awoke with a nervous energy flowing through me.
I could barely eat any breakfast and I almost forgot to put on shoes before heading down the stairs to the main hallways where I would find my first class of the day. It also didn’t help that Ace stood off in the corner of the room, arms crossed over his massive chest, as he ignored me. He was even moodier than the day before.
Thankfully, Jade and I both had Ancient Literature as our first class of the day. After we reviewed our schedules last night, we saw that we had two classes together today: Ancient Literature and History of Magic. I was glad to have a friendly face since I had no clue what to expect here. Surely, some of my classes would be normal, right?
As we walk into our first class, I am taken aback by all of the posters hanging on the stone walls. Images of William Shakespere, Edgar Allan Poe, and countless other amazing authors staring back at me. I’ve always been an avid reader. For me, reading was a means to escape when my reality truly sucked. I would escape and go on an exciting adventure and forget about the loneliness that I felt.
“Hey, let’s sit over here,” Jade said, motioning toward two desks in the back of the room.
I gladly agreed and followed her as we walked through the aisles. A few kids turned to look our way, but most students ignored us. Which, I was grateful for.
We sat down and I began taking my laptop out of my bag.
“Do the guides have classes?” I asked Jade, nonchalantly.
When Ace had followed us to class, he never mentioned if he had class, too.
“The guides go to class, too. While you are in class, you are protected by spells that keep any danger away from students. When you are in the halls and on the grounds of school, the guides will always be with their student,” Jade informed me.
All I could do was nod. I wish that Ace would just tell me that; but for some reason, he was giving me the silent treatment today. I busied myself getting everything read as more students piled into the room. Suddenly, a figure loomed over, startling me and causing me to look up. Standing next to me, was a smiling Finn.
“Good morning,” he greeted me, sliding into the desk next to us.
I felt my face flush and my stomach filled with butterflies. Just the sight of Finn had my nerves going crazy. Guys like Finn didn’t seem to exist at normal high schools. He was perfectly put together and had impeccable manners, too.
“Good morning,” I replied, nervously.
“It’s nice to see we have a class together,” he acknowledged, showing his pearly white teeth in a smile.
“Yeah, it is,” I agreed, though my voice sounded way too giddy.
I heard Jade chuckle next to me and I wanted to crawl underneath the desk and hide.
“Where is your guide?” Finn asked, glancing around the room.
Shrugging my shoulders, I let out a slight chuckle. “He’s in his class. I get a whole free period where I don’t have to deal with his attitude,” I said.
Finn seemed to like this as his eyes grew wide and his smile beamed throughout the room.
“Well, that’s nice for you.”
Our professor waltzed into the room and everyone around us grew quiet. Finn turned his attention to the front of the room, and it struck me how different this was from my normal high school. Normally, teens had to be warned several times before they quieted down. These students obviously had immense respect for their professors.
“Good morning students. My name is Professor Alora and I am so excited to start a new semester,” the woman announced.
Her black hair was set in a majestic braid that hung down her back. She wore a long, flowing dress that was red and gold. She seemed to glide across the room with a megawatt smile on her pale face. I instantly wondered what type of Supernatural she was.
“We will focus this semester on two of my favorite authors: William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. These writers were both Supernaturals and used their knowledge of magic and otherworldly beings in their writings. Obviously, humans believe their works to be entirely fiction, but those of us in the Supernatural world know that the characters and plots were designed based on our world.”
I was locked in to her lesson, intrigued by her words and hoping that they were true. I had seen several Shakespeare’s plays and read Poe’s works and always loved how dark and magical they were. Knowing that I had a deeper connection to them was alluring.
“We will dive into one of my favorite plays: A Midsummer’s Night Dream, and examine how magic played a huge role in the plot development and themes,” Professor Alora announced, clapping her hands and saying something quietly under her breath.
Suddenly, a large textbook appeared on everyone’s desks and the pages flipped directly to where the play began. Stunned, I stared down at the textbook in awe. Professor Alora must be a Witch, she used magic so effortlessly.
“Now, let me assign everyone a part so we can begin,” she stated, starting to name off characters.
By the time class was over, I was totally immersed in reading. We made it through the first act of the play, and I had learned so far that Hermia was based on a Witch from Shakespeare’s life and Puck was a Fae.
Finn and Jade walked with me to my next class and I spotted a scowling Ace walking into his classroom. He waited until I was in my next class, Geography, before slipping into his room. I spent the rest of the day learning about my new classes and discovering how this new world was going to completely transform how I have viewed everything my entire life.
***
After dinner, Finn found me as I was cleaning up my table.
“Hey, would you like to go for a walk with me?” Finn asked.
His uniform blazer was draped over one shoulder and he looked absolutely adorable.
“Sure,” I said, trying to hide my own excitement.
Finn took my hand and I was shocked by how cold his skin felt. He began to lead us toward the exit door at the back of the cafeteria, but Ace suddenly appeared in front of us, his face stern.
“Where are you going?” he asked with disdain.
“Brie and I are going on a walk out in the rose garden,” Finn answered, his tone strong and menacing.
The two guys stared one another down and I could feel the tension growing in the air. It was so heavy, I feared that it might suffocate me. Ace snapped his attention to me, and I felt like shrinking under his angry glare. That strange spark of fire inside of me grew until I was afraid it might explode right out of me.
“Brie is not to leave this building without me accompanying her,” Ace finally stated, through gritted teeth.
Finn offered a smile that was anything but pleasant to Ace. “Great, then you can join us, too. But only from afar,” he said, reaching down and taking my hand.
A strong urge to pull my hand from Finn’s came over me, but I quickly dismissed the feeling as my own nervousness and frustration with this situation. I didn’t understand why these two hated one another so much, or why Ace had to be so difficult.
I allowed Finn to lead me to the glass doors and once we stepped outside, the cool, night air felt refreshing on my heated skin. This was my first time being out back of the school and I wasn’t disappointed. The sun had faded and the sky was a beautiful mixture of reds, oranges, and purples, as the darkness began to cast over the sky. Sparkling stars began to pop up, helping to light the way. We walked along a cobblestone walkway toward the rose garden which was inside a black iron fence. Lanterns filled with a blazing fire lit the area and it was so enchanting, I couldn’t do anything but stare.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” I admired.
’Yeah, the Fae’s work out here with the earth Witches. The roses are spelled to live through any and all weather conditions,” Finn told me, as we began walking through the garden.
I almost forgot about Ace, but then his angry face appeared across the garden. He stood outside of the iron fence, arms folded across his chest, and a menacing stare as his red eyes bore into us. I wanted to tell him to get lost and leave us alone, but I knew it was no use. This was his role and I didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“That’s so cool. I am excited to really learn about all the Supernaturals, especially what I am,” I sighed.
Finn squeezed my hand gently and I smiled up at him.
“I have faith that you will learn soon what your powers are. Brie, you are so beautiful and kind; I am sure that you are going to be wonderful no matter what you are,” he said sweetly.
A low growl was heard across the garden, but I ignored Ace’s tantrum. He must just want everyone to be as miserable as he is. Maybe this is why the wolves are looked down on; they have terrible tempers and manners.
We continue walking until we find a small bench among the flowers. As we sit, I stare out at the academy in front of us. The yellow glow of the lights make the building look like a castle from a fairy tale. This place is so amazing and makes me feel so grateful that I was able to come here.
Finn leaned in closely and my breath caught in my chest from his nearness. “In a few weeks the academy is having a dance to welcome the new semester. I would love it if you would join me,” Finn proposed, causing my heart to flutter.
“Really?” I asked.
As much as I liked Finn, I had only just met him. How could he know so quickly that he wanted to take me to the dance?
“Of course. There is something about you that feels different,” he said, causing my cheeks to blush again.
As Finn stared deep into my eyes, he moved in closer and for a second, I thought he was going to kiss me. However, his hand moved to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed, but I also knew it was insane to think he would kiss me after only knowing me for one day. Though, stranger things had happened…
A melody of eerie songs began to float through the air and Finn suddenly tensed.
“What’s that?” I asked, straining my neck to see around him.
“The Sirens are singing,” Finn said, a bit gloomy. “They are trying to lure someone in,” he sighed.
I remembered Electra and Ace’s warnings about the woods and the Sirens. Hearing their bewitching voices, I could see how an unsuspecting victim could easily be enticed to go to them. Even now, I felt a strong pull to get up and head toward the woods.
Ace suddenly appeared beside us and I felt an urge of sadness. “It’s time to go now. Brie needs to be in her room,” Ace instructed.
“Why don’t you just calm down?” Finn asked, as though Ace were saying something outrageous.
I didn’t like the tension mounting between them again, so I stood up and rolled my eyes at Ace.
“It’s ok. I have had a long day and I need to get some rest,” I said to Finn.
Nodding, Finn stood, too. “Fine, I will walk you back to your room,” he offered.
“No, as her guide, I will do it,” Ace snapped.
Finn stepped toward Ace, and they both began seething with anger. I didn’t want the guys to fight, so I held up my hand to stop them both.
“Finn, thank you for taking me out here tonight. I will see you tomorrow,” I said, trying to offer an apologetic smile.
A smug look appeared over Ace’s face that made me want to smack that look right away. I moved and began to storm away from them both. Fuming, I made it to the doors, before Ace was at my side again. Neither of us spoke as we made our way through the halls and toward my room.
Moving to open the door, Ace placed his hand on the knob and stopped me.
“Wait,” he began.
His face no longer had the same look of anger, but now had a pained expression. He huffed out a deep breath as I stood there, waiting for him to say anything.
“I’m really tired, so can you just let me go to sleep?” I asked, out of annoyance.
“I think that you need to stay away from Finn,” Ace finally said.
My eyes bulged and I stomped my foot in anger. “Are you serious? How dare you try to tell me what to do. You don’t even know me!” I roared.
“And you don’t know, Finn. He is trouble. And… I think I know what you are and…”
I cut him off, not wanting to hear anything else that he had to say. “Don’t say anything more!” I yelled, opening my door and then slamming it in his face.
Fuming, I quickly changed out of my clothes and pulled on a pair of pajamas. I was beyond physically and mentally exhausted from my first day at Woodsong Academy. Dealing with Ace was going to test my patience in more ways than one.
As I moved to lay down, I spotted a figure out in the vast yard behind the academy. Curiosity took over as I slowly padded over to my balcony and opened the door. Ace was sprinting across the grass as his clothes tore to shreds. His body morphed into that of a large, white wolf. He was racing toward the woods and all I could do was stare open mouthed in amazement. This was my first true experience seeing someone shift and it was a strange sight to see. Once he was hidden amongst the trees of the woods, I slipped back inside of my room. Laying down on the bed, I closed my eyes but a soft voice filtered in through my mind.
It was the same voice that had haunted me in my dreams only the night before.
“Trust him,” the voice said, in a melodic sound.
The only problem was: I didn’t know which one I was supposed to trust. Ace or Finn?