by Rue Volley
I waited, hoping she wasn’t disappointed. “I love it! It reminds me of chocolate, and it looks so healthy. I’ve bleached my hair so much to change colors that it’s dried out. I really need to chill before I end up bald.”
I laughed while turning to face her. “There are spells for that.”
She leaned in close to my face. “Yeah, but real is best.”
I couldn’t argue with her, but it was just strange coming from someone who was studying Necromancy like me, which is based on Witchcraft. In the end, I respected her opinion, because I agree.
Real is best in all things.
Friends,
Family.
Love.
My stomach growled and I pressed my hand against it. She looked down. “Okay, we need to get some breakfast before Sim.”
Sim was the first thing that happens the first day of school, here at Hemlock, it’s short for Assembly. I only know that because I read the curriculum schedule over forty times.
The Headmaster and all the professors formally introduce themselves. The students are collected together, for the first ‘official’ time, in the Hall of Howling Wind, which is only called that because of the sounds that are made as wind rushes through the Hall. It resembles a Catholic church, or I should say Catholic churches resemble it’s design, because the Hall predates them by centuries.
No religion can claim it hasn’t borrowed from the others.
Spin the Crown wasn’t in the book, but I’m sure there are a lot of things that aren’t in any books about the school and more.
I licked my lips and took one last look at my reflection. Thoughts of G came and went here and there, haunting me. I closed my eyes for a second and could see his mouth hovering close to mine. I jumped when Nadia touched my arm.
“Food?” she asked.
I nodded.
We stepped out into the hallway with a lot of other girls.
The first floor of Hemlock holds the classrooms, Howling Hall, a large theater, a reading room, and the cafeteria. The second floor holds the library, more classrooms, and some recreational rooms for exercise and spell casting. The third floor is where the boys stay, and the fourth floor is for the girls. From front to back Hemlock Academy takes up three acres of land and there’s a massive atrium that sits off the back of the school, that’s filled full crops of food for the students and faculty.
All organic.
I stood frozen like a statue, perusing the sea of faces. Nadia reached down and took my hand. I took a breath, realizing I had stopped.
“Let’s get our food and then we’ll grab a good seat, all the way in the back, for Sim.”
I nodded as she pulled me along, saying hi to a random girl here and there. I nodded, without saying a word as eyes locked onto me. I was sweating by the time we made it to the top of the stairs. I glanced back over my shoulder and spotted London and Paris, who were glaring at me.
I didn’t know what I did to make them mad but I’d prefer to keep it that way. Fighting with another human was one thing—fighting with a Lycan teenage girl? I’m sure that would be a hot mess.
I’ll skip it.
Nadia jerked on my hand and they disappeared behind the wall.
We had to stop as boys spilled out from the center staircase that led up to their floor. The Academy was built where the only access to the student floors were separated by two sets of steps. One led up the middle, to the boy’s floor, and the girls ran off to the right and left, taking us up two floors.
It was smart to keep it that way. I was surprised that they hadn’t built two schools, one for each, but they were ahead of their time, knowing that an integrated system would ensure that all students would experience the same education.
A group of boys, clustered together, ran straight down the stairs as Nadia waved a hand.
“Seriously? There will be enough food for everyone!”
They all ignored us, except for Cole, who spotted Nadia and fought his way through the herd of male testosterone to get to us. He let out a sigh while running a hand through his hair. He didn’t need to do it. He seems to be completely put together.
“Hey, you.” He spoke to Nadia right before giving her peck on the cheek.
“Hi, Rook—listen—about your Mom.”
I interrupted him, “She’s good, no worries.”
“Whew!” he exclaimed. “I have no idea what happened. I guess I just get nervous with Moms.”
Nadia rolled her eyes, “Coming from the boy who is dating the Headmaster’s daughter.”
He laughed, “Dating?” he asked when she pushed forward.
We ended up in the main hall where everyone ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner—if they wanted to. Food could always be taken back to your room, or outside, if you preferred, but it was forbidden to take food in the library, other than coffee or tea.
Students collected in the buffet-style line after grabbing a tray. I was looking forward to seeing what they’d be offering. We rushed in, grabbing trays and taking our place in the line. I held mine out in front of me, while Nadia let hers hang at her side, tapping it against her leg. I noticed, and mimicked her.
The line moved and we inched along. “So—do you think Winston Bishop and Sophie Vogel will be back this year?” Nadia asked while looking up at Cole. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned into her ear, speaking too low for me to hear him. She laughed.
Nadia noticed the look of confusion on my face. “Professor Bishop and Professor Vogel had a fling last year. I only know because I heard my Dad talking about it. That type of stuff is forbidden here at Hemlock.”
“So, they can’t date?” I asked.
“No.”
“I don’t understand why.”
Nadia tapped her tray with her long blue nails that matched her hair. I almost felt regret for washing the colors out of mine.
“It’s just the rules, that’s all. Teachers don’t date. They can date anyone else, just not fellow teachers.”
“No students.”
She laughed. “Well, no. That’s only happened once and that professor left.”
“An older woman dated a boy here?”
Nadia lifted her hand and inspected her nail. “Yeah, she totally cougared him, but my Dad made her leave.”
Cole leaned in. “I heard it was—”
He paused. Nadia’s eyebrows rose before glancing over at me and back at him.
“Who?” I asked.
Nadia shook her head. “It’s just a rumor, and rumors are lies. Remember that here at Hemlock.”
“But who was it?” I asked again.
The lined inched forward and Cole blurted it out. “G Gianni.”
I stopped dead and turned to face him. “G—the boy with the blue hair?”
Nadia wound her arm into mine. “All lies.” She shot Cole a sour look as we inched forward again.
My stomach ached and suddenly the beautiful boy with the blue hair didn’t seem so innocent.
A voice cut into our conversation. “I heard that, too.”
All three of us turned to see London standing there with her twin. They looked more alike in the daytime. The only thing that separated the two was the hair color, both unnaturally bright.
London reached in and touched my braid. I adjusted so she couldn’t hold onto it.
Nadia picked at her nail, “Really, London? Because I heard that you started that rumor.”
London shot right back, “Well, I don’t see any other reason why he would’ve suddenly stopped dating us.”
“Us?” I asked, immediately regretting that I had reacted to it at all.
She winked at me. “G likes to date around, he isn’t really the one girl type. Especially the one virgin girl type.”
I had to look away. It was none of her business and never would be.
&nb
sp; Nadia rolled her eyes. “Says the wolf who never was.”
London growled and Nadia jutted her chin, ready to take her on.
Cole intervened. “I heard they’re serving rabbit this year—which is a first.”
London sniffed the air and grinned. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah—and I know for a fact that guy right there,” he pointed at some random boy, “has a real thing for you, so you could totally cut in line.”
London leaned in and touched Cole’s arm. I had to hold Nadia’s hand to keep her from going after her. “I appreciate that, Cole.”
She eyed me before running ahead of the line and flirting with some random boy who was shocked when London and Paris began to hang all over him. But he accepted it. Yuck.
The line moved again, and I let out a sigh. Nadia leaned in. “Just ignore them. They suck, and I don’t mean vampire suck—I mean they’re the worst.”
I kept quiet. But my thoughts always went back to him.
Always.
And it was starting to bother me.
Chapter Sixteen
We entered the Hall of Howling Wind as a haunted cry moaned above us. I expected to see a floating ghost—or a few, after listening to the unsettling noise. But I watched as two floating figures, in black robes, closed the stain glass windows with the Hemlock Academy Crest, ending the breeze, and the subsequent howling. The room has a narrow cathedral ceiling, with brushed gold chandeliers, hanging from thick chains.
I tilted my head while studying the stain glass windows that lined either side of the room. Each one held a portrait of current and past Hemlock Professor’s. I spotted Headmaster Mason’s stain glass window, which looked just like him, in a mixture of colors and melted metal.
I couldn’t imagine having something like that dedicated to me—or if I ever would.
The thoughts of my human blood tugged at my insecurity.
A long table, that could seat twenty, sat on a stage at the front of the room, draped in red velvet. Behind it, tall backed chairs—enough for each professor, and one larger one, sitting dead center, which I assumed was for the Headmaster himself.
We took our seats and settled in as the parade of professors filed in, down the center with heads held high. Each one proud of their station in life and at this Academy.
A position to teach in such a prestigious place was guarded, which made me doubt the rumors about a professor and a student.
“Pay attention, mutt.”
I glanced back to see London smirking at me. Clearly, she was upset about the whole spin the crown thing. She liked G, I get it—and honestly, I don’t know why she even bothers with me. Like G wanted to be with me. He just felt bad, which is understandable.
I turned to face her. “I don’t like G Gianni at all.” I spoke too loud. It echoed in the room. There was laughter and hushed whispers. I spotted him, sitting a few rows behind us. Great! She smiled at me and tilted her head. I let my nerves get the better of me. I didn’t mean it, not really—and even if I had meant it, I wouldn’t have announced it in front of the entire school like that.
It wasn’t like me.
I didn’t like this girl—no—not at all. She pushed all my buttons. All the bad ones.
Not a single good one.
Nadia gasped. “Rook—Rook.”
I turned to see that the entire row of Professor’s were shooting daggers at me.
“Oh, perfect,” I mumbled under my breath.
The Headmaster cleared his throat. “Well—children. It seems we are starting a new year and with it a renewed hope for our future.” He lifted his hands and the other professors nodded and clapped. His eyes landed on me and I sank down into my chair. It was awful.
I hate London.
“Now let us say the blessing for the Book of Shadows!”
Everyone stood up, so I was forced to join them. I looked back and could see that G was watching me. I fidgeted with my braid, and spun back around, but not before noticing two more figures dressed in black cloaks.
The Headmaster clapped his hands together, and raised his head. Everyone looked up, so I did, too. A large leather-bound book materialized out of a beautiful painting in the ceiling. It hovered in the air right in front of him at first and then it lowered to the table before him.
He took a breath and began to say our sacred blessing.
Hearken as the Witches Word
Calls the Lady and the Lord
Moon Above and Earth Below
Sky’s blue hue and Sun’s hot Glow
In this Right and Ready Hour
Share thy Wisdom and Thy Power
May no Failed Student See
Thy Scared Powers That Be
It is They Who will Walk the Hidden Road
To Find the Hearthstone’s Calm Abode
Guardians from the Four Directions
Hear me and offer Thy Protection
The four figures in black surrounded the Headmaster and the book as it began to rise.
Headmaster Mason continued to share his blessing.
May These Truths from Earth and Sky
Be Shaded from Prying Eyes
Stand with Purpose, Stand with Pride
May Your Power be Justified
And Through all the Coming Ages
May we Find Life where Death once Stood
Within These Sacred Pages
So Mote it be!
The entire room spoke as one, “So mote it be!”
The four figures in black reached in and lifted the Book of Shadows, rising into the air until they melded into the ceiling as a portrait.
I swallowed hard and cheers followed.
The welcoming had ended and now the real battle had begun.
Chapter Seventeen
I entered an empty classroom and fingered at the nape of my neck. Nadia rushed in behind me after Cole gave her one last kiss.
I was beginning to feel like the third wheel, but that was okay. Nadia and Cole seemed happy, but who am I to want that to end just because my dream boy, who according to the crown, was supposed to be my true love—is dangerous.
Wrong.
Aggravating.
I should’ve known.
No one who looked like him would find me attractive. I’m plain, minus the large glasses—even more so now that I washed the funky temporary colors out of my hair.
But I did toss aside my retainer, leaving it in our room. Because—I don’t know, kissing with one can’t be all that great. But no one said I’d be kissing anyone anytime soon.
This year or any year.
And especially not him.
I twisted my braid and felt a bump from behind, which was a gentle nudge from Nadia.
“You’ll be sitting with me.”
“Cool.” I replied as she weaved her way through the tall tables, lined with chairs. I trailed her like a shadow. The front of the room sat at the base of an incline, like a theater, with a chalkboard that took up the entire wall. Other kids piled into the room, taking their seats as a piece of chalk floated into the air and left a name, in cursive, behind.
Professor Ravenmoor
The clicking of heels echoed throughout the room as a statuesque woman, all of seven feet tall, shuffled to the center. She wore a long black dress that hugged her curves and showed off her alabaster skin. Her eyes are wide-set, and hot red in color. Her hair, isn’t hair at all, but a full head of slicked back raven feathers. Which explains the name Ravenmoor.
I just wasn’t aware that it was a literal translation.
She scanned the room, with her large eyes that promptly landed on me. I felt my back stiffen. “You,” She jabbed a spidery finger in my direction, “Come now, I won’t bite.”
Sounds of muffled laughter, and students adjusting in their chairs, filled the roo
m. Nadia nodded to me so I stood up and made my way to the front of the class. She placed a hand on my shoulder. Her nails were long and black—shiny, like glass. “Now class, we have a newcomer—this is Rook Dagger.”
Murmurs rushed across the room and she clicked her tongue. I glanced up at her pointed nose, resembling a beak, but in human flesh.
I was scouting my escape when he arrived.
G Gianni.
Our eyes met. Then he took a seat between London and Paris. They appeared surprised, like he had never sat with them before. It soured my stomach. London leaned in and whispered in his ear. His expression never changed. G kept staring at me, like he wanted to make sure that I noticed what he was doing.
I rubbed my open palm on the side of my skirt, trying my best to ignore the three of them, but it’s hard.
London had been so cruel. Calling me a mutt.
Well, if that’s the kind of people he wants to hang out with then he won’t be seeing anymore of me!
“So, my dearest one, what Kingdom do you desire?” she asked.
My eyes lowered. Sadness overtook me. How could he like her? Maybe Nadia was right. G Gianni was trouble—dangerous. The wrong boy for me. How could I be so naïve? No one who looked like him would ever want a girl like me.
I don’t even know what I am. I don’t even know why I stayed.
I’m human, with human blood, trying desperately to fit into a world that may not want me.
Just like he didn’t want me.
He doesn’t, does he?
“Rook?”
I blinked a couple of times. “I’m sorry—what?”
Someone giggled. I took a short breath and released it, hoping it would help me relax.
“Kingdom, my girl—which do you desire?”
I looked behind me as the chalk began to draw the Tree of Wisdom from root to twisted branches. It flowed like stretched taffy. The chalk drew each banner around the tree and then wrote the names of the Seven Kingdoms of Myth and Magic.
She held out her hand, allowing her sharpened black nails to float on the air like she was conducting an orchestra. “We have Hawthorn, that is the oldest of the Kingdoms, and of which my people reside.” A few kids stood up and clapped. One of them resembled Professor Ravenmoor, with slicked back feathers for hair. “Then we have Dragon’s Blood.” It rolled off her tongue, “Home to the mighty Dragon.” A few kids yelled and cheered, clearly each Kingdom had fans. “Then there is Verbena, home to the Fae.” More kids stood up, two of which hovered off the ground as their colorful wings unfolded. The chalk continued to draw as she spoke, creating each banner. “And Yarrow, home to Wolves.” London and Paris stood up and howled. I swallowed hard. G sat there motionless. “And Tillandsia, home of the mighty—yet loving, Cyclops!” Three cyclops stood up and clapped while nodding to each other. “And, Hemlock—of course, home to Witches and Warlocks alike!” half the class stood up and cheered. Sparks of light snapped here and there as they showed off their skill and enthusiasm. Then she paused. The room fell silent. Finally, she looked at the chalkboard, “And Nightshade—home to none other than the vampire.”
