Chapter 1 I stared at the scroll of antique parchment in my hand and felt my eyes widen with wonder. If a bearded giant on a flying motorcycle had just dropped from the skies and personally delivered this letter, I couldn't have been more surprised. "What is it, Justin?" Elyssa asked, leaning her head against my shoulder. I continued to stare at the paper. Words failed to break the jumble of emotions blocking my throat. All I could do was glare at the intricate script. Dear Justin Slade, Congratulations. You have hereby been accepted as a novice at Arcane University. Please see the attached schedule of required classes. Unfortunately, due to the late nature of your application, we were unable to procure living quarters for you at the school. Your name has been added to the wait list, and you will be notified should the situation change. Elyssa gasped. Took the acceptance letter from my limp fingers. "You're in!" She squeezed the breath out of me with a fierce hug then added a lip-smushing kiss. "I'm in?" I said, stunned. It was like a dream come true for me. Months ago, I would have jumped at the chance. But now—now I couldn't, and the reason was very simple. Within a month or two, I'd probably be dead. Elyssa seemed