The Obsidian Spire Academy. A place of learning, of war, where the future leaders of each race are sent to compete with each other, for blood, honour, till death.
The twins and I had to come down at a point, making the rest of the journey on foot. Soon, the large, imposing gates made of spears appeared, with four guards in front of them.
We walked to the first guard we saw. "Invitation," he hissed. I brought out the letter, then I removed the small pin, placing it in his palms.
He squashed it, and it disappeared. "Welcome, Celine Fallows."
A sigh escaped my lips, and the goats opened slowly, the creaking sounds echoing in the dark. I walked into the academy for the first time, and something shifted.
The air grew still. The twins followed behind me, arguing about something, but I could not hear them. I was star-struck.
The imposing fortress in front of me seemed to stretch to the sky. There was sun, yet it did not feel hot. There are soaring towers to the west, so dark it seemed even the sun was scared to set there.
"Vampires," I heard from behind me. "They said they are permanently in the dark.
My feet moved on the ground, following Otto and Felix. There was a wild garden to the east, and I peered harder, seeing the forest behind it. The grass looked like it grew wild, and on the trees, large claw marks and some of them were half broken, like they were teetering in the balance.
"Shufters," Felix informed me again. "They love to shift and run, and they love nature. Don't go there during a full moon?"
I swallowed. I followed Otto and Felix, while they acted kike there was nothing new to them, I was terrified. Everything seemed like it was out to jump me.
"Hi," Otto flashed a smile at a guard, "directions to the meeting hall, please?"
The guard looked angry, but he spoke slowly and gave Otto the directions. We moved quickly, aware we had arrived late. "This is fae," Felix told me. "See the crystals?"
Sure enough, I looked up, and the ceilings were covered with what seemed to be dangling crystals. "They call them chandeliers," he said. "Very tricky to make."
Chandeliers, I thought. I had seen them in the palace before, but I hadn't even dared to ask what they were. "What do they do?"
"Light," He answered. Otto pushed a door open. "Finally," he breathed.
We had gotten to the meeting hall.
Students walked and talked loudly, some whispering to each other.
Felix sighted someone in the crowd and tapped his brother's shoulders. They waved and walked towards them, leaving me alone at the entrance.
It seemed their generosity was done. They are smiling, mingling with the crowd easily. I sighed and skulked to the back, using a small corridor to observe everyone.
Otto and Felix headed to where the fae were. In front of the fae were the vampires, their table dark, while they hung around the edge, ignoring their seats. In the middle row, shifters were there, and they were the loudest. Soon, a fight broke out.
At the back, close to where I was standing, was the quietest group. I saw an empty seat next to one girl and made a beeline for it, sitting down at the long table.
"Hi," I heard the girl say. I smiled a bit, wanting not speak. "My name is Kiera," she continued. "I am assuming you are a witch."
I turned slightly so I could face her. "What gave it away?"
"You sought us out," she shrugged. "Plus, we are at the back for a reason. We're weak."
I nodded. "Yeah, that's a pity, isn't it?"
"I blame our nobles," Kiera continued, missing my sarcasm. "If they would just decide and make a leader, like the other kingdoms, we would be respected," she spat out. "They treat us like trash, and they respect themselves because in their eyes, they are equals."
I would regret this, but I had to ask. "Who are equals?"
"The royals," she answered. "They are considered the strongest in each kingdom, by blood. This year is going to suck."
I frowned. "Why would it?"
"Because we have—"
A sharp sound interrupted Kiera before she could answer me. I watched in shock as three chairs ascended from the ground. No, those were not chairs, they were…thrones. Three thrones, with golden runes and velvet cushions, rose in the middle of the room into what seemed like a stage.
My eyes widened. "We have three royals?"
"From each Kingdom," Kiera said, her voice softer. I watched the three men come into the hall and sit down, their faces too far away for me to see.
Three royals. "Don't tell me they are?"
"The princes," Kiera hissed. "All firstborn sons, each kingdom."
I opened my mouth to speak, but the lights in the room went off.
"Students of the great Academy," I heard someone say from above. "You are welcome. I am your beloved headmistress," the lights in the room came on one by one, till the last one, at the stage, "Headmistress Triss."
Headmistress Triss was a tall, thin woman. "She's a witch," Kiera volunteered. "A former student, but she has been in charge of the academy for more than three decades now."
"We are pleased to begin another year, and of course, we have new members," she smiled. "Now, we all know how orientation goes. When you hear your name, each new student should stand up, come to the front, and display their unique talents for us."
I watched as she called a name, and the person went up. One by one, she went through every kingdom, vampires, wolves, fae and witches. Kiera was called, and I watched her excitedly perform a light spell, creating a small spark between her hands. The witches clapped, but the rest of the kingdoms ignored it, while the three princes watched from their throne, boredom sinking deeper into their expressions.
"Celine Fallows," she called. "You are next."
My heart dropped.