Page 18

I almost smile. "This feels appropriately neutral." I say.

"Exactly."

I sit. She moves her books to make more room.

"Nyra." She says.

"Eirea." Recognition crosses her face. Only for a second. She doesn't comment on my surname. I appreciate her immediately for that.

The final bell rings. The doors close. The sound echoes through the chamber like a lock turning.

The professor enters from a narrow door behind the six panels. She is human. That surprises me. Not because humans lack knowledge. Because Inheritance Studies concerns powers they do not possess.

She cannot be older than forty, with dark skin, tightly braided hair and a deep scar cutting through one eyebrow. Her black robes bear no Family insignia. Only the Academy crest.

She places three books on the lectern. Looks around the room. And says nothing. The silence stretches. A few students shift uncomfortably. Someone near the back clears his throat. The professor waits until even that sound disappears.

"If you arrived believing your family prepared you completely," she says at last, "you are mistaken."

No greeting. No welcome. No reassurance. Her gaze moves across the room.

"Your tutors taught you what your people believe about themselves." She places one hand on the first book.

"Your parents taught you what they wanted you to become." The second.

"Your histories taught you what your kingdoms wanted remembered." The third.

"This Academy will teach you what remains when pride, tradition and propaganda are removed." No one moves.

"Power is inherited." She looks toward the six panels. "Mastery is earned."

The words settle heavily. I straighten in my seat. Beside me, Nyra has already begun writing.

"My name is Professor Selvara Neris. In this room, I do not care who your parents are."

A vampire boy in the front row shifts. Professor Neris notices. "If that disappoints you, leave now." He becomes very still. "No?" She nods. "Then we begin."

She walks away from the lectern.

"What is magical inheritance?"

A siren raises her hand. "The abilities carried through bloodlines."

"Incomplete."

A wolf answers next. "The traits shared by a people."

"Incomplete."

A Medusa girl says, "The original magic granted to each race when Varethia was formed."

Professor Neris studies her. "Historically popular." A pause. "Still incomplete."

No one else volunteers. Professor Neris stops at the center of the floor.

"Inheritance is potential." She gestures toward the vampire panel. "Every vampire possesses heightened senses, increased physical resilience, accelerated healing and a natural sensitivity to blood."

Then the fae. "Every fae is connected to living magic."