Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(21)

"You're going to need to change your mindset, Maeve. You're part of this world now."

I’m still not convinced this isn’t one long, elaborate joke.

Jamie walks into the room and ends my confusing conversation with Amelia. I'm fortunate to have two accepting, warm-hearted friends to help me through this—three if you count Ash, but he was gruff with me last night. A girl at a nearby table stands to talk to Jamie, and he smiles down at her. The girl's eyes light up at his attention. Yep, the dimples would do that. They certainly captivate me and my weakness for guys with dimpled smiles.

The smitten girl watches as Jamie approaches our table, and she purses her lips as he sits and turns his chair and attention my way. "How are you this morning, Maeve?"

"Witchy." I sip my coffee.

Jamie glances at Amelia, who shrugs.

"Will Andrei bite me?" I continue. "Or will Ash turn into a huge dog and bite me too?"

"Nobody will bite you," says Jamie with a small smile. "And I wouldn't let them."

My heart skips a beat at his earnest words. "Most guys don't offer to defend me from werewolves and vampires. It's weird that you seem so normal but say things like that."

"He's not normal. He enjoys studying." Amelia ducks as Jamie throws a coffee stirrer at her head.

"I want to pass my exams. I'm not going to be another Andrei."

"You could never be an Andrei," says Amelia.

"Too true," I say.

The sudden switch from talking about supernatural to everyday teen normality is strange, but I'm not complaining.

The stories I need to hear aren't only about supernatural powers and the academy, but exactly how everybody fits into it.

"Will you explain to me what the Dominion is?" I ask.

Jamie's eyes widen and he waves a hand to shush me. "They're a rogue group who oppose the Confederacy’s policy that we should remain hidden. Those involved believe the supernatural races should seek revenge for the persecution and deaths from years ago."

"The Confederacy are the council that are elected to oversee our world," puts in Amelia. "Representatives from each race who work together to keep us hidden and at peace. Most come from the top students at the Nightworld academies."

"There's more than one academy?"

"Of course. The supernatural live all over the world and all need educating. There are three Nightworld academies in Europe and two in the US, for a start. Each is to teach the three races to coexist with humans by controlling or using their skills. We don't want a repeat of the persecution from the early years. "

I sink back in my chair and rub my forehead. "These Dominion. Are they powerful? Am I in danger?" Neither responds. "Am I?"

"We don't know how powerful. These things are always hidden from kids."

"They broke into the academy and attacked me."

"If it was them," says Amelia.

"Whoever did, they know about your power, Maeve," says Jamie. "True future-sighted witches are rare."

"Fantastic," I mutter.

"You're safer here than if you were in the outside world for any length of time," says Amelia. She places a hand over mine and squeezes. "Now you're here, we can train you to protect yourself."

"By attending the so-called advanced program?"

"And from one-on-one tuition with Sofia. Theodora asked me to find you and take you to see her after breakfast."

I push away my plate, no longer hungry, and my head filled with the thought that a group of supernatural renegades could be tracking me down.

"Nice. I'll have something to do today. I’m bored of staring at the moors."

And she's back. The girl who pretends she can take this in her stride.





Chapter Thirteen





MAEVE



I immediately know the woman in Theodora’s office is Professor Reichardt. Something in her grey eyes pierce my mind and her slight, willowy frame, and long, jet-black hair match how I imagined she'd look.

I'm in a constant state of nerves, but for the first time I want to hear what somebody has to say to me. After years filled with confusion, convinced I'm mentally ill and will be locked away one day, I'm about to get answers.

This could make living with vampires and werewolves bearable.

"Hello, Maeve. I apologise for not introducing myself earlier. I've been away from the academy visiting a sick relative, but it appears I returned just in time to help."

I pull at my blazer sleeves and offer her a nervous smile.

"I wanted to tell you some more about the academy before leaving you to chat to Sofia. A little history and a rule or two." Theodora smiles. "I lived in Europe years ago when the Purge happened—the attack on our kind by humans."

Entering her room soothed me—last night I didn't freak out as much as I thought I might, but the emotions crashed over me like waves once I left. Is that her power? This woman either had a lot of plastic surgery or she's immortal.

Are there immortals here? "Are you a vampire?" I blurt.

"A lamia vampire. We feed on sexual energy, not blood, so don't worry."

I cannot believe a head teacher said that to me. My cheeks heat. "Right."