6. Arabella

Chapter 6

Arabella

M ost of Sunday, I spent hiding in my room, looking over all the material I was given for the school including the classes I'm taking and what is coming up to learn on the syllabus. All classes here are ongoing, and students come and go constantly based on when they were rejected and when they are "rehabbed." For the angels, it's pretty consistent since our mating ceremony only takes place once a year, which helps keep our classes consistent.

According to the welcome book, it's not like that for Fallen Angels. Their mating ceremonies take place whenever a couple is ready to go through with the ceremony. They don't even have rejection very often because it is up to the couple whether they want to go through with the mating. If they choose not to, then they just move on with their life. The only reason they even attend RISE Academy is because the Seraphim Council decreed it when Lucifer was cast out as a fallen, stating all fallen angels were required to attend the academy as a sort of finishing school to ensure they would follow the rules of the angels. That part surprised me when I read it. I knew the Seraphim treated themselves as better than everyone else, but I hadn't realized they still had such a stronghold over the fallen angels. I would have thought that, with them being cast out,they would have been a species of their own.

After reading this handbook, I realized that almost everything the Angels have taught us is either wrong or changed to fit their narrative. I shouldn't be surprised at all, but I sure am pissed. If they lied about this, what else have they lied about? The only way to find out the answer is to ask questions while I'm here, too bad those questions will get back to my father. The other option is to explore the library in the main building. The welcome book says it's two stories and filled with every book we could think of about all the species. Supposedly, nothing is forbidden knowledge, but I find that hard to believe.

"Arabella!" Isis calls at the same time she pounds on my bedroom door. Monday came quickly, and with it, the start of classes I have been extremely nervous about. "We need to go now, or we're going to be late! Get your ass in gear! You already missed breakfast as it is."

"I'm coming!" I shout back, rushing to grab my satchel from beside the desk where I placed it last night after putting in the books I would need for classes today. According to my schedule, I have a basic magic class and a combat class. Neither of which I'm excited for. I can only hope that my magic will cooperate today for the first class. As for combat, well I'm a pretty decent fighter but nowhere near as skilled as the Archangels. I prefer to keep my head buried in books rather than training to fight.

"Seriously, Arabella," Isis sighs and shakes her head when I exit my room. "You could have at least tried a little harder with your outfit today. It's our first day, and we need to make a good impression."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I question, looking down at my outfit and back up to her. Gone is my confidence with my outfit from Saturday when we arrived. Instead, I'm stuck wearing our boring school uniforms. The rumors about the academy made it sound like there were no uniforms. Surprise, when I opened my closet to start putting away the items Warrick had gotten me, I found them hanging up inside. Since I was stuck wearing them, I went for comfort over cuteness today and chose a pair of black slacks and a white button-down shirt and added the yellow tie we are required to wear, marking us as part of the angel class.

"Ugh, girl, I knew I should have woken you up earlier so I could help you choose clothes. At least Harper got the memo, put on the cute black, yellow, and white plaid skirt, and did her makeup." Isis shakes her head in disappointment but drops the subject and moves toward our front door where Harper is already waiting for us.

"Do you want me to change quickly?" I mumble, not really wanting to, but if it makes her feel better, I will. If I hadn't gotten more sleep, I probably would have put more effort into my outfit for the first day, but I was just trying to toss clothes on this morning and not think about it.

"No, we don't have time for that. Maybe just take your hair down and let it flow naturally. You have some really pretty waves in your hair that will frame your face nicely and help your blue eyes stand out just a tad bit more," she explains right before moving behind me and pulling the hair tie out quickly.

"Thanks," I say before following Harper out the front door. I learned quickly this weekend that it is easier to just give in to what Isis wants than argue with her on most things. So far, she has seemed cool to me, and I hope we can continue that through our school term.

Together, the three of us take the elevator down and head outside to make the ten-minute walk to the main building where our classes are. I think about mentioning that we can just fly to class and skip the whole walk, but I decide to just keep my mouth shut and follow their lead. Either way, we will get there. Isis made sure we left with plenty of time to find our classes, despite my spending all yesterday staring at the campus map so I knew exactly where my classrooms were. All magic classes for every species are held in the same hallway. It shouldn't be hard to find the one marked for Angels, or at least follow the other angels into the classroom.

Ahead of me, Harper and Isis talk, but I ignore their conversation, choosing to take in the scenery on our walk. I've always loved nature and the silence it brings with its beauty. I will be out here again shortly for combat later this morning. Despite how much I'm enjoying the scenery, I'm not looking forward to it. At least it is a nice day out, better than a rainy day. I sure as shit don't want to train in the rain.

"Who has basic magic class this morning?" Harper asks as we enter the back doors of the main building. Isis holds it open long enough for me to enter before letting it close.

"I do, and then combat right after it," I answer, following her to the first set of stairs. "What about you, Isis?" It didn't occur to me until Harper asked, but I have no idea what my roommates' schedules are. I wonder if we should maybe mark them on a calendar or something so we can keep track of where each other is.

"Nope, you two are on your own for that one. However, I will see you in combat class later this morning. We have that together at least, and you two better be at lunch so we can talk about our morning and see where we are going this afternoon. Whoever is first to the cafeteria grabs a table for us all, got it?" Isis turns to face both of us, her hands on either hip as she stares us down waiting for us to agree.

Harper and I quickly agree before Isis turns around and disappears down a different hallway from us when we reach the top of the stairs. I should have asked how Isis knew each of our schedules, but she was gone before I could think of asking.

Together Harper and I head down the hall for all the magic classes looking for the room marked for basic magic. Students from different species are lingering in the hallways, either leaning up against the lockers chatting away, or trying to get through the crowd to find their classes. When we reach the end of the hallway we finally find our classroom. Standing near the door are two other angels I have never seen before. Both girls are chatting away, paying no attention to Harper and me, or at least that's what I thought until one of them sticks their foot out to trip me as I walk by to enter the classroom.

I see them laughing out of the corner of my eye as I catch myself so I don't fall flat on my face. That is the last thing I need, falling in front of all my new classmates. I have no idea why they tripped me, but I have a feeling that I'll know soon enough, and it will probably be, for some reason, completely out of my control.

"You okay?" Harper whispers when we find open seats near the window on the far wall.

"Yeah," I mumble, taking my seat. "No idea what any of that was about. I don't even know those angels."

"You might not, but clearly they know you. Think it has to do with your dad?" she asks, leaning over so no one overhears our conversation. The room is loud enough that I doubt anyone is paying attention to us, but I'd rather not talk about this here.

"Can we talk about this later? I'm nervous enough about this class and what will be expected of us. I'd rather just keep my head down and try to blend in as best as possible," I answer, changing the subject. Blending in never really worked well back in Aeris but I had to have faith it would work now. I really didn't want a target on my back on my first day.

"Got it," she smiles at me and slides back into her seat. I appreciate that she doesn't push the subject, instead choosing to let it drop.

A few minutes later the girls from the hallway enter the room followed by a couple of fallen angels who claim the remainder of the open seats. In total, there are eight people in the class. Much smaller than I was used to back in Aeris.

"Welcome, class," an older female angel calls out as she walks through the door to the class. Her gray hair is up in a tight bun on the top of her head. She's wearing a pair of large rectangle glasses that take up a good chunk of her petite face. She's only about five foot four, and her white wings stand taller than her. "We have some new students in the class today, so before we begin, I just want to recap what we have been working on. Dina, please explain," the teacher states as she stands behind her desk.

"Last week we began working on the powers that we struggle with the most, going back to basics with our partner," Dina explains. Turning around, I look to see who is talking and see it's the same girl who tripped me.

Good to know she's also the teacher's pet , I sigh.

"Perfect. Thank you, Dina. Now, for our new students, I am Dominion Lailah, and I teach not only the basic magic class but also assist with the psychic magic class, so you may have me for both classes if needed. Now," she claps her hands together moving toward the wall of windows I am sitting against. "Angel Harper and Seraphim Arabella, I would like you to come up front and demonstrate your powers as I call them out."

Rising out of my chair slowly, I follow Harper to the front of the classroom and wait for our instructions. I try hard to pick a spot in the back of the classroom to focus on and begin tuning out everyone around me. I hate performing in front of others, especially when judged on something. I also know that when I'm under pressure, my powers tend not to listen to what I say, and that is the last thing I want to happen to me today.

"Now I know some of your powers are different. If what I call out isn't one you have just wait until you do," Lailah explains as she leans against the ledge of the windows. "Let's begin with something simple, elements. All angels have an infinity to at least one element. The more powerful the angel, the more elements they have a sense of control over. Begin with fire, then water, earth, and finish with air."

Neither Harper nor I begin, waiting for our cue to start. In our classes before, the teacher always told us when to start and stop, so it's muscle memory. Silence fills the room as everyone stares at us, waiting for something to happen. I have no idea why the teacher is torturing us like this, but I really hope that she tells us to start soon.

"Well, do neither of you have any elemental powers?" Lailah questions, her gaze one of annoyance when I look over.

Fumbling to lift my hands, I close my eyes, reach for where my power sits in the center of my chest, and call just a small amount forward, focusing on the fire element. Controlling fire has always come easily to me. Anger is a good fuel for it, and I have plenty of that. Opening my eyes, I see a small flame sitting in my open palm. I could have made it much larger, but this small one is easier to control, especially in this environment. I don't want to show off, only complete what is asked of me. Holding the flame for a few more seconds to ensure Dominion Lailah sees I can control it, I let the power fizzle out in my palm and focus on the next element. Water and Earth follow suit, easily controlled in my palm one by one. When I get to call on Air, I'm not able to control it as well as the others. I don't think anyone notices the waver in the small tornado I made in my palm, but it takes me a lot more effort to focus and control it than the other elements. My control over the air has always been weaker despite how much practice I've put in.

"Good, your control of the elements is where I would expect for angels your age. Take a breather, and we will move on to the next set," the teacher explains as she walks from the window to the back of the classroom, where I am focused on trying to avoid everyone's gazes. Despite how much I try, I can't ignore the shocked looks I get when I use each element. It's a known fact Seraphim can control at least three elements, but from what I know of, only two on the Seraphim Council can control all four. The fact that I can control four is always something my father liked to brag about to bring more attention and power to our family.

The break doesn't last long before she calls out instructions. Over and over again, we circle through the basic powers most angels have: teleportation, telekinesis, healing, energy manipulation, slowing time, and prophecy. Harper can perfectly execute her power over air, healing, and telekinesis but struggles with controlling water and slowing time. Energy manipulation, healing, and slowing time are easy enough for me to control in a short span as requested, but when it comes to prophecy, I struggle. It's always been the power that gives me difficulties. I'm surprised energy manipulation cooperated as well as it did since I usually struggle with that as well.

"Thank you both. You may return to your seats. For now, I'd like you both to work together. Next class, I will pair you both with other partners who may be more at your level."

Both of us rush back to our seats, ignoring the looks around us, and try to focus on the task at hand. By the time we take our seats, everyone has broken into their assigned pairs and begun working on their powers.

"Ready?" I ask Harper, turning to look at her.

"As I can be. Want to do something simple and just work with elements? You have great control over all of them, and I wouldn't mind some help with water. I know it's great to assist with healing, but honestly, it's my weakest element," Harper explains as she turns her desk toward me.

"Sure, water is one of the easier ones for me," I smile and give her all my attention. The rest of the class passes quickly with the last forty-five minutes rotating between working with water and air. Thankfully, Harper was excellent over her control of air and helped coach me through it. I was still struggling by the end, but I wasn't afraid of it like I tended to be after a lesson at our old school.

"And that's the end of class," Dominion Lailah calls out right after three chimes ring through the room.

Harper and I turn our desks back the correct way and gather our bags before heading out of the room. "Well, I worked up an appetite after using that much magic. Think we have time to grab a snack before heading to combat?"

"Divine, yes!" she groans beside me as we head down the hall. "I don't know how you used that much magic on an empty stomach. I had a healthy breakfast and I still could devour a ton of food, but I won't be heading to combat with you. It's not on my schedule for today, so you are on your own, but I will grab a quick snack with you."

"Ugh, fine, I'll take it. Combat is going to suck without having you with Isis and me." We basically run down the stairs, but when we find the cafeteria, the doors are locked. "Are you kidding me?" I groan banging my head against the wooden doors. "I really wanted food before having to get my ass kicked."

"Sorry, Arabella," Harper sighs, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Just get through class, and then you can devour a huge meal. We will need to remember to bring snacks with us from now on."

"You're telling me," I chuckle. "Alright, I'll catch you at lunch?"

"Yup, I'll be here. Go kick ass and take some names, as Isis would say," Harper smiles before turning and leaving me standing in front of the doors alone.

Combat. Yay. Not.

"How many times do I have to tell you all, stop landing on your asses! You have wings for a reason. Use them!" Archangel Cael shouts for about the hundredth time since combat classes started an hour ago. We still have thirty minutes and I'm not entirely sure how much more I can take of it. For the last fifteen minutes, I've been feeling lightheaded, and I really don't want to pass out on my first day here. That would be embarrassing like no other. I wavered on my feet a few times, affecting me poorly at the worst times against my opponent.

"Come on, Seraphim, you can do better than that," the male in front of me taunts. By his wings alone I know he is a fallen angel. They are black with gold mixed into the tips. It is something I have never seen before. All wings I grew up seeing were white, but some had elements of yellow or gray, never gold. I also knew that fallen had either black or gray wings, but I didn't know they could have other colors mixed in. I have wanted to ask him about it since we paired but I have been too terrified to speak. The handbook said there would be Fallen in our classes, and I saw them in our basic magic class, but this is the closest I have ever been to one. I'm not sure how to feel about it.

The Fallen flips me onto my back right over his shoulder when I try to attack him from behind, thinking he's not paying attention. Blackness and stars fill my eyes as I lay there trying to catch my breath. Every part of my body hurts like I've been run over but I'm trying hard to push through it. I don't want to appear weak in front of him, but I have no choice. He is a better fighter than me, as I am doing this on an empty stomach, basically running on fumes.

"Seriously? God, you're like a baby angel. Can you stay on your feet for at least a minute?" the fallen taunts again as he circles me. I watch him carefully to look for any sort of opening. The fallen is taller than me, he has to be at least six foot four maybe taller than that. His blonde hair is about medium length and hangs in his eyes every so often. His green eyes full of hatred watch me carefully. It's almost like he knows my every move before I'm going to make it. He's on the leaner side but that doesn't mean he doesn't have muscles. The fallen is built like a rock with those muscles and every punch I've landed on him feels like I'm hitting a rock.

Anger flares within me as I push myself to stand once again, shoving the pain to the side and pretending like it doesn't exist. I will not let this Fallen kick my ass. I was trained by some of the best archangels, and there is no way I can keep losing like this.

"Again," I growl, getting into position. I use my wings to steady myself and get ready for his attack. I have always been better at defense, and it's about time I fell back on those teachings. The male circles me slowly, watching me. I try hard to keep my face blank, not giving my next move away. Most people would follow, turning to keep their opponent in front of them at all times, but I don't. It was never something I needed to do.

Calling my power forward, I reach for one I struggle with. I don't like to use it much because I don't know how it works exactly. When I first told Warrick about it, he said he had never heard of someone being able to use magic like I was. We worked on it privately, afraid that someone would use it against me if they found out what I was capable of. We still have no name for the power, but with it, I can sense emotions around me and focus on one person at a time if I want. It won't necessarily mean I will know when he decides to attack, but it can help, and right now, I'll take any help I can get.

At the last second, I sense a change in the air around me and dodge to the left as my opponent executes a roundhouse kick that would have hit my chest if I hadn't moved. At the same time I dodge, I sense his annoyance turn to anger. Focusing on that anger I tug, hoping to piss him off more so he messes up with his next hit. My effort pays off when he sends a one-two punch in my direction with the first hit missing and the second I deflect.

"How the fuck did you do that?" he snarls, his attack now coming on stronger and faster. I try to fight him off but it's no use. Punch after punch, kick after kick, he wears my defense down until I'm once again knocked off my feet, laying on the ground, this time unable to get up, my body too worn out. "Get up now!" he growls, standing over me.

Looking up at him, I see his expression is of pure hatred. If the fallen didn't hate me already he for sure does now.

"What's going on over here?" Archangel Cael questions as he comes to stand beside my asshole of an opponent.

"She's weak and has no sense of fighting skills, and now she is refusing to get up," he answers, giving his version of the truth.

I'm not the best fighter but I'm also not the worst. I've just never had to face someone who fights the way he does before. When I realize neither of them is going to help me, I slowly drag myself up into a sitting position, wincing in pain with every move.

"Such a disappointment. We will need to work on that," Archangel Cael shakes his head at me. "Get out of my sight; hopefully, next class, you'll be better prepared."

Both males walk away from me, leaving me to find a way to get up by myself. Thankfully, by the time I'm almost to my feet, Isis makes it to my side and helps me remain standing.

"You okay?" she asks as she helps me walk to the nearby changing rooms. The building isn't large or fancy, holding some showers and lockers for everyone to use before and after combat lessons.

"Define okay?" I mutter, grasping my ribs with the hand that isn't wrapped around her shoulders. "That Fallen was an asshole. If they are all like that, I don't think I'm going to survive here."

"I was asking around. Supposedly, your opponent, Rhys is the top fighter of all angels at the school. There's speculation that he could probably best several of the other species as well," Isis explains as we walk into the building.

"Of course, I got paired with the biggest asshole of all. Ugh," I groan, falling down onto the bench in the room. "I need food and maybe a nap before my afternoon class."

"Well, hurry up, and maybe we will have time to see the nurse as well to patch you up some." Isis throws a towel at me as she walks past and into the showers.

Food, painkillers, and sleep in that order is exactly what I need to get through the rest of the day. If only it was that easy.