Tears were close to flooding my eyes as I glanced at the table, full of delicious food and my glass of wine. At Beast Academy, I could survive and thrive until I figured out a plan for the future.
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you around to most of your classes,” Theo announced proudly as the dinner wrapped up. “Jasper and Enrique will help with a few. None of us have any classes with the old man, though.”
Dracus let out a controlled exhale. “Twenty-five is practically an infant for dragons.”
“How old are you guys?” I asked, glancing towards Theo and Jasper. Theo puffed up his chest.
“A ripe twenty.”
“Twenty-one,” Jasper supplied coolly. I nodded. A man in a cooking uniform came out from behind a swinging door and collected our plates silently. I thanked him when he left, earning me three strange looks.
“My mother used to say to always thank people when they do something for you,” I explained to them with a shrug.
Dracus stared. “The thanks is implied. Besides, it’s an honor to serve us.” I felt a strong urge to roll my eyes but kept myself from doing so. Theo chuckled.
“Dracus thinks everyone was born to serve him.”
“A prince acts like a prince,” Jasper said. The corner of his mouth upturned as he stood. “Goodnight, everyone.”
Finally, I was left with just Dracus and Theo. A reasonably safe bet, I wagered. I cleared my throat and said, “I understand that my arrival wasn’t planned. I’m sorry if it’s been inconvenient.” My eyes were on Dracus. “Did they tell you about what happened before I came?”
“Theo and myself know,” he replied coolly. Theo winced. “I haven’t discussed with the others yet. Do you want us to share all of the information?”
I hummed. “What’s all of it exactly?” His face was perfectly calm.
“That your parents were murdered in cold blood, and your house was set ablaze. You were rescued just in time to be taken to the Academy.”
“Geeeeeeeez, Dracus,” Theo groaned and shook his head. I held up my hand with a half-hearted smile.
“It’s okay. I don’t want him to sugarcoat it.” I sucked in a deep breath. “You can tell the others if you feel it’s necessary.” Fatigue rolled over me like a thundercloud. “Thank you for the dinner tonight. I’m off to bed.”
“Do you want me to walk you to your room?” Theo asked, half-standing from the table.
“No, I need to talk to you,” Dracus said in a firm voice. “Fiona is a capable young woman.” I laughed and smiled in return. It was nice to know that at least I came off as capable despite everything. I left them to descend into hushed whispers when the door shut.
At night, the manor was scarier. Small lamps on the tops of the wall slowly began to light up as I moved my way through the hallway. I wondered if they were magic. This house felt like it was breathing. I shivered and wished I’d brought a cardigan to dinner. In the entryway, everything was deadly silent. I made my way up the stairs quickly and darted down my hall. There was a weight on my backs. Eyes I couldn’t see looking at me? I bit my lip and hurried to my room.
The door turned easily in my hand.
I had locked it before dinner.
I flipped the lights on, but there was nobody in the room. A low whistle caught my ear. The window was slightly askew. I frowned. I could’ve sworn that I locked the window and the door before I left. As I moved towards it, I also could’ve sworn that someone was watching me. I latched it well and glared at the innocent window.
Maybe I’d forgotten.
Or…
Maybe one of my new beastly colleagues had decided to snoop around to make sure I wasn’t dangerous. I clicked my tongue, thinking of Ren sleeping peacefully on the tree outside my room earlier. If anyone had broken in, it might’ve been him.
“Well, you didn’t find anything,” I said proudly to the empty room.
No answer. Not that I expected one.
I changed and climbed into bed, hoping for a peaceful day tomorrow on my first day.
Comments (10)
See all