“Don’t take offense. He’s always like that, darling. Today was actually a good day for him.”
* *
After class Tristan leads me to the cafeteria which he promises is the most impressive part of the school, and I see instantly that he’s right. The arched roof is crisscrossed with exposed beams and there is a second floor balcony that runs the length of the room. A stone fireplace with a built in big screen TV sits in the center of the room and stretches all the way up to the ceiling. There are round dark wood tables and chairs scattered around the room and the floor is a luxurious looking slate. It looks more like a ski lodge or a designer coffee house than a high school cafeteria.
“Pretty mind blowing, huh?” He looks at me.
“What? Oh yeah it’s nice.” I say and he laughs.
“I meant the supernatural stuff. Finding out you’re a fairy? Must kind of mess with your head.”
“I guess. I don’t really know what to do with that information right now.”
“Right now, California, you don’t have to do anything with that information. Let’s just relax and enjoy lunch.” He takes my hand and leads me to a table by the fireplace, then takes the chair right next to me.
“How long have you known?” I ask.
“That I’m a fairy? My whole life.”
“That’s right. You’re a fairy too.” I study his face for some sign and he grins.
“It will make a lot more sense once I explain it to you.” Tristan gestures for me to follow him and he leads me to the food area. It is made up of a line of sleek stainless steel refrigerators, an elaborate looking salad bar and a takeout window with a menu board posted beside it. “Supies have different tastes when it comes to food. The fridges are for the vamps to store blood for when they’re not chowing on unsuspecting humans. The salad bar is mostly for us. Ever notice how often you crave fresh food like fresh vegetables, fruit and organic stuff? I’ll bet you’re a vegetarian too.” I nod, surprised by how accurately he’s described me. “Most of us are. It’s a fairy thing for sure. Just like our appreciation for warm weather and the outdoors.”
“So you are telling me that because I’m an organic-eating-vegetarian in flip flops that I’m a fairy? By that definition than a good majority of people on the West Coast must be fairies.” I wrinkle my nose and he laughs.
“I’m just telling it like it is, California. Anyway, the witches never seem to have much of an appetite walking around all tortured and sad like they do. The wolves mostly eat at the hot food counter though its squirrels and rabbits when they shift.” It amazes me how easily he talks about all this but I guess having seventeen years to process it helps.
“What about the trolls?” I add and he winks mischievously.
“Trolls mostly eat live goats and game but they will eat anything. They are like tiny little garbage disposals and you won’t see any around now. They can only come out at night since they, like, literally explode in the sun. The school has night classes for them. They are total pranksters though so watch out if you do run into one after dark.” We help ourselves to some salad and find our way back to the table. Tristan takes a big bite and pauses for dramatic effect. “Now it’s time for the unofficial introduction to Ex Nihilo. Over there we have the wolves. They are the skinny ones over there that look like marathon runners, and they have genius-level intellects so they take themselves pretty seriously.” He gestures to a mixed group across the cafeteria that have their heads buried in their books. “Witches look pretty much like you’d expect. Note the sour grapes expressions and angst-y black eye makeup. I may be a guy but I’m pretty sure Goth went out of style, like, years ago. I guess they are going for a theme, solidarity and all that.” I look over my shoulder at the table behind me where a group of girls and guys with bored expressions and black nail polish are picking at their lunches. Nissa isn’t with them; instead she is sitting across the room with an Asian boy with spiky black and orange hair who doesn’t look like a witch at all. “The vamps are the ones with the sallow complexions and expensive clothing who are staring at the walls. Trolls, well, like I said I can’t even really explain that one - you’ll have to see for yourself. And we are over there.” He points to the back wall where a loud, boisterous group has pushed three of the round tables together. The first thing that strikes me is how attractive they all are. The group is made up of tall, muscular guys and willowy girls all with hair in varying shades of blond. I notice their eyes too; all in different hues of green. Seeing them all together they have a kind of ethereal quality.
“Wow. They are all so… beautiful.” I say and Tristan laughs appreciatively.
“Yeah, we get by. But it’s not they it’s you too. Have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re a total babe.” He stares at me without blinking and I blush. One of the girls from the group cups her hands together and calls out Tristan’s name and he waves back. “So why have you been appointed as my tour guide?”
“Well, aside from being devastatingly handsome and full of personality I am the student Council president and an all around really great guy. Which is exactly why you should go to the dance with me tomorrow.”
“What dance? You guys have dances?” I can feel my stomach drop into my toes. I never went to any of the dances back home and the idea of witches and werewolves crammed into a smelly gymnasium sipping punch just seems too ridiculous for words. “It’s the welcome back dance. It starts pretty early so just bring a change of clothes to school and I’ll meet you on campus.”
“I don’t know. I mean, it sounds great.” Actually it doesn’t sound great at all. It sounds more like Chinese water torture but I decide I’m not going to alienate the one friend I’ve made so far by saying no. I’m about to tell him yes when I feel something cold running down the back of my neck.
“Oops!” A voice behind me squeals. I raise my hand to my head and come away with a handful of green salad, covered in a wet, gloppy dressing that is now running all through my hair. “I am so sorry! I must have tripped.” Her voice is saccharine sweet and completely insincere.
“That wasn’t nice, Kennedy!” Tristan scolds her playfully but he’s smiling, which feels immediately like a betrayal. I wipe at my head with my paper napkin which only seems to make it worse while Kennedy watches me with the corner of her mouth twisted up in a smirk. “You must be the new girl from California?” She says ‘California’ with distain and I can tell from the accent that she’s British. She has shiny strawberry blond hair that’s styled into a short pixie cut and eyes the color of boiled celery. She is very pretty, with delicate features, a pointed chin and a sports illustrated caliber body which makes me dislike her even more. She is wearing tight jeans that dip below her navel and a fitted blouse that shows off more cleavage than is probably appropriate for a high school. “I think you’re going to need more than a napkin to get that out, but if it’s any consolation I think it’s an improvement.” She says and the friend standing with her snickers as they saunter away arm in arm. Tristan looks at me apologetically.
“I’m sorry about Kennedy. Her bark is worse than her bite. You just need to get to know her.” I nod lamely. Something tells me that probably won’t be happening anytime soon. “She’s a senior and definitely the Queen around here. And she’s probably just testing the waters with you.” Perfect, I think to myself. I already have a target on my back and I haven’t even been here a full day.
* *
In the bathroom I try and fit my head under the sink to wash away the oily dressing. Water runs down my neck and into the back of my t-shirt, yet I somehow manage to miss the worst of it. I swallow back the tears brimming in my eyes.
“Please let me help you, darling. You’re getting the floor all wet.” I peer over my shoulder and see Nissa standing behind me.
“Thank you.” I say and in a blink she is at my side picking mixed greens out of my scalp.
“At least it wasn’t spaghetti like mine.” She says.
“She got you too?” I sniff a
nd wipe at my eyes.
“She got me on my first day here. She is a world class bitch in case you didn’t already get the memo.”
“But I thought you guys didn’t eat?” I say confused and she laughs out loud.
“Is that what that overgrown child Tristan is telling you? Look at me. Obviously I do.” She gestures to her curvaceous figure. I think she looks beautiful, like a 1950’s pin up model, and I tell her so.
“Darling, I love you already.” She smiles at me in the mirror, working the last of the salad out of my hair, then wets a paper towel in the sink and blots my head.
“Where are you from?” I ask.
“Saint-Etienne. It is in the south of France near Lyon. Have you ever been?” I shake my head no. “Then we will have to change that.” She flashes her perfect white teeth and I manage to find my own smile.
“Thanks again for helping me. This has pretty much been one of the worst days of my life.” I say and she nods sagely.
“Stick with me, Lily, and I’ll always help you. This place can be hard at times, so you just need to find the right people.” And yet somehow I feel like I already have.
Chapter 5: The Powers that Be
I am nine years old again and I am watching my mom through a crack in the bedroom door. She is throwing clothing into a suitcase while my dad paces the length of the carpeted floor. I remember the carpet well. It is a pale green color that matches the rattan headboard and floral wallpaper and I instinctively know that we are in the old condo in Hawaii. It was my second favorite place we’ve lived despite the lingering smell of gardenia perfume and stale cigarettes. “You’re overreacting, Alura. They promised to leave us be and I believe that they will keep that promise.” Mom zips the suitcase, puffing out a frustrated breath. “Don’t fool yourself, Ayfred. You saw them watching her at the beach. You know as well as I do that they are coming for her no mattered what was agreed upon.” She brushes past dad and walks into the cramped living room. The sliding doors to the lanai are open and I can hear the sounds of waves lapping the north shore of the island. Dad follows her out and I duck into the hall so I’m out of sight. “I know the Council is not the life you would have chosen for yourself but they are still our kind and they still have our best interests at heart.” “I have her best interests at heart! I will not let them have my baby. I want her to have a chance at a childhood for as long as is possible.” Mom opens the refrigerator and starts throwing food into the garbage. “I’m so tired of running. You see the effect that it has on Lily. You know that she needs more stability than this.” Mom turns away to pour the jug of milk down the sink and laughs harshly. “You mean the stability and structure that Ex Nihilo can give her.” “All I am asking is that you consider it. We have the house there. We could settle down.” Dad replies calmly. I leave the protective cover of the hallway and find my mother in the kitchen. I am clutching the stuffed whale again and my ratty nightgown barely covers my knobby knees.
“Mommy, are we moving again?” I whisper and she bends over to run a hand through my hair. “Yes, baby, we are.” “Why?” My lips tremble. “It will be an adventure. We will go somewhere warm. Somewhere close to the beach where the sun shines all the time.” She ignores my question and instead envelopes me in a firm hug. “You know that we love you more than anything in the world, right?” I nod into her shoulder and she squeezes tighter. “Never forget how important you are, Lily. Now let’s get you back to bed.” She takes my hand and leads me back down the hall to my bedroom. I can see the resigned slump of my dad’s shoulders as he unplugs the television from the wall and I know that the discussion is over. Tomorrow I will fall asleep somewhere else. Tomorrow we will start again.
* *
I’m exhausted the next morning from the lucid dreams so I’m barely awake when I walk into the training room. I take one look at it and immediately see where Ex Nihilo is spending most of their money. It is a huge open space, twice the size of the Gold’s Gym by my old house, and one half of the room is packed with top of the line gym equipment while the other half is covered in mats. Mirrors line one wall and intricate looking weaponry lines the other. Another wall holds a row of fire extinguishers that seem oddly out of place.
“Where to begin, right?” I turn around to face the Asian boy with the black and orange hair I saw yesterday in the cafeteria. He smiles warmly and offers his hand. “I’m Cai.” “I saw you sitting with Nissa yesterday.” I smile back, taking his hand.
“Yeah, she’s pretty fantastic.” He says it with a kind of reverence that makes me wonder if they’re a couple. He is handsome with a slender build, almond shaped eyes that are a unique shade of amber and ears that are just a little bit too large for his face. He is wearing slim dark wash jeans and a hooded sweatshirt and his fingers are covered in rings.
“Where are you from?” I ask, trying to place an accent that sounds faintly British.
“I was born in Hong Kong but I’ve lived all over. I’ve never been to California though and I hear it’s beautiful. You must miss it.” He says and my smile wavers.
“So what happens next?” I try and change the subject but I must sound anxious because Cai laughs and slings an arm across my shoulders.
“You look like you’re waiting for fire and brimstone to fall from the rafters. It’s not at all like that I promise. This really is just an elite private school with classes to attend and rules to follow. Trust me when I say that it’s all very pedestrian.” He leads me over to the treadmills. “Once we change we can start by taking a warm up run. Then I believe its weapons training today. If you go through the back door there you will find the change rooms and a regular old gym with scuffed floors and basketball nets.”
“And what’s in there?” I point to a bolted steel door just behind the cardio area.
“That is the powers training room. It has a fireproof door.”
“Why?”
“You’re a fairy - you’ll find out soon enough.” He winks.
Ten minutes later I’m changed into navy blue shorts and a shirt with the Ex Nihilo crest emblazoned on the chest and standing in front of Lucinda, who is demonstrating how to properly use something called a foil. There are just five of us in total: Cai, a male witch, two female vampires and myself. My eyes search the room for Luca but he is not here and I am filled with a strange mixture of relief and regret.
“Fencing? I thought you said it was weapons training.” I whisper to Cai who just shrugs. While yoga and surfing are sports that require the use of certain muscle groups, hand-eye coordination has never been my strong suit. Lucinda motions to one of the bored looking vampires to join her in the circle.
“What other kinds of weapons training do you do here?” I ask as I move to stand behind Cai but he puts a finger to his lips to silence me. “Come on Cai! I feel like no one will tell me anything!” He sighs and leans over to whisper in my ear.
“Firearms training, knives, stick fighting, boxing, mixed martial arts… the list goes on.” “That sounds like military training. Why would supernatural’s need all of that?” My question is cut off by Lucinda who I turn to see standing beside me wielding a sword. I whisper an apology and shrink away from her.
“It is quite alright, Lily. I can imagine that it is frustrating only knowing what you don’t know. I simply would ask that you come to me with your questions instead of interrupting my class.” I nod, embarrassed, and she moves back into the fighting circle. “Class, can we help Lily out by sharing with her why it is important for our races to be skilled in the art of war?” The witch, whose name turns out to be Wrath, answers first.
“In peace prepare for war; in war prepare for peace.”
“Exactly. Being in a constant state of readiness is to our advantage. We prepare you for life outside these walls both mentally, physically and metaphysically.” Lucinda puts down her sword and sits cross-legged on the floor, motioning for the rest of us to do the same. “Cai, please share with Lily what the powers of werewolves are.” Cai sits dow
n beside me awkwardly, his tight jeans preventing him from fully bending his legs. “Intellect, an eidetic memory and the ability to shift into wolf form that gives us agility, speed, strength and enhanced vision.” He lists off quickly and Wrath goes next. “Witches have spell casting, telekinesis and necromancy.” Lucinda shoots him an angry look. “But of course necromancy is a dark art not practiced anymore. Not that I’ve even heard of a witch being able to do it if they tried.” He mumbles.
“Excellent.” Lucinda clasps her hands together. “I can enlighten Lily as to what the fairy powers include. Primarily our power consists of elemental manipulation which is the ability to control fire, water, air and earth all in varying degrees of course.”
“Is that why you have the fire extinguishers?” I add.
“Yes, that’s the primary reason. In addition we have charms that we can exercise. As an example there is one we use for concealment that makes us invisible and another we use for thought planting, although ethically we shouldn’t be altering someone’s perception unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Jewel, would you like to share with the group what the vampire powers are?” Jewel, who couldn’t look less like a ‘Jewel’ if she tried, rolls her eyes at me.
“We have speed, strength, enhanced hearing, flight and glamour. The glamour is a form of telepathy we use to mind wipe humans after a feed. And there’s mind-speak as well, like talking in somebody else’s head, though most of us can’t really communicate that way at all.” The room is quiet as I sit and process everything that’s been said. It sounds like a lot of power to me already, so much so that the swords and the knives and the treadmills seem a little overkill to me.
Ex Nihilo Academy Page 4