In a way, it felt like she was leading me into a spooky attic, though I had the sneaking suspicion we were only a few floors above headmistress’s office, but I couldn’t be sure. I was too distracted to focus on counting staircases.
I knew we were getting close to the dorms, because I could hear the chatter echoing in the halls, like little whispering pixies.
“That’s just it, I don’t think I’m really all that special,” I said, deciding to keep the tidbit about mybloodlineto myself for now. The last thing I needed to do was to go spreading my dirty laundry about the school body before I even had answers myself.
“Mhmm... that’s what allchosen onessay,” she said with a laugh.
“No, really... I’m about as novice as you can get. I don’t even know how to control my powers, for heavens’ sake. I turned a kid into a frogby accident.For like two hours, but still...”
“Not all of us are born experts, Vi. Believe me, there are definitely some second years who don’t have all their shit together.” She shrugged. “Even though they’d like you to think otherwise.”
“But not you,” I said. It wasn’t a question. I couldn’t explain how I knew, really, but I knew just from the way Delaney carried herself, her nonchalant attitude, and the gleam in her eye, she wasn’t as dumb as she looked.
Delaney grinned wickedly in response. “Not me,” she said with a wink, and I couldn’t help but laugh as well. Something inside me warmed, and I loosened my grip on my duffel. And Delaney laughed right along with me.
“Come on, we’re almost there,” she said as she picked up her pace once more, leading me around the bend.
Which also made me far more nervous. I’d obviously been requested for early access, and I’d been given more time to “acclimate” as the headmistress claimed, but if there was one thing I knew about myself, it was that no matter how much time I had, I’d never fully acclimate anywhere.
Because I was different, an outsider. I just didn’t belong. And despite Delaney’s claims not everyone here was the next Harry Potter, I was still the new girl.
The new girl who got to show up early. Talk about making an entrance.
I tried to fight the feelings, the thoughts of inadequacy that always plagued me, especially in situations such as what we were approaching—a room full of people—but it was no use. Because these people weren’t allpeople.I’d gathered that much from the portraits that covered the walls. Last I checked, most humans didn’t have horns protruding from the side of their head or skin the color of an Alaskan glacier.
I was in over my head and I knew it, but there was no going back now. Now I needed to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, and finding the answers I needed. About my parents, about me...
About who I really was.
Which was probably why I ended up walking into a brick wall.
A very warm, solid, un-wall shaped brick wall.
Instantly, I dropped my duffel from the impact as I fell to the ground, a loud thud followed by a “fuck!” sounding in the air dispelled my anxious daydreams.
“What the fuck? Watch where you’re going!” the voice grumbled, smooth and dark like melted chocolate.
I must’ve fallen harder than I thought...
I looked up to see what looked like a man in front of me. He was larger in frame than most of the men in my town, with broad shoulders and pale skin. His eyes were blue—but not the type of blue that is typical in humans. No, this shade of blue was like sapphires resting on black velvet. Deep, dark, and intensely beautiful. Though he looked normal enough, I could sense an energy, a power around him that was indescribable.
My insides heated at the sight of his rather beautiful features, his gorgeous blue eyes and tapered jawline, his chocolate brown hair which was now a bit disheveled from his tumble, his fair, flawless skin. The way his uniform accentuated the silhouette of his long frame. A fire within me spread rampantly as I stared back at his glowing eyes with shock and awe. The world around me smelled like burning cedar and musky vanilla with a hint of citrus, and I couldn’t help but sigh at the relief it brought me, at the pleasant warmth spreading in my core, between my legs.
Relief I didn’t know I needed...
Who the hell is this guy?
Or better yet,whatthe hell is he?
I was speechless.
“Get your head out of your ass long enough, Bane, and maybe you might actually see where you’re going,” Delaney nipped as she reached a hand out to help me stand, the motion drawing me back to the here and now.
“I, uh... I’m new here,” I said like an idiot as I stared back at him.
I really need to work on my social skills. Those are pretty novice, too.
The man,Baneas Delaney called him, wrinkled his nose before looking me over like the weirdo I was.
