Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy, #1)

by Elise Kova

When they call your name, you’ll go before the Arcanum Chalice and they’ll give you a simple three-card spread, with each card representing a different aspect of your future. Then, you’ll pick what part of your future to give up.” “Give up?” Skirts echoes, leaning back. Her brow furrows. “What…what do you mean?” She has a soft voice and kind eyes. Neither is going to help her much here. I lock eyes with her. “This is Arcana Academy. Your future is your tuition.”

“And it’s just…gone?” her friend asks. I nod. “Whatever card you select to surrender to the Chalice will never come true. That part of who you are—or could have been—is removed.” “Forever?” someone else whispers. “Forever. That’s the bare minimum tithe you pay just to walk through these doors.” Which is so much for very little. “Once we make our sacrifice, then we’ll be initiates?”

“No. Then you’ll be forced to fight and kill that future while everyone in the academy watches you…and judges your innate prowess with the cards. Succeed, and then you’ll be an initiate. Fail, and it’s a hot branding iron and a one-way trip to the powder mills.” I step back, beckoning Skirts. Her friend had the much better sense to wear well-fitted trousers. “Which, speaking of…let me see you.”

“The Ten of Coins.” A beautiful card. Ten golden coins shine like suns above a joyous family, every generation as happy as the last. The Ten of Coins symbolizes wealth and joy and reaping the rewards of one’s work. In the image of the people painted on the card, I see the Starcrossed Club gathered around a table for an All Coins Day feast.

The next card is the Five of Swords. A woman stands facing a bloodied battlefield, two swords in each hand. Three men are positioned behind her, prepared to drive their own blades through her back. It’s a card of conflict and loss. Of battles that might be ultimately won, but, if so, just barely…and that victory achieved at a great cost. The crowd murmurs with excitement as Kaelis announces the Five of Swords. They suspect this will be the one I throw into the Chalice, and it would undoubtedly make for a good show for all of them to watch. But I have one more card left to read… As Kaelis flips the final card, his movements halt in midair. We both have barely a glimpse of the image painted on its front. But it’s unmistakable—a noteworthy card that everyone knows.

“The Two of Cups.” His voice doesn’t waver, but when his eyes, swirling with the colors cast by the Chalice, drift toward mine, I can see a full array of emotions in them. His mouth presses into a hard line, as if he’s physically trying to hold back the unspoken threat that I can practically hear him screaming in his mind. The Two of Cups. A romance card. A man and woman stand facing each other, both toasting full goblets. Their expressions are relaxed—and yet tinged with apprehension and excitement. Their lips are parted as if frozen on an inhale. Ribbons swirl up and around their hands, linking them to...

“Do you see?” the prince asks, drawing my attention to him. He looms over me once more, arm still tightly around my waist. Somehow stronger than any shackle of Halazar. “I am the only one who can defend you.”

How sweet.

“Now let’s find you something to eat.” “What?” The change in his demeanor has me startled. “You still look like a breeze might blow you over.” He must really believe everything I said and see us as a partnership. “I prefer my women with more substance.” “I don’t care how you prefer your women.” “The way you looked at me just now said otherwise.”

Top—Present Position: Seven of Swords Center—Problem: Ten of Coins Center Left—What Is Known: Knight of Swords Center Right—What Is Unknown: King of Swords Bottom—Likely Outcome: Ten of Swords

The Judgment card can revive anyone within five minutes of dying.”

“Be careful, Clara Chevalyer…don’t forget…who you are.”

Love me, hate me, but only look at me like my existence sets you on fire…

“How fond are you of that coat?” “What kind of question is that?” “Not very fond of it, I hope?” He keeps ignoring my questions and holds a hand out expectantly. “I assume you can get me a new one?” I shrug my coat off, already knowing what’s about to happen but playing along. “I’ll get you any coat you could ever desire.”

“Because you’re so damn good at everything.” “Not everything.” He still wears a smile, but it turns sadder. “Name one thing you’re bad at.” “Getting people to trust me.” The words are heavy, as if they’ve been weighing on him for some time. “No, earning their trust.” “I just literally walked through fire for you, Kaelis. Five months ago, I was ready to slit your throat…I’d say you’re not as bad at earning people’s trust as you think.” He twirls us, pulling me closer in the process. His lips brush against my ear. “I’ve wanted to dance with you ever since the Arcanum Chalice. Ever since seeing him in the flesh at the soiree.” “You don’t strike me as the jealous type,” I say.

“Then set me free.” “What?” “You consume my every waking moment. Devour my thoughts. You’ve poisoned my halls with your scent. Flooded my dreams to the point that I cannot tell if it is a delight or a nightmare to want to drown in you. If you hate me, then hate me, let us be eternal rivals. Let any future where you and I are more than enemies finally be done and gone. “If you want something else from me, then take it. But, if it is neither, then set me free and let me be done with you once and for all.”

“My real name is…” I rasp. He leans closer still. “Lady Go-fuck-yourself.”

Ace of Wands: Channels the elemental magic of fire for small to moderate magical acts. Two of Wands: If the caster is lost, the Two of Wands creates a tongue of flame that sparks in the direction of where the caster wants to go. After offering the direction, the flame disappears. Three of Wands: Safety in travel. Blessing of ships and temporary protection when traveling. Four of Wands: Blessing unions between people—the card that is used for engagements and marriages. Five of Wands: Sparks anger/agitation/confusion/mental discord in another person. Seven of Wands: A “shield” of wands—summons seven spectral flames that surround the individual and guard them from seven attacks/blows that would otherwise hit them. Eight of Wands: Enhanced movement and speed for eight minutes.

Nine of Wands: For nine minutes, the individual does not feel pain or fatigue. However, they are still exerting energy and are still capable of being harmed. Ten of Wands: Creates a weight that crashes down upon an individual.