8. Arabella

Chapter 8

Arabella

A fter work study yesterday, I skipped dinner and went straight to my room, hiding there until the morning. Isis and Harper were nice enough to bring me back some food and leave it in the fridge for me to eat when I did peek my head out of the room. They tried to ask questions about my day and what happened during my last classes but I was pretty tight-lipped about what happened. No point explaining how much the fallen hate angels, which was everything discussed in Angel Law. The girls already know the divide that exists between our two races. I definitely wasn't going to bring up anything I had overheard in the library either, at least not until I had more concrete evidence to show them. Why worry them for nothing?

When they realized I wasn't going to give them much information, they went off to their rooms to rest for the night, leaving me sitting at the kitchen counter enjoying my dinner in peace. Sleep didn't come easily for me during the night. I tossed and turned, most of it staring at the journal sitting on my nightstand, willing it to give me the answers I was seeking. The first thing I did when I got to my room was read more of the journal. I only managed to get through four journal entries before the girls interrupted me, letting me know they had brought me food. After dinner, I didn't pick it back up again, choosing to get the reading for Angel Law done instead. I definitely had a different outlook on what I read and questioned every bit.

"Arabella, we need to go," Isis calls out. I swear this is about to be the norm with her. For some reason, my roommate always has so much energy, especially in the morning, and this time, I'm not even the one running late this morning. I woke up with my alarm, and I've been sitting on my bed for the past ten minutes, giving myself a mental pep talk before classes today.

"Girl," I laugh, exiting my room. "We have an hour before we need to be in classes this morning. Why are you trying to rush me?"

"I wanted to make sure you ate breakfast today. We do not need a repeat of yesterday," Isis laughs, slinging her backpack on her shoulder. It's funny how she can go from yelling at me one moment to pretending like she didn't just raise her voice at me the next. I also do not understand her need to keep an eye on me when I can make sure I eat myself, though I do appreciate it. "Now, let's go, I want to get pancakes."

"What about Harper?" I ask before we head out the door. Yesterday, the three of us left together. Today she isn't even in the main living area and her bedroom door is still shut.

"You didn't check the schedule on the fridge, did you?" Isis sighs, shaking her head. "She doesn't have morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"She doesn't?" My eyes widen as I look between her closed bedroom door and Isis. "Well damn, she got lucky. Alright, let's go and get you your pancakes. Some scrambled eggs also sound good to me."

The second I walk into Psychic Magic, I know I will enjoy it. There aren't any desks in the classroom, instead pillows are set up around the room so we can be comfy. Having the freedom to move around the room and not be confined to a desk excites me. The whole ambiance around the room is calming. The lights are lowered so the room appears dark and the windows are covered by black curtains.

"Please take a seat wherever you'd like," Dominion Lailah calls out as I enter the room. Some of the cushions are already taken up by students so I grab the first one I see toward the back of the room. I know I will be called out again to display my powers just like yesterday, but the back of the room feels safer. It means I can let the other students file out before I leave when I fail miserably.

"Hi," a male's voice states the second I sit down. The voice startles me, and I turn cautiously toward it, not expecting anyone to have the guts to speak to me. Guess this guy did.

"Hello?" I question, raising my eyebrow at him in confusion. When I turn to look at him fully, I realize that he's a fallen angel and actually speaking to me. I stare at him trying to figure out why he is speaking to me. The fallen sits beside me, brown eyes staring at me with intrigue. His black hair is short, not quite a buzz cut. He's wearing a dark blue t-shirt that clings to his skin and black jeans. I can't tell how tall he is for sure, but he is definitely taller with me. I'd think he was hot if he wasn't a fallen, and I wasn't worried about what he wants. Half of me wants to shut up, turn to face the front, and completely ignore him. That's what my father would expect me to do. Instead, I don't. I keep my focus on him, waiting to see if he will say more. I'm curious about what he wants and even more curious if he can help me find answers to my questions. Only time will tell with that though.

"It's not as scary as you think. This class is actually pretty fun. I'm Phoenix, nice to meet you," he explains, holding out his hand in greeting.

"Phoenix," Rhys hisses from his other side. "Stay the fuck away from the angel. She's the problem, not the damn solution."

I have no idea what he's talking about. I agree that angels are the cause of some of the problems, but it doesn't mean that I am. If anything I'm more lost and confused than I ever have been. Phoenix gives me a soft smile before turning to look at Rhys. I can't hear their conversation fully, but by Phoenix's posture and tone, he isn't too thrilled. I'd say it's more of a mix of anger and sadness. Turning back to the front of the room, I push the interaction to the back of my mind and ready myself for what is to come.

Conversations take place all around me as I fiddle with my hands in my lap. I'm not really sure what to do or what to expect. I know I will have to at least try to control my power of prophecy while here, but I'm not sure what else will be asked of me. That, what else, is what I am most focused on.

"Class, please settle down," Dominion Lailah calls out after clearing her throat. It doesn't take long for the class to listen, silence filling the darkened room. I had Dominion Lailah as my teacher for basic magic class yesterday, so I already know some of what to expect today when it comes to having her as a teacher. "Thank you all for making it to class today.

"I want you all to close your eyes and take a deep breath. Focus on centering yourself and calming your breathing. Tune out the world and just focus on yourself," our teacher's voice explains calmly. "Instead of having our newest student show off her powers, I will place you with a partner so you can practice your skills. Share with your partner and tell them what you are capable of. I want to see everyone practicing. If I see you messing around, you will be switching partners, and no, you can't choose your own," she scolds before walking around the room.

As she walks, Dominion Lailah places all of the students into pairs. There are eleven of us in total, which means at some point, there will either be an uneven group or someone will be assigned to work with her. Looking around the room at my options, I hope to just work with our teacher for today rather than being the odd person out.

"Rhys, Phoenix, usually I try to separate the two of you, but for today, I'll allow you to be in the same group," she explains as she reaches us in the back of the room.

Yes! I mentally shout, excited that there's a possibility I'll be assigned to work with her. Better chance of that than with Rhys, anything to keep that psycho far away from me, the better. I wouldn't have minded being paired with Phoenix, he seems nice enough, but knowing he is friends with Rhys the Asshole, yeah, I would be passing on that friendship.

"Arabella, you will be placed with Rhys and Phoenix. Rhys, I expect you to help her and not hinder her," our teacher scolds as she stares him down. It takes everything in me to not chuckle because it looks like his eyes are about to pop out of his head. "Arabella, both of them are some of the best at psychic magic in this class, and this should be able to easily help you with whatever power or powers you choose to practice today."

"Miss Lailah, I doubt there is anything I can teach a Seraphim Angel that she doesn't already know. Wouldn't it be better if she was paired with another angel, I mean, one more down at her level?" Rhys's tone is cold as he cuts a small look to me before returning his attention to our teacher and giving her a bright smile. Honestly, if I didn't already know what type of dick he is, I probably would have fallen for that smile myself. His black t-shirt clinging to his skin isn't helping either, just shows off more of his bicep muscles.

"Nice try, Rhys," she shakes her head. "Behave, or I will see you in detention. Phoenix, please be a dear and control your friend, and help Arabella. You are the top student in my class, so I trust you to help the most." With that, she walks away, leaving the three of us alone.

Phoenix gives me a soft smile as I turn to face them, while Rhys just glares. If he could shoot daggers from his eyes, I'm pretty sure he would right now.

"Let's start with what powers you are capable of and then we can go from there," Phoenix states softly, completely ignoring the death glares his friend is not only giving me but now him as well. I'm thankful that Phoenix is the one who is taking the lead on helping me. He's much easier to speak with than Rhys.

"Uhh...," I stutter, not really sure how to answer. I know what powers I have, mostly, but there's one I'm terrified to say. Warrick told me to keep it close and not let anyone know. Not even my father knows I'm capable of it. Besides Warrick, my great-grandmother Aurora knows as well. She explained it partially to me, but no one ever let me practice it. Not after Warrick let me try and then decided it was too risky for me to demonstrate it or even learn it. He didn't want to risk me accidentally calling upon it at the wrong time and someone witnessing it or figuring out what exactly I did.

"I understand not being comfortable showing and sharing your powers with fallen angels," Phoenix begins but is cut off by Rhys.

"Oh get over yourself, Princess," Rhys demands. "We couldn't give a shit what you can and can't do. Phoenix just doesn't want to end up in detention because of you, and I don't either. So practice a power so we can move the fuck on."

"Prophecy. I have the power of prophecy," I answer in a mumble. Gone completely is the confidence I wanted to have when facing Rhys. He's right. I'm scared to share my power with unknown people and even more scared of ending up in detention. Who knows what my father would do if I did?

"Okay, we will start with that. Close your eyes and call upon that power. Give us a small prophecy," Phoenix nods in encouragement. Rhys stares at me in confusion, and it looks like a smudge of anger before he schools his face and just stares at me. I have no idea what that is about, but if I focus on it now, I doubt I'll be able to do anything.

If only it worked that easily. I only said prophecy because I couldn't bring up the other. Phoenix reaches across the small opening between us and takes my hand in his, giving it a small squeeze before smiling at me. "You got this Arabella." His smile was meant to calm me but it also makes me nervous. I can feel butterflies in my stomach as he looks at me. I really shouldn't be feeling this way.

The second he touches me, I feel my magic jump, like it is trying to crawl to the surface, but it disappears before I can grasp it and try to figure out what exactly it wants. Since my magic wants to come out to play, I close my eyes and focus on my power. I don't try to pull on one specific strand. Instead, I focus on it as a whole. The power of prophecy doesn't work like most others. You can't control it, or call on it at will most of the time. At least not unless you are a prophet or prophetess. They can call upon the magic at will but the more powerful prophecies still only come when they want.

I only know of two angels who are powerful enough to call upon the magic at will. They keep to themselves, secluded from the other angels, except for once a year when the Seraphim Council will call upon them to report the prophecies they had seen that year. My father explained once that they stayed in the mountain range nearby because if they were with the other angels, the prophecies were too strong, and they couldn't control them. The power drains the angel. The more powerful the prophecy, the more drained they are afterward. Thankfully, all the prophecies I have experienced are small and won't drain me too much. Now, if only I could call upon one.

"Take some deep breaths and let them out slowly," Phoenix whispers in a calm, even voice. "Clear your mind of all the noise around you. Forget your struggles, and whatever is bothering you. Feel the magic around you."

I want to scoff and tell him how wrong he is. It isn't that easy. My magic doesn't like to listen in that way but something in his voice has me doing exactly what he says. In and out, one after another, I take deep breaths and push aside all the bullshit I've been going through. On the next breath, I push out the fear I'm feeling, and with the last breath, I call my magic up and let it surround me. I have no idea how long I sit there cross-legged as I let my magic surround me, falling into the power and just letting it calm me.

"Anything?" Rhys questions, his voice gruff.

"Leave her alone, Rhys," Phoenix scolds softly. "You know psychic magic is different and takes its time. Let her go at her own pace."

"We don't have time for her little games. Either the power is there or it isn't," Rhys retorts, "if she hasn't done anything yet then it isn't going to happen and we can move on."

"I'm sorry," I state, opening my eyes. "It's just not happening. The magic is there, but there are no prophecies. I can't call upon them on demand."

"It's okay, Arabella, you tried, and that's all that matters. We can try again next class," Phoenix smiles. "Rhys, since you have been so impatient ,why don't you go ahead?"

The rest of the class I listen to both of them go back and forth. Rhys is patient and calm with Phoenix but if I offer any sort of suggestion he just cuts me off and tells me to sit there and try to not look so ugly since I can't do anything else. Instead of focusing on them, I focus on the rest of the classroom. So many different powers are being practiced and I am in awe at the amount of control others have. Some people are almost experts with their powers, but others struggle just as much as I am. Seeing the range calms something inside of me, and I know that I'm not alone in the way my father has made me believe.

"Of course, a Fallen like you would think that," Stark chuckles darkly. "You Fallen think that you can get away with anything and that you're above the rules."

"Really," Rhys laughs. "I think you have it turned around there Angel." He emphasizes the word Angel like it's disgusting to say. "You all make rules that fit you and you alone. Us Fallen couldn't mean shit to you because we won't conform to your stands. So yeah, I guess we are better than you because we don't ask others to conform to a set of standards."

"Those 'standards' as you call them are there to keep us all safe and are why we are the top species. You Fallen are a disgrace to the Angel race," Stark scolds.

For the past ten minutes since Angel Etiquette class started, Stark and Rhys have been at each other's throats. What started as a simple conversation has now turned into a full-blown argument over the difference between angels and fallen angels. Their fight has been low enough to not draw the attention of the teacher, or at least it was at the start. Now our teacher is staring at them, and of course, I'm stuck right beside them, having to hear it all.

"Fallen Rhys and Angel Stark!" our teacher shouts. "I have had enough of you two arguing. Split up now."

"Of course, I get blamed for just trying to defend myself," Rhys groans, as if he wasn't part of the problem, which he most certainly was.

"Enough!" our teacher calls out. "Seraphim Arabella, move to a seat between them. If I hear another word from any of you, all three of you will end up in detention."

My jaw drops open as I stare at him, confused about why I'm being brought into the middle of something I had no involvement in. All I was trying to do was pay attention to what he was teaching. Now, I'm being treated like I was part of the problem. Great, just what I needed.

As to not earn any more of his ire, I get up and collect my books to switch seats. Standing beside Stark I wait for him to gather his items and move so I can have his seat and be between them. He gives me a death glare before gathering his stuff and moving so I can slide into the seat. Join the club, dude. I didn't want this anymore than you.

Opening my book to the page we are supposed to be learning today, I keep my attention forward and try to focus on the lesson. I can feel Rhys and Stark glaring at each other, and it takes everything in me to tune it out. We just need to get through this class and then I can be free to go hide in the library until dinner. Thank the Divine that Tuesdays and Thursdays are just morning classes with my afternoons free.

"Now that the disruption is done, how about we get to the point of this class?" Dominion Haniel asks, his glare focused on us before he looks at the rest of the class. The warning is there. Either shut up and pay attention or get detention. I know which one I am choosing, I just hope the others do as well.

At least I could say this was the first time I've ever been threatened with detention and twice in one day at that. I knew being rejected was the start of a huge life change for me, but now I feel like everything is different. I thought by coming here I would be able to keep my head down, and do what was expected of me just like I did in Aeris. What my father expected of our family name, even if he said he was disowning me when I got rejected. After today, I wonder if I need to take a different approach. Isis said I would have a choice to make, if I wanted to keep following my father's rules or to have a chance to discover who I truly am. I'm starting to think following my father's rules isn't going to get me far here. No, I need to find out who I am instead.

"Arabella," a voice calls out softly, startling me from my reading. I had been in the library for hours and was engrossed in my third book. I still haven't found anything helpful about the prophecy I overheard Phoenix and Rhys talking about, which frustrates me. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Phoenix states when I look up and realize he's standing on the opposite side of the table. "You look engrossed in whatever you were reading, but it's getting pretty late, so I wanted to check on you."

"How long have you been standing there?" I ask, closing the book I had open and placing my hands on the cover to hide the title.

"Not long, but I have been on the other side of the library for the past hour and a half and noticed you haven't moved in that time. The librarian even announced the library would be closing in thirty minutes, and you didn't even flinch. So, I figured I would come check on you," he answers as he pulls the seat out across from me. "We have about five minutes before the doors are sealed."

"Thanks," I mumble with a soft smile. "Where's your shadow?" I ask, looking around to see if Rhys is somewhere nearby. I haven't seen the two of them without one another until now.

"Probably in the dorm room, wondering where the hell I am," he laughs. "What? You think I can only stay with him and not wander off on my own?"

"Yeah," I laugh. "Something like that. He seems to be the boss of you. No offense," I add quickly when his posture stiffens.

"I guess from the outside it would seem that way. Just remember not everything is what you see," he shrugs. "Now, how about we head out before we're locked in for the night? I'll walk you home." Phoenix stands, pushing his chair back as he puts his hand out to me.

I ignore his offer but I do push the seat back and begin stacking the books up to place on the nearby cart. Phoenix waits patiently at the table while I put the books on the cart and then move back to the table to gather my bag. I wanted to put the books back myself so as to not draw attention to what I was looking for, but with Phoenix waiting for me, I wasn't going to be able to without him seeing what I've been reading. He doesn't ask about the books, but he does tell me he will be escorting me back to the dorms. All I can do is give him a questioning look, but I follow him downstairs and out of the library. The librarian, Sasha, smiles and waves as we exit and close the doors behind us.

Neither of us speak as we do the ten-minute walk through the woods to the dorm. I thought it would be awkward, but it isn't. The silence is nice, and it gives me time with my thoughts. I should be questioning his motives, questioning why he was watching me or intrigued but I don't. Instead, I let the night air refresh me and clear my mind.

"Have a good night, Arabella," Phoenix softly states as he stands outside my dorm room door. He walks me right up to my room but hangs back just a little when I tell him it's my room, almost like he is afraid to get too close.

"Thank you for the company during the walk, Phoenix," I answer as I open the door. Turning my back, I walk inside and see my roommates waiting for me, staring me down like I lost my head. They're right, I think I have.

"You have some explaining to do," Isis scolds, her hands on her hips as she stares me down. I can tell she has a lot to ask me about and give her opinion on. I know I'll be lucky if I can walk away before she spouts off with them all.

"Could we do this in the morning?" I question. "I don't think I can answer your questions right now."

"Fine," she sighs, "but you will be answering the questions tomorrow. Night, Arabella."

"Goodnight, Bella," Harper smiles, pulling Isis over to the couches.

I'll take that as a win tonight. Tomorrow is a whole new day, and I'm starting to think it could be the start of a whole new me. "Goodnight, guys," I call out before shutting my door softly.

Maybe this new school isn't going to be such a bad thing after all.