Equinox Academy: Dark Prophecy

Chapter 7

    Growing up the way I did I wasn't jaded by the flashier things in life. I lived through hell in most of my foster homes. I spent time in roach-infested rooms, decrepit houses, run-down neighborhoods, and less than poor living conditions. As a kid, I didn't hope for opulence or a castle. My prayers were for a modest home where I didn't have to wonder when my next meal was going to show up. I wished for a warm bed and my own room instead of being crammed three or four kids deep in a cramped room only suited to be called a closet. I didn't need the place to be decked out. Just a space I could call my own so that I had a semblance of privacy. When I was with Caitlyn and Brian I got that but the horrors that happened in that room never made it mine. It wasn't until I got to Lee and Nick that I was able to truly experience that level of freedom. I had my own room, my own bathroom, and they gave me the space I needed to flourish. I couldn't want more if I tried. I was grateful for the little things in life because I came from less so everything they offered was truly a luxury compared to what I had. 

    So to say the inside of Equinox Academy made me want to roll my eyes at the sheer amount of opulence was an understatement. Don't get me wrong everything was stunning. The walls were a beautiful lily-white with gold accents and the tiled floors were an elegant marble with shades of blue, silver, gold, white, and gray. The furnishing on the right were made of beautiful golds and creamy whites while the left side consisted of sparkling silvers and iridescent blacks. Even the wall art reflected the color scheme of each side. Alyssa proceeds further into the building into a long hallway where the color theme continued. My brain is highly confused at the design choice and I couldn't help the tennis match my eyes played as I take in the weird contrast in colors. We approach the end of the hallway that opens up to a large room with a grand staircase in the center instead of taking the stairs we pass underneath them. As we reach yet another hallway I wonder what the meaning behind the two sides is. Why does everything on the right seem to represent what most people would find in Elysium and on the left looks like the sinful decadence of Tartarus? 

    We reach the end of the hallway where I spot two doors that stand a neck breaking seven feet high. They are made of clear glass and each one is bordered by a gold or silver frame.  As I peek out of the window I see that they lead to the four large towers behind the main building. Each path branches off in a "Y" shape so that students can either walk one path or the other and gain access to two of the buildings.  Above each door are these intricate plaques. On the right is a sun made of solid gold. The gold is twisted into intricate patterns to spell out the word "Ilios" and on the left is a full moon made of different shades of silver with the word "Fengari" in the center. Before I can inspect them further or even ask Alyssa what it means she pivots towards the right to another exit I hadn't spotted before. As we step out into the cool evening breeze I spot the beautiful stone pathway. The path leads us through a manicured lawn and I pick up on voices in the distance. A strange humming begins to vibrate my skin as we move closer to what initially looked like a large opening from far away. I glance at Alyssa who seems unaware of the noise or if she is aware she's not speaking on it. 

    My nerves begin to fire the closer we get and my magic crackles in my chest which puts me on high alert. The humming is causing a weird reaction to my magical reservoir and I'm not sure how to feel. When we finally reach the end of the path a large in-ground amphitheater sits below us and to my horror, it's full to the brim with people. What makes it most unsettling is that a lot of them are eerily quiet with only a handful whispering amongst themselves. My nerves sizzle to the point of snapping but I relax my features to neutral so as to not show fear. Some of these people may be my new classmates or teachers and the last thing I want is to make myself look weak especially in a school clearly not meant to cater to kids who grew up in the slums. 

    Alyssa chooses this moment to finally speak. It wasn't lost on me that she didn't show me around or act like a tour guide. She knows just like I do that it won't matter if I don't pass the test so making unnecessary stops and giving information is pointless until after this ceremony. She leans in close and whispers in my ear. 

"Okay, Kass this is where I leave you. The ceremony will begin shortly and the headmaster will explain exactly what is required of you so just go find a seat with the potential students upfront on either the left or right side."  

    She nudges me towards the staircase and I take a moment to stare at her. I have so many questions but from the look, she gives me it's clear I'm not going to get any answers. So with a heavy sigh, I square my shoulders and take my first steps into what I'm now dubbing the pit of dread. As I scan the crowd I feel my magic bristle slightly. Honestly, some of the stares I'm getting are borderline lethal. I notice it's the majority of the female population. This I'm used to. I'm an anomaly not to mention I don't look anything like some of the women in the crowd. Most are wearing designer clothes and expensive jewelry while I have on my cute teal crop top that shows off my midriff, black skinny jeans, and my favorite combat boots. My hair is loose and wavy down my back and I opted for no make-up because I only wear it on special occasions. There are others that are giving me curious glances mostly because of magical bracers on my arms. I'm sure most of them think it's a fashion choice and they'd be wrong. 

    As I reach the halfway point I feel a tickle of power press against me and I can't help but look in the direction it came from. I see a group of girls sitting a bit of a distance away but I can tell the power came from that direction. One is smiling smugly but the smile disappears rather quickly when she sees a smirk cross my face and I continue down the steps seemingly unbothered by her scare tactics. Whispers echo off the walls and it takes everything in me not to laugh at some of the words coming from around me. I've heard much worse back home. I refused to be intimidated by these people. I keep my pace steady as I descend the final steps and spot an empty seat to my left. It's between two people and both seem harmless. I turn my body and the whispers increase as I move toward the empty spot and collapse down on the seat. The male on my right winces slightly but remains seated and the girl on my left smiles brightly. I already see she's about to speak to me and I try to relax my features just in case my initial assessment was wrong. 

The girl is pretty in a baby sister kind of way. She reminds me of Miranda Cosgrove although she has a slight edginess that makes me think that even though she is small she's got a bit of a bite to her bark. She's got these cute pixie-like features with long brown hair, warm chocolate eyes, and a cute bubbly smile. Honestly, her smile softens me first and her gentle whisper puts me at ease. 

"Hi, I'm Sophie. Your eyes are gorgeous."

I smirk and extend my hand and she grasps it. 

"Hey, Soph my name is Kassandra most people call me Kass."

She smiles brightly and her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. I can't help but chuckle at how sweet she looks. Maybe I can find a friend in this school after all or at least I can use her to gain some information before she finds out that I'm an anomaly and dumps me before I ruin her reputation. I turn to the guy sitting to my right and he bashfully looks away. Sophie must sense him struggling cause she softly whispers in my ear "This is Kyler we just met and he's really shy. I like him and I've always been pretty good at reading people. I'm adopting him as my little brother." 

    I can't help the small smile that sprouts on my lips at her words. I already like Sophie. I fully face Kyler and extend my hand. "Hi, Ky I'm Kassandra but most people call me Kass. It's okay to be a little shy. Honestly, despite the RBF, I rock I'm super awkward in social situations. So it's nice to meet you." I send him a wink as I finish and he gently grabs my hand and his shoulders relax slightly. I see the hint of a smile grace his face and I have to admit Kyler is totally gorgeous. He has the whole boy next door thing going on but it has a slight feminine quality. His features are softer for a male but his jawline still hints at his masculinity. His soft green eyes twinkle when he smiles and his shaggy brown hair hangs haphazardly but stylish. However, the thing that makes him stunning are the killer dimples that appear just under the apple of his cheeks. Sophie and I sigh simultaneously and Kyler's smile widens before he speaks.

" It's very nice to meet you, Kass and Soph. I don't mind being adopted as long as you feed me regularly."

    He has a slight French accent that makes us both sigh again. He chuckles at our theatrics and I'm thinking that maybe if I pass this test I'll be able to have two people I won't mind being around at this school. For the next couple of minutes, we talk about random things. I find out that Sophie is Lycan and Kyler is Lamia. Sophie is more knowledgeable about the school so she dominates the conversation and Kyler and I pepper her with questions. I ask about the weird color scheme and she confirms my suspicions that the design isn't just an eccentric design choice. The two sides are meant to stand for dark and light. The dark side or "the Moon side" are typically represented in colors matching the night sky. Of course, the right side or "the Sun side"  is meant to depict the light. It was illustrated with golds and creams like clouds and sunlight. Each side has an element that is meant to characterize the dark and light. The dark side is typically portrayed by earth and fire and for the majority of the time, Lamia and Lycan possess those elements. The light side is represented by the elements Air and Water. The Pharmekia and the Nymphs are usually in possession of these elements. The dorms are separated by elements so each one is typically populated by a single race with a couple of the other races sprinkled in. The freshmen get the first two floors and it goes up until you reach the top two floors where the seniors live. 

    The conversation fascinated me. I don't understand how the in-school dynamics really work because I hadn't really been to school in two years and I hadn't been to a Supe school at all but better late than never. I was so engrossed in the conversation that I hadn't realized that the whispers had escalated around us. I glanced at Sophie who seemed annoyed by the commotion and a dramatic eye roll confirmed my suspicion of her mood shifting. Heads all around us rotated to the right side of the Pit of Dread. From where I sat I could only make out silhouettes but there were definitely four of them. However, what I was able to feel was a huge wave of power that crashed into me. I saw the whole stadium flinch even Ky and Soph. My reaction wasn't as agonizing as it looked for everyone else. I felt the power caress the top of my head and travel sensually down my body until it reached my toes. It was similar to what happened in the bar but on a larger scale. Goosebumps sprouted on my skin, tingles rushed through my body, my heart rate accelerated like I was running a marathon, my breathing turned into small intakes of air and I felt my core throb. A gasp threatened to escape my lips but I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop the sound from leaking out.     

    After a moment the wave subsided and everyone seemed to relax but I was still reeling with the after-effects. My hands shook slightly and my pulse was still fluttering like a hummingbird's wings. On the inside, I was a f*****g mess but I was able to maintain my mask of indifference. When you grow up the way I did any form of weakness can be capitalized on so maintaining a calm expression is the best way to keep control of a situation. Sophie drew in an unsteady breath and mutter "assholes" which had me quirking an eyebrow at her. I couldn't help but let my curiosity win out. 

"What the hell was that?"

She gaped at me as if I grew three heads in the past two minutes and even Ky seemed a bit shell shocked by my comment. He seemed to recover quicker than Soph although his voice clearly displayed his disbelief. 

"That was the princes."

"The what?"

The princes... the royal heirs to the throne."

"You're serious?"

"Girl where have you been?"

I cringe I hadn't really explained my disadvantage to them yet and I didn't really want to get into my story if I wasn't going to make it past the test. I reply with my driest sarcasm.

 "Apparently under a f*****g rock..."

Ky laughs and again almost simultaneously both I and Soph swoon at the same time. Ky is dreamy but definitely not my type although any person would be lucky to have him. That laugh alone would make even the most frigid b***h swoon. 

"Kass what you just felt was the power of the four heirs to each of the supernatural kingdoms. I've never met them but they are said to be the most powerful beings at this school... hell in the world aside from the gods themselves. They each possess both an element and were gifted a unique power. It's rare to be given an element and even rarer to be given a god or goddess-given gift with it. Not even their parents were given those gifts which makes them more powerful than the current kings and queens."

    My jaw flops open and Ky can't seem to control the belly laugh that escapes him. People turn in our direction and I quickly cover his mouth to quiet him down. Eventually, he recovers and wipes the tears from his eyes. Sophie seems to finally recover from her shock but eyes me curiously. I knew my ignorance was going to show eventually I just hoped it wouldn't be on the first day. I sighed and figured I better explain myself so that they understand why I need help without giving all the details. 

"Look I'm different guys I'll explain more if I make it past this test but for now I'll just say this. Up until two years ago, I lived in the human world. I knew supernaturals existed of course but I'm not really familiar with the whole supe hierarchy." 

It was their turn to open mouth gape at me and I couldn't help feeling slightly embarrassed. They both seem to notice my inner cringe because sympathy flashes through their eyes and they each gave me a look of understanding. Sophie is the first to speak again after a few moments. 

"Kass the four royal heirs are here because of the peace treaty. This school was designed to not only help those who have elements but its meant to help the heirs control their powers. Having elemental powers is dangerous and without proper training, it can be volatile. Each family, before the war, use to have personal teachers that helped train the new heirs to handle their powers but of course, being from a high-ranked family after so many generations their power became more potent."

"So why did they have them start coming here?"

"This school was built and supplied with a vast knowledge of all studies that were conducted into elemental powers. It's also meant as a way for the four species to co-mingle with each other although it's said that each species tends to keep to themselves. There is a lot of prejudice between the races that have been passed down through the generation and even though it's been a while since the war old habits die hard. The gods saw it fit to try and mend ties between the species by forcing them to interact with each other while learning to control their element."

"It sounds like a well-thought-out plan but the way you're describing it sounds like it's not all it's cut out to be."

"Well the royals have taken advantage of the whole elemental powers and the higher-ranking families have done the same. In order to promote powerful bloodlines, they are using the school as a means to find the most powerful match and using their families' wealth or royal status to arrange marriages between the upper-class families and even the royals."

"Wow... that's kind of f****d up..."

 "There is nothing kind of about it. Unless someone finds their mate which is exceedingly rare each heir will essentially be paired off with the strongest female of their element and race."

holy shit...

"So let me get this straight the reason this school is popular is that if you are deemed the most powerful female of your element and race you will be offered the chance to become the next royal breeder."

Both Ky and Soph snort a laugh and I stare perplexed.

"Offer is a funny way of putting it. Most supes would give their right boob to become the next queen of a royal family. That being said most females here are striving to be the most powerful in their race so the competition gets pretty cutthroat. But being the most powerful plants a target on your back. There have been many accidents where a student has shown signs of being a potential choice and mysteriously disappeared."

Well damn, that's hella ominous...

 "What about you Soph are you wanting to be the next Lycan queen?"

Her face twist in disgust which makes me curious. Ky however snickers beside me and Sophie giggles in return. Now I'm perplexed. 

"What?"

Ky decides to answer cause Sophie blushes hard and looks away seeming to prepare for something.

"Sophie here can't be the next queen even if she was the most powerful in her race."

Confusion must mar my features because Ky continues despite Sophie's pleading face.

"They want the most powerful partners for the heirs but incest is frowned upon no matter the power level."

It takes me a second to piece it together but when I do my head snaps to Sophie who's body language has all but crumbled in on itself. 

"You're a royal?"

She winces but nods almost sullen at this new revelation. She looks me in the eyes waiting for something and as we stare at each other she seems to shake with nerves waiting for me to react.

"Cool, I guess..."

This response seems to give her a new life and without preamble, she throws her arms around my shoulders and I fight everything in me not to flinch at the contact. She must notice my tense body because she releases me quickly and wipes the corners of her eyes. I realize then that she thought I was going to react a certain way to her and I immediately feel bad for rebuffing her attempts to hug me.

"Soph are you okay?"

She nods with a small sniffle and a hand flashes across my side and Ky hands her a tissue. My heart softens further and I realize I really like Sophie. She takes a second to recover as more students file down the stairs and I wait for her to explain why she's so upset. When she finally speaks her voice sounds brittle and I can tell this subject hurts her. 

"Sorry, it's just I'm used to the cunning and calculated stares from others when they find out I'm related to an heir to the throne. I've never really had friends so I don't like telling people my last name because it immediately triggers a reaction especially to those who are of my race. I guess I just wanted to make friends without having to wonder if you are only befriending me to get to my cousin."

Sympathy and anger flash through me on Sophie's behalf. To think this sweet girl has been used as a pawn in someone's scheme to get closer to the heir of the Lycan throne makes me want to punch someone. I've spent my life being the odd one out and never being truly accepted because of who I am making her explanation hit too close to home. Despite my aversion to contact I gently grab her hands in mine and wait until she makes eye contact. 

"Soph I don't care who your family is or where you come from. I think you are a nice person and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it past this test but I would like to ask you if you would be my friend. I'm not from an upper-class family nor do I really care if you are but I like who you are as a person. Trust me when I say I don't have very many friends and I would love to add you to that list." I turn to Ky releasing one of Sophie's hands and grabbing one of his. "You too little brother" I finish on a wink. 

Sophie's eyes mist over again and Ky's face split into a huge grin that I can't help but reciprocate. They both nod eagerly and I yank them both close and wrap my arms around their shoulders and give a gentle squeeze as they both dissolved into laughter. Just as Sophie goes to speak a loud voice rumbles through the speakers.

"Welcome everyone to Equinox Academy it's time to begin the Revelation Ceremony."

All at once, the mood becomes tense and my heart leaps into my throat.

Fuck well let the s**t show begin...