Jar of Bones

"Now, please open your textbooks to page seven-hundred-and-twentytwo," Merlin instructed.

As I opened the book, I briefly wondered why we never began on the first page, but then I realized it was probably because everyone knew the history and introduction to these classes. There was no point in wasting time going over material everyone else knew when these classes were already so damn short.

It was hard being the only one in here with no idea what to expect, but I knew that would all change once I did the reading. I was already halfway done with the Book of Beasts, and I retained all the information because deep down, I was determined to succeed. Even if it meant reading this heavy book from start to finish, I'd study until my eyes bled, so long as it meant I succeeded in this class and the exam.

"Now, everyone take a moment to read the first passage," Merlin said.

I glanced down and read the first paragraph. The illustrations within this book were particularly beautiful but terrifying at the same time. There was a sketch of the human skeleton, with the skin melting off. Its bulging and melting eyes were filled with alarm, and I couldn't help but admire the picture.

But then I realized I had to study the labels, so I stopped marveling at the illustration, and I started to look at the markings. Instead of just labeling the actual bones in the human body, the labels indicated which bone symbolized what. For example, the mandible symbolized wealth and prosperity, but bones like the femur and radius represented ominous and foreboding readings. Cracked and discolored bones implied a significant number of things, and it was necessary to remember the differences.

"Now, Blair," Merlin called out, "can you explain to everyone the importance of this class? Why do we study premonition in the first place?"

I knew she was only asking this question for my benefit. The rest of the witches probably had extensive knowledge regarding the history of premonition, and this question was most likely grating on Blair and everyone else's nerves.

But I didn't give a shit. As long as I was here, they would have to tolerate it.

"Premonition has been a necessary skill since the dawn of time, and it helped witches predict future attacks from elder gods and mortal villages," Blair recited in a stoic voice. "Bone readings, tarot cards, dream interpretation, visions, and foresight are all major components of the class … but not everyone can gain access to all components of premonition."

"Very good," Merlin remarked. "Now, premonition requires patience, observation, and insight. It is not for the faint of heart, and I hope you all realize this."

Everyone nodded in response, and I raised my hand.

"Yes, Neon?" she asked.

"How will premonition come into use during the final exam?" I questioned.

The witches snickered, but I didn't give a fuck. If my life was going to be on the line, then I had every right to ask it.

"That's a fair question," Merlin replied with her voice slightly elevated, "so there really is no need for childish giggling."

The women immediately stopped their laughter, and when I glanced at Morgana, she was slightly flushed from embarrassment.

"Apologies, Headmistress," Blair said in a small voice.

"Yes, we meant no disrespect," Faye added.

Sweeny scoffed, and Merlin's blue eyes flashed with fury.

"Do you have something to say, Sweeny?" the professor demanded.

"No, Headmistress," the scarred witch muttered.

"That's what I thought," Merlin replied.

The headmistress' eyes then softened, and she turned her attention back to me.

"To answer your question, Neon, premonition will be used to test your ability to sense danger before it approaches, but that's all I can give you for now," she answered.

While her response might have been vague, it was still better than nothing.

"Thank you, Headmistress," I intoned.

"Now, we will first start off with a little bone throwing," she said as she turned back to the lesson at hand.

Merlin twirled her skirts behind her and marched over to the armoire. She unlocked it with a key that hung around her neck, retrieved a jar, and then locked it back up with a swift turn of the key.

I observed her as she carried the massive, translucent jar back to her desk. It wasn't only filled with bones, but from what I could see, there were also shells, wood, and charms inside.

I glanced back to my book, and when I flipped the page, I saw an entire section regarding plants, wood, and other objects that could be included in a reading.

Damn … I had a lot of studying to do.

I snapped my head back up and watched as the headmistress gently dumped a handful of the contents onto her empty desk. She closed her eyes for a long moment and then, when she finally opened them, she smiled at each and every one of us.

"Would anyone like to take a shot at it?" she asked in a playful tone.

Morgana leaned forward out of her seat and squinted her blue eyes, and her skirt lifted high enough for me to see how her sexy, crimson laced panties hugged her perfect ass.

I heard Blair and Rin giggling softly behind us, but if Morgana heard them laughing, she clearly didn't care that her ass was on full display right now.

"I see a … broken shell on the right corner and a couple pieces of skull," the brunette said slowly. "It seems like they are greenish in color, though."

"Excellent observation," the headmistress replied. "Can you tell us what a greenish tint indicates?"

"It can mean progress or challenges?" Morgana responded quietly, as if she wasn't entirely sure of her answer.

I glanced down at my book, and luckily, my eyes landed on the bone color indication. I scanned the paragraph quickly and raised my hand.

"Yes, Neon?" Merlin nodded in my direction.

"Doesn't it mean growth?" I asked.

"Excellent, Neon," Merlin said with a grin. "Sorry, Morgana, you were very close."

Morgana forced herself to smile in response, but I could feel her fuming as she lowered herself into the chair beside me.

"Fucking fuck," the brunette whispered under her breath as she gave me a sideways glance.

If she could strangle me here, she probably would have.

"Now, bone reading can mean something different to everyone," Merlin explained in a clear and loud voice. "Sometimes, the pieces will say nothing at all, and that's okay. What I want everyone to do now is study a small reading. I will come to you all, one by one."

She dumped the contents back into the jar and then approached me first.

"Neon, I want you to rattle the jar to wake up the pieces," she instructed, "then gently take a handful out of the jar and toss them on the desk, just as I did."

I nodded and took the jar from her, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I shook the jar. I had no idea what I was doing, I was just winging it.

But then something strange happened.

As I lifted the lid of the jar, a strange tingle went straight up my arm. I grabbed a fistful of the jar's contents and tossed the bones, shells, and wood onto my desk. Then I stared at them for a good minute. I could feel each piece radiating energy, and I tried to focus on what exactly they were saying to me.

I focused as hard as I could, but it just wasn't clear.

"You can't sense exactly what they're saying, can you?" Merlin asked, but not in a patronizing way. "It's alright, that was the point."

"But I can feel … something," I replied.

"Good, that's a start." She nodded. "The point I'm trying to make to each and every one of you is that bone reading requires great mental strength. So, Neon, what I want you to do is close your eyes, clear your mind, and enter an alternate state. Feel the evil spirits descending upon you before you open your eyes again."

I had no choice but to do as she asked. It was strange closing my eyes and just meditating in front of everyone like she instructed, but there was no other choice.

So, I took in slow, deep breaths as I cleared my mind and just focused on the air around me. I could feel something running from the tips of my fingers, up my hands, through my arms, and coursing through my entire body. The energy entering me felt electric and powerful, and I simmered and drowned myself in the dark forces that had surrounded me.

Then I slowly opened my eyes and stared back at the bones, shells, and wood on the desk before me.

"What do the bones say now?" Merlin murmured.

"Progress is near, but it will take time and energy," I replied without thinking.

"Good." She smiled in a satisfied way. "Now, you will all get a chance to read bones, but as I said, you must first practice clearing your mind and--"

I didn't catch what she said next, because suddenly, everything faded into black.

The next thing I knew, I could feel myself falling.

I was falling down something, and I couldn't understand or make sense of what the hell was going on. My stomach dropped as I continued to descend into darkness, and I reached my hands outward, trying and failing to grab on to anything, but it was useless because everything around me was pitch black.

It felt as if the drop was endless. I squeezed my eyes shut and prepared to hit the ground with a hard, bone-crushing thud, but instead of landing on the ground, my body started to slow down. I was still descending into nothingness, but instead of falling down, I was now floating.

"What the actual hell?" I whispered to myself.

I flinched as my voice echoed loudly around me. My words vibrated through the darkness, and finally, my feet slowly came into contact with something sturdy.

Even though I was relieved I'd made it safely to the ground, I was still surrounded by pitch-black darkness.

Great!

Now what?