While crossing the smaller inner courtyard, I notice we are about to be greeted with—of course—more needlessly large steps, leading to the gates and the clearing in front of them. I must be blind.

I pause after noticing the gates are flanked by two large beasts. On my left, there is a black panther far bigger than any dog I've seen. Its pale blue eyes are gorgeous but that means little to my rampaging heart. The right side of the gates is occupied by a short but long creature made of spikes. Its snout ends up in a forearm-sized horn with smaller ones being jutted all over its scaly back. Its front legs are comically short—shorter even than its fat neck. The most terrifying is its tail, basically a cudgel overflowing with pointed tips. Yet it seems so peaceful as it lies on its belly, with that mean tail coiled around as if it were a kitten.

Near each of the beasts is one strange-looking guard. Both are garbed in black, clasping their hands behind their straight backs and looking forward. The two beasts just sit and lie peacefully, barely even noticing us.

Aleera regards me with comforting eyes. ''Are you scared, girl?''

''Yes.'' There wasn't much pondering about answering that question honestly. Claws from one of the creatures appear to be made of curved daggers. Obviously, I have seen familiars in their many endless shapes but I don't remember ever seeing a battle familiar. Maybe years back during a triumph or if a Winged one flew close to my moss but I can't really remember.

''Don't be. They are as much a threat to you as a fly.'' She said it so nonchalantly like there was no greater truth in the world.

As we move toward the right side of the large gates and the small doors within it—me moving with wobbly steps—I notice one of the guards has intricate tattoos near his throat. I freeze.

A Black Breaker.

A few moments pass and I realize, embarrassingly, that I was staring, my reverie broken only by a gentle tap on the shoulder from Aleera.

We reach the corner of the gates, in front of the tall door embedded in its right side. As we are finally about to enter the Academy's depths, my gut gives birth to a vortex.