Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(74)

flick up at the corners with a genuine smile.

“It’s everything.”





Chapter 22

Rhea

I step out of my dorm room, letting the door click shut behind me, only to have an arm lace through

mine immediately, and I startle at the touch, until a glint of white hair flutters in front of my eyes.

“Long time no see, my friend,” Harmonia says with a smile as she looks me over from head

to toe. A natural smile transforms my face, my pure delight at her being back is far too embarrassing,

but I don’t give a shit. I just need a face to face chat, no phones or distance between us.

“It felt like forever,” I reply, falling into step with her as we head for the stairs. The last time I

saw her was when I was having a meltdown on the phone over my red eyes and my entire situation

with the Elites. Now, the holidays are over and we’re dressed in our Academy uniforms ready to

head to class. Life at Saints Academy has semi returned to normal.

So much happened over the break, I don’t even know how to explain any of it, but now isn’t the

right time anyway. But soon, definitely soon. I need to get this shit off my chest.

“Girl, don’t tell me you didn’t have any entertainment in the shape of four hot guys who shall not

be named but are also known as the Elites,” she says with a wink as we reach the bottom of the stairs

and move straight toward the portal. I can’t help but roll my eyes at her utter ridiculousness.

Now that she mentions them, I’m surprised we haven’t run into one of the guys, but we are leaving

a little later than everyone else since we’re not heading for breakfast. On my last trip, I made sure to

stock up on some protein bars, and now I have a good collection in the drawer back in my room,

along with an excellent excuse if Xander tries to give me any shit over my eating, or lack thereof,

again.

“I don’t think entertainment would be the right choice of words,” I explain, rubbing my lips

together as the portal’s black fog coats my skin, and my foot lands down in the main building of the

Academy.

Every. Fucking. Time.

I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to it.

Students fill the hallway, trying to get ready for their first class or hurry for food as we keep to the

outside of the large hall, following the trail around until we’re at the portal that leads to Combat.

With all the noise and buzz around us, we pause our conversation, heading through the billowing

smoke once more until the doorways to the Combat center stand before us.

Still. Weird.

Admittedly, Combat is one of my favorite classes. I’m sure next year, once I know what I am and

what I need training for, I’ll feel differently about the other classes, but in here, we all train the same.

Defensive. Offensive. Aggressive. Exhausting. Repeat.

It’s a hands-on, exhilarating class where we learn different types of martial arts, weaponry, and

defensive techniques so I’m not left out on the sidelines. While in others, when the lessons are more

specific to each supernatural species, I stand by idly and watch because no one knows where I fit in.

“We have so much catching up to do, especially since your eyes are…” she assesses me, pointing

a finger between her own pink pools to indicate what she means, and I nod, a sigh falling from my

lips.

I still haven’t figured out the best way to explain it to her, but I don’t think blurting out that they’re

only red when magic flows within me is the best idea. Especially when it’s supposed to be a secret,

and with the unwanted attention I’m already experiencing, I’ll never know who’s listening in.

“Soon, I swear, Harmonia, but everything is very hush hush right now and it has to stay that way,”

I murmur, shuffling my satchel over my shoulder as we step out into the huge space. It still catches me

off guard that the ground itself is split into four sections of Earth’s natural materials of grass, water,

sand, and burned foliage.

Although, as first years, we haven’t left the grass yet, and I can’t say I’m disappointed about it.

Especially when I can’t fucking swim. A shudder runs down my spine at the thought, but I shake my

head, pushing it to the back of my mind for a future me to worry about, as Harmonia and I head

toward the circle of students already here.

I drop my bag by the edge of the field along with everyone else's, brushing my hair back off my

face and securing it in place with the hair tie off my wrist.

“That makes total sense, and I swear I haven’t mentioned anything to anyone,” Harmonia says,

moving to stand beside me as we continue toward the line of students surrounding Professor Riva.

He hasn’t really spoken a word in my direction since the first day when he told me he was from

Phoenix Valley too. There hasn’t been very much to say, but his eyes always assess me like they’re

trying to check if I’m handling Academy life okay.

Looking past him, I see the units holding medium sized daggers, similar to the one I was gifted by