Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (Supernatural Beasts and Bullies #1)(18)

I spotted Tory in a tense-looking conversation with Darius, but I knew she could handle herself. My sister was as tough as nails. But I was going to miss her.

We headed east away from The Orb and Kylie parted from me, moving to join a girl with large eyes and raven hair.

We passed by big stone buildings which seemed to ring The Orb and a huge, crescent-shaped structure which resembled the moon. Seth had an excited prance in his stride as we followed the winding path toward a thick group of trees in the distance.

My heart hammered and I looked around me for a friendly face as the group jostled me along, but no one met my eye.

We headed into the thick forest and the amber glow of lanterns lit the path, the trees grouping close together on either side of the track and arching overhead. A chill brushed across my skin accompanied by a lick of adrenaline.

I half expected to wake up tomorrow and find that all of this was a dream. Despite the fear the Heirs had struck in me, this place called to me. It was beautiful and a deep vibration in my soul told me I belonged here. Like the stars themselves had been waiting for me to arrive at this very spot.

We emerged from the trees and found ourselves on a sprawling clifftop where the crash of waves sounded from below. A huge tower stretched up high above us, the dark grey bricks ancient and weathered. Vertical windows were built into the walls and at the very top was an enormous rotating wooden turbine which moved in a breeze I couldn't feel.

Seth turned back to face us, standing before the arching doorway made of black iron. Above it, carved into the stone, was a large symbol of a triangle with a horizontal line intersecting the top half of it. Seth raised a palm and the symbol glowed with an intense white light, the sight making my heart thrum excitedly. The iron door clunked heavily, sounding it unlocking.

“Freshmen, get your asses in front of me because I'm only gonna say this once,” Seth announced.

Me and the fifty or so other newbies headed toward the front of the group. I moved to Kylie's side, stepping between her and a guy with a beanie hat on and an excited look on his face.

Seth devoured the attention, his gaze flitting across all of us as several of the older students grouped around him. Many rubbed shoulders with him or brushed their hands over his back and arms. It was totally weird but he let them continue as if it was a regular occurrence.

“You don't get into Aer unless you use your power on that symbol.” He pointed to the triangle above the door. “As it's your first day, I've already opened it but as of tomorrow if you can't conjure air, you don't get a bed in my House.”

I rubbed my fingers together, hoping I'd be able to use my power again but I wasn't entirely sure how I'd done it before. Power coiled inside me in anticipation but I couldn’t will it into my hands.

The guy beside me bobbed on his heels with a keen energy; he glanced my way and gave me one of the friendliest smiles I’d received so far. My shoulders relaxed as I smiled back, glad to have the prospect of a friend in my new House.

“Now.” Seth smiled and for a moment he looked like a hungry wolf who hadn’t eaten for a few days. “Let's get on with it.” His eyes whipped to me and he curled a finger to beckon me over.

My mouth dried up and it took a second for me to make my legs move as I stepped forward. He turned me to face the group of freshmen, slinging an arm around my shoulders. His fingers stroked my bare skin and I stiffened in surprise at his tactile behaviour. I tried to duck away, but he plucked the back of my shirt and tugged me against his hip again, his hand suddenly in my hair.

Was he petting me?

“Initiation!” Seth called and the swarm of older students behind the freshmen descended on them, shoving black linen bags over their heads.

Seth kept his attention on me and my heart crashed against my ribcage as he moved his nose to my hair and inhaled deeply. A shudder ran through me and I tried to push him back, but he was frighteningly strong. The hot, wet, pad of his tongue suddenly dragged up my right cheek and revulsion slammed into me.

“Ergh!” I brought a hand up to slap him, but he caught it with ease, his eyes glittering as if we were playing some game.

He laughed heartily. “Chill out, babe. This is how I say hello.”

My heart slowed a fraction as I gazed at him. He cocked his head and gave me an innocent expression, making the remainder of my anger melt away. Maybe in Solaria this was normal. And I didn't want to be accused of culture shaming...

“Right,” I said uneasily. “I'm just still trying to figure this all out.”

He laughed as if I'd said something funny then turned back to the crowd, his arm still locked tightly around me.

My gut fluttered with nerves as I took in the hooded group of freshmen, but I noticed Kylie was standing to the side of them, her hand on her hip. Evidently the House Captain's girlfriend got a free pass.

“What's your Order, babe?” Seth nuzzled into my ear and my body seized up at the intimacy of his gestures.

“Err.. what?”

“You know...Siren, Vampire...Werewolf?” he asked with a note of curiosity.

Someone behind me started touching my hair and I was pretty sure they were braiding it.

What the crap is happening right now?

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, trying to keep my thoughts in line as Seth moved his face to my neck and breathed in deeply again.