Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(55)

Our food arrived, and despite my roaring hunger I couldn’t enjoy it as much as I would normally. My mind was filled with Atlantis and royal lines and that damn family tree.

By the time I waved goodbye to Axl and Calen, I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed that Asher hadn’t made it to breakfast. He and his damn ancestors were occupying way too much of my headspace.





22





My classes for the day passed in a blur, I learned more about the supernatural world, and was the only one to find the teeny tiny purple herb, an alilia, in herbalism. This plant was the only known cure against the deadly bite of a golem, a creature created solely through the use of dark magic. I shuddered at the pictures of it in the text, because it had no eyes, nose, or ears, just a large slash of mouth filled with row after row of razor-sharp teeth. The creatures varied between one and ten feet tall and were built like a boulder with arms and legs.

Those teeth though. I shuddered.

I still carried my schedule with me, because if the teachers made any changes to our classes, that was where the information would appear. I noticed that Water Magic now had a “bring swimsuit” note next to it, and I decided I’d get changed before dinner so I’d be ready to head straight across.

All of my new clothes were neatly put away—Ilia had kept herself busy while she waited in my room on Saturday—and I was now overflowing with clothing choices for the first time in my life. The phone was still in its box, though, waiting for me to have a chance to set it up. I just hadn’t needed it yet; someone was always around the commons.

I put on a sleek black one-piece swimsuit with high-cut sides that made my legs look extra-long, a pair of cutoff shorts, and a “coffee then talk” shirt. Braiding my hair back, I thought about the way my hair color never faded. The pink would be this bright for the entire twelve months, with only the roots needing to be touched up. With the speed my hair grew, there was already a hint of silvery blond coming through. Luckily, I’d grabbed some supplies in town and could fix that next time I showered.

Pulling on my shoes, I left my room in a rush and headed to dinner. For the next hour Ilia and Larissa entertained me with stories about their day while I absentmindedly picked at my food. My eyes kept darting to the table where the Atlantean-five sat, and it was stupid, but I kind of wished we were sitting there with them as well. Whatever had happened when Asher unlocked my power and almost destroyed the school had given me a ridiculous sense of being bonded to him. To all of them.

I needed therapy.

Forcing myself not to stare, I finished my chicken pesto pasta, which had just enough creaminess and spice for the flavors to dance across my tongue.

When the conversation turned to the dance, I joined in. “I need a new dress,” Larissa said. “I’ve managed to actually put on some weight recently. Dad is making me feed more regularly, so I better get to the shops.”

The dance was held next month, February 18, and it was the first big social event of the school year. Apparently supes came from outside the school for the occasion, including donors and parents.

“I need a dress too,” I said, somewhat reluctantly. I’d never worn anything formal before, and a part of me was actually excited to be able to dress up. Another part of me was freaked out that I’d trip on heels and make a fool of myself. But this year, the year of pink hair, was all about firsts. First formal dress. First use of magic. First assassination attempt.

Look at me go.

“It’s settled,” Larissa said, sounding more decisive than usual. “We’ll go shopping next weekend.”

Oh shit. I’d forgotten one very important point in my sudden dance excitement.

“It might not be a good idea for me to leave the school,” I said, sadly. Especially if leaving would put my friends in danger again.

“I’ll clear it with Dad,” Larissa said. “As long as we take security and your power is still locked down, it should be fine, right?”

I shrugged, having no idea, but if Princeps Jones agreed, then I’d go along with it.

It was time for Water Magic, so I hurried off to class and was one of the last to arrive. Asher was already waiting, and I joined the line as everyone had another shot at walking through the door. Which no one managed. When it came up to my turn, Asher reached out and stopped me before I could try. “I don’t want to risk the block on your magic,” he said, his features colder than usual. Which stupidly bothered me.

I didn’t argue, deciding I could act as dismissively as him. Asher did his magic hand thing and opened the doorway. As I passed by, I didn’t even give him a second glance.

When we stepped out into the beach, I resisted the urge to run straight for the water.

Everyone stopped right on the waterline, our shoes kicked off. A squeaking sound drew my attention and I smiled as a few of those pink dolphins made their presence known. Asher ignored them. “Everyone into the water again. If you can’t find your connection to Sonaris, you’ll never capture the essence of water magic. By the end of the lesson, I want to see you draw water up with your palm. I’ll demonstrate how in a minute.”

As we waded out, I noticed that there were a lot fewer students today. We’d lost maybe a quarter. The ones that remained, though, looked comfortable in the water. They were determined to find the connection, and so was I.