“You’re welcome.” She half-smiled back at him.
Pops wrapped an arm around Mom’s shoulders and kissed her temple. “You didn’t have to give him anything.”
“I didn’t love that your venom was a bargaining chip,” Dad growled.
“No need to get jealous,” she told them with a sigh. “Drecken isnotone to entertain any romance. I don’t believe he’s ever shown interest in any other being in his long life.”
“As true as that is, you’re ours,” Dad said.
“Agreed,” Pops added.
“Interesting,” I stated, placing a hand on my hip.
Tibby cleared his throat, awkwardly patting Dad and Pops on the shoulders. “Let’s get Roo to her exams.”
A rush of nervousness flooded me as Mom led us all to stand onto the wayfaer crystal, and a cold pricking sensation spread over me as my vision faded.
Entrance exams, here I come.
rune
. . .
Fae magicand static electricity sizzled over me as my vision returned, revealing Apex Elite Academy. The academy was a fairytale fantasy, surrounded by a ward that throbbed red. Crystalline spires shimmered with red and blue drake scales as well as green dragon scales on top of them, boosting the protection wards over the academy. It was behind a large gate, and the massive bridge leading from the gates to the academy glowed faintly. I had no doubt the bridge was rigged with a trap for those with ill intent.
An ethereal shimmer clung to my black boots as I stepped off the wayfaer teleporter and onto the lush grass.
“Oh my Fates.”I gaped ahead of me.
My basilisk scales pebbled my skin, and I had to take a deep breath to calm my nerves and get used to the overwhelming amount of magic on campus. The air was sharp with old magic and a few other distinct scents of poisons, blood, and sweat.
To our left, clusters of colorful dormitories radiated with smaller protection wards. Each house was distinct in both tone and architecture. Further beyond the houses was a training ground that gleamed with harsh golden energy.
I couldn’t wait to spar.
“The exams are held within the academy itself; we call it Apex Nexus,” Dad informed me, smirking as he watched my reaction.
“So cool.”It had been the first time I’d ever been permitted on academy grounds, even though both of my dads worked there. It was an academy truly for the elite, and I was finally worthy of seeing it.
“Basilisk Forest is behind us,” Tibby whispered, dropping his voice into an emphasized scary tone. “But be careful. It’s rumored to have the spirits of basilisks within it.”
“Shut up, Tibby.” I rolled my eyes as the forest hummed. I heard the slithering through the underbrush from here, but I ignored it. “You know how I feel about ghosts.”
“Phantoms have been known to see ghosts,” Tibby reminded me of that fact, and it sent a chill down my spine.
I straightened myself and squared my shoulders as I scoffed. “Yeah, right.”
“You can’t argue with facts, Rune dear.” Mom let out a small laugh. “Phantoms are able to see the departed for a short time after a passing, before the Fates call the souls home.”
“The fact that phantoms can see departed souls freaks me out,” I admitted. “Pandora can eat and sense souls, and she’s fucking powerful.”
“True,” Mom hummed. “Phantoms can do more than just see souls after they pass. They can help others gain closure and more. They can interact in between.”
“Because they’re incorporeal?” I asked.
Pops shook his head. “It’s a lot more than that, and they can’t completely go incorporeal. They can only fade from the living and peer into the other realm.”
“Why don’t we have phantom friends?” I quipped, raising a brow.
