Dragon Freak- Book 1 of the Freaks Series (Complete)

Four

Journal of Francesca DragonSpire

Dear Diary,

The first night at school. I am freaking out! I do not have the first clue about what to expect when I walk through the doors. Casper says she was revered for being a Montcastle. Chances are I will be feared on some severe levels because of my bloodline. Breed whisper Poppa’s name in awe and fear. Wish me luck.

Frankie DS

Mark held the door to the rolls open as we hurried down the front stairs. Casper greeted him like an old friend. I, on the other hand, was still getting used to the fact, Grandma was not a freak; like the rest of my family, and she had human’s working for her.

Casper’s gaze bored into the side of my skull. Danny once told me, my face was transparent. All around me knew what I was thinking. That was before I started wearing thick make-up, I slipped my sunnies up onto my face covering my eyes. Casper swore under her breath, guessing my thoughts.

“They’re a bunch of liars Frankie. Grandma is an awesome female. There is nothing she would not do for us; all we need do is ask. Look, give her a few weeks before you form an opinion on her. Then you’ll see I haven’t been brainwashed.” I nodded, casting my cousin a small smile. She breathed what sounded like a sigh of relief as I went back to staring out the window. I already knew Grandma was different; she hadn’t tried to hurt me yet. The strange creature dwelling within me was silent for the first time. All my life, I heard roaring in my ears. It happened each time my parents and Aunt did something to me. When the kids at school hurt me, my skin grew hot and clammy, the roaring so loud in my mind, I finally passed out from the pain. The silence in my head was beautiful, a new experience. I was quietly elated.

Mark pulled to a stop on a wide bitumen circle driveway leading to a huge castle. How did humans not notice? I thought with a small shake of my head, pulling my mind firmly from my musings.

“You alright, Frankie, you look a little sick?”  My cousin whispered, leaning towards me. I nodded swallowing. Casper gave me a nudge when the back door opened; I slid out. She followed, a bright grin on her beautiful face.

“Here we are. Stop worrying Frankie; you will be fine.” She whispered, elbowing me gently in the arm. I attempted a smile, a small lifting of the right corner of my mouth.

“Have a nice night, Ladies,” Mark told us, closing the car door. Casper said something that made the human laugh; I did not hear what it was. I was too busy being terrified!

“Frankie it’s school, not an execution.” Casper grabbed my hand and dragged me in through the double door vestibule.

“It’s a fine line,” I muttered. Casper laughed. I hated school at the best of times, but to be the new kid sucks on another level. Anxiety rose, the creature inside me lifted its heads with a rumble, sounding suspiciously like laughter.

“The parentals are right, I am freaking insane,” I muttered sourly following my cousin. The laughter in my mind grew louder.

It had been quiet outside, but inside was different. To the left was a massive meeting hall filled with pews and at the head a dais and lectern. At the back of the dais further behind the speaker’s position were four shiny black stone chairs.

“That’s where the headmaster and three deputy heads sit,” Casper whispered shuffling me into the rapidly filling room. Casper took a seat near the end, next to the wall. I fought the rising bile in my throat at being boxed in. Closing my eyes, I forced myself to keep breathing, counting each exhale.

“Green, green, green for the trees. Gold, gold, gold for the sun. Red. red, red for the fire, keep it together DragonSpire.” I whispered under my breath.

“What did you say?” Casper asked, raising her voice over the people behind us.

“Nothing,” I called back. Within what seemed like a minute, the hall filled with adolescents and teachers. My spine tingled with anxiety when the chatter silenced. A very handsome, intimidating male got to his feet, distracting me. I failed to see him sitting at one of the high seats as we walked in.

“Headmaster Ravenstone,” Casper whispered her lips almost in my ear. Her breath made my ear itch, I shivered, pulling away sharply. I scratched my ear.

“Welcome back students and a special welcome to those who are new. This semester there will be some changes. The study of Alchemy will no longer be in the east wing, but down in dungeons one through five. Miss Furrton will not be joining us for the rest of this year. Mr Wolfsbane is her replacement, for animal husbandry. Make sure you give him a warm welcome. Seniors! Biting and shape-shifting are banned from use in the hallways. This leads to accidents. I wish to cut down the use of the infirmary this term. You drove Nurse La Grou up the wall before the holidays. Last but not least, Witchcraft again will be open for years eleven and up. That is all; I wish you the best in your learning for the rest of the school year. You all have somewhere to be. Dismissed!” Headmaster Ravenstone and his three deputies strode down the aisle and out the double doors.

“Wow, that man gets better with time,” Casper whispered in a half giggle. I grinned, he was a babe all right. I was wondering what I could do to be sent to the principal’s office. A figure loomed over me, casting Casper in shadow. I looked up, wide-eyed into a pale weathered face. I could see the tips of two fangs from between her slightly parted lips.

“Francesca DragonSpire. I am Mrs Vapour if you would come with me, we will get your class schedule sorted”.

“Sure, Mrs Vapour,” I replied in a whisper, hesitantly getting to my feet. I was still a little startled by the teacher’s sudden appearance. Casper waved as Mrs Vapour led me away. I hoped I would be able to find her at lunch. Mrs Vapour it turned out was not just friends with Grandma; they were cousins. There was even a recent colour photo on her desk with her and Grandma by the pool at home.

“Leon took that; I was most grateful. Monique never liked photos she always preferred painted portraits.  I am the opposite; I have trouble sitting still for a great length of time. Portraits are beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but I like the more modern conveniences.” She explained with a hearty chuckle while pulling a thin notebook computer from her bag. I grinned. Mrs Vapour cleared her throat and placed a pair of small round reading glasses on her nose.

“Now we have a diverse range of subjects you can study here at Nosferatu Private School, those being; Breed history, Human studies, Werewolf studies, Alchemy, Religion, Business, science, math, English, Etiquette and engineering. We have Computer studies.

The Arts- Painting, Sculpting, Silversmithing, Goldsmithing, Jeweller, Film and television, Marine Studies and Science. 

There is also Astronomy and Astrology. We have Biology and of course horticulture, botany, music and Graphic Design.  Interior decorating and one of the favourites are Military studies- Tactics, survival and combat, Fencing and extensive arms Training. There is also, Dance, Gymnastics and finally, Witchcraft,” Hang about! I thought.

“I’m not allowed to do witchcraft,” I said. Mrs Vapour smiled.

“Your transfer papers say you’re eighteen, which means in this state year eleven. You can do whatever subjects you please.” She told me with a big grin. Excellent, I felt suddenly lighter. I pressed one finger to my chin. Now let us see, I thought. Mrs Vapour leaned towards me a slight frown on her face.

“There is one condition your Grandmother set; she would like you to do etiquette class as well as the five other subjects.” Blast it, interfering old fanger. I thought savagely.

“Etiquette it is,” I muttered. Mrs Vapour typed etiquette onto her screen. I sighed in defeat before turning back to the list before me.

“I’ll have music; I play the guitar and piano. Witchcraft and Military studies. Alchemy and Business too; I did them last year at my old school. I was pretty good, so I might as well continue.” Mrs Vapour looked rather pleased with my choices. She was grinning widely.

“Wonderful choices. I will be your business teacher.” Mrs Vapour suddenly looked very excited. Great, now there was no escaping the long hairy eyeball of my grandmother.

“Do you think Grandma will approve?” I asked, trying to mask my usual contemptible sarcasm, I failed. Mrs Vapour laughed heartily.

“You sounded just like Monique for a moment. Yes, she will be very pleased. You have shown interests in a diverse range of study. Your subjects will benefit you later in life, during whatever career you pursue. Francesca, do not allow what others think, to persuade or dissuade any of your future choices. Your grandmother, you may find; has solid reasons for wanting you to do etiquette. It is not so bad. You will be surprised at how good it looks on your resume after you finish school.” I found most adults did not understand. Mrs Vapour seemed to be on the ball though. She was a clever woman she saw and understood more than I’d initially given her credit.

Mrs Vapour printed my class timetable and walked me to my first lesson. Music. This term was the piano. I suddenly felt my pinkie fingers throb. I curled them protectively into my palms hoping and praying the teacher was friendly. Mrs Vapour seemed oblivious to my inner turmoil. I strolled along behind her, adopting my usual look of disdain when I passed others in the hallway. I tried my hardest to hide the fact that I was lost! I had no idea where in the school I was. I continued to follow Mrs Vapour blindly. She cast me a look over one shoulder, checking to see if I was still with her. She chuckled heartily. I refrained by the very skin of my teeth to keep from rolling my eyes.

“You should have been given a navigator by your grandmother.” She told me kindly. How in the rings of hell, was I to know, what she had or had not given me? I had been too preoccupied to look in my bag. Things much more important occupied my mind, like not throwing up. I thought flipping open the flap on my school bag that hung from a strap, crossing from my shoulder to the opposite hip. On top was a small black box with white carvings on it. I eyed it suspiciously wondering if something inside was going to jump out and bite me, the moment I removed the lid.

“That’s right, that box is your navigator. Pick it up, hold it in the palm of your hand. Tell it which class, and it will show you the way. Magic, when used correctly; is an amazing tool. These navigators have been around for a long time. I had one when I was your age.” She stated cheerfully. Off the scale cool, the parentals had never given me things like this. Holding the box open, I looked down at the little arrow inside.

“Mr Hipolostus, year eleven piano class,” I told the device slowly, feeling a little like an i***t for talking to a small black box. I jumped, startled as the box came alive; it looked like a compass. The arrow pointed straight ahead, still following Mrs Vapour. I hurried to catch up, coming alongside the teacher. The arrow suddenly swung right. I looked up to see a hallway and the sounds of pianos. Awesome. This thing was so sweet!

Mr Hipolostus was a tall thin vampire with a very long face and pointed chin. His black moustache was so high on his upper lip; it appeared to be growing from his nostrils! He had long freaky fingers with big bony knuckles. His smile as he took in the crest on my uniform became a mite strained. His eyes grew round, beads of sweat broke out on his high forehead, and his moustache twitched slightly.

“Alonzo Hipolostus this is Francesca DragonSpire. She came to live with Monique from New South Wales”. Mrs Vapour was grinning proudly.

“A pleasure Francesca are you familiar with the piano?” he appeared to have composed himself.

“Yes sir, my Aunt taught me to play when I was a young child,” I replied dryly, remembering my lessons. The teachers smile dropped off his face; concern crept into his gaze. I suppressed a shudder slamming closed the door on the memories of my lessons with Selene.

“Well, in that case, I shall be expecting great things from you.” He stated. I gulped, the door in my mind opened a c***k. Selene dislocated my pinkie fingers while shrieking; I was not drinking a cup of tea. My poor little fingers spent two weeks strapped to paddle pop sticks.

“You don’t practice corporal punishment as a means of discipline, do you?” I asked innocently. The man before me grew pale; he shook his head vehemently.

“That’s a relief,” I replied with a little relieved chuckle. Mrs Vapour and Mr Hipolostus tried to cover up their horrified looks as they stared down at my hands. Small white lines streaked across the flesh where Selene removed skin during what she called, corrective activities. Mr Hipolostus cleared his throat.

“Middle Grand to your left please, Miss DragonSpire.” He breathed, unconsciously tucking his hands behind his back. Mrs Vapour sent me silent good luck and a wave before exiting quickly. Her eyes filled with shadows.

Hipolostus asked me to play ‘Marriage of Figaro’ to help him see what skill level, I studied at. I was a massive fan of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice; I loved the song and knew it key by key off the top of my head. Mr Hipolostus was more than impressed. He also noticed I played with my head tilted to one side, always keeping him within sight.

A loud gong rang, signalling the end of the lesson. The class was to work on Figaro for homework, and I was to pick a new composition of the same era to work on instead. A girl came over to me as I pulled the strap of my bag over my head.

“I’m Kadina Fontain DesCor. I live at Glenwood Estate next to Montcastle Park. How did you enjoy the lesson? You’re excellent by the way. Any chance you could work with me? I suck on some serious levels, and if I fail music, my grandmother will spit nails.”

“Frankie DragonSpire.” I shook the girl’s hand. I’d passed the massive gates to Glenwood on the way to Grandma’s house.

“Thanks, it’s nice to meet you. The only reason I pulled off the song was that it is from one of my favourite movies. Sure, I can help you if you like. I cannot guarantee, both of us will not fail though.” I replied hesitantly, following her out of the classroom.

“What have you got now?” she asked. I pulled my timetable from my pocket, eyeing it critically.

“Etiquette, with a Mrs Bell Toad. Oh, what fun?” I replied, screwing up my face. Kadina laughed.

“Me too. Dad says I can do what I want if I act like a lady while doing it.” She told me dryly. I nodded in agreement.

“I received Grandma’s grand orders this evening about etiquette class, I had no choice,” I replied, looking around. Kadina looked just as lost as I did.

“Is this your first day too?” I asked. She shook her head.

“No, it’s my second; I got here the last day of last semester”. I could not help it; I laughed.

“The blind leading the blind. We’re both doomed, you know, that, right? Knowing my luck, we’ll end up in the dungeons.” I muttered sarcastically.

“What a revelation, adventure awaits.” She agreed with a wide grin; I pulled out my little black navigator.

“Mrs Bell Toad’s Etiquette class. Come on; we’ll get lost together. Let’s go play ladies.” The arrow pointed left. Kadina liked her arm with mine, and we were on our way.