by Valia Lind
"That's pretty great," she says, grinning. "You will have to translate though because I'm completely clueless in that area."
"Deal."
"Your dad and you must be close," she comments, as we turn back to our suitcases. My hands freeze, reaching for a shirt, a pang of hopelessness shattering my bravado.
"We are," is all I say, but she must hear something in my voice.
"Maddie?"
I can't exactly keep this a secret. I'm sure she'll hear all about me when we step outside these walls and into the rest of the academy. But for a second, it was nice to pretend everything in my life was fine. I turn to face her once more, resigned to the truth.
"My dad is missing. He's been missing for about four months now. We're not…" I stop, swallowing audibly. "We have no idea where he is or what happened. He was on a research trip for Ancient defenses and then he was gone."
"That must've been awful," she whispers, and her eyes flicker to her photograph before they're on me once more. She's clearly close to her family, so I don't have to explain how this hurts me.
"I'm going to find him though," I say, standing up straighter, determination fueling my words. "I will do whatever it takes to figure out what happened."
"I'll help anyway I can," she says, and I believe her. There's an air of kindness about her, and I decide to trust it.
Maybe having a roommate won't be such a bad thing after all.
We finish unpacking, chatting about our lives and covens, and while she's a lot more hyper than I am, I like her. I still haven't mentioned my last name. I know it'll come up eventually, but it's kind of nice having someone not know who or what I've done.
When a bell dings three times, I glance at the clock and see that it's dinner time. Jade offers me a confused look, and I motion her toward the door.
"Three dings means mealtime. They don't use the PA system very often, just to notify us of the beginning of the day, meals, and important announcements. If you hear continued rings, seek shelter. It means immediate danger."
"Good to know," she replies, nodding her head.
"Don't worry, they go over the rules in orientation. And I'll stick close to your side until you figure it all out. Plus, we have three classes together. That'll help."
"I have to say, I expected more magical classes," Jade comments as we leave the room and head toward the dining hall. A crowd of students is migrating that way as well, and it's really noticeable just how many more people are crammed within these walls.
"You'll have plenty of magical studies," I assure her, staying close as we make our way through the crowd. "Even regular classes like English and History always have magical applications. It's how the school works. Which I love, to be honest."
"I can understand that."
When I started here last year, I had the same thought. Why wouldn't I have potions or spell casting classes? But the headmaster, along with the teachers, want to make sure we have a proper knowledge of every subject in the world. After all, we live among the humans.
"It's a buffet style setup," I say, as we walk into the large rectangular room. There are floor to ceiling glass doors at one end which are typically open once the weather cools down a little more. Tables are set up throughout the space with the buffet at the opposite side of the room from the doors, near the entrance. It's a good setup, except when you have twice as many students present. It'll probably take a while to get food and find a seat.
I spy the headmaster standing next to Mr. Olsen, the history teacher. They're conversing, but their eyes continuously scan the room. I'm not sure if it makes me feel better or worse having them here.
"So, are we going to talk about the fact that everyone seems to be staring at you?" Jade asks, as we get to the back of the line. I groan aloud, receiving a few more looks thrown my way, and a part of me wants to glare in return.
"I probably should've mentioned..."
"That she's a Hawthorne."
The deeps voice comes from my left, and I turn in time to see the guy from earlier step up to the line. He reaches past a few people, grabbing an apple off the counter.
"Excuse you, there's a line," I say, annoyance dripping off every word.
"Yep, I see it," he replies, moving past us and grabbing a few more items off the counter. No one stops him, which makes me even madder.
"Hello! You are not the only person here," I say, taking a step toward him. He turns, his eyes flashing as he does a once over.
"Eyes on my face," I snap, and they instantly fly up to meet my own. A mask of indifference comes over his features before I can decipher any of his other emotions.
"Does Duchess have something to say?" he asks, and his voice burrows straight under my skin, irritating and exciting me at the same time. Why does he have to sound so good? That deep baritone is made for secrets.
"Don't call me that," I almost growl, taking a step closer to him. "In case you haven't noticed, there are people waiting. I don't know what kind of manner-less hole you crawled out of, but it's polite to let people in line be the first ones to get the food they've been waiting for."
"Wow, Duchess has some bite to her. Here I thought you were all bark." His friends step up then, and he hands over the food he grabbed before taking a step toward me.
"You're a jerk," I say, not backing down.
"Never said I wasn't."
We stare at each other for a second longer before he moves past me, making sure to keep a wide berth and then he is gone. I glare at his retreating back before I step back into line next to Jade.
"Wow, that was hot," she mumbles, keeping her voice as soft as possible. A school with all kinds of supernatural beings requires us to be a particular kind of careful. Shifters, for example, have amazing hearing.
"That was annoying," I reply, but she's still grinning at me. "What?"
"Nothing. I've just never heard of anyone standing up to shifters and live to tell about it."
"He's a shifter?" I ask, a little louder than I intended. Jade narrows her eyes at me for a second, contemplating.
"You have no idea who he is?"
"Only that when I first got here, he made sure to glare at me from across the room."
The line moves forward, and we finally reach the counter. Grabbing a plate, we begin piling on food. I'm so hungry, I'll have no problem finishing the salad and Mac and Cheese.
"Well, he was in the registration line with me, and I know his name is Aiden and he's a wolf shifter. And that he's hot. So are his friends. Is that a shifter thing?" The words tumble out of her, and I have to laugh.
"Maybe. The pack in our town consists of pretty good-looking men," I reply just as a table opens up, and we hurry to it. It's right by the glass doors, and the forest outside makes me think of Hawthorne and my family. The last time I walked through the woods, I was with them.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you who I was," I feel inclined to say. I didn't mean to not tell her.
"I knew who you were, Maddie," Jade replies, shrugging, before she takes a bite of her sandwich.
"But you didn't say anything," I point out after a small pause.
"I didn't want you to feel awkward around me. What you guys did, it's pretty incredible. But it's a lot of pressure and responsibility to carry around with you. You clearly need a break from all the scrutiny."
I stare at her, completely in shock. It's kind of what Kate would say if she were here. A grin splits my lips.
"I think I love you," I say, and then we burst out laughing. It's much needed after the day I've had, and maybe it's not the most embarrassing day of my life after all. It was a pretty full one though. I managed to make a friend and an enemy. I wonder what comes next.
3
The first week of classes is pretty uneventful but busy. Every teacher has given us their course curriculum, freaking me out at how much work there is to be done. I've had no time for my own research. When Saturday morning comes around, that's all I want to do. Figuring out how to sneak over to the s
ecret library, that's the real problem.
Jade is sitting at her desk, head bent over a history book. We have a few chapters to read, but she's actually pretty good at this, considering she went to a secular school. I know some other students are struggling because they've never been outside their coven or its teachings. But my roommate has adapted better than expected.
The whole secret library thing is a bit of a conundrum though. I have a feeling Headmaster Marković knows I've found something, but he hasn't really asked me about it. And the few times I tried telling him, or even my sisters, something always prevents me. I think there's a spell on the library, which would explain a lot. Except for why it was revealed to me. Liam and Kate have both been inside the room, and that is the only reason they know of its existence. Whatever the case with that place, I'm thankful I was the one to find it. If it wasn't for one of the books in that room, we never would've figured out that the ritual my sisters were trying to perform was missing an ingredient.
"I'm going to take a walk," I announce, getting off my bed. "I'll be back in a few."
Jade doesn't look up from her studies, just waves a goodbye in my direction. I really am starting to like this girl. It's not like I'm replacing Kate, who I still haven't spoken to since I've been here, but it feels nice having someone on my side. Especially since I have someone against me.
Actually, it feels like I have a lot of people against me. Jealously is a powerful emotion, and it seems like many students here have been displaying it towards me. Or resentment. Or something I can't even name. Aiden is on top of that list. Every time he's in the vicinity of me, I can feel his hot glare on my skin like a brand. Thankfully, we only have two classes together. So, I guess it could be worse.
Even now as I walk down the corridor, the few students who are out of their rooms give me a quick glance. I can't explain the reasoning behind it, but I won't be pushed into hibernating in my room. Even though it's one of my favorite activities. It will be my choice to hide away, and that's what I'm planning on when I reach the secret library.
The school has always fascinated me. It's housed in an old castle building, but it's far from ordinary. The layout, if looking overhead, is c-shaped. But every part of the building is unique. The central area near the front doors, which I'm passing at the moment, is of the old baroque style. It's very theatrical in its display with grand staircases on the outside and inside, on each side of the front door.
The rest of the castle can only be explained as eclectic. Dad and I actually did research on various styles used to make up the design of the building. The west wing, in which Jade and I room, is mirrored after the Neo-renaissance style. I had no idea that was a thing before I read up on it. Apparently, it was a mixture of gothic and French Renaissance. The east wing is more Neo-gothic, and there are spires everywhere. If I could describe exactly what all these styles mean I would say they are very extravagant. The creators of this place liked to be flashy, but I can't say I don't like it. It gives the school character and I love it.
The east wing is where I'm headed now, to the greenhouse built attached to it. Last year, I spent quite a lot of time among the different plants, researching potions and natural inspired spells to help my sisters. That's when I discovered an old cellar and the staircase that lead into the tunnels under the school. When I followed the pathways it took, I stumbled onto the greatest treasure. A library, much like the one we have back home, but filled with ancient texts.
The place looks like it could be inside the building with large windows and greenery on the other side of the glass. It's a circular room, filled to the brim with books. But when I tried finding a way to go outside, there isn't one. I'm not sure if it's glamour or what, but it's fascinating.
So lost am I in thought, that I don't even notice Aiden until I'm almost on top of him.
"Aren't you a little far from home?" he asks when we're only a few feet apart. I always have to prepare myself for the impact his eyes have on me. It's like he can look directly inside of me.
"Shouldn't you mind your own business, Aiden?" I don't think I've ever said his name before, and it jars me as much as it jars him. He stares at me for a second too long, and I feel it all the way down to my toes. Snapping myself out of our staring game, I move to walk around him when he steps in front of me.
"I am minding my own business, Duchess. You're in my hallway." It takes a lot of self-restraint not to comment on the nickname again, but I don't. Because I know he enjoys the fact that it gets under my skin. Instead, I meet him tit for tat.
"I don't see your name on it," I reply, placing my hands on my hips. We're back to our staring contest, and if there is one thing my sisters and I have in common it’s that we don't back down from confrontation. Mom calls it stubborn. Dad calls it hard-headed. I take both as a compliment.
"Maybe you should look a little closer." He takes another step toward me. There's now only about three feet separating us, and the effect of his closeness is more unnerving than that hated nickname.
"No, thank you," I reply, looking him straight in the eye, "I have more important things to do. Like count how many lime trees are in the garden."
If I wasn't watching him so closely, I would've missed the way his mouth twitches at the corner. I think I almost got to him and that elevates me. I take a step, but he's not done. He moves with me, continuously blocking my way.
"Is there something else you need?" I finally ask, giving him one of my sweetest smiles. He blinks at me a few times. I expect another fight, but just as suddenly as he appeared, he takes a step back. "Carry on, then."
I move past him without a second look and half walk/half run toward the greenhouse. I know for a fact this isn't his hallway. He's two stories up in the southeastern corner of the building. I overheard some of his pack mates talking about it in the dining hall two days ago. He lives to annoy me, and if I'm to survive his torment, I need to add a few more items to my arsenal.
But right now, I push all thoughts of him away and head to the greenhouse. The secret library awaits.
There are a few students in the greenhouse already working on their independent study projects. Since I'm a water witch, most of my independent study will be done by the pond on the east side of the property. A part of me is ridiculously excited, but another part of me is nervous. I'm only sixteen, and since my powers manifested when I was five, they've been unpredictable. What makes me nervous is the fact that since the ritual with my sisters, they've been pretty dormant. Still there, but it's as if they're taking a break.
Not that I would fault them, if that was a thing I could do. The ritual required the use of all five of the elements: Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Spirit. The rest of the witches involved, my sisters included, had a powerful booster alongside them.
The soulmate bond.
As I walk around the different plants, waiting to sneak over to the cellar, my mind mulls over the legend. When I was younger, it was one of the bedtime stories my mother would read me.
Soulmates were a belief that there are two parts of a whole out there, and when one meets their other half, their hearts and magic are bonded to outrageous degrees. Up until seven months ago, this was just a myth. But then Connor returned to his pack and ran into my sister in the library. A witch and a shifter is not a union approved by many. Most of the time, it's looked down upon. But if I've ever met two individuals more perfect for each other, it would be them.
Then, of course, came Mark. A witch from another coven who swept my oldest sister off her feet. He and Bri are perfect for each other in every way, and it was their bond that awakened her active powers. I wouldn't say I'm jealous, I'm ridiculously happy for my sisters. But I am wishful. I can only ever dream about a connection such as theirs.
During the ritual, they had the soulmate bond on their sides. I didn't. Even weeks after, I can still feel the bit of drain on my magic, which I really hope will get replenished before I have to cast in public. I'm sure that'll go over well with the student
body. A powerful witch with tiny magic.
With my mind going over everything, I don't notice the students moving out of the greenhouse until I'm alone. After another quick study, I walk over to the south corner of the room and move aside a few strategically placed palms. Then, I remove the wooden crate over the door, and I'm in.
The steps are pretty old, and the darkness is unnerving. But I've come prepared. After arranging the plants and the crate so it's not noticeable right away, I descend into the tunnel. People aren't usually in this part of the greenhouse anyway, but I try to stay as cautious as possible.
I've only brought Kate and Liam down here, and both times it was out of necessity. When I couldn't outright tell them about what I found, I could only show them. A part of me was sad, considering I loved having the place to myself. But I guess that resolved itself out, considering here I am again, all alone, descending into the darkness.
After about a six-minute walk, I timed it at one point, I'm in front of the doors. They look like any doors back in the academy. When I place my palm against the wood, it shudders, before opening up.
When I step inside, it's exactly as I left it.
The ceilings are incredibly high, and the bookshelves line every wall. It's a circular room with a few desks and chairs in the middle. And piles and piles of books. The view outside the window is just as comforting as the smell of books inside. The forest is strikingly green and full, and it makes me wish I could go outside and explore.
Instead, I make my way toward the desk closest to the window. The last time I was here, I had about four books on the table, and I see that they're all still there. Sitting down, I leaf through the pages, as if acquainting myself with an old friend.
For the first time since I stepped back into Thunderbird Academy, I am truly alone.
The thought makes me breathe easier for a moment, before the onslaught of emotions assault me.
The pang of missing my dad hits fast and hard, and I almost double over. There hasn't been even a clue to his whereabouts since he's gone missing. All that was found was his suitcase in the hotel he was staying in, but no information on what he was doing there.