He looked visibly irritated, and I had to admit I understood why. I’d been doing everything I could to avoid thinking about it, but that was difficult to do when the war was the only thing being talked about on campus. It was the only thing being broadcast on the news sector of Kalista too. Tensions were high, not just in Fate Hollow, but all over the world. Even the fae realm had been talking about it, according to Thorn.
“Well, the dragons are on some fucking high horse, for one.” Nate leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “And the rest of the hierarchy below them is supposed to, what? Just fall in line?”
“The dragons that live in Blezen are a cult,” Barlowe hissed with hatred in his eyes, and a few students muttered their hatred as well. “They instill fear in the rest of us supernaturals to get them to join them against the humans, and they’re very discriminatory. Unfortunately, since we are on the cusp of war, we probably will have to work with them.”
“Why work with them if they’re so bad?”
“We have magic, but humans have technology,” he stated simply before he turned his back and started writing textbook pages on the board with chalk.
“So do we,” Nate pressed. “Andwe have magic.”
Barlowe clicked his tongue as the chalk glided over the board. He finished writing before setting the chalk on the holder below it and turned around. “Nate, everyone knows the humans have advanced technology that we are decades away from achieving. We study more about magic than what we do with technology. Now, does anyone have any questionsnotpertaining to the war?”
Trixie’s hand shot up, and he nodded at her. “Will our education be expedited since war is here?”
“The academy seer said rushing the course of your studies would not only be unnecessary, but also hinder you as a collective. Course length will stay the same as it always has,” Barlowe explained. “You will have four terms, one for each season. You’ve already completed one. You will still have one complete year of studies. However, instead of the last year of training, you will take your leave as a soldier.”
My breath caught in my throat, and Kian’s thumb drew soothing circles on my palm.
“What is the second year of the academy? I thought we had more classes?” a student piped up, and Barlowe chuckled weakly.
“A lot of students assume that, but no. The last year at Fate Hollow puts you in leadership roles. You’ll do research, tutor first years, and run errands. It puts responsibility on your shoulders, but that is unfortunately the part of your education that will be cut short.”
“What about the war? Won’t we miss it if we focus on studying?” another student asked.
Barlowe’s brows pinched as he sighed. “No, you won’t miss it. I have a terrible feeling this war may last decades. It’s been brewing for the last few centuries, after all. The only supernatural and human war that is documented ended when Kalista was segregated into different territories for all species. Fate Hollow is the only place where we can all live together freely. There’s no doubt in my mind that the war will just be getting started when you graduate.”
My heartbeat echoed in my skull, and I swallowed thickly.
“Not to worry,” Barlowe said as he rubbed his hands together. “There are thousands of supernaturals that have already graduated and are ready to fight. They’re gathered at Fate Hollow’s stronghold and have been there since war was officially declared.”
“But we can fight,” another student hollered, and an icy knot formed in my chest.
“No,” he barked, pinching the bridge of his nose. “There’s no need to senselessly throw a ton of information at you and expect you to retain it all before war. You’ll get on the battlefield and get in the way. Enough talk of the war. Now, someone tell me how each supernatural can control their magical energy. I’m looking for similarities...”
Once Barlowe started teaching, all of his words turned into static. Fear had sent a sweltering wave down my spine, and the only thing that kept me calm was Kian’s comforting hold on my hand for the rest of class.
TWO
Rhett
Myheartslammedinmy chest as Wren took a seat in the chair in front of me. Words couldn’t describe the beauty she held or the effect she had on me. Her hair fell like effortless white silk. She wore the summer uniform despite the freezing temperatures, with her creamy thighs showing between the knee-high socks and her skirt. Her gaze drew me in, just like it always had. Those icy eyes were almond-shaped, just like a fox, but she didn’t have any of the sly or sneaky presence that other fox shifters did.
No. Wren was the epitome of innocence. Something I should’ve known from the start.
“Rhett?” She wrinkled her little button nose and pursed her pink lips. Lips I’d kissed moments before that fucking human experiment attacked her.
I swallowed the guilt down and tore my eyes off her and toward my file. “How’re you coping with everything?”
“To be honest, I’m not coping well.” She shifted in her seat, and I could see her cross her legs but forced myself not to look at her directly. Every time I looked at her, I wanted to hold her in my arms and never let go. “It doesn’t help that you’ve been avoiding me.”
“I haven’t been avoiding you,” I muttered as a pang shot through my chest. “I’ve just been doing a lot. We’re having this session, aren’t we? That’s not avoiding.”
“You won’t even look at me.”
She had a point.
My gaze lifted to meet hers, and the sorrow staining her cheeks broke my fucking heart.“I’m sorry.”
