Of Water and Moonlight (Thunderbird Academy Book 1)

by Valia Lind

  Because of this one event in history, people outside these walls have an idea of witchcraft that is warped. With the rising of the Ancients, we're on the brink of another historical event. Some major events have already happened." Mr. Olsen looks straight at me as he says it, and I want to crawl under the desk. "Some are still in front of us. It is important that we don't allow outsiders to write our narrative. This is why I want you to do this paper. I want to hear your history and your family's history relating to one of the most well-known historical events. I think we can all learn something from it."

  He dismisses the class then, and instead of jumping up and rushing out of the room, I take my time. Jade doesn't even question it, but matches my pace, as the rest of the class files out in front of us. I feel Aiden move past me, but I don't raise my eyes, and I don't react. After the room is clear, I finally glance up at Jade.

  "We really need to talk about this, girl," she says, and I nod. I'm not getting out of this one.

  We grab a couple of apples and cookies before we leave the dining hall behind. Neither one of us feels like being inside at the moment, and the weather is just cool enough that we don't need to go back to grab our jackets.

  Heading east away from the school, we enter lime avenue. It's a literal road lined with lime trees. Once spring hits, it's one of my favorite places because it smells amazing. However, we don't linger here now, but move past the trees and toward the pond. Dropping our bags on the ground, we take a seat right next to the bank. Being this close to a large body of water makes me feel elated.

  "Maddie, spill," Jade says, as she breaks off a piece of her chocolate chip cookie. I chuckle at her words.

  "Wow, let's just dive right in then."

  "There's no other way." Jade shrugs in response. "You've been avoiding me all week. And don't think I didn't notice you sneaking out last night."

  "Well, that's definitely not true. The avoiding you part." I bite into my apple, chewing slowly to prolong the not talking, but Jade is smart. She continues to wait me out until I have no choice but to give in.

  "Oh, fine," I mumble, turning to face her as I criss-cross my legs in front of me. "Here's the short version."

  I give her a quick recap of my week of training, including the magic lesson and the run-in last night. When I'm done, Jade is wearing the biggest grin on her face.

  "Please don't do that," I say, turning to stare out at the water. I didn't quite mention how he's been making me feel, but I think she knows.

  "I can see why you've been so cagey lately," she says. "Doing magic with a boy, tsk tsk."

  "That's dramatic," I roll my eyes, but I realize she's right. Aiden watched me perform something that is sacred to me. He saw my powers as a display in front of him. Usually, that's only done between two people who trust each other immensely. I don't think I've ever showed off like that with anyone outside my family.

  "You know, he has to shift in front of you now. That's the only way you'll balance the scales." I glance at her sharply. I didn't even think of that. I'm way out of sorts when it comes to him. Apparently even more so than I thought.

  "I don't even know why he hates me, Jade," I find myself saying, my eyes back on the water.

  "Maybe he doesn't."

  "He does. I can almost feel it coming off him like steam. Ever since I met him."

  "Now who's being dramatic?" she replies, shaking her head. "You don't know if he does. You only think he does."

  "Well, he hasn't exactly put out the welcome mat."

  "Neither have you," she points out.

  "Okay, whose side are you on?"

  "I'm on the side of the truth!" Jade puffs out her chest, saying the words as if she's proclaiming them to the world. Very dramatic and very Jade. "But also, I'm always on your side," she continues, lowering her voice.

  I believe her. I've only known her for a few weeks, but I already can't imagine the academy without her. I miss Kate terribly, but with her in hiding, there is a piece of my heart that yearns for a friend. And I have found one in Jade.

  "Have you heard from your parents?" I ask, turning the conversation back to her. I know she's been worried since we've been on a pretty tight communication lockdown. I haven't spoken to my family once since I've been here. Headmaster has been relying messages.

  "I got a 'we're okay and proud of you' two days ago but nothing else."

  I reach over, squeezing her upper arm in comfort as the sadness coats her voice.

  "They're safe. That's what's important."

  If anyone can understand being close to their family, it's me. Truth be told, I think that's what bonded me to this girl right away. There's something special in a person who loves and appreciates their loved ones. It's the kind of bond that speaks to me on a very personal level.

  "Thanks, Maddie," she says, taking a deep breath. "It's just hard not being there. What if something happens? What if I can help somehow, and I'm so far away?"

  "Trust me, that's something I understand all too well," I reply, closing my eyes momentarily. The feeling of helplessness isn't so forgotten that it doesn't bother me. I was here while my family was fighting the Ancients. I nearly lost my sisters and mom in the process. And my dad is still missing. "But," I say, opening my eyes and looking over at her, "All you can do is trust that your family knows what they're doing and that they won't hesitate to ask for help if they need it. It's the hardest thing, trusting that they'll be okay. But it's what we have to do."

  "You're right. I know you're right."

  "But it's not easy. I get it."

  We fall silent then, each of us lost in our own thoughts. That desire to do something, anything, is almost overwhelming. I've been back to school for about three weeks, and I'm still nowhere near figuring out what happened to my dad. Not that I expected answers right away, but I can't even get down to the library to research. My sisters have given me no updates besides the very generic check in. All I wanted from this year was a chance to prove myself, to find something to help my dad. But so far, I've become angsty about a boy, who may or may not hate me, while I'm falling behind in classes. I'm really winning over here.

  "Do you think...," I begin, but my voice is drowned out by the sudden sirens. Jade and I exchange a quick look before we grab our stuff and run.

  10

  We race past the trees, the siren sounding as if it's in our heads instead of all around us. I stumble twice, scratching up my palm before I right myself. Jade glances over her shoulder to make sure I'm following, as I try to catch up.

  "Head for the training building!" I shout, because the castle is too far. I can't believe this is the second time we're nowhere near our rooms when the alarm sounds. This one seems to be even louder and longer than before.

  Jade hears me and turns toward the building that's much closer. The feeling of danger intensifies with each moment, and then she's inside. But just as I reach the doors, they slam, shutting her inside with me on the outside.

  "No!" I hear her scream and bang on the door. "Maddie!"

  I hear a few more voices inside and someone shouting something.

  "Jade, I'll be fine!" I yell, even as panic fills my chest. "Stay away from the windows and doors."

  There's no time to hesitate. I push away from the doors, trying to orient myself. It makes no sense to head toward the castle. Everything is sealed with magic. But the school has to have a way to protect those who didn't make it inside on time. There has to be a work around for this. Except, I can't think of any. I will definitely have a few words with the headmaster after this is over. They should have instructions for these types of situations. Okay, I'm hyperventilating a little bit, I need to keep my head on straight.

  I need to hide.

  If this is an actual attack, standing in the middle of the meadow, completely in the open, is the dumbest thing I could do. Quickly, I weigh my options. My eyes zero in on the forest that surrounds the school's grounds, and I don't hesitate. I run toward the trees, pumping my legs as fast a
s possible.

  A noise comes from somewhere behind me, as if a plane descending from the sky. I don't slow down, and I don't turn. If there is something there, it'll be easier to lose it in the thick of the foliage.

  When I break through the trees in the next moment, I still don't let up. The need to hide drives me forward as the trees and the bushes get denser. With my momentum, I grab for the branch of the tree in front of me, catching myself as I swing onto it. It doesn't work the first time, and my hand stings from where I scratched it earlier. Instead of crying out, I take a deep breath and try again. This time, I'm able to hook my legs around it. Pulling myself up, I continue climbing until I'm far enough that I can barely see the ground.

  My heart rate slows downs just a tad, but my senses stay heightened. I can still hear the noise, but it's centered more over the school than the rest of the grounds. I lean my head back, breathing in fully for the first time since the alarm sounded. I wish there was some way for me to know if the danger is real or if they managed to keep the school on lockdown. I look toward the direction I came from, but I'm much farther than I thought because I can't even glimpse the school through the greenery.

  With the exhaustion overwhelming my body, I get a bit more comfortable on the branch before I hook my arms and legs into adjacent branches for safety. I have no idea how far I am, or even what is in these woods. We are not permitted to venture out this far, which puts me at a disadvantage. The only thing I can do is wait it out. Even though I have no way to figure out if the danger has passed and if it's safe to return.

  Time goes by slowly. But even so, I can't tell much because the trees are tall and thick enough to block most of the light anyway. My watch is in my bag, which I dropped somewhere on the way to the eastern structure. I have no way of knowing what's going on.

  After a few more long moments, I decide I need to get back to the main campus. Being all the way out here may be safe, but it won't be once the sun goes down. The noise from the alarm has long since faded, and my limbs have become numb from holding onto the tree so tightly.

  Taking my time, I half slide, half scoot down the tree, staying as quiet as possible. I'm sure there are predators in this area as well. At least that's what I've read. We're safe if we stay in the designated areas, but the woods have always been a place for special assignments. I've heard the fae come through the forest sometimes, and while I know Liam, most fae kind of terrify me. I don't need to attract any more attention to myself than I already have.

  When I'm back on solid ground, I do a quick study of my surroundings. I'm completely turned around, but thankfully, my dad has made sure I will never be lost. Moss doesn't only grow on the north side of a tree, but it mostly does because of the lack of the sun. It likes shady spots, so as not to dry out. I run a hand over the tree trunk, finding the prickly green. The majority of it is on the opposite side which means north is that way.

  I head in that direction, keeping my steps as light as possible. To be honest, I have no idea what I'm walking into when I get back to campus, and I won't lie to myself and pretend I'm not scared.

  It's not even five minutes later that I realize two things. I am much farther than I thought I was. And I am not alone.

  Slowly, I do a three-sixty, scanning my surroundings for any type of danger, but I can't see anything through the trees. It's so dark in this part of the forest, it's as if the sun never shines, even though I know it's not late enough for it to set already. I'm being very dramatic, but I'm sure my nerves are making everything that much more intense. A part of me thinks I stepped right into the realm of the Ancients.

  The heaviness hangs in the air, and every shift of the leaves and flutter of wings from a bird taking off, makes my skin crawl. Even back home, we don't venture into the woods. The Ancients are the original elementals, and their connection to the earth is much stronger than ours. A part of me wonders if they can connect to every aspect of it, like insects and animals, and will them to do their bidding. Now, I'm just freaking myself out. Pushing the thoughts to the back of my mind, I take another few steps forward.

  That feeling of being watched doesn't go away, and the battle magic at my fingertips crackles a little as my heartbeat speeds up. I feel a presence and hear a ruffle of leaves as my body tenses, ready for action. All that time training is about to be put to the test. Even my magic is itching to be set free. But at the last moment, something stops me. It's as if a force reaches out to me, soothing my nerves and calming my spirit. I watch as the brush opens up and a gorgeous dark-haired wolf steps through the branches. My heart thuds in awareness, goosebumps traveling up my arms and over my whole body.

  The animal is more beautiful than any I have seen before. His dark brown fur shines in the darkness, as if it carries its own glow. He's large, probably tall enough to come above my waist. He looks like he can rip me apart with just one leap. His eyes are trained directly on me, and that's when it hits me all at once.

  "Aiden?" I breathe his name, half question, half awe, and it's like his body relaxes just a tad at hearing my voice. He steps toward me and then we're only a few feet apart. We stare at each other, and I'm as mesmerized by his wolf as he was by my magic display.

  Something changes in the atmosphere around us, an electric charge that races over my skin. It takes a fair amount of self-control not to reach out and run my fingers over his fur. I want to know if it feels as silky as it looks. Touching a shifter in his or her magical form is ridiculously frowned upon. There have been times where those who risked it were hurt in the process. But for some reason, I'm not afraid. A part of me knows that if I reach out, he would let me. It's like he wants to know what my hands feel like against his fur.

  But I don't move, and he doesn't either. Because we both understand that's a line we cannot cross. Who knows how long we would've stood there if a howl somewhere deeper in the forest didn't break our concentration.

  "I was heading back." I feel inclined to speak, thankful my voice comes out normal. He watches me for a moment longer before he turns and leads the way. I follow carefully, still keeping alert even though I sort of have a bodyguard now. Okay, not sort of. I am made in the shade with him by my side.

  Another ten or fifteen minutes of walking, and the trees begin to thin out. I can almost make out the outline of the castle from here. When we reach the edge of the woods, Aiden stops.

  "Aren't you coming?" I ask, looking over at where he positions himself. He shakes his head briefly, and a million questions rush into my mind. Something is going on.

  But it's not like I can ask him anything, so I give him another searching look.

  "Thank you," I manage, and once again, there's nothing but his intense stare. As I walk away, I feel his eyes tracking my every move. And when I finally do look back, he's still at the edge of the woods, watching me.

  "Maddie!" Jade exclaims, rushing out of the eastern building and throwing her arms around me. My eyes are still on Aiden and when he sees Jade, he turns and heads back into the woods. "I was so worried. What happened to you? Once the lockdown was over you were nowhere to be found," Jade continues, pulling back and giving me a quick once over. "When the doors shut, I was so scared. I didn't know where you went. I started banging on the walls, hoping something would give. I even tried my magic."

  "It's okay, Jade," I say, soothing her with my tone. "I know you did all you could." I definitely don't blame my friend for being left out of the building. That's on the headmaster and his lack of instructions for this exact scenario. My eyes roam over the people coming out of the structure while they head toward the main castle.

  "Aiden didn't even hesitate to race out of there the moment the lockdown was lifted."

  "What?" Her words stop me in my tracks, focusing my attention back on her.

  "Aiden. He was in the building with me and he raced down and out of the building as soon as he could. Did he find you?"

  "He did." I glance back over to the wood, but he's already gone. "I was already on my way b
ack."

  "Of course you were." Jade grins because I've told her about my father/daughter escapades. "But he still found you."

  "I guess we're even now," I say, my eyes still on the trees.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I saw his wolf."

  11

  The school is in uproar when we finally make it inside the building. Two lockdowns in three weeks is a lot to take in. This is supposed to be the safest place for us, yet here we are.

  "They haven't made any announcements yet," Jade says, as we push our way in the direction of our room. I can understand the panic these students are experiencing, even as I remain surprisingly calm. Being in those woods, all alone, was terrifying. But it was also a reminder that I am resourceful. I have to step up my game. No matter what, I am determined to make it to the underground library tonight. That place has helped me once, I truly believe it can help me again.

  "Come on, let's wait in here." I pull Jade into our History classroom and out of the mob of students in the hall. By the time we make it all the way back to our room, we might have to come back anyway. She seems just as tired as I feel as she plops down into a chair.

  "Education is exhausting," she comments, and I can't help but grin. It's such a random comment, and she delivers it so dramatically she should be in theater. We look at each other and then burst out in laughter, doubling over with amusement. Our emotions are so high, we can't seem to get control of them as tension seeps out with every giggle.

  "The school is in danger, and you're laughing," The voice comes from the doorway and at this point, I'm not even surprised. I turn slowly, my eyes flashing.

  "Three hundred and sixty-five rooms in this place and you end up in the same one as me. You know, stalking is illegal in all fifty states. And then some," I say, reaching for the comfortable hatred Aiden and I established on the first day of school because I desperately need to regain my footing. And not think about how much I want him to shift so I can see his wolf again.