With a sigh, I stepped forward, making my way through the huge front doors and into the academy. A small part of me would have preferred it if one of my parents was still with me, but the other part realized that was the quickest way to ensure that I ended up without any friends here. No one wanted to be that person.
Especially not at eighteen. The humans would’ve considered me an adult, but paranormal education continued on to twenty-one, at a minimum.
The halls were surprisingly quiet, almost as if the place was deserted. I checked my watch. Ten past nine. I supposed that would probably mean that the students were all in class. Maybe that was why no one was around. At least I was on time for my meeting with the headmaster.
I followed the instructions I'd been sent on the email, traveling through the academy and trying not to let the fired sconces intimidate me as their shadows danced against the stone walls. I'd heard that this place kept things traditional, but I hadn't realized it was quite this severe. At least they used email and the internet.
Turning into a corridor to the left, I breathed a sigh of relief to see the word headmaster scrawled across the door at the very end. I quickened my pace, hoping he'd see me sooner and not later. My appointment was technically at nine-thirty, and I didn't look forward to sitting around for twenty minutes waiting for him. That was a quick way to fry my nerves.
I knocked on the door as soon as I reached it. Part of me wanted to run away from the whole situation, but that wouldn't get me the education I needed.
"Come in," a woman's voice called.
I frowned. Here was me thinking that Headmaster Ian Schmidt was a man. Even so, I pushed the door open and found myself in a small reception room.
Ah. That made sense.
"Hi, I'm Ta—uh, Lou Davidson..." I trailed off. I should have practiced this more.
The woman smiled at me. "Take a seat, Miss Davidson, the headmaster will be ready for you in a moment." She pressed a button on her desk as she said it and my heart beat faster. Hopefully, that would just alert the man that I was there, and not call in a security detail to escort me from the premises. That would be just my luck.
The other door in the room swung open, and a portly man in his forties beckoned me in.
"Sit down, Miss Davidson, let me grab your file." He took it off the pile on his desk and sat down in his chair, gesturing for me to do the same.
"Thanks," I muttered, trying not to let the nerves show. I didn't know if it would do anything bad if he knew I was feeling anxious, but a big part of me just didn't want him to know.
"I've been following your parents' research papers for years," he told me. "They're fascinating people."
"Yes." I didn't engage him further. I'd spent my whole life with people talking to me about how much they loved my parents and what they did. It got kind of boring after a while.
"Are you looking to specialize in Zoomagology too?"
"No."
"What are you more interested in?"
"Plants," I admitted quietly. "And I'm good with them."
"Magical botany then?"
I nodded. It wasn't something I'd ever told my parents about, scared they'd be unhappy with me spending more time with plants than with animals. But it was also something I was certain of. I'd always had a little bit of green fingers, and I wanted to make the most of it.
"Ah, good. We have an after school club, the Greenies, you'll want to join. They have a prize show coming up towards the end of the year, and they'd do well to have someone with your knowledge on the team."
"My knowledge?" I squeaked. What did he know? Was he some kind of clairvoyant?
"From your entrance exam." He tapped the file he was holding.
"Oh." That made sense. I'd almost forgotten about that. It had been a fairly easy exam for me. I might have been taught from home, but my parents had done a good job of making sure my education had been thorough.
He handed me a bunch of papers and tapped the top of it. "There's information about all the extra-curricular activities in there. None of them are compulsory, but we do encourage our students to take part in at least one."
"Okay." I nodded, already feeling a little overwhelmed. Maybe this wasn't a good idea at all.
"There's also your class schedule and a map of the academy. Your dorm is clearly marked. You'll be sharing with two of our best students, Estelle Ford and Taylor Michaels. My secretary should have just gone to get them so they can show you around."
"Thank you." Meeting people already? This was officially the worst day ever. I'd hoped to have gotten my bearings before having to make small talk with other students.
"Attendance matters here. As does following the rules. You'll find those in there too. One of the most important is no drinking on campus. We know that students are going to want to, but we don't condone it here at all."
"Alright." I wasn't a big drinker anyway and suspected I would end up a lightweight if I even tried.
"Boys aren't allowed in the girls' dormitory and vice versa. There are spells in place to stop that kind of sneaking around."
I gulped and nodded. Was that the kind of thing I'd have to deal with now?
"Excellent. I think that covers everything I have to say. If you go through the doors there, you should find your new dorm mates waiting. They'll show you where to go. The three of you are expected in class at ten."
"Thank you." I rose to my feet and scraped my chair back, eager to get out of there but not so that I could spend time with people I didn't know. I just wanted to be away from the headmaster.
He didn't say a word as I exited the room and found myself back into the reception room.
"Ah, Miss Davidson. May I introduce Estelle Ford and Taylor Michaels, they'll be showing you around the academy." The secretary gestured to two seated students.
They rose to their feet.
"I'm Estelle, this is Taylor," the first one said. She looked the furthest thing from an Estelle I could imagine. She was small and dainty, with a punky look completed by pink and black striped hair and a nose ring. Nope, nothing like I'd have expected an Estelle to look like.
"Hey." Taylor's voice was deep, husky. Dirty blonde hair fell in front of her face. Well, I assumed she was a she. After all, we were sharing a dorm and that must mean she was female. Probably. If she said she was a she, then she would be. I nearly snickered at the silly rhyme in my head.
"Your stuff is already in the room," Estelle said.
"Yes. My parents sent it ahead," I responded needlessly.
"Come on, we'll show you where it is." Taylor turned and walked out the door, followed by Estelle. They waited for me in the hall, whispering to each other.
I paused for a moment, though I wasn't sure what I was waiting for. Maybe for the secretary to actually say something.
When she didn't, I trudged out of the room behind the two other students, already questioning what I'd done in deciding to come here. This could either be the best or the worst decision of my life. I hoped it was the former, but feared it might be the latter.
Only time would tell.
Get your copy of Magical Mischief here: http://books2read.com/magicalmischief
Other Series by L.A. Boruff
The Unseen War (Paranormal Reverse Harem): https://laboruff.com/books/unseen/
War of Fangs http://www.books2read.com/WoFangs
War of Fire http://www.books2read.com/WoFire
War of Wings http://www.books2read.com/WoWings
Coven’s End (Complete Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Lia Davis): https://laboruff.com/books/ce/
Kane http://www.books2read.com/CovenKane
Voss http://www.books2read.com/CovenVoss
Quin http://www.books2read.com/CovenQuin
Jillian http://www.books2read.com/CovenJillian
Academy’s Rise (Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Lia Davis): https://laboruff.com/books/ar/
Hell Fire http://www.books2read.com/AR1
Dark Water http://ww
w.books2read.com/AR2
Dead Air http://www.books2read.com/AR3
Valentine Pride (Complete Paranormal Reverse Harem co-write with Laura Greenwood): https://laboruff.com/books/valentine/
Unicorn Mates http://www.books2read.com/Leola1
Unicorn Luck http://www.books2read.com/Leola2
Unicorn Truth http://www.books2read.com/Leola3
A Platypus and Her Mates http://www.books2read.com/Platypus1
Magic and Metaphysics Academy (Paranormal Academy Reverse Harem co-write with Laura Greenwood)
Magical Mischief: http://books2read.com/magicalmischief
Magical Mistake: http://books2read.com/magicalmistake
The Firehouse Feline (Paranormal Comedic Reverse harem co-write with Laura Greenwood and Lacey Carter Andersen): https://laboruff.com/books/the-firehouse-feline/
Feline the Heat: http://www.books2read.com/FirehouseCat1
Feline the Flames *coming soon
Southern Soil (Sweet Contemporary Reverse Harem): https://laboruff.com/books/southernsoil/
Literary Yours http://www.books2read.com/LiteraryYours
Snow Cure http://www.books2read.com/SnowCure
About L.A. Boruff
L.A. (Lainie) Boruff lives in East Tennessee with her husband, three children, and an ever growing number of cats. She loves reading, watching TV, and procrastinating by browsing Facebook. L.A.’s passions include vampires, food, and listening to heavy metal music. She once won a Harry Potter trivia contest based on the books and lost one based on the movies. She has two bands on her bucket list that she still hasn’t seen: AC/DC and Alice Cooper. Feel free to send tickets.
Also by Laura Greenwood
Books in the Paranormal Council Universe
The Paranormal Council Series (shifter romance, completed series)
The Dryad’s Pawprint (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/thedryadspawprint
The Vixen’s Bark (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/thevixensbark
The Necromancer’s Prey (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/thenecromancersprey
The Vampire’s Bite: http://books2read.com/thevampiresbite
The Witch’s Stripes: http://books2read.com/thewitchsstripes
The Paranormal Council Boxed Set: http://books2read.com/theparanormalcouncil
Fated Seasons: Winter (paranormal/fantasy reverse harem)
Saving Eira (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/savingeira
Reigning Eira: http://books2read.com/reigningeira
Fated Seasons: Spring (paranormal/fantasy reverse harem)
Chasing Aledwen (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/chasingaledwen
Thornheart Coven (witch romance)
Witch’s Potion (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/witchspotion
Witch’s Spark (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/witchsspark
Blessed (paranormal post-apocalyptic)
Wolf Blessed (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/wolfblessed
Fae Blessed (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/faeblessed
Elf Blessed: http://books2read.com/elfblessed
Paranormal Criminal Investigations (paranormal mystery reverse harem)
Spell Caster (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/spellcaster
MatchMater Paranormal Dating App (paranormal romance)
Reluctant Dragon Mate: http://books2read.com/reluctantdragonmate
Bewitched Incubus Mate: http://books2read.com/bewitchedincubusmate
Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe (each story stands alone)
Frost’s Forfeit (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/frostsforfeit
Death’s Choice: http://books2read.com/deathschoice
Stories From the Paranormal Council Universe Collection: http://books2read.com/pcstories
Blood & Deceit (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/bloodanddeceit
A Touch of Necromancy: Six Tales of Necromancers: http://books2read.com/atouchofnecromancy
Books in the Obscure World
Ashryn Barker Trilogy (urban fantasy, completed series)
Shattered Illusions (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/shatteredillusions
Broken Illusions (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/brokenillusions
Tarnished Illusions (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/tarnishedillusions
The Ashryn Barker Trilogy Boxed Set (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/ashrynbarker
Grimalkin Academy: Kittens (paranormal academy romance)
First Time’s A Charm: http://books2read.com/firsttimesacharm
Second Time’s A Curse: http://books2read.com/secondtimesacurse
Third Time’s A Crime: http://books2read.com/thirdtimesacrime
Grimalkin Academy: Catacombs (paranormal academy romance)
Catching A Vampire: http://books2read.com/catchingavampire
Catching A Wizard: http://books2read.com/catchingawizard
Books in the Forgotten Gods World
Consorts of the Goddess Trilogy (paranormal/mythology romance)
Quest of the Goddess: http://books2read.com/questofthegoddess
Standalones in the Forgotten Gods World (paranormal/mythology romance)
Protectors of Poison (Zodiac Shifters) (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/protectorsofpoison
Priestess of Truth (Zodiac Shifters Short Story): http://books2read.com/priestessoftruth
Daughter of the Sun (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/daughterofthesun
Servant of Chaos: http://books2read.com/servantofchaos
Other Books
Untold Tales (urban fantasy fairy tales)
Balanced Scales: http://books2read.com/balancedscales
Golden Wings: http://books2read.com/goldenwings
ME Contemporary Standalones (contemporary romance)
Sweet About Me (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/sweetaboutme
Kneel For Me (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/kneelforme
Heard From Me (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/heardfromme
Laid By Me: http://books2read.com/laidbyme
If The Shoe Fits (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/iftheshoefits
ME Collection Volume One: http://books2read.com/mevol1
Rats: Tori (steampunk one shot stories, completed series)
Ruler of Rats: http://books2read.com/rulerofrats
Collector of Rats: http://books2read.com/collectorofrats
Yuletide of Rats: http://books2read.com/yuletideofrats
Rats: Tori Collection: http://books2read.com/ratstori
Standalones
Permission to Breathe Denied (dystopian, Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/permissiontobreathedenied
Glass Heart (urban fantasy, Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/glassheart
Reaper (fantasy romance, Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/animareaper
Co-Written Books
Twin Souls Trilogy, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance, completed series)
Soulswap (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/soulswap
Soulshift: http://books2read.com/soulshift
Soultrade: http://books2read.com/soultrade
Twin Souls Trilogy Boxed Set: http://books2read.com/twinsoulstrilogy
Dragon Soul Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal)
Torn Soul (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/tornsoul
Bound Soul: http://books2read.com/boundsoul
The Renegade Dragons Series, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal)
Fifth Soul (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/fifthsoul
Fifth Round (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/fifthround
Fifth Flame: (Audiobook Available) http://books2read.com/fifthflame
Renegade Dragons Boxed Set (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/renegadedragons
> Vampire For Hire, co-written with Arizona Tape (paranormal romance/mystery)
Fangs For Nothing: http://books2read.com/fangsfornothing
What The Fangs: http://books2read.com/whatthefangs
Seven Wardens, co-written with Skye MacKinnon (paranormal/fantasy reverse harem, completed series)
From the Deeps (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/fromthedeeps
Into the Mists (Audiobook Available): http://books2read.com/intothemists
Beneath the Earth: http://books2read.com/bte
Within the Flames: http://books2read.com/wtf
Above the Waves: http://books2read.com/atw
Under the Ice: http://books2read.com/uti
Rule the Dark: http://books2read.com/rtd
Beyond the Loch (series prequel): http://books2read.com/btl
Through the Storms (to be read between From the Deeps & Into the Mists): http://books2read.com/tts-sw
Below the Baubles (to be read between Above the Waves & Under the Ice)
Seven Wardens Boxed Set: Books 1-4: http://books2read.com/sw1
Seven Wardens Boxed Set: Books 5-7: http://books2read.com/sw2
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