Shade Academy

Chapter 9

It was only Saturday morning and it already started out gloomy. Elana and Samuel haven't come out of their room, and I was exploring the house. There were rooms upon rooms, a library that looked like it came straight out of beauty and the beast. But no matter the beauty and the awe inspiring architecture I just didn't have the strength or the will to appreciate it. So I decided to go outside and walk the grounds. Maybe some fresh air will do me some good, help clear my head.

To say the grounds were beautiful was an understatement. It was remarkable. Beautifully crafted stone statues stood proud. A massive stone fountain stood in the middle of the most beautiful garden I'd ever laid my eyes on. The garden had so many trees, flowers and bushes it seemed like an enclosed fairy land. In front of the fountain was a iron bench, so I decided to sit. 

The aura of the garden was peaceful. It felt like I could be myself here in this little slice of heaven. I didn't have to be some super charged witch, I didn't have to be strong or confidant. I didn't have didn't have to be anything, just me, The sad part? i didn't even know who me was anymore. I had spent so much time putting up this cocky, confidant, fearless persona that I didn't know any other way anymore. I did know, my past has left me vulnerable, broken and lonely. Not that I'd ever admit it. 

I sat there, I don't even know how long. There was so much to think about, so much for me to work through. The Academy for example. They teach teenage supernaturals how to use their magic, their power whatever you wanted to call it. Yet, it seems other than spell casting and potions I was above average. So much so that i intimidate adults, scare them even. No, I didn't have full control of my powers, when my emotions run high my power grew out of control, no too much to where I couldn't control it, but enough that I felt this build up that I felt I had to release. And last night, so much fear over Samuel had consumed me, I killed. I would never be ok with what I'd done, even if it was to avenge someone. 

I sighed, running a hand down my face. "What am I supposed to do?" I was talking to myself, hoping that voicing my thoughts out loud would somehow magically give me the answer. Guess what? It didn't. Nothing, no voice from the universe, no signs, zilch. My thoughts ended up drifting back to Samuel. Which seems to be happening more and more lately. I wish I could stop thinking of him, it brings me nothing but pain and confusion. I really had to get over him, and I would, one way or the other. 

Then there was Alex and Axel. Both seemed to despise each other. Axel to the point he had caused Alex to stay away from me. Alex apologized and I was surprised and thankful for it. No one has ever apologized for ignoring me before. Most did it on purpose and enjoyed it. They also got upset that I didn't care about their attention. Alex was different, he cared. Well he did now at least. I noticed that Alex was kind of a loner, never really talking to anyone. He kept his head down and blended in with the shadows. 

Axel was the complete opposite. He was the schools golden boy. Loved by everyone. Every girl wanted him and every boy wanted to be him. He lapped up that attention too. He loved it. He was the flame of the school while the student body was the moths. They all just naturally drifted towards him. Then there was the fact that he was the only dragon shifter in existence, something he never let people forget. He was cocky, arrogant, and self righteous. Personality traits I found a complete turn off. Not to mention he seemed possessive. No man would possess me like I was some trophy. I would not follow all these power seeking girls who wanted to just hang off his arm like they were parading around a damn king. 

By the time I headed back inside the house the sun was beginning to set. I was hungry, I haven't eaten all day, too lost in my jumbled thoughts to even notice. When I got inside there was an entire staff in the kitchen cooking. I stared wide eyed at the people I never allowed inside. "Who are you?" I demanded. All eyes turned to me and all widened simultaneously. "Miss. Ashford. We are the kitchen staff. We are here to prepare your dinner." The chef said as he bowed his head. "And who allowed you inside?" The man looked to his staff before turning back to me. "We live on the grounds ma'am. We heard you were here and wanted to make you a welcome home feast." Great, now I felt bad. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Please, continue." The staff bowed their heads and went back to work.

I am too defensive, too quick to judge. I really needed to work on that. Shaking my head I laughed. There was so much I needed to work on when it came to my flawed personality. "Anna?" Elana's meek voice said, knocking me out of my thoughts. "Elana, how are you doing?" I asked as I wrapped her in a tight hug. "I'm still a little shaken up to be honest. But mostly I am ashamed. I'm sorry I was so useless last night. You were in danger and I helpless to so anything. Even Samuel wasn't able to protect you." A sudden wave of protectiveness for Samuel surged through me. "Samuel almost died trying to protect me. He is an amazing man and did all he could. As for you, I understand. We are only in our first year at the Academy. Never in a million years would we even consider being attacked while we are still learning. It was taken care of, everything is fine now." 

"No, it's not. You have never learned magic, you never even knew you were a witch. Yet you come to the Academy and are like the prodigy of the school." She bellowed. "Elana, calm down." Samuel's deep voice came from behind me. Please tell me he did not hear what I just said. "Elana, would you like me to teach you something?" I asked, trying my best to ignore Samuel behind me. Elana nodded her head vigorously. I smiled. "When I was old enough to understand that I had a gift I spent every spare minute learning how to hone it and control it. No I don't always have complete control, which makes me unpredictable, dangerous even. But the first step is believing in yourself. If you believe you can't do it, you won't be able to. Now do me a favor. Close your eye." 

She looked at me a moment before sighing and doing as I asked. "Now, calm your mind and find that energy within yourself. It's different for everyone. Some it could feel like a ball of energy, others it's like a warmth in your core. Find that energy." I studied Elana's face as it scrunched up in concentration. Then a relaxed look filled her face. "Good, you've found it. Concentrate on it. Get a feel for it, get to know it. This is your power, your magic and it's there to help you in anyway you ask." 

Elana nodded as she did as I asked. "Now this may sound weird but just do it. You won't hurt me, I promise. Take that energy and push it out of you. Your will determines the strength of the attack. So if your life is in danger, you have to have a strong will to hurt that person or a strong will to get them away from you." Elana nodded. 

I felt her energy build, she was more powerful than she knew. Before I could register what happened, her energy hit me, knocking me back several feet and onto my ass. "That was perfect." I said smiling. I jumped up and ran to her. She was smiling widely as she jumped up and down. "I did it. It worked." She said laughing. "Yes, you sure did. Congratulations Elana. Anna, you're a good teacher." Samuel praised. I flushed as I looked back at him. "Thank you Samuel." 

"Uh, professor. I'm sorry for what I said about you. You didn't fail Anna like I said you did. I was just upset and angry and I guess I took it out on you." I stiffened at her words. That meant Samuel had been there the whole time. Why does this always happen to me? I groaned internally. Great just great, I thought. Now Samuel knows even more of what I thought of him.

"Elana, can you excuse us for a moment please?" Samuel said. She looked at me and I just nodded solemnly. Later she mouthed to me and I just smiled. "Anna, we need to talk." Samuel told me. "Samuel, there really isn't anything to talk about that we haven't already." I pulled my long hair over my shoulder and started braiding it, I needed the distraction. Samuel reached out and grabbed my hand stopping me mid braid. "Anna, I've been around for one hundred and seven years. Never in my lifetime has there been a witch as powerful as you. Never have I ever felt such a deep connection to anyone. So you'll have to forgive me if I don't want to see how deep that connection goes." 

I took both Samuel's hands in mine. "Samuel, listen to me. I know we have a connection and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to explore this connection too, but we can't. We've only known each other a week, you don't know me and I don't know you, not really. I can't explain to you how I've grown to care so much about you in such a short period of time, but I have. And it scares me. I've never let myself get close to anyone, especially not a man. And there is this confusing situation with Axel and Alex." 

Samuel tensed. "What about them?" I was surprised by his tone. "Axel says i'm his mate. Whatever that means, and I feel a connection with Alex though no where near as strong as the one I have with you." Samuel squeezed my hands and sighed. "In the supernatural community it is common for a pwerful witch to have more than one consort. The consorts and the witch have a bond from the moment they meet." 

I pulled away from him and ran a hand through my hair. "So you're telling me that you, Axel and Alex are possibly my consorts? I don't know how I feel about a harem, much less opening myself up to three men. Axel is so arrogant and Alex is easily influential. You, well I haven't figures you out yet." Samuel chuckled "The boys are still young Anna. They have yet to learn what the real world is like. Unlike you who has known the pain and heartache the world brings."

I glared at him. "Well forgive me for being jaded. I spent my entire life alone. People feared me, looked at me as if I was some kind of disease." I shook my head. "But you, you don't look at me that way. Samuel that scares me. Falling for someone just to be rejected by them? That would be more than even I could handle." 

Samuel cupped my face in his hands and I found myself closing my eyes and leaning into his touch. "I would never reject you Anna, and I'd never dream of hurting you." I smiled sadly, small tears ran down my cheek. "What are you saying professor?" I asked jokingly. Samuel laughed lightly. "I'm saying, we should give this a shot. See how deep this connection goes, see where we could go. And don't call me professor, I don't like how it sounds coming from you, just call me Samuel." I covered his hand with mine and looked into his eyes. "I don't know how I feel about hiding this, because that's what we'll have to do. I won't be the cause of you losing your job." 

"We'll figure it out." I went to respond but before I could his lips were on mine. I froze at first, startled by his actions. But I soon melted into his kiss. I snaked my hand around his neck and fisted my hand in his hair pulling him closer to me. Samuel hand one hand on the small of my back pulling me even closer while his other tangled in my hair, deepening our kiss. Samuel's tongue slipped his tongue over mine as we fought for dominance. I moaned into him at the feel of his body pressed against mine and the taste of him as he kissed me. 

I pulled away, leaning my forehead on his as I lightly stroked his cheek. "This is going to be hard." I whispered. "I know Anna, but nothing in life is ever easy." He didn't know how right he was, at least not when it came to my life. But I was hoping beyond hope that, this with Samuel would turn my life around.