make out a welcome, familiar figure. “Call you back in an hour,” I say to Tristan.
“So you’ll do it?”
“I’ll let you know. One hour.” I hang up and rush out the door to greet Kyle on the walkway, despite the fact I’m not wearing a coat and it’s nippy out.
He catches me in a kiss. “Something wrong?” he asks, then answers himself: “Something’s wrong.”
“Sort of,” I say. “Can we hurry upstairs?” I tug at his belt loop and lick my lips and he gets the idea of why I want to be alone.
“Lead the way.”
Up in the attic dorm room I have to myself, I start stripping out of my clothes the moment the door shuts.
“Whoa, slow down, Frost. What’s…?”
“You always said if I ever needed power that you were willing to serve. That when my stores ran low you wouldn’t hesitate. I always meant to have a more nuanced discussion with you about the morals of that but right now I need you to fuck me until my eyes glow.”
Happy Holidays!
Magic University "Christmas Magic" Excerpt!
