to a stop and I was jostled awake.
My mind was foggy as I struggled to take in my surroundings. Flicking my gaze outside of the vehicle, I realized we had just arrived at the school. Hours had passed and I had almost slept the entire trip. I felt someone nudge my arm. I guess I fell asleep while listening to music.
The driver was standing outside of the vehicle, holding my bags. His face was still stoic as he stared back at me.
“Thanks,” I said, as I smiled.
Stepping out of the vehicle, I was immersed in darkness as night had taken over the sky. However, the bright lights illuminating Woodsong Academy had me taking a breath. Standing before me was a massive mansion that resembled a castle more than any school I had ever seen before. Three stories tall, the massive structure stood tall and regal in the midst of the wooded area around us. Large, stained glass windows framed the brick walls and towers appeared to my left and right. Green vines snaked up the side of the school and I couldn’t believe how beautiful this place was. The world around me was quiet and peaceful, but something told me it wouldn’t stay like this for long.
I held tightly onto my duffle bag and sucked in a deep breath. This was it. My chance to start a new life and finally get the answers I had craved for five years. The imposing gates that secured the Academy from the rest of the world closed with an eerie thud. Nestled in the Kentucky mountains, Woodsong Academy existed for those who were anything but human.
“You need to follow me,” my driver said, already walking up the stone steps to the front doors.
Rushing to catch up to him, I didn’t want to be alone out here. There was something foreboding and ominous about this place, and I had a strange feeling like I was being watched. Glancing around, I looked for any sign of life, but all I saw were lightning bugs floating around the van.
A set of thick, wooden doors opened as I stepped up to them. My mouth gaped, open wide as I realized they had opened on their own.
Placing my bags next to me, the driver nodded. “You may now enter the academy. I wish you luck,” he said, before retreating back down the stairs.
His words made my blood run cold. Why would I need luck? This was supposed to be where I learned how to invoke my powers. Was there something else that could happen? Nervous energy flooded through me as I stepped inside of the large entryway. The van pulled away from the driveaway and I realized it was just me now.
Walking inside, I could hear my footsteps as they clicked against the white marble floor beneath me.
“Welcome, Brie Bounty,” a voice rang out to my left.
I whipped my head around and saw a guy around my age standing near a large, spiraling staircase. He had shaggy hair and dark brown eyes.
“Yes,” I said, gulping.
” I am Ace. I will be your guide here at the Woodsong Academy. We have been waiting for your arrival,” he said, matter-of-fact like.
There was something in his tone that sounded like he was irritated with me. He didn’t smile or welcome me with a handshake. In fact, he was almost rude.
I only nodded, unsure of what I should say. It was strange that he knew my name, but I guess that was to be expected. My arrival had been known.
I walked further inside the school and then I saw another person coming our way. Only, this was a woman who looked like she was almost walking on air. As she glided toward me, a soft smile graced her pale face. Her long, white and lavender hair swayed behind her.
“Welcome, you must be Brie,” she welcomed me.
Well, at least someone had manners. Ace stood awkwardly to the side and kept his eyes secured on the floor.
“Ace will be your guide and show you around. Tomorrow, you will receive your schedule and begin classes. From my understanding, you have not had any upbringing with Supernaturals,” she said, keeping her smile.
My heart dropped at this reminder that I was alone. My mom never got the chance to really teach me about this new world.
“No, my parents died before either one of them could instruct me,” I said.
It still felt strange to talk about Supernatural abilities. There had been a part of me that always felt like it was all a lie. That my mom had just told me those stories for entertainment. Now, though, I was finally in the world she had told me about.
“We are aware. When one of us dies, we are all informed. Your mother’s death was never confirmed, correct?” she asked me.
Hot tears blurred my vision. I wasn’t sure why we had to talk about this now. It was a very sore topic for me and brought back the initial pain of losing her. My mom was found dead in her car one evening after work. The police never did find a suspect, but they had ruled it as a homicide.
“Oh. Well…I don’t know who killed her,” I stumbled out.
“Did she ever talk to you about Trackers? Or, her time here at Woodsong Academy?” Electra asked.
I could see the concern in her eyes, but that still didn’t make this any easier to discuss. I felt stupid and lost as I stood before her, with very little answers to provide. But, I was built for this. I had been lifting myself up and pulling myself out of dark, lonely places ever since I lost my mom and dad. I could handle this.
Shaking my head, I fought back my tears as I replied. “No. I was eleven-years-old when my parents…died. She would tell me fantastic stories about magic and the friends she made here, but she never discussed anything about Trackers.”
Electra’s smile faded and a deep frown set in. “Oh my. Well, you have a lot to learn then,” she said, clasping her hands together.
It wasn’t lost on me that she brushed right over the Trackers. I had no idea what they were or if they were good or evil. Though, I knew in time, I would learn about everything.
“Ace,” Electra called. Ace stepped forward obediently. “Please begin the tour.”
Ace nodded and then turned on his heels to leave. He began to walk down a long, dark corridor and I rushed to catch up with him. Electra had nodded for me to follow him, and then had departed from the room where we had once been standing. Not wanting to be left alone in this strange place, I had no other choice but to follow Ace once again. We came to a long, spiraling staircase with black iron and deep mahogany stairs. The stairs looked as though they reached up to the sky above.
”So, what are you?” I asked, as I followed him up the stairs. The question tumbled out of me and I couldn’t help but want to know everything I could.
Without stopping or turning around, Ace responded. “ I am a Wolf Shifter.”
I just nodded to myself, unsure of what else to say.
We came to a stop at the top of the stairs, and I noticed several hallways branching out from the area at the top. Each hallway had a separate staircase leading to the next destination.
“Each Supernatural group has their own separate wing of the Academy. Shifters have a hidden exit so when they have to shift into their wolf form and hunt, they can leave the building without disrupting everyone else. The Witches also have their own area equipped with a shield protected cement room where they can perform and practice spells without risking harm to the others. Finally, the Fae’s have their own section with access to additional windows and balconies where they can practice their flying and magic. From here, you will never enter any other coven or tower. Since it has already been determined that you are a Fae, you will go straight there. The others will each sleep in the main sleeping quarters until they are granted their true powers,” Ace spoke. “Boys have one side of the wing and girls have the other,” he finished.
“Ok,” I said, feeling exhausted by the information and the walk up the stairs.
So, it was true. Everything my mom had told me was all real. Adrenaline coursed through me and I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Everything about this place seemed so unreal. Ace continued walking until we reached a hallway that seemed simple in comparison to the rest of the Academy. These halls consisted of stone and brick archways with sconces hanging to offer more light.
Everything about the place took my breath away. From the modern furniture and flat-screen televisions in the living area, to the chef style kitchen area that was modern and beautiful. I spotted doors all around the area, circling the living and kitchen areas.
“Inside each of those doors are bedrooms. You will live here until you turn eighteen. Then, you will have to find your residency somewhere else in the world. This place will train you in your powers until you are able to live on your own as a Supernatural,” Ace stated.
He was turning out to be a pretty good tour guide. Too bad, I had about a million questions racing through my mind.
“Which room is mine?” I asked.
“This one,” Ace said, pointing to the one to my right.
I walked to the room by myself and opened the door. Inside was a black, iron canopy bed and a dark wood dresser. I had my own bathroom and a closet filled with clothes. The only thing missing was the personal touches that made the room special to each individual person.
“This is really nice,” I said, admiring the space. I only had a small room at my aunt’s house, and she never would have bought me such nice furniture.
“Well, we do enjoy our luxuries,” Ace chuckled. It was the first time that he didn’t sound angry when he spoke. Hearing him laugh was nice.
“What about you?” I asked, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I hated that Ace had that effect on me.
“I don’t stay here with the other students.”
“Ok,” I simply said, looking everywhere other than at Ace.
“Do you have a room with the professors?” I wondered aloud.
Shaking his head, Ace’s eyes glowed red and I swear, I heard him growl. “No. As a Wolf Shifter, we are not viewed as equals with other Supernaturals. I am a guide and that is all. Now, please stop being so nosy,” he bit out.
Taken aback, anger built up inside of me like a raging volcano. I felt empathy for him as he sounded as though he felt like he didn’t belong. I understood all too well how that felt. But his hostility toward me was unnecessary.
“Fine,” I clipped, shaking my head in frustration.
“I will leave you to rest for a while. At dinner, you will be called down to join everyone else,” he said. Pausing in the doorway, Ace looked back at me in contemplation. Narrowing his eyes, I saw a flash of yellow as he stared me down. “Whatever you do, don’t roam the halls alone. There are things at this academy that you are not prepared for,” he growled out, with an animalistic tone.
“Wait, what does that mean?” I cried out.
My chest was throbbing and my head was spinning. What did his words mean? Was he warning me or looking out for me? It was hard to tell from the stoic expression on his face.
Ace shook his head and his shaggy hair flopped all around his head. Lowering his dark eyes at me, he offered a slight smirk. “You will discover everything later. For now, just mind your business and don’t go places where you aren’t wanted,” he warned.
Ace took a final step out of the doorway before closing the bedroom door behind him. He moved so fast, I didn’t even see him leave. I had no idea how he moved so swiftly.
I didn’t even have time to ask when dinner was. Ace just seemed to disappear. He was a strange guy-- hot, but strange. No, I can’t think of him as anything more than a guide. Ace was moody and clearly had issues. Without knowing what else to do, I fell onto the soft mattress of the bed. The silk, gold-colored sheets felt like feather kisses against my warm skin. I closed my eyes and sighed. I shoved aside Ace’s attitude and relished in the moment that I was finally at Woodsong Academy.
I was finally home.