My mother was burned at the stake.

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Of course, this is not uncommon, now that the Republic controls everything. From what we watch. To what we learn. To who we are, even what we become. They are always on the hunt for witches.

I have lived in terror of developing my magic, of becoming my mother's daughter, my entire life.

Now, on the cusp of my eighteenth birthday, my greatest fear is coming to pass. My only chance at survival is to flee to the wilds of East Texas and join a place called the Academy — a place where witches like me are trained to not only control, but use our powers to fight back against our tyrannical government.

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I have always feared the fire. The only question is: can I outrun it?