Shade Academy

Chapter 6

The next week passed by both agonizingly slow and unthinkably quick at the same time. The classes with Samuel had me scatter brained and completely on edge. It took everything I had in me to keep from going to him. Damn that draw I have to him. It had caused me nothing but trouble. 

It seems I have a gift for potions. After a few mishaps and issues figuring out the measurements I was golden. I can make just about any potion that is in our potion book. Well, I like to think that I could. For example, we had an assignment to make a small transfiguration potion. Just enough to change something like a cup or fruit into something else. I was the only one who made it correctly. When Abe challenged me to make another that was strong enough to change a person, I did. The outcome was hilarious. Abe's deathly features, changed into something more beautiful. He almost looked like Samuel, except he had blonde hair and hazel eyes. Everyone was stunned, including Abe who now wants me to take advanced courses. Great. 

Ever since the incident with Axel, Alex has been keeping his distance. More to the point, Axel still does not acknowledge my existence. If anything it was worse now. I didn't know what to think about the two of them. Axel had Amanda hanging off of his arm on a daily basis, while she sent smug looks my way. I always just shrugged at her. Why would I care? It's not like we were in any kind of relationship. But I did have to admit  it hurt to see him like that. Why would he do that after what he told me? And he scared one of my only friends off. 

Elana tried telling me Alex would come back, but after I explained to her what happened that night she shook her head and just apologized. Apparently everyone here was scared of the only dragon shifter. Me? well I was becoming more and more pissed off at him. He runs my friend, or who I thought was my friend off, tells me I am apparently his 'mate' and then has girls hanging off him and ignoring me. 

"Anna, you're staring again." Elana said nudging my arm. I turned to her sighing. "Sorry." I mutter returning to my food. "They are not worth it Anna. If they want to play games with you, then just get over them. There are plenty of other gorgeous guys who would love a chance with you. You're a powerful witch, not to mention beautiful." 

I rolled my eyes. I mean I wasn't ugly, but I don't know about beautiful. My hair was a golden brown, my eyes were silver, i had tanned skin and high cheek bones. So I was by no means ugly, but not beautiful. "I'm serious Anna. Your eyes change with your moods. Like right now you're upset and confused so your eyes are a darker silver. When you're happy, your eyes brighten and look like molten silver swirling in your eyes. Your skin is a flawless tan. Anna, wake up girl." Elana said snapping her fingers at me. I chuckled and swatted her hands away. "Ok, ok. fine." 

"Anna, can you come with me please? Headmistress Charlotte would like to see you." My body tensed at him being so close. Could he not do that? I had been so distracted with Elana, about Axel and Alex that I didn't feel his presence approach me. 

I stood to follow him, making sure I kept a comfortable distance away. "I'll wait for you in the common room." Elana shouted to me. I nodded and continued trailing behind Samuel. Did Charlotte have to send him? Was there no one else who could've come and gotten me? Even Abe, the reaper scared the bejesus out of me at first, but since then I've grown quite fond of him. But Samuel, I haven't figured out my opinion of him yet. I'm sure most people found him intimidating, I didn't. I liked the way he carried himself. With authority, self confidence, and sure of himself. 

Where he didn't intimidate me, he did frighten me. Not because of that vision, dream whatever it was but because of the pull I feel to him, and the intensity behind that pull. I could tell he could feel it as well. His fists shoved into his pockets, his jaw was clenched tight, and his body was rigid. "I can go the rest of the way Samuel, thank you." My voice came out shaky and I mentally scolded myself for it. "What I mean is, I know this is not an ideal situation, especially seeing as how we both are uncomfortable and tense. I know the way, you don't have to come with me." 

Samuel's furrowed his brow. "Who said anything about being uncomfortable?" I looked at him and couldn't help but laugh at his expression. "Uh, your body language did professor. Your hands are balled into fists in your pocket, your jaw is clenched to the point I'm worried you may chip a tooth, and your posture is so tense and rigid it's a wonder your muscles aren't cramped up. If you want to hide how you're feeling, try masking your body language better." I said bemused. 

Samuel ran a hand through his hair and tossed me a crooked smile. "You caught that huh?" 

"Well, it's kind of hard to miss. But to be honest someone would have to be paying attention to catch it. You really do hide your emotions well, I just have spent my life studying peoples body language. With the life I've lived I had to." My voice trailed off, images of me as a child and people looking at me with fear and anger flashed through my mind, and a fierce wave of loneliness washed through me. "I'm sorry Anna, I didn't realize." Samuel said gently. I side glanced him "You saw that didn't you?" I asked solemnly. He just nodded. "I really need to remember how to keep my block up. I don't like that people here can just see what is at the forefront of my mind." 

"I wasn't trying to see into your mind Anna. Like with you it just happens sometimes."  His voice had grown hard which annoyed me. I huffed in aggravation. "I know, I wasn't accusing you Samuel. It was just a statement I made in general, not just about you." I picked up my pace to walk ahead of him, I knew where I was going anyway I don't need an escort. Samuel caught up with me with ease. Damn him and his long legs. One step of his equals two of mine. This man was at least six foot eight, where as I am only like five foot two. 'She acts so much like a child sometimes.' His thought came to me, bringing anger with it. 

My anger overcame whatever pull he had on me as I glowered at him. So damn smug. I thought shaking my head as we reached Charlotte's office. I knocked bouncing from foot to foot, impatient to get away from Samuel. "Come on in Anna." Charlotte called. 

As I walked in I was faced not only by Charlotte but a group of men and women as well. All wore black robes, different symbols were embroidered on each of them. I noticed one that had a crescent moon with a star in the middle. It looked exactly like the birthmark on my right shoulder. "You wanted to see me?" I asked Charlotte never taking my eyes off the man wearing the symbol that was identical to my birthmark. "Anna, did you hear me?" Charlotte asked in a sharp tone. I shook my head and looked to her. "No ma'am I'm sorry." She gave me an inquisitive look before continuing. "This is the council, each member here represents one of the original families. They came here to prove you are who you say and transfer the Ashfords estate you." 

I nodded suddenly feeling nervous. How am I supposed to prove who I am? I never knew my family. "How am I supposed to prove that to them?" I asked. The man I had been studying stepped forward a deep scowl hardened his features. I stepped back as he approached, backing into Samuel. I mouthed a sorry to him before side stepping and placing myself beside him. I don't know why I did it, but I did. "If you are whom you say you are you will have the Ashford birthmark." He said flatly. "I'm guessing it looks like that." I said pointing to the symbol on his robe. He nodded curtly. "Well that's easy. I have that on my right shoulder." I pulled my shirt down and turned around, showing all of them the odd birthmark. 

Gasps were heard before a low grunt. I turned to see the man wearing my families symbol look at me with anger. I returned his anger with my own. I stepped forward and faced this man toe to toe "If I am the last descendant of the Ashford coven, why are you wearing my families crest?" I demanded. My anger was growing as I faced him. His eyes widened as he stumbled back away from me. "I..I..I am j..just a representative for the f..family." He stuttered out. I'm not sure why he was acting scared, I had no intention of hurting him. "And who placed you in that position?" The man looked to the rest of the council, they stepped back and shook their head at him. He was on his own, I smirked. "I nominated myself." He sounded more confidant, so I pushed my energy around him making his gasp. "You are relieved of your position as representative of my family." 

His eyes grew impossibly large. "You can't do that." He said haughtily. "Oh, really? Can the council please tell me what my inheritance and my authority over this man is please?" I faced the rest of the surprised council and a smiling Charlotte. "Of course Miss. Ashford. Your family was very wealthy. They have left you A mansion with fifteen bedrooms and fifteen baths. The home rests on several thousand acres of land and has an entire staff of servants and ten vehicles. Along with that, the bank accounts containing a total of two billion five hundred million and thirteen thousand dollars as well. As the only living member of the Ashford family you are to be the representative for the Ashford coven or place someone you trust as representative." 

Wow, this was not at all what I was expecting. What was I supposed to do with that much money? That was more than any one person would ever need. But I was excited. "Headmistress Charlotte, may I go visit my new home over the weekend?" I asked hopefully. "Of course child. It is only about an hour from here. But I ask you take at least one student and a teacher with you. You will be highly sought after. Your power is strong and still growing, but you are no match for the rebellion." 

"The what?" I asked shocked. "The rebellion are a group of powerful rogues. They do not agree with the beliefs and teachings of the council and believe all supernaturals should be in factions instead of being as one. If they got their hands on you, you just might be the asset they need to win." I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head in disbelief. "So you're telling me I need to bring a body guard?" I ask looking up to Charlotte. "Precisely." She said smiling. "And take your friends along as well. Just be back before classes Monday." She warned. "Wait, that's fine. But what teacher is coming with me?" I ask as I reach out and take the package the council handed me. 

Charlotte thought for a minute before her face lit up. "Take Samuel. He is highly skilled in hand to hand combat and mental energy. He will be a great asset to you. Actually, from this point forward Samuel will be your mentor." 

I kept my face impassive, but inside I was totally freaking out. A few classes with him was hard enough, but an hour long car ride and staying in the same house? That was going to be impossible. No way was this going to work. I agreed though, who was I to argue with the headmistress? I thanked the council and turned to leave before I was stopped by a hand on my wrist. I looked and saw the man wearing my families crest. "Touching me is not in your best interest." I said through my teeth. He quickly let go and straightened up. "Miss. Ashford, I am asking for a chance to prove myself to you. Give me a chance to show you I can represent the Ashford family." 

I turned and looked the man dead in the eyes, before diving into his head. I sifted through his memories, finding horrible, horrible things. This man was not a good man and he has been using the Ashford name to get things he never would have been able to get otherwise. He was supplying the rebellion with information and supplies. But what else I saw made me sick. I backed out of his head, panting and trying hard not to throw up. 

Fury coursed through me and I threw the man against the wall. "How dare you stand here and say that when you organized the hit on my family? You had them killed so you could be the house head to supply the rebellion information on the council and supply them with whatever they need."  As my fury grew, I summoned fire to my hand and approached the man. He squirmed and tried to get away but I had him held firm. "Anna, stop." Samuel said taking my arm. I was too far gone though. Jerking my head i sent him flying to the couch on the opposite wall, I didn't want to hurt Samuel after all.

He didn't stay there. He rushed back over to me and turned me to face him. "Anna, look at me! Stop this. Don't stoop to his level. He will be sent to Briarwood prison." I closed my eyes and struggled against his grasp. I didn't want to hurt him by throwing him again or by forcing my mental energy at him. I could feel him feeding on my emotions, which I was grateful for. But I could tell the strength of my emotion was overwhelming him. "Samuel stop." I whispered "You are overwhelming yourself, I can control the rest." 

Samuel nodded and slumped against the wall breathing hard, while I turned to those behind me. "I am sorry for how I acted. What I saw in his head..It was horrible, gruesome. I saw him order the hit on my family by calling some group of people called Shadow walkers. He was using his position on the council as a means to feed the rebellion information and supplies. They know everything the council does now. His contact was a woman named Edith." 

Anger was palpable and suffocation in the air around us. "You can release him now Miss. Ashford. We'll take care of him." Another man said. His face crumpled in anger. I waved my hand releasing my hold and walked out the door without another word. I felt Samuel follow me. "I'm sorry Samuel." I said softly. "I didn't want to hurt you." 

Samuel put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me from walking farther away. "Anna, I know. Why don't you go get Elana and tell her what's going on and both of you pack. Meet me out front in an hour and we will leave for your home, Alright?" I nodded and covered his hand with mine. "Thank you." I said and turned and walk away.