Initiation (13 page)

Tiny Mrs. Stone appeared timid as she took her position next to Frau Schmelder. She was far from shy, which the Initiates would learn swiftly.

“This is my assistant. She practically runs the Academy,” Frau Schmelder said, smiling fondly at Mrs. Stone. “All disciplinary issues get reported to her first. All issues, in fact, are pretty much dealt with by her.”

Frau Schmelder nodded at the three faculty directors. She pointed to the lanky, blond-haired man I had come to hate during my Initiation year. “This is Professor Grimaldi, he heads the human academic program.”

“This is Professor Black. She is in charge of the paranormal academics.”

Professor Black, a vampire, grinned at the crowd, casting a special nod at the vamp Initiates.

“And finally, this is Professor Bern. She heads paranormal powers and practices.” Despite her frumpy demeanor, I had come to appreciate the witch. She was beyond awesome.

Frau Schmelder scanned our faces. “I know that you must be getting tired and hungry, so I will conclude by pointing out the head of the student council. Now normally, we keep the identity of the president confidential; however, recent events–like the fire–have led us to decide that it will be best for the students to be aware of who the council president is. He will be available to you in case of emergencies only. So, Jagger.” She pointed at a grinning Jagger, who waved at us like a rock star or something, and he received the desired effect–a lot of clapping and shouting.

Frau Schmelder held up her hand for quiet. “Disassemble by rows, last row first. Go to the back where Mrs. Stone is standing for your group assignments. Then join your group. Your group leaders will take over from here. Have a nice year, everyone. Dismissed!”

Once she strode off the stage and out of the auditorium, loud chatter replaced the quiet.

Faustine nudged me. “Now what?”

“We wait until it’s your turn to go to Mrs. Stone to receive your group assi–”

“Why are they leaving?” Faustine interrupted, pointing to the vamps, who were being ushered through a side door.

“Oh, most of the vamps aren’t ready for even the basics of the Initiation process. They’ll be kept in isolation until they’re ready. It’s called Basic Camp. The ones who are ready are sitting on this side of the divider.”

Her eyes widened. “You mean, there are vamps right here? There could be one sitting right beside me?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. I’ll make sure none of them bother you.”

“What was all that about trust? That sounded scary. I can trust you, can’t I, Cordelia?”

I took a deep breath. “I want to be able to say yes, and I’m going to do my very best to live up to being trustworthy. But keep what Frau Schmelder said in mind. Unexpected things can happen, which I’d have no control over. What if a witch casts a spell on me to make me harm you? If you trusted me one hundred percent, you’d be vulnerable. So be mindful of that. Okay?”

She looked sad, as if someone had snatched away her security blanket. I laced my fingers through hers and squeezed her hand.

“Faustine Spencer!” Mrs. Stone’s voice came over the speakers.

I pulled Faustine up, and we made our way to the back together.

“Faustine, you are in Dax’s group… over there.” Mrs. Stone pointed at a redheaded boy I didn’t recognize.

We walked over and introduced ourselves.

“I’m Dax, your group leader. We’ve got a small group, just another two, both nobility. Let’s head over to the cafeteria for dinner once they check in.”

We waited quietly while the other two members joined us, then we sauntered to the dining hall. Once we’d fed, Dax made the introductions.

“Let’s get to know each other a bit more. Then, I’ll give you our schedule for the next week. I’ll start. My name is Dax, as I said. I finished Integration last year, and I’m doing an extra year of enrichment, which consists of supervising this group. I’m a troll, and my mother is the troll sovereign of London. I was returned to her just a few years ago, after having lived with a human family.”

A troll? A changeling. Interesting. I hadn’t come across many of them. I wondered which human he’d been swapped for, someone of stature, no doubt, if he was Queen Nora’s son. I’d have to ask him more about that.

Dax shifted his attention to Faustine. “Do you want to go next? Just share what you’re comfortable with for now.”

“Okay. I’m Faustine, daughter of the demon king of London. I’m twelve, nearly thirteen; it’s my birthday soon. This is my mentor, Cordelia.”

I was surprised that she’d held back from sharing that she was a hybrid, part human. She seemed to have taken the
Trust no one
to heart.

Chun went next. “Thanks for sharing that you’re a changeling, Dax. I am too, but a faery. I’m sixteen, and I hate my mother.”

Way to go, Chun! She’d turned her introduction into an unexpected Jerry Springer moment. I wondered who her parents were, but held back from asking. She was incredibly tiny at about four-feet-nine, and fragile-looking. Her straight wisps of black hair were cut in a messy bob that framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. Her big, light-green eyes seemed to have a permanently surprised expression.

Dax raised his eyebrows. “Well, we do have student counselors available if you need to discuss your personal issues with someone. Best to deal with them; we wouldn’t want them to interfere with your training here at the Academy. I have a list; just let me know.”

“Well, I love my parents,” Martha informed us in a Texas twang. “Mom’s the demon queen of Dallas, and dad’s a writer. I’m just here to figure out some of the new hormones that seemed to have kicked in when I turned sixteen. I don’t have a clue what I’ve been doing at times. I just seem to blank out.” She giggled.

I knew exactly what the raven-haired, six-foot-two beauty meant. I’d been through exactly the same thing. Maybe I could help her.

 
“Thanks, ladies. Well, that’s us. Team Dax! We’re all in the same dorm, apart from Faustine, who has a room next to her mentor.”

“Why do you get to have a mentor?” Martha drawled.

“No asking any personal questions, Martha,” Dax interrupted. “All sharing of personal stuff is voluntary, and has to be started by the person themselves.”

“Shoot! That’s no fun!” Martha retorted, pursing her lips. “But I guess I can live with it. Just so y’all know, I’m terribly nosy; I can’t help myself. So just ignore me if I slip up.”

We laughed.

Dax got to his feet. “Right, let’s head over to my room for a pajama party. I’ve got
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
waiting! Cordelia, no need for you to come, unless you really want to. I’ll escort Faustine back to you after the movie. I’m aware of the circumstances.”

“Faustine?” I asked.

“Yes, I’ll be fine just hanging with the group. I’ll see you later.”

“Thanks, Dax. I’ll come get her, though. Let me call Mrs. Stone to double check that it’s okay with her.” I called, and it was fine with her, apart from one thing. “She says that Faustine is too young to be watching
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
.”

Dax nodded. “Hadn’t even considered that. Oh well, I’ve got a huge selection of movies. I’m sure we can find something appropriate. I’ll have to remember your age, Faustine. You’re the youngest demon we’ve had here.”

“Okay, see you later, Faustine. Stay with Dax at all times, and call me if you need me.”

I went back to my room for some
me time
.

T
ennis. That was how I decided to use my
me time
. Finally, some time to indulge in what I had hoped Enrichment year would be all about. During my first two years at the Academy, I had spent every spare moment on the tennis courts. Unlike most of the other players, I preferred playing the game without using any of my paranormal powers.

Since the age of five, when I first got to attend the Wimbledon Championships in London, my dream had been to play there one day. And I had been well on my way until my powers started going berserk during puberty. Since I had gotten them under control, I could play using my raw talent only, and I hoped to get into competition tennis when I went back to Paris. I had hoped to use my last year at the Academy to polish my skills. That, and spend time with Quinn.

Obviously, I wasn’t going to get much free time from the mentoring gig. Not that I resented spending time with Faustine, not even a little bit. I really liked her. She needed me and looked up to me. I felt kind of good about that.

However, since I had a few hours to myself, I was going to grab my tennis racket and hope that there was someone around on the tennis courts to play against.

“Cordelia, what’s the hurry?” Jagger shouted from behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder, but kept walking. “I’ve got some free time, so I want to get to the courts and slam some balls.”

“Sounds painful.” He snickered.

“Ha, ha.”

He caught up and strode alongside me. “I’ll come with.”

“Yeah? Okay. I need someone to beat.” I caught a smile. I had never seen him on the courts before, and was sure he didn’t play. He wasn’t on the team anyway. I wondered what faery tricks he could use to beat me. Oh, well. Whatever. It would be fun to find out. I might make an exception and use my powers after all. “See you over there in ten?”

“Yep.” He ruffled my hair before he sped along the corridor toward his room.

I quickly changed into my white tennis uniform. We had to wear uniforms any time we played, even at practice. As I grabbed my tennis bag, someone knocked on my door. I assumed it was Jagger, and that he’d decided to pick me up instead of meeting me at the courts.

“Come in! It’s unlocked!”

When there was no response, I opened the door. No one. I looked down the corridor, but saw no signs of anyone. I had just turned to go back inside when I spotted an envelope on the floor. Hesitantly, I picked it up and sniffed it. The smell was familiar, rancid. I lifted the unsealed top flap and peered inside. A feather. I went over to my desk, got my tweezers, and carefully slid the feather out of the envelope.

The soft, golden brown barbed feather had been cropped to fit into the envelope. What was up with that? I smelled the feather, same aroma I had caught from the envelope, but way stronger. I closed my eyes, trying to recall the source. I was immediately transported back to the shifters in the corridor. The feather must have come from the eagle. Why had it been left on my doorstep? Was it a threat? Was it her way of telling me to back off or else… what? She knew where I lived? If that was the case, she could go screw herself.