Where Theo was handsome and boyish, this young man had the perfect features of a hero from a Romantic painting, the kind I’d studied in art history in senior year. His soft blue eyes landed on us. There was no change in his serene expression. He was a head shorter than Theo but still taller than me by at least a foot. A violin case hung by his side.
“Theo.” His voice was as serene as his features, nearly angelic.
“Jasper,” Theo greeted and then proudly gestured to me. “This is our new Council member, Fiona.”
Jasper nodded and briefly glanced at me. It was only three seconds, but it felt as if he’d seen my entire soul with those faraway eyes. He certainly noticed my shirt pocket, void of any symbol. I wished that they’d brought me a blazer to cover it. Jasper was wearing a blazer and looking every bit like a preppy artist.
“Nice to meet you. I must be going.” Without another word, he passed us. His movements were elegant. While my footsteps echoed through the castle halls, I realized that his steps scarcely made a sound. I felt the strongest urge to ruffle his wavy blonde hair, tinged with red, as he left. Theo caught me staring at the retreating figure.
“That’s Jasper, our resident fox shifter in the Core Council.” His grin stretched across his face. “He gives off a mysterious vibe, I know. It’s the nature of the foxes.”
“Fox,” I repeated and nodded, turning my attention back to Theo. “Is he always so quiet?”
“Sometimes,” he said and shrugged. “Not as bad as Ren. Jasper is calm, quiet, almost unnerving. He’s an incredibly gifted musician though. Piano and violin mostly.” Something shadowy passed over his eyes. “Just don’t underestimate him, ok?” A shiver passed through me. I didn’t ask anything more as he finally led me to a grand archway which led out to an immaculate courtyard. I nearly gulped as we came through the entryway.
So, this was where everybody was. It was evidently lunchtime. Hundreds of students were sitting or sprawled throughout the extensive gardens and manicured lawn. In between gorgeous marble statues of strange beasts, figures lounged on blankets and benches throughout the courtyard. My new uniform shirt felt suddenly itchy on my skin. I wanted that shower desperately.
It wasn’t my imagination that every single head turned towards us as we walked down the smooth cobble-stone path. I kept my eyes forward as Theo waved and greeted a few brave souls, who dared to say hello. I made sure to stay close to Theo as we walked along. Soon, we strolled past the last few students, who were braver with their staring. I stumbled on a stone that was jutting out of place, and Theo grabbed my arm to help steady me. I accidentally met the gaze of two women as this happened, two brunette goddesses with long limbs on a picnic blanket. They glared at me.
“I bet she did that one purpose,” one of them muttered.
OK, wonderful. I suppose the nuances of being kind to the new kid weren’t exactly popular among the shifter people. I turned away from them, hiding my pink cheeks and pained eyes.
“It’s because you’re the strange new student,” Theo said suddenly next to me. He smiled down at me and winked. “Don’t worry. Let me know if anyone bothers you. Shifters are so competitive; it’s in most of our natures. Don’t take it too personally.”
I nodded. At the end of the path was a white gated area with a handsome-looking manor hidden behind lush trees. I inhaled the scent of flowers; they were the same pink kind that my mother kept in her own garden back home. A lump settled in my throat. As if sensing my unease, Theo hooked his arm with my own. He made a grand gesture as he opened the gate for me and cried, “Honey, we’re home!”
I laughed. A real laugh. It was nice. He sniffed the air and smiled but said nothing as we charged forward. With a silent movement, he held his hand in front of the intricately carved front door. On it was a door knocker, a beast holding a heavy ring in its open jaws. After a moment, the beast’s eyes lit up with a red light, and the door swung open.
“A nice touch by Dracus, I’ll admit. Dragon magic is a bit cool for theatrics. Not that he’d ever admit to being theatrical. He’s too proud,” he muttered as we came into the front room. Dragon magic? I’d have to ask later. My head was pulsing with all the new information from our tour.
Although we’d left behind the medieval digs of the castle, there was a certain old-world charm to this place as well. This manor was three stories by the look it. The floors were polished wood, and the wallpaper was a vibrant red color with gold-leaf leaves climbing up and down. It reminded me of a photography book of British manors that my father used to own, a book proudly displayed on our old coffee table. A coffee table that now was certainly ashes.
The Academy was beautiful, but it wasn’t home.
In the grand entryway, there was a magnificent staircase that curved down from either side of the second-floor. Before the stairs, a grandfather clock sat against the wall. It let out a bellowing sound to announce the daytime hour. As Theo launched into the history of the clock, my mind wandered to the smoke and to my parents’ screams. I missed my old house. I would give anything to be back in our middle-class home in our boring suburb. Anything.
“Hey bear brain,” a voice called out as a hand came clapping down onto my shoulder. “Girls don’t care about clocks.”
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