4. Adelaide

4

ADELAIDE

But I don't go anywhere. I stand rooted to the spot, my eyes wide as I take in the sprawling magnificence of MistHallow University. More appears before my eyes the longer I stand and stare at it. Almost as if it is revealing itself to me, one bit at a time. It's doing a strip tease, and I wonder what the grand finale is. The central part of the castle looms before me, a colossal structure of ancient stone with modern additions that seem to defy the laws of physics and architecture alike. Turrets and spires reach towards the sky, somehow bypassing the trees as if they don't exist, their silhouettes stark against the inky blackness of night. Ivy crawls up the weathered walls, its tendrils weaving intricate patterns that seem to shift and move in the flickering light of the ornate lanterns that line the pathways.

The campus sprawls out before me, a labyrinth of old and new buildings. Everywhere, there's an air of magick that makes the air around me hum with energy.

I take a tentative step forward, and then I wince, half-expecting someone to materialise out of the shadows and demand to know what I'm doing here. But no one appears, and I continue on, my eyes darting everywhere, trying to take in every detail.

As I walk, I notice how the layout of the campus seems to shift and change. Buildings that I could have sworn were on my left suddenly appear on my right. Paths twist and turn in ways that don't make logical sense. It's as if the entire university exists on some sort of parallel plane, defying the laws of physics and geography.

"Fucking hell," I mutter, my head spinning as I try to make sense of my surroundings. Is this what Randall meant when he said MistHallow was protected by ancient magicks?

I'm so engrossed in my observations that I almost miss the sound of an approaching vehicle. The purr of a powerful engine cuts through the night air, and I turn to see a sleek, black Rolls Royce gliding down the path towards me. The car moves with supernatural grace, its polished surface reflecting the moonlight like a mirror.

I jump out of the way, and it passes me. I catch a glimpse of the driver – a stern-faced man with eyes that seem to glow in the darkness.

The Rolls comes to a stop a few feet ahead of me, and the back door swings open. A man steps out, and my breath catches in my throat.

He's devastatingly handsome in a way that is impossibly inhuman. Tall and lean, he's dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, black shirt, and a deep purple tie that seems to shimmer in the moonlight. His hair is as black as a raven's wing, styled in a way that looks both effortless and impossibly perfect. Like me, a woman who hates the sun, his skin is pale… and now I know why. Is this impossibly beautiful creature a vampire?

His eyes truly captivate me. They are a shade of purple, with swirls of silver that seem to dance and shift as he moves. There's something both seductive and menacing about him, an aura of power and danger that makes my heart race.

He glances around, his gaze sweeping over the campus with a look of casual ownership. For a moment, I think his stare is going to land on me, and I feel a jolt of anticipation and fear. But I'm left feeling both relieved and oddly disappointed when he doesn't even notice me.

Without a word, he turns and strides away, his movements graceful and predatory. I watch him go, feeling flustered and off-balance. Is he some sort of supernatural royalty?

With a deep breath, I force myself to turn away from the retreating figure and continue on my way to the Housing office. The building Randall pointed out looms before me, its stone facade warm and inviting despite its imposing size.

As I approach the heavy wooden doors, they swing open of their own accord. I hesitate for a moment, then step inside, my eyes widening as I take in the interior.

The entrance hall is a stunning blend of old and new. Ancient tapestries hang on the walls alongside magickal displays that flicker with information. A massive chandelier hangs from the vaulted ceiling, its crystals seeming to float in midair, casting rainbows of light across the polished marble floor.

Behind a curved desk made of what looks like petrified wood, a female creature sits. Her skin has a faint blue tinge, and her hair moves as if it's underwater. She looks up as I approach, her entirely deep blue eyes fixing on me with an intensity that makes me want to squirm.

"Name?" she asks, her voice melodious and slightly echo-y, as if she's speaking from the bottom of a well.

"Adelaide Légère," I stammer, suddenly acutely aware of how out of place I feel.

"Légère. Légère? Are you sure?"

I snort, despite the shot of fear that skitters through my veins. "Completely sure. It's my mother's name and mine since birth."

"I don't have a Légère." She blinks at me. Her stare searches my face. "First name again?"

"Adelaide," I whisper, hoping that this is some sort of misunderstanding, and she is spelling it wrong.

"Adelaide Black," she states with pursed blue lips.

"Erm, no…"

"Yes," she says, turning the screen around so I can see a picture of myself. "Is this you?"

"It looks like me," I murmur.

"Then you are Adelaide Black."

"Dammit, Randall," I mutter as I realise he gave me his surname. Jackass.

The blue lady gives me a weird glare, but I smile and let her do her thing. I guess he needed me to have his surname to get into this institution. But a heads-up would've been nice. But then she gives me an amused and slightly pitying look. "You're quite the rarity, you know. The staff has been abuzz about your arrival for weeks."

Great. So much for flying under the radar.

"Right," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "So, where do I go?"

The woman waves her hand, and a small, glowing orb appears in the air before me. "This will guide you to your room."

Please don't let it be in the basement. "And where is that?"

"Follow the orb." She waves a hand dismissively, and there is nothing else for me to do except move, as a queue is forming behind me.

I reach out hesitantly to touch the orb, half-expecting my hand to pass right through it. Instead, it feels solid and warm, like a smooth stone that's been sitting in the sun.

"Thank you," I say, not sure what else to add.

The woman nods, already turning her attention to the next student.

The orb starts to float away, and I hurry to follow it. As I exit the Housing office, I cast one last glance over my shoulder, half-hoping to catch another glimpse of the mysterious man from the Rolls Royce in the queue, but he is nowhere to be seen.

I'm really here, at a university for supernatural beings, a place where I might finally understand who and what I am. A place where, for the first time in my life, I might truly belong. As unbelievable as this is, I don't regret getting in the car with Randall. The ground beneath me shimmers as I walk. It accepts me, this whole place doesn't think I'm weird. In fact, as I see a woman with snakes for hair saunter past me with a man who has scales for skin, I'm not the wonkiest fruit on this tree. The sense of relief that comes with this knowledge is mind-blowing and makes me lightheaded.

The orb leads me down a short path and through an archway that seems to appear out of nowhere. I pass other students—some who look human, others who decidedly don't—and try not to stare. A group of girls with gossamer wings flutter past, their laughter sounding like wind chimes. A boy with fur and pointed ears gives me a friendly nod as he lopes by on all fours.

I'm not even scared. I'm exhilarated and in awe of every one of these magnificent creatures.

Seconds later, the orb comes to a stop in front of a gothic tower attached to the central part of the castle. Carved gargoyles leer down from above the door, which is a heavy, studded wooden thing that looks like it weighs a ton.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I face the imposing wooden door. This is it. My new life starts now.

With a trembling hand, I reach out and grasp the hooped iron door handle. It's cold under my fingers, and for a moment, I hesitate. Am I ready for this? Can I really do this?

But then I think of Wesley in the morgue, of the fear and confusion I've lived with all my life. I think of Randall's words: ‘You belong here, Adelaide.'

Before I can second-guess myself, I lift the handle and turn it. The sound of the door opening echoes through the night, seeming to reverberate through the very stones of the building.

I take a deep breath and step forward, confronted by a set of stone stairs that run up the left side of the tower. Placing my foot on the bottom step, I jump a mile and stifle my scream as a bat comes careening towards my face and narrowly dodges, swooping upwards and out the door before I can gather my wits about me, my heart thundering wildly.

"Fuck," I mutter as I try to calm down enough to take the steep steps while juggling my heavy holdall and backpack, following the impatient orb that is bobbing about like an apple in water at my dawdling. "I'm coming. Hold your horses, orby."

If I didn't know better, I could swear I hear a titter as I take the steps slowly, not wanting to misstep and go arse over tit back the way I came.

Bloody castle towers. Why couldn't they have installed a lift?