The uniform is a classic school girl get up that makes me roll my eyes. Light gray tights, knee-high boots, a black skirt, one matching black vest, and a long sleeved white undershirt. There's also a bowed choker in the color green. I wonder what the colors mean because I've seen other students with various different colored ties or bows. Maybe it signals which year in school? Or maybe the type of supernatural you are?
I shake my head, looking at myself in the full length mirror. This get up is both ridiculous and kind of sexy. I can't decide if I like it or not. Perhaps I will like it a bit more after a good night's sleep before my first day at the high fae academy.
How did I end up here again?
***
The next morning I take a quick shower before grabbing a sugary granola bar from the fully stocked kitchen. It doesn’t sound fun to wander into a cafetiera with cliques full of magical and dangerous supernaturals. Just the thought of it sends a shiver down my spine. I’ll take a dry granola bar over that any day.
My welcome packet stated that the main building on campus, or I guess I should say castle, holds all classes for the academy. Regardless of everyone being separated in most ways both fae and other supernatural beings mingle in this giant medieval structure. As I make my way inside all I can do is marvel at just how much space it dominates.
There must be hundreds of classrooms in the building. And the architecture on the inside doesn't disappoint either. Everything is chiseled from marble or rock and the walls are full of ancient, expensive looking, artwork. Halfway across the structure, arches open up to the middle of the building, revealing a courtyard full of students laughing and talking.
I have to admit that the vibe here is totally my style. By the time I'm done checking out the courtyard and check my watch I curse out loud. I'm late! My boots click rapidly against the tile as I sprint up the stairs, then back down, and then down three wrong hallways. The only way I find the correct classroom is when I come across a few fae students chatting about my class as they walk past me. I follow along behind them into the room and stop near the doorway.
My first class of the day, Magic 101, is so full that by the time I find the correct classroom there's only two seats left. And they're in the front row. I hold back my groan of disdain as I slide into the nearest open chair. Everyone in here is chattering loudly with one another having already made friends at the dorms. Unfortunately, that's not a possibility for me. And once again, everyone is so attractive that I'm ugly in comparison. The thought makes me slide lower in my seat.
The girl next to me, a breathtaking redhead that reminds me of Annie turns to me, "Hi I'm Cyrena and my affinity is for air. I haven't seen you around the dorms so you must be new. Which dorm were you placed in?"
"Uh, yeah I'm new here, and I live in the spirit dorm."
Her eyes go wide, "Wow, that's amazing! I've never met a spirit fae before. I've heard that there's only one every ten years that stays in the dorms which unfortunately means you'll be all alone for your four year term," She paused, studying me closely like a science experiment, "And I didn't catch your name?"
"My name is Tiana. This is my first class and I don't have a lot of experience with the world of supernaturals as I was raised in the human realm. So I'm a bit nervous."
She smiles in sympathy, "Oh man, well don't worry you'll be fine. Our teacher, Mr. Gerald, is really great and goes easy on first years."
I nod and look down while my knees bounce with the force of my nervous energy. With the fae students around me my magic swirls in response to theirs. Almost snaking its way around the room, probing all the other students without their knowledge. I wonder if that's what it feels like to use spirit. I've never actually tried to do it before.
Just then the teacher storms in like a tornado with stacks of paper, a briefcase, and several books floating in his wake. He must be an air fae to show that kind of control and power over the wind. His long silver hair floats around his head like writhing snakes and his ice blue eyes are darting around the room. He looks frenzied and full of energy in the same way Cyrena is, and I can see the yellow magic bursting from his chest. Either he hasn't used it in a while or he's very powerful.
Cyrena swivels to face forward in her seat but shoots me one more smile and mouths, sit by us a lunch? Gesturing to herself and the two other girls next to her. I smile and nod when a book smacks down on my desk. Jumping in my seat, I pull it toward me and read the title Magical Abilities: An Introduction. Where do they get these crazy textbooks? Are they written by fae scholars? It's so weird to me that they have a bunch of information that I've never even begun to think about before today.
A voice booms out from the front of the class, "Good morning class. First, let us welcome our newest students." The professor gestures to me and two other students, one male and one female. He points at the male first, "Go on now, stand up and introduce yourself."
Turning beet red the cute brown haired boy stands, "My name is Ty, I'm a first year, and my affinity is for Earth." He slouches into his seat so fast that he nearly drops to the floor.
The other girls go next and introduce themselves as twins, Mayra and Mira, both with an affinity for water. It would be cool to have a twin going through the same learning process as you. I wonder if they connect on a deeper level through their shared affinity than others do since they are twins. My eyes are still staring far away, daydreaming, when the teacher clears his throat. The students snicker as I stand too quickly and bang my knee on the underside of the desk.
"Uh, hello. I'm Tiana, obviously a first year student, and I have an affinity for," I pause awkwardly, not sure what I should admit, "F-for spirit."
Murmurs erupt across the classroom as people marvel at my affinity. I sit back down and resist the urge to slam my head against the desk. So much for not being the center of attention. Well, jokes on them because that's not even the half of it. The teacher calms the class down and begins to talk about generalized rules of magic. As it turns out that's all he talked about for the entire hour and a half we're in the classroom. I take notes on the back of my class schedule, feeling silly writing things down like:
● Do not show magic to humans
● Do not use magic against other fae
● Do not attempt magical spells out of your skill level
This information seems to be common sense to me and everyone else in the room by the blank looking faces. When the bell finally rings I groan and stretch toward the ceiling before trotting to my next class that's in the gym down the hall.
Cyrena laughs at me, "God, I know right? No one ever told that magic could be so boring. See you at lunch!"
She jogs the other way, speeding to catch up with her group of friends.
Chapter 5
I turn into the gym to find everyone standing around in cliques again, my chest deflates. I'm a pariah for being different from the rest of them. Great.
Another stunning girl with long dark hair and the complexion of melted caramel strides toward me. By the look of her and her entourage I'm about to meet the queen bee of the high fae academy. Why can't the race of fae be different? Why does every school have to have a mean girl? She stops in front of me and juts out one hip, smirking.
"Hey, Tiana, is it?" I simply nod, "Welcome to the high fae academy! Where the boys are hot but the girls are hotter. I'm Del, but you can call me your class president because I plan to get elected next month for the freshman. I heard that you're a spirit fae, so let's see it." She conjures a ball of flames over her manicured fingertips before bouncing it back and forth menacingly.
"See it?" I ask, confused.
"Yeah, show us your powers. If you're so hot shit to have your own dorm and getting specially trained by the hottest master on campus I want to see why."
The hottest master on campus? So she's seen the spirit master before? A crowd had gathered around us during her rant. I squint at her, not at all threatened by her fire. For some reason red-hot jealousy sparked when finding out
that she's met the spirit master. But that's ridiculous because I certainly have no claim on the man. We share an affinity no one else seems to possess and that may form a special bond. Who knows how this magic stuff works? I've been slowly losing my mind ever since setting foot on this campus.
"I don't owe you a damn thing. If you're jealous of my dorm you can have it," I step up to her, rising to my full height, "Oh wait, that's right, you can't get in because you're not worthy."
The students around us gasp, shifting back and forth as they wait to see what Del will do. She clenches one fist and lets the ball of fire grow even larger than before.
"You bitch! How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who you're talking to? My cousin will hear about this!" Cousin? I raise my eyebrows at her, and she screeches, "The master of fire!"
My stomach drops out and I try to keep a straight face, but by the sudden triumphant look on Del's face my fear must have shown. The sound of a door closing captures the attention of everyone before I can retort. I follow the sea of students that flock to the mats on the other side of the room. There's two tall and fit looking fae standing in front of the mats. One is male and the other is female, and they both look like they have an affinity for Earth. All Earth fae have dark brown hair and green or hazel colored eyes with large muscular bodies.
The male speaks, "For new students," his eyes flash to me, "My name is Jarrah and this is my co-professor Iridia. We both have an affinity for Earth and will be teaching you strictly hand-to-hand combat not using magic. This will allow you to grasp basic fighting skills you may need in dire situations when your magic well has run dry. And we prefer to jump right into it rather than stand around talking about it. So pair up on a mat and give it all you got."
My mouth drops open as I watch the other fae pairing up to spar with each other. Give it all I got? Is he kidding? I barely know how to stand when fighting let alone hit someone. It's just not something I was raised to do. Am I the only one? I look around to see a few other students shifting from foot to foot, looking just a nervous and freaked out as me. Just as I'm about to bolt toward them a voice comes out sweetly from behind me.
"Hey Tiana, want to pair up?"
I turn to see Del standing there, one hand holding her heels and the other on her hip. Dread fills my chest at the sight of her lean fit body that must have been conditioned for her entire childhood for something like this. She probably comes from a long line of warrior fae bred to be a part of this magical world that I've never known. The thought terrifies me.
"Uh, well, I was going to be partners with. . ." I point behind my lamely, and she raises one delicate eyebrow. Shit.
"Come on, let's take the training mat in the back corner. That way maybe not everyone will see me beat the crap out of you."
Oh, how kind of her to suggest that for me! I roll my eyes and follow her across the gym, stares trailing us along the way. People can't seem to take their eyes off either one of us. The freak show versus the beauty queen. Great, maybe I can be the next Carrie at the prom. My inner monologue makes me smile cruelly at her back even though she can't see it.
Once we get set up on the mat and square toward each other the female instructor, or Iridia, moves toward us. She glances at my probably pathetic looking form, but her expression doesn't change from the slight curiosity she's showing. My eyes flit back to Del and I resign myself to being beat to hell. Her anger at my earlier jest is burning out of her eyes.
Without warning, she rushes forward, barreling toward my mid-section. Surprising even myself, I side step her and spin away. I circle around the mat as she rights herself and spins back toward me. Spitting and yowling like a feral cat Del moves swiftly forward.
We lock together, jabbing and trying to get the upper hand. She lands one hard blow to my jaw, making my head snap to the side and blood fly from my mouth. My power reacts to the threat and courses through my veins. A purple translucent glow surfaces on my skin as I straighten.
Del's eyes widen, and she looks at the professor who says, "As long as she doesn't use it I'll allow it."
The students gather around us now to watch, cheering mostly for Del. She comes at me again, more wary than before. We circle around each other and both land a few good hits. The art of fighting seems to be in my blood despite me never having done it before. My body knows what to do in this situation, so I let my instinct take hold. A feral, almost eager, feeling fills my chest and I lash out. My glowing arm flies out so fast it blurs before connecting with Del's temple.
She collapses to the floor clutching at her head. I turn to celebrate my victory with the cheering students only to have my feet swept out from under me. I land on the mat, my breath flying out of me in one big whoosh. Del climbs over me and punches me once, twice, and then three times in the face. Stars blaze across my vision as I struggle to free myself.
She wraps one hand into my hair and yanks on it hard, making me cry out. Breathing past the panic, I force my feet to gather beneath me and thrust upward. Del flies forward and I flip with her, gathering speed. I slam into her so hard that when our heads knock I'm sure we both feel light-headed.
Gripping her vest tightly between clenched fists, I throw my entire weight into my punch. My fist connects with her nose, making a crunching sound that leaves me sick to my stomach. She screeches loudly, grabs the front of my vest, and slams her head into mine. I roll off her, my vision fading and coming back into focus over and over again. We both lie there clutching various parts of our broken bodies and moaning in agony.
I garble out, "Uhhh, my h-head."
Iridia crouches in between us and states loudly, "This match is over, the final being counted as a tie. Class is dismissed. Go on."
The other students leave reluctantly, gossiping the entire way out about the fight. Professor Jarrah hands Iridia two blurry looking vials of greenish liquid. She forces them between both of our lips. At first, I resist, but as soon as the mixture hits my tongue I gripped her wrist and lick the vial clean, my body recognizing its needs.
Soon after finishing off the vial I can feel the swelling going down, my bones knitting back together, and the blurriness of my vision subsiding. I roll my head to the side, looking at Del. I witness her nose reset itself before she too looks at me, glaring.
"I can't believe you broke my nose! Were only supposed to spare!"
"What? You're the one who started it by hitting my face so hard I couldn't see! By then the gloves were off honey."
We both stand, getting into each other’s faces and glaring. The professors wedge between us and usher each of us out of the gym through separate exits. Del and I lock eyes and glare viciously at each other the entire time.
Iridia smirks down at me, "You better calm down now. That girl will make your life hell here if you don't stop messing with her."
"I can't help it! Since the moment I met her she's gotten under my skin." Rolling her eyes, Iridia opens the gym door and pushes me gently out of it.
"You've known her for what? Five minutes? Go on, get to lunch. You need some food to help heal your wounds. It's important to eat after drinking a healing potion." And with a wink, she's gone behind the gym doors again.
With a sigh I drag my aching, but healing, body toward the large cafeteria I had passed earlier this morning. The loud sound of bickering students greets me as I make my way into the castle courtyard. During the summer months they host lunch outdoors buffet style. At least that's what I had read in my welcome packet. The reality is so much better. Hundreds of painted colorful picnic tables are scattered around the grass that hadn't been there this morning. They must have been brought in via magic somehow. I wonder who here has the kind of power to conjure all this. Or at least move all them all here by wind.
The endless wonder and questions I have about the magic I'm seeing makes my head spin. There's no other place in the world that allows people to use their magic without caution like this. In one corner a group of air fae are playing with mini wind tornadoes,
allowing them to chase each other. Another corner is full of shifters, some changed into wolves, some not. And the list goes on and on.
Once again, everyone is seated within their clique of supernaturals. I almost sigh out loud as I make my way toward the long buffet tables.
Just as I'm about to grab a plate Cyrena steps up next to me and bumps my hip with her own. When she glances at my healing bruises she doesn't seem surprised by them. Maybe it's normal for the weak students to get the crap beaten out of them. The thought makes me snort with laughter.
"What's so funny?" Cyrena gives me side eye as she leads us toward the table of air fae I saw earlier spinning tornadoes.
"Nothing, it's just that I never got beat up at my other school. And if I did, the other student would be punished, not praised. You guys have some backwards standards."
We sit down at the end of the table and the other students barely give us a second glance. Relief floods through my chest. I thought that I'd be ostracized by every group in school, but apparently Cyrena's group is pretty cool.
High Fae Academy - Year One: Fae Paranormal Romance Page 3
