The centaur goes on… and on… Sweet Lilith, can he talk!
“Darkness came to the Great Forest. A being of evil and hatred had arrived, someone who was jealous that all of the people here were living their happily ever afters. He was spiteful and he was cruel and he created the first villain.”
Someone in the back hisses. It’s a kid who has light brown skin that looks like it’s made out of wood grain. He has what looks like metal studs at his elbows holding his arms together. The students around him boo.
“The Lord of Darkness had arrived in Draoich and he brought with him the very first instrument of chaos—the first Red Riding Hood.”
Not too subtly, Alice and Sirena turn their heads and look at me.
Well, this is special.
“Red Riding Hood turned to evil. She slaughtered an innocent wolf, Lucius Rosso, and offered his blood to her dark god in return for powers of evil magic. Because of her, there was someone who was denied their happily ever after, because her intended mate was now slain. And so villainy came to the land.”
The students react predictably, with jeers and whistles. Sirena and Alice are still staring at me. I resist the urge to put a hand over my face. An even stronger urge wants me to tell them all how the story really goes, as far as I’ve been taught. What my grandmother did was a sacrifice, yes, but she’d done it to save her clan from starving. That’s not villainy in my storybook. That’s just being pragmatic.
“Heroes and villains cannot co-exist, and the great Silva War broke out. We were attacked viciously, and we fought valiantly although many lives were lost. The Storyteller decreed that we should be separated. Heroes came here to the Western Wood, where the sun shines and life is beautiful. The villains were sent to the Eastern Side, Draoich, where the landscape is as dark and twisted as their souls. Nevermore Academy was built as a place where the evil and dark-hearted could be taught the ways of evil. And for us? For us, the Storyteller built Everafter here in Fantasia.”
The room explodes in applause. I clap, too, but probably not as enthusiastically as I should. Some of the students are going out of their minds, screaming and clapping and waving their hands. I have no idea what’s wrong with those people.
The centaur lets the nonsense continue for a while, basking in it, then holds up his hand. The room falls quiet again, but there’s an undercurrent of excitement. On the stage, the eagle is scanning the room. It looks at Broin pointedly and I feel him hunker down beside my ear, making himself a little less obvious by hiding in my hair. That eagle is so big it could have a raven lunch and still have room for dessert. I reach up and stroke Broin’s feathery chest. Not on my watch.
“And so here we are, guided by the Storyteller. We have gathered here to learn the best and whitest magic, to do only good. We are here to be honorable, gallant, noble and true. We are here to love with purity matched only by the finest gold. We are here to win our happy endings.”
The crowd applauds again, but this time it’s not quite as manic.
“I now give you Headmaster Dane Lockwood with his welcoming address.”
A man in a silk suit steps out from backstage. I can tell right away that he’s a dominant male. He’s big and broad, with wide shoulders that look like they’re trying to stage a jailbreak from his black suit coat. His waist and hips are narrow, giving him that delectable upside-down-triangle look that men’s bodies have. His dark hair is cut conservatively, but it curls anyway, and he has a carefully trimmed black beard. He faces the students with a pair of piercing blue eyes and fuck if he’s not the most beautiful unsullied man I’ve ever seen.
I scowl at my train of thought. I’m not supposed to think the unsullied are beautiful. Villains shouldn’t want to bang the heroes; it goes against nature.
“Students, staff, faculty and guests,” he begins in a deep, clear voice. His tone is like caramel and chocolate got together and had a baby. “Welcome to Everafter Academy. Look around you.”
The students look around. Sheep.
“You have been seated in four sections. On my far right are the sophomores, ready for their second year of studying the magical arts.”
The sophomore class gives themselves a round of applause.
“On the right center, we have the juniors, year three of the magical arts. The most difficult year is upon you, with some of the most challenging course work. Good luck.”
They groan, but applaud anyway. I guess they’re game.
“Next we have the seniors.”
Predictably, the fourth-year students erupt into cheers, hollering for themselves. It’s absolute pandemonium. After a while, Lockwood holds up his hand and they fall silent immediately.
That is control.
That is sexy as fuck.
“You seniors are about to conclude your time with us here. You’re almost ready to go out into the world to right wrongs and slay dragons.”
The students go wild again and I frown. I’ve met dragons quite a number of times. They’re not all that bad. They’re just misunderstood and certainly don’t deserve to have this lot going out to try to kill them. I cross my arms again. Magic folk who kill for enjoyment sicken me. It makes them no better than the animals they claim humans to be.
“And last, but not least, we have the freshmen.”
The people around me clap, and some boys in the front row let out a fake wolf howl. Lockwood gives them a look so cold that I’m astounded they don’t turn into ice cubes on the spot.
“You are welcome here at Everafter. If you have not already learned it, you will be taught magic, history, self-control, and honor. Be warned: we offer a great deal, but we expect a great deal in return. You are embarking on what will be the most amazing experience of your lives, but make no mistake. It will also be the most difficult.”
Yeah, I don’t think so. No school could be worse than what I’ve had in just the last week.
Lockwood’s eyes fall on my face. They’re like sapphire jewels that cut right into me. I feel like he can see right through my disguise, maybe even to my soul. I’m pinned like a butterfly in his hand. I stare back. After a moment, he looks away.
Score one for my side.
I’ve always been good at staring competitions. The perks of mastering and totally owning Resting Bitch Face, I suppose.
Lockwood continues. “Go forth, students. Everafter is your home now. Make us proud.”
The headmaster leaves the podium. The centaur returns, says something to the guides, and before I know it, our own guide is ushering us back out of the auditorium.
We’re led into the foyer again. There’s a giant sea turtle floating across the ceiling now. Our guide—I think I heard Sirena call her Marcin—leads us toward the grand staircase. The guides signal each other and we break off into two groups led by two seniors. I slowly climb the granite steps. It’s so surreal to think this is exactly what my twin would be doing if she were still alive.
“Are you the real Red Riding Hood?” Alice asks me in a whisper. Sirena takes the stairs two at a time and hurries after a dark-haired boy who looks every part the dashing young prince.
“No,” I reply quietly, “but I’m not sure the school will believe me if they find out.”
She nods absently. “Don’t worry. Your secret is quite safe with me.”
I’m relieved to hear those words. There’s something so strangely familiar about this girl. It’s like I’ve met her before, but I’m just not sure where. Maybe one of our coven’s ceremonies? But she doesn’t look, or even smell, like a witch.
—She is a bit of an oddball,— Broin says.
I smile and think back, —Yeah, but the best people are.—
Marcin leads us down a stone hallway supported by columns wound in gold ivy. At the other end, there’s a wooden arch and we’re shepherded through. The walls and windows are circular, covered by heavy white drapes, and there’s the biggest fireplace I’ve ever seen on the middle of the floor. Velvet armchairs, sofas and ornate furnishings decorate
the room. It looks more like royal private quarters than a student common room. Not that I’m complaining, but I do wish there was more black decor than the same white, gold, or light colors. They’re beginning to give me a headache.
I’m surprised to find there are pool tables and game machines at the other end of the room. There’s even a WiFi zone with flat-screen computers, which is rare in the Great Forest. The internet is more of a human thing and I can’t say that I’ve ever touched it. Is that the shiny screen thing? Do I use a wand and whisper open sesame to get it to work? I have no idea.
Our coven isn’t really familiar with modern day creations. We prefer to do things the old way, like riding horses and reading books, as opposed to driving cars and watching television. Horses are still the main mode of transportation in the forest. That’s mostly to do with convenience, since trees and paths are often too narrow to fit cars.
Redera did buy a radio once that we played in Grandma’s kitchen. I guess it’s really just up to the individual witch, or magic person, if they want to experiment with technology. The academy probably endorses them because it’s easier for a lot of the students. Even now, some of them are on their cell phones, taking pictures or typing furiously.
Marcin points to the archways at either side of the room. “Boys’ dormitories are on your left, girls’ on your right. I’m sure you already know that since you’ve unpacked, so… what are you waiting for?”
With that, the group disbands with an excited bustle. Some of the boys cross the room to their staircase. Alice and Sirena motion me to follow them to ours.
“Have you found a room yet?” Sirena asks. I swear her hair has changed colour. It’s now a deep red instead of purple.
Broin flies through the arch and up the stairs, probably to check that it’s safe. I don’t think he’ll ever stop protecting me.
I shake my head. “I got here late, so I’ll probably just take what’s available. Fair is fair.”
Alice seizes our arms at the bottom of the stairs. “You can share with us! We have another bed in our quad. There’s usually four in each room, but we took the last one that only had three. It’s like fate!”
Fate… or Lucifer is heaven bent on keeping an eye on me.
I’m just a witch with a deep, dark secret and a lust for revenge. I didn’t have any special powers before he took them from me. What could he possibly want with me? Why does my soul appeal to him so much?
The weirdest thing about that? Lucifer has owned my soul since the day I was born into the coven. For the life of me, I can’t understand what makes things so different now.
Our quad is thankfully more subtle than the common room. The interior isn’t as bright and there are bursts of black and royal blue dotted around the spacious room. The drapes and bedding are mostly black, much to my relief, and crystals gleam across the ceiling like a sea of stars. One of the girls must have cast magic on them, but who? Neither of them smell like a witch.
I look around the room, searching for the vacant bed. There might only be three of them in this quad, but they’re generously spaced out. I find Broin perched on the middle one pushed up against a large window. I can see a lake in the distance, nestled among towering oak trees soaked in sunshine. I find it sweet that the girls wanted their unknown room mate to have the bed with a view.
The beds at either side of me couldn’t be any more different. One is completely girly and the other is a gothic black. Night and day. I have a hunch the latter belongs to Alice. It’s shrouded in dark blankets that remind me of the dens Redera and I used to make in our room at night.
No, don’t think about her.
I push those thoughts aside and go over to Broin. He hops onto the bed post and I give him a little scratch.
—Everything seems okay so far.—
—Glad you approve, Daddy Broin.—
He makes a gurgling noise in the back of his throat, frustrated that he can’t shift into a man to kiss me. Calling him Daddy always drives him mad during our sessions. Heaven knows how we’ll be able to have them here.
“Do you have any luggage?” Sirena asks, flopping down on her bed. Her hair is purple again, matching her bedsheets. The black coverlet draped over the bottom of the mattress is covered in shimmering scales.
“Actually, I…” I trail off, a little embarrassed to admit that what I’m wearing is mostly all I have left. “I don’t have a lot. Just Broin here, my horse, Mephisto, and some dresses.” When they share a worried look, I hurriedly add, “But I’m totally gonna make some more once I’ve mastered the weaving spell. So don’t worry. Please. I’m all set.”
Alice gives me an almost pitiful look, which I would usually despise, but there’s genuine concern behind it that warms my twisted black heart.
Sirena, however, pushes off her bed. “We can’t have that.”
She digs underneath her blouse and brings out a pearl necklace. A heart-shaped shell gleams in the light. But then the shell starts to move, and I realize that it’s actually a small turquoise crab. Sirena sets it on the floor and gently rubs its shell as though a genie’s about to pop out. I hope not. Genies have foul temperaments.
“Come on, Augustus. I need to do something important. Don’t leave me hanging.”
The crab extends its eyestalks and its beady red eyes latch on to me. Broin caws and after a moment, the crab opens its shell. I’m not sure what he told the crab, but it worked.
A blinding light emerges from the shell, and then Sirena just… jumps into it and the light evaporates like it’s been closed with a lid.
I stare down at the crab in disbelief. “What did you do?”
Alice opens her mouth to reply, but then the light returns and Sirena is transported back into the room. Seaweed clings to her slightly wet hair and Alice clears her throat, nodding to it.
Pulling the seaweed out, Sirena hands me a box. “I think we’re about the same size. But if not, maybe you can work some magic on them?”
I take the box from her, stunned by what just happened, and lift the top. I find a selection of clothing neatly folded and waiting for me. They smell like seasalt. I close the lid and hold the gift to my chest, a little lost for words. No one outside of my family has ever been nice to me. I’m a Darkblood. Everyone who isn’t a villain is prone to despise us. It’s inherent. But this…
“Thank you. I really don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me you’ll hang on to them until you’re on your feet,” she says, sitting back on her bed.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you so much. This… means a lot to me.” My ears feel like they’ve caught fire from the blush rising to my cheeks. I’m honestly just surprised and grateful. Is it normal for strangers to give things without expecting something in return? “I’ll give you them back as soon as I’m able to conjure clothes.”
She waves a dismissive hand at me. “Barnacles! I’m totally cool with sharing my stuff with people I like.”
“But you hardly know me,” I say quietly.
“Well…” She shrugs. “We like you, don’t we, Ally?”
Alice nods, climbing onto the end of her bed. “Oh, yes. You’re peculiar like us.”
“So let your freak flag fly, baby,” Sirena adds with a laugh, dragging another bit of seaweed from her hair.
“How were you able to do that?” I nod to her necklace, which is now on full display around her neck.
Sirena quirks a paper-thin eyebrow at me. “We all have our secrets, Red.”
Alice giggles under her breath, telling me these girls have a lot of skeletons in the closet. My kind of people, for sure. “Students aren’t allowed to access portals on school grounds,” she explains, “but Sirena’s familiar has the ability to translocate her back to her kingdom at will.”
“Kingdom? Are you a princess?” I ask Sirena, genuinely intrigued. I know this academy will be crammed full of princesses and princes, but honestly, I never expected someone so fucking cool to be one of them.
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br /> “You make it sound easy,” she grumbles at Alice, then gently kisses the crab on his shell. His little red eyes are still pinned on me. “I’m from Poseida. Yeah, that means I literally sleep with the fishes.” She nods to the box in my arms. “What do you think? Are they okay?”
I blink, hugging the box to my chest. “I’m sure they’re beautiful.”
And much too nice for me, I nearly add, but I don’t want to offend her generosity. I might not be used to this sort of kindness, but that’s not an excuse to act like a rude ass bitch. These clothes are at least enough to see me through autumn. I lied when I said I could conjure clothes. That was Grandma’s forte, not mine.
“Well, one does try to maintain a good sense of style,” Sirena says, fluffing her hair dramatically.
—Oddballs,— Broin mutters, —the pair of them.—
I give him the stink-eye. —I like them, and my job is to blend in, right?—
—Right,— he sighs. —I just don’t want you to trust every single person you meet here.—
There’s a knock on the door, seizing all of our attention.
An older girl peeks her head into the room. “Sirena, there’s a boy waiting for you in the common room. He says it’s important.”
“It must be Erik,” she says, smiling at the girl. “Tell him I’ll be down in a flash.”
The girl leaves and Sirena jumps off her bed. I watch her rush across the room to the en suite. The tap goes, teeth get brushed, perfume sprays and then she comes out.
“Well. How do I look?”
Oh, she’s asking me.
“Hot as fuck,” I say, and she laughs.
“Thanks. Wish me luck!”
“Good luck,” we call after her, but she’s already out the door before we finish.
“Who’s Erik?” I ask casually, setting the box down on my bed. I sit beside it and start to fish through the clothes. Silk pajamas, lace tops and dresses, chiffon blouses, leather and denim pants. All of them scream money. And she gave them to me for nothing? I’ll need to repay her somehow.
Once Upon A Wolf: A Dark Academy Reverse Harem Bully Romance (Everafter Academy Book 1) Page 6