Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Selene
By five o’clock later that day—which was essentially our midnight—we were driving through Fives Academy’s massive iron gates, its name intricately swirling across the top like metal vines and bending to create symbols that acted as a ward.
A few of the pickets below the name were bent to form the same insignia the guards wore on their jackets.
Just five minutes ago, there had been a blinding desert of snow, but once we had crossed an invisible threshold, the massive manor-style academy appeared inside a clear dome, the other end not visible.
Woods bordered the buildings while luscious green grass with tall trees rolled over the hills and surrounded the stone buildings.
Some of the leaves were painted red and orange, a sign that fall had arrived.
“The academy is cloaked from the outside world. Only when a mage crosses its border is it seen,” John said from the passenger seat of the Jeep, the fox sleeping soundly in his lap.
If he had brought his cute familiar to seem more trusting, it wasn’t going to work.
“But the mage must be what we call invited to be allowed through. If humans were to wander out here, they’d become disoriented and simply pass by as if there was nothing and, after the matter, forget they’d even been disoriented. ”
“Like the Bermuda Triangle?” In the seat next to me, my sister practically smooshed her nose against the car window.
While the academy’s beauty was evident, I saw nothing but trouble.
“In a way.” John was facing the front, but there was amusement in his voice.
“It’s a mix of elemental magic and enchantments.
Earth combined with air magic creates an invisible barrier—manipulating temperature and air density—and air pressurizes the surrounding area to disorient any unwanted visitors with an added complex spell. ”
“How does it differentiate humans and elementals?” I asked, wondering how that could be so easily detected.
Dark mages were able to sense other nearby elementals, which helped draw them to powerful mages so they could siphon their magic.
Other elementals could sense others by smell, but it wasn’t always easy to pick up on, and magic could be used to block scents.
“It’s similar to testing for elemental magic mixed with complex spells, which will be a part of your senior year.” John glanced over his shoulder at me.
“And we were specifically invited?” If he was going to share, I would attempt to get as much information about this place as I could.
“Yes,” John said in finality.
Okay. I guess he wasn’t going to share everything.
“What about animals?” Vivian asked as a bird flew overhead.
“Animals can come and go, apart from those that carry magic. It helps the ecosystem, as the academy grounds extend through the forest and mountains.” John pointed out the window. “The main entrance.”
The gravel driveway perfectly circled a stone dragon fountain in the front, except the fountain shot out fiery flames from the center of the dragon’s mouth instead of water.
The dragon’s body was entangled with vines and deep violet flowers that were almost black.
Dragons symbolized strength, power, and courage.
They were a natural enemy to dark mages due to their resistance to them, but the dark mages had eliminated dragons a long time ago for that reason.
Once the Jeep stopped, I hopped out, wanting to be out of a confined space.
The air was filled with wood scents, flowers, and a hint of burnt pine—nothing like the salty breeze of what had been home.
Loose strands of my hair swirled in the wind.
It was styled in two French braids that led into two low buns—just like Mom had always done for me.
My heart ached, but I straightened my shoulders. I needed to be aware.
I spared a glance at my sister as she came to the front of the Jeep. She gaped, her lips curled up and her brown eyes wide. She had Mom’s eyes but must have had Dad’s black hair—whoever he had been. Mom had never talked about him, only mentioned that he had a kind heart and was gone.
The main building’s shadow fell over us as a black flag at the top flapped in the wind, the sun glinting off gold symbols that matched the guards’ insignia.
It had to be five stories high, but the windows said it had three above-ground floors, and at the top was a parapet and three towers at the front, one in the middle, and one at each corner.
A bell hung in the middle tower, and its smooth black exterior managed to glint in the lowering sun.
The academy’s exterior resembled a castle in the style of an old, large manor with a sprawling estate straight out of a fancy magazine.
“Follow me.” John waved us forward, but I hesitated and watched as the guards unloaded our packs, which still had our passports and money. I wasn’t sure if the guards would go through our stuff, and I didn’t want them confiscating our belongings.
“They’ll bring them to your rooms,” John said, following my gaze but continuing forward, the white fox in pursuit. I cracked the first knuckle on my pointer finger with my thumb, releasing tension, and turned to follow.
John led us through massive double stone doors, the surface etched like shale with a glossy black hue.
I recognized the material. Tungsten—the strongest natural metal on earth.
Powerful earth mages struggled to manipulate it, and no known mage had been able to create it.
This place had been created to be a fortress. Maybe we will be safe here.
The foyer was just as extravagant with magic-lit candles, trees merging into the stone walls, and roots weaving into the black cobblestone floor.
Off to the left, a wooden staircase climbed toward the vaulted ceiling, ivy crawling on its spindles.
It was as if a princess fairy tale and a dark romance novel had converged.
If I had been brought here a week ago, before Mom died, I probably would have been allured by its magnificence and magical foundation. Now, it just made me want to run.
John’s office wasn’t far, and it matched the academy entrance and hallway vibes.
The door was made of dark wood with elegant carvings, and inside, a large black chair sat on the far side of a substantial stone-slabbed desk with two tan chairs on the opposing side.
The sturdy stone was held up by thick ebony wood pillars on either side, the subtle aroma of the smoky, sweet wood still present.
A beige couch lined one wall and filing cabinets the other, and plants rooted in white ceramic pots hung from the tall ceiling.
A small wooden cart was made into a mini coffee bar, complete with a French Press coffee maker. I was going to avoid that deliciously painful liquid for a while. Mom had a French Press, and we loved adding cinnamon bark and vanilla to our cups.
Great. Every little thing—such as coffee—was going to remind me of her.
Candles lit the room from the walls to the glass jars on the shelves, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were enchanted to stay lit and keep the flames contained.
A single mage light protruded from the ceiling, similar to the ones in the hallway.
The warm glowing quartz added to the cozy, natural atmosphere.
“We aren’t sure why this dark mage targeted your mother, but we will figure it out.” John waved at the two chairs for Viv and me to sit, slight wrinkles at the creases of his eyes. “I am so very sorry.”
“And how did you find out about her and find us?” I asked, wanting to hear more than just it’s my job.
“Three dark mages were reported in the area.” John rubbed his forehead as Viv took a seat. “They had a conflict with a couple humans near your home. It led to your house, and our guards figured out the rest. We were able to track you and your sister. The dark mages will be after both of you next.”
I thought I had covered our tracks well. Clearly, I was wrong—and clearly, I had some practice to do.
“I didn’t see the other dark mages’ palms, but the one that killed Mom had a black circle. Does that mean anything to you?” I slowly sat, and once I did, so did John.
“It does not sound familiar, but it could be their clan mark,” he said.
“And what makes you think they’re after us?” I asked.
The fox jumped onto the long desk, causing me to flinch as its feet landed quietly on the stone.
It glanced at me with its brown eyes—which I swore had been black—and then went to what appeared to be its cleared, dedicated spot and curled up into a ball.
The little creature did not seem to care about my presence in its master’s office.
“This is Aura.” John rubbed the fox’s chin. It closed its eyes and flicked its grey-tipped ear in approval. “Did you see the dark mages?” he asked.
“Not clearly.”
“But you still saw them.” John sighed. “Dark mages are merciless, and they don’t leave survivors. Do you know anything about why your mother might have been targeted? It’s doubtful three dark mages would attack a level-three air mage, as they can’t siphon their magic.”
I shook my head, unbothered by his classification of my mom, which he most likely read from the small folder in front of him.
“Nothing at all?” he pressed.
“No.” I glanced at my sister, who was letting me do the talking, thankfully. As much as I hated to admit that I—sometimes—loved her babbling, she could accidentally say more than we wanted.
“Your mother’s file did not contain much past high school.
No address. No job. No phone records. Just that Anna Thomas had two children, Selene and Vivian Thomas—age sixteen and fifteen.
Father unknown. The cabin we found you at had heavy surveillance.
” John rubbed his chin. “Perhaps there was something else?”