“Excuse me,” a guard called gruffly. “You cannot proceed any further on this…creature.”
Ana frowned. She turned to see what Madame Bali thought but found she was alone. Her team must have been held up at the gate. Perhaps it wasn’t that she had been allowed, so much as that no one had been willing to step in front of such a large animal.
“Where do you want me to go?”
“Back out the gate.”
“I can’t go back out the gate. I’m a student. Let my team through, and my adviser will explain everything.”
“Get down,” he barked. “Now.”
Ana didn’t like bullies, and this man was beginning to look like one. She decided to simply walk past him. She tried to lead the graybeast forward, but the man stepped in front. He was blocking their path. The graybeast, a peaceful creature, stopped and waited.
“I said get down,” the man repeated, reaching for her arm.
What was he going to do? Pull her down? She jerked her arm out of his grasp and scowled. “I’m not going anywhere until my adviser gets here.”
The man reached up once more and grasped her forearm. Before Ana could react, a boy intercepted. He couldn’t have been much older than she was—maybe seventeen or eighteen. He was dressed in the green uniform of the Bellaton military. In a rapid movement, he grasped the man’s hand and twisted it backward until he winced. “Let go,” he demanded.
The man did.
The boy dropped his wrist. “Dismissed,” he said, casting a venomous gaze on the man.
The man turned red in the face but didn’t argue. He left, only glancing back once.
The boy’s expression softened as he turned his attention to Ana. “Sorry about that. Not exactly the warmest welcome. Can I help you down?”
He offered his hand, but she declined.
“No, thanks. I can get down on my own.”
He raised an eyebrow and waited with interest. The graybeast was taller than a lamppost. Jumping down was not an option. She swung her feet forward and gently tapped her heels between the graybeast’s shoulder blades, right behind his big floppy ears, just like Zora had told her to do.
The graybeast knelt, and the ground around them shook. He bowed his head, and Ana began to slide right down his strong trunk. She squealed in surprise as she rushed toward the ground. She stumbled forward on the thick grass and would have fallen if not for the boy. He caught her in enveloping arms.
“You okay?” he asked, his face just inches from hers.
He was handsome, incredibly so, with a chiseled jaw and thick chestnut-colored hair that swooped back. His eyes reminded her of old-fashioned green Coca-Cola bottles. Filled with tradition, brightness, and intelligence.
She got ahold of herself and nodded. “Wow! What a rush! Thanks for your help with that creep. I’m Ana.”
He let his arms drop away from her body. “Adam Rockwell,” he said, offering his hand.
She shook it.
“Anabella Halt?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “How did you know?”
“Everyone in the province will know by tomorrow morning. I wasn’t in the gate for five minutes before someone told me you were in the parade.”
Samuel’s plan was working. Everyone at the school already knew her name. No doubt it was spreading through the town now.
“Are you a soldier?” she asked, eyeing his uniform.
“I’m a Rockwell, which is sort of the same thing.”
“But you’re also a student?”
“Of course.”
A girl with a pixie cut and upturned nose sidled up to Adam and slipped an arm around his waist. He grimaced and took a small, polite step forward in an attempt to escape her embrace.
She looked at Ana and scrunched up her nose. “Ugh, you. Don’t think your little act fooled us. The Seven are not as dumb as the people in the street.”
Ana was taken aback. “Act?” she asked.
“With the graybeast. It’s obvious you staged the whole thing to try to prove you are who you say you are. So pathetic. Any animal handler could have done it.”
“I’m not an animal handler. And, more importantly, I have nothing to prove to you.”
The girl opened her mouth, probably to say something rude.
Adam interrupted, “She just got here, Lydia. Can’t you lay off for one night?”
Lydia looked livid. Without another word, she turned away and stalked off. Ana guessed she was hoping Adam would follow. He didn’t.
“What’s her problem?” she asked.
“Don’t take it too personally. Lydia DuBois has never met another girl she liked. Besides”—he winced—“she sort of has it in her head that we’re an item. We’re not,” he added quickly. “Want to get some food?”
Ana nodded. “Yeah. I’m just not sure what to do with my friend here.” She patted the graybeast on the trunk, and he leaned in like a faithful golden retriever, rather than a one-ton animal who had nearly destroyed a town.
“Man, you really are good with him. I’ve only seen a few in my life. They’re really rare on the mainland.”
“This is the first one I’ve ever seen,” Ana said.
At that moment, Zora approached. She inclined her head at Ana and Adam. Adam’s eyes widened at the sight of the electric yellow eyeshadow. Zora was alone.
“Where is everyone? Are they okay?” Ana asked.
“Yes, yes. Just a discrepancy about documentation at the gate. Madame Bali will sort it all out,” she said in her low, soothing tone.
“How did you get through?”
“A friend,” she said with a smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, Ana, I must return this graybeast to his home.”
Ana hesitated. She was reluctant to leave her first friend in this world behind.
“Before we have more trouble,” she added.
Ana released his reins, and Zora walked the graybeast to the gate. “Goodbye,” she called sadly after their retreating figures.
“He wouldn’t do well here,” a familiar voice said. “The climate is too cold. Graybeasts prefer the isle.”
She turned to see the teenage pilot, Holden, in his military green.
Adam, mocking the austere style of the parade leader, puffed up his chest and stood at attention. “Cousin.”
“Cousin,” said the other, mimicking the formal pose.
They each dropped a salute. Then, they broke into laughter and embraced.
“How was flying a C-Class ship?” Adam asked.
“Steady once we broke the atmosphere. A bit slow. Handling was decent.”
“Probably the cargo weight slowing her down,” Adam pointed out.
“True.”
They talked for a few minutes about engines, velocity, and technology Ana had never heard of before.
Finally, Adam remembered Ana was standing there. “Oh. Sorry.”
“Don’t mind me,” she said with a small smile tugging at her lips. They reminded her of her brothers. They were always getting into long conversations about cars and sports. What were they doing back on Earth? Were they looking for her? She hoped Ms. K would keep them safe and stop them from worrying.
“Heard you both caught some bullets on the ground?” Adam said.
Holden glanced around and lowered his voice. “Officially no.”
“Unofficially, I thought I was going to die,” Ana muttered.
Adam laughed. “No bullet could pierce that hull.”
“They were already shooting when we pulled her in.”
Adam’s expression changed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize. Glad you are both okay.”
Their friendly conversation was interrupted by a clearing throat and the lanky shadow of Samuel. “I hate to break up this love encounter,” he said with a false smile, “but Ana and I have important matters to discuss.”
Love encounter? Could he be any more embarrassing?
He pulled her away gently by the arm, and she waved goodbye. Samuel led them away from Ana’s
companions, weaving through the mingling crowds of aristocrats, dignitaries, and students. Finally, he came to a stop near the academy gates.
“Well,” she said, hands on her hips. “What’s so important?”
“Ana, Ana, Ana,” he said in a singsong voice. “Do not play with the baby monsters.”
“The what?”
“Think about it. Both of those boys are barely eighteen, and they’re wearing full military dress.”
“So?”
“Rank far beyond their age,” he added, waiting for her to put the pieces together. He sighed. “They are Rockwells.”
“And?”
“And they are ruthless and smart. And they are being raised to ruin entire worlds. Do yourself a favor and make some other friends.”
“And which family do you come from, Samuel? Which one is it that you are too ashamed to name?”
Angry silence cut between them.
Ana broke it. “Sorry,” she said, trying to meet his eyes. “Is that really all you wanted? To give me tips on who to hang out with? Before you interrupted, we were about to get some food.”
He looked back up. “The food here really is amazing,” he replied dreamily.
She let out a grunt of frustration.
“Well, I can see my company is no longer desired…” he said faux sadly. “Just a few tips then?”
“Fine.”
“Lights out is at 11:00 p.m. All students are required to be in their rooms at 10:00 p.m. You, however, should return now. I have no idea what will be waiting for you, and it would be best to find out without an audience.” He paused and smirked. “Unlike earlier today… Good show, by the way. Bali couldn’t be prouder.”
Ana was still processing. “You mean you aren’t coming with me?”
He snorted. “A twenty-year-old man in a sixteen-year-old girl’s bedroom? The rules aren’t that different here.”
She blushed.
“I am staying in the flat above the bakery on La Rue. Worked out a good deal with the owner during the parade.”
“You weren’t even watching?!”
His face was still for a moment. “I didn’t have to. I knew you would make your family proud.”
The silence hung in the air.
“Ah, sentiment!” he proclaimed, shaking off the unfamiliar sensation. He passed her duffel and turned to walk away.
She watched him retreat through the gates and into the crowded street. She felt more alone than ever.
As she made her way toward the academy doors, Ana realized how much she wanted to be alone. The golden girl dressed like the sun, who fearlessly rode beasts and stood up to military men and made witty conversation with cute boys and smiled even when she didn’t want to—it was exhausting to be her. Right now, she wanted to be nothing more than just Ana.
So, naturally, Madame Bali arrived at that exact moment.
“Anabella, my deepest apologies for leaving you unattended,” she said, palming imaginary wrinkles on her dress. “Security required a…briefing…on our situation.”
Ana could read between the lines. Madame Bali and the rest of Ana’s party did not receive a warm welcome. “Is everyone okay?” she asked.
“Oh yes, quite well. They’ve all returned to the village for the evening. And I think it is time that we turn in as well,” she said, leading Ana gently forward.
The closer they got to the school, the larger the building loomed. Its two enormous wings cradled a marbled courtyard. Ana followed Madame Bali across what looked like the alternating black and white squares of a chessboard. How fitting, she thought. But am I the queen or the pawn?
At the other end of the courtyard, they approached the warm glow of an arched doorway. Waiting just inside was another set of security guards. One held out a hand to stop them. “Students only past this point,” she said.
“It’s okay,” Madame Bali assured the guard. “I’m her adviser, Madame Serena Bali.”
The guard rifled through some papers. “You’re not on our list.”
Madame Bali explained that they might not be on the list due to some “unforeseeable circumstances” and that this was “the sole heir to the Halt family line.”
The guard listened and, upon hearing Ana’s name, stepped away to confer with someone at the gate. She motioned for them to wait with the other guard.
The original guard returned. “Very well. She’s cleared,” she said, inclining her head toward Ana. “But you’re not.” She smiled as though Christmas had come early.
“But I’m her adviser,” Bali protested.
“Not according to our records. You’ll have to go to the capital and do it the right way.”
Madame Bali lost her composure. “And how exactly was I supposed to have registered when my charge was presumed dead, by the entire planet might I add, up until a mere twenty-four hours ago?”
The guard shrugged.
Madame Bali closed her eyes for a brief moment before saying, “I don’t have time to go to the capital. It’s out of the question. Who may I speak to regarding this decision?”
“The chief of security…at the capital.”
Ana thought the guard was enjoying this brief moment of power. She assumed it must be very boring to be a security guard. She thought about trying to make a case for Bali to stay but decided against it. It probably wouldn’t work anyway, and a small part of her was glad Madame Bali wouldn’t be coming with her. This was her mother’s world, and she kind of wanted to see it alone for the first time. Plus, Ana had a distinct feeling that Madame Bali would have a lot of rules.
“Very well,” Bali said through clenched teeth. She pulled Ana aside so that they were no longer within earshot of the two guards. “I’m terribly sorry, Ana. I can’t apologize enough. To leave you alone on your first night at the academy. It’s unacceptable.”
Ana waved away her concerns. “I’ll be fine. Just tell me where to go.”
“You have my word that I will return as soon as possible. I have no intention of going to the capital. Absolutely ridiculous. No other adviser need do more than present identification,” she huffed.
Ana fought the urge to roll her eyes. This woman did realize she had lived on her own for months, didn’t she? What was going to happen in one night?
“It’s okay,” Ana assured her. “Really.”
“Alright,” she said with a resigned sigh. “Straight in the door. Up the staircase. Go left until you reach the bend. You want the left wing. It houses the Rockwells, Fleurs, and Halts. Each family has its own dormitory. You want the Halt dormitory, obviously. You will pass the Rockwells first. You’ll see military insignia and weapons on the walls.” She held up a warning finger. “Touch nothing. Next, you will pass the Fleurs. You will see plant life. Once you have passed the plants, then and only then will you have reached your family’s dormitory—the last door on the wing. Seashells adorn the walls. The door will open to your touch.”
Ana nodded.
Madame Bali looked at her for a few beats. “I’ll return first thing in the morning.”
Ana walked past the guards and up the marble staircase. The ceiling felt miles away, even as she ascended the stairs. On Earth, this wouldn’t have been called an academy. It would have been called a castle or a palace or maybe even parliament.
At the top of the stairs, a long hallway stretched in both directions. Remembering Bali’s instructions, Ana turned left. The walls were neutral, adorned with the occasional elegant tapestry and sconce.
When she turned, things got interesting. The walls changed to gray block, and against them was a succession of battle armor. The first pieces were familiar to Ana. They were ancient, even by Earth standards. The sort of things knights and kings would wear to battle. At first, the armor grew heavier, sturdier, more impenetrable. Then it grew slimmer, lighter, more flexible. Some of them looked like spacesuits. On the walls were weapons: battle axes, swords, guns, and other less familiar weaponry. It was as if she were walking through a military history m
useum.
Flags of green, ivory, and gold draped from the ceiling. The walls returned to ivory marble. One side was punctuated with floral art. The other was covered by a vine with small purple flowers. Ana was at a loss as to how it could be growing indoors. In the center of the floor, every five feet or so, there was a tile mosaic of a bloom.
As she traveled farther down the hall, the vines and blooms grew more obtrusive, dripping from the ceiling. Curiosity overcoming her, she reached out to touch one of the purple blossoms. Vines began to rapidly ensnare her hand, curling up her arm. The perfect purple bloom opened, displaying sharp teeth.
“Whoa!” she cried, jerking her wrist back. Madame Bali hadn’t been kidding when she had said not to touch other families’ things. From then on, Ana touched nothing.
The Fleur family space seemed to stretch on for much longer than the Rockwells’. A few more minutes, and she realized that the blossom inlays were gone from the floor. And if she looked very carefully between the vines, which now wrapped both sides of the wall, she could just barely make out a protruding object. A shell?
Hmm. Ana had a sinking suspicion that she was no longer in the Fleur family space but how to be sure? In one rapid motion, she pulled a strip of vine down from the wall. The vine reacted immediately, retracting like a magnet. But in the brief moment the vine was pulled back from the wall, Ana saw sandstone and an exposed shell.
It looked like the Fleurs had gotten pretty comfortable over the last twenty years and had begun “stretching out.” There was nothing to do but continue walking and hope that her door would still be visible. The farther she walked, the more jungle-like the corridor became. No one was carefully manicuring this growth. It had been allowed to grow wild.
Ana reached the end of the corridor and found light filtering through the vine cover on a large window. A dead-end, she thought. No door. She would need a machete to get through all this overgrowth. Or a sword…
She bit her lip. It went against all of Madame Bali’s rules, but what choice did she have? She couldn’t very well sleep in the hallway, and she had a feeling that if she tried, she might wake up covered in vines. Didn’t some plants eat flesh? The thought gave her the heebie-jeebies. She was definitely going back for that sword.
Seven Crowns (Bellaton Book 1) Page 8
