Shade Academy

Chapter 5

Trying to focus on potions class was proven to be difficult after my encounter with Samuel. I thought I was drawn to Axel and Alex but they had nothing on Samuel. I still couldn't get how strong the draw was to him. Elana noticed my distress and offered to help me make a calming potion for our assignment. I happily agreed, I could use some calm right now. My head and emotions were spinning in so many different directions, I swear I felt sick. Alex, well he didn't participate in potions. He wasn't in mine and Elana's group, but I noticed him on the other side of the class with his phone. Potions seemed to bore him for some reason, I found it fascinating. Just sifting through the book, I noticed there was a potion for just about anything. Calm, luck, sleep, physical enhancement, stamina enhancement and so much more. I was excited to learn this. 

After potions class was spell casting. Sylvia was a middle aged woman with black hair that had streaks of grey showing through. She had a calm aura and seemed genuinely happy to be teaching a bunch of teenagers. I didn't find this class quite as fascinating as potions, but it was interesting all the same. I wonder if there would be a Ashford spell book in my inheritance? It would be exciting to learn some of my families spells. Hell, who am I kidding, I want to learn them all.

Although classes here were at night, and lasted a shorter period of time I felt drained. I told Elana goodnight and started to make my way back to my room before I decided to sit under the moon. Night has always been my calm. Star gazing always seemed to help calm me when everything else fails. So I sat there and just watched as the stars twinkled around the moon like diamonds. When I felt a presence beside me I didn't look away from the night sky, I knew who was beside me. "It's beautiful isn't it? There has always something about the night that calms me. Nothing helps me as much as sitting under the stars." 

"I wouldn't know. I can't walk in the sun." Alex replied. "I'm sorry Alex, I didn't mean to be inconsiderate." He just bumped into my arm gently. "You weren't. As much as I'd like to walk in the sun, you're right. The night does have a soothing effect on people, as long as they know how to find it." I smiled. "So what are you doing out here so late Anna?" He asked. "I just needed to clear my head. This a lot to take in you know? A new magic school, new people, finding out I'm some kind of legacy. Plus no offense just not knowing who to trust." 

"Why wouldn't you know who to trust?" Concern was in his tone but so was curiosity. "I am an orphan Alex. I was shipped from foster parent to foster parent, never really belonging in one place. No one ever wanted me. Odd things happened when my emotions were high and no one knew how to handle it so I was always moved. I was never in one place long enough to make friends, so I've always been on my own, always took care of myself and relied on myself. Even trained myself to control my powers the best I could. My life hasn't been easy." My voice cracked as I spoke and I hated showing that weakness. 

"I'm sorry Anna. That sounds like it was hard. But I'm your friend, and I will prove you can trust me. Ya, it will take time but I'll prove it." His words made my heart soar. No one has ever shown such an interest in me and I was grateful. "Thank you Alex." I said leaning my head on his shoulder. He tensed and I jerked away. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." I mumbled. Before he could reply I was jerked away and thrown behind a tall muscular figure who growled at Alex. "What the hell Axel! What's your problem?" I shouted. "He's dangerous Anna. Stay away from him." He said sternly. 

I moved from behind him and went to stand beside Alex. "Who the hell do you think you are telling me who to hang out with? I can make friends with whom ever I choose. I don't need permission." My tone was flat and angry. What has gotten into him? "Anna, I'm warning you. Stay away from him." Axel's body was trembling and his hands were clenched into fists as he glared at Alex. Alex just looked bored as he watched the altercation. I stepped towards him and held his face in my hands to make him look at me. "Axel, calm down. Alex won't hurt me." Axel growled again looking back to Alex. "Axel! Look at me!" I demanded. He did as I asked and his eyes lost their hardness. His body slowly stopped trembling as his fists relaxed. "I don't know what's gotten into you Axel but you can't tell me who I can and can't hang out with." I said gently. 

"Anna, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened." He said backing away from me. Alex laughed behind me. "I do." I turned to him confused. "What?" I asked. "Alex, no." Axel said harshly. I stepped back so I could look at the two of them. "Would someone like to shed light on the situation?" I asked annoyed. Alex laughed again at the look Axel was giving me. "The dragon thinks you're his mate." Alex said amused. "Mate?" I asked turning to Axel. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "All shifters have a mate. Usually it is another shifter, but sometimes they can be human, witch or vampire. A mate for a shifter is like a soul mate, someone who is made for you." 

I backed further away from the two guys and gaped. Alex looked amused while Axel just looked pained. I pulled my hair over my shoulder and started running my fingers through it nervously. "I don't even know what to say to that." I said softly. Is that why I feel drawn to Axel? But what about Alex and Samuel? Why do I feel drawn to them too? "Is that why I feel a draw to you Axel? Because of this mate thing?" I asked. He nodded stiffly. "So what does it mean if I feel drawn to more than just you?" I know my question wasn't something I needed to ask them, but ask Charlotte or another professor, but I had to know. 

Axel's eyes grew hard again. "A powerful witch is known to have multiple mates, or consorts as they are called in the witch world." Consorts, mates. This was all just too much. Does this mean Alex and Samuel are my consorts too? How does that even work? Samuel is a professor, it's not right. And no one decides who I am meant to be with. "Axel, this is too much. I don't know if it's fate or destiny or what but no one or nothing makes decisions for me. I will decide who I want to be with. If it's you down the road than so be it, but ever since dinner yesterday, you've completely ignored me. Alex and Elana have been the ones helping me. If this mate things were true then where have you been all day?" 

Axel's face grew red as he rubbed the back of his neck, but he didn't answer. "I thought so. Goodnight to you both." I said, and walked away. My mind was reeling again. mates, consorts, magic, spells, potions. It was all just too much for one day. 

People greeted me in the halls and I smiled at them, trying not to be rude. But I just couldn't focus. What Alex and Axel told me still fresh in my mind and my mind did not want to grasp what was said. I was in full blown denial. where would things go from here now? Would Axel be trying harder? would he continue to ignore me? Ugh! Why do things have to be so complicated? 

When I got to my room I just collapsed on my bed, I want to sleep and maybe I'll wake up and find this was all just some elaborate dream that was unnaturally realistic. Ya, that's it a dream. Ha! I couldn't even fool myself into believing that if I wanted to. 

Grateful it was Friday and I wouldn't have classes again until Monday I stripped out of my clothes and curled up in the bed. Maybe by the time classes came back around on Monday I would be more comfortable with this place and the people here. I just need time to process and get use to the place, I'm sure that's all it is. So with that simple thought, I fell into a peaceful sleep, hoping tomorrow brought understanding and not more confusion.