4. Addi

FOUR

The order rings out, and the student body falls into formation without a word. Peering around at everyone, the size differences between each group becomes more magnified when you consider the size of the lines forming.

Murmurs pick up as we wait as patiently as possible. I can sense Flora attempting to start a conversation with me multiple times, but each time, she rocks back on her heels, slamming her lips shut. By the fifth time, I can't take it anymore, and I turn to face her. I hope the smile I'm attempting isn't off. I am actually trying to be nice. I think.

"Small talk isn't really my thing, I'm more likely to ask you what weapon you prefer rather than reference the weather. So, you're going to need to spit out whatever is on the tip of your tongue because I really can't guess it."

Arlo chuckles, nudging Flora with his shoulder as her cheeks turn pink again. I've barely met the girl, but I already get the feeling I'll be noting when her cheeks aren't bright rather than when they are since it seems to happen so often.

"I, uhh, I was just curious what you did before you came here."

Reasonable question. I can answer that. "I worked for my father. Our ranch is…isolated, but it gets us by. A huge contrast to this." I nod at the looming academy building behind her and she nods in agreement. "What about you?"

She beams, lacing her fingers together as she bounces on the spot, and I feel a sense of pride seeping from her. I'm not joking when I say small talk isn't my thing, much to my father's disappointment, but seeing her response makes me reconsider my distaste for it. "I was interning. I only just finished school last year, and Summer Oak doesn't have many jobs that can facilitate my powers."

It's on the tip of my tongue to ask what specifically she was interning as, but I'm interrupted by a sneer.

"Move out of the fucking way." I turn to my right, staring up at some ass who seems certain his glare is going to off me. When it doesn't, and I don't instantly move, his eyes narrow further and he folds his arms over his chest. "Are you dumb? I said move."

Flora, Arlo, and I are standing as close as three people can, talking in a small group. Looking over my shoulder, I notice there's a huge gap since I haven't been moving along with the line to register. This idiot is just interested in causing a scene.

"There's already plenty of space for you," I state with a smile as I turn to him, pointing over my shoulder, but that only seems to make his nostrils flare.

"Come on, Addi, let's?—"

"You don't look like a member of the fae origin. Why don't you go and join the line that you are connected with." I recognize Professor Fairbourne's voice from a few moments ago and he appears in my peripheral a moment later, but I keep my eyes locked on the guy beside me.

His lips are pursed, as though he's considering whether or not to persist. His eyes widen with a sense of humor to them, but not the kind that has you preparing to laugh.

"That's what I was doing, but this bitch doesn't want to get out of my way."

I grind my teeth, ready to give this guy a piece of my mind while my brain tries to settle on what he is. He seems to think he's superior, but it doesn't appear to be as natural as it is for vampires. There's no warmth to him, no sense of endless knowledge.

He has to be shifter.

"I'm sure you could walk around this bitch easy enough." Professor Fairbourne cocks a brow at the unwanted guest, who takes the hint but doesn't miss the opportunity to shoulder past me as he goes. I sink my teeth into my tongue, forcing myself to let the moment pass as Fairbourne turns his attention to us. "You're up next. Move along."

He walks off without a backward glance as I spy Flora gulping nervously.

Rolling my shoulders back, I do as he says. Facing forward again, I have to admit that despite the grandeur of everything so far, the registration seems a little lackluster. A lone woman sits behind a table with nothing but an electronic device in her grasp. "Name," she calls out, not bothering to look up at me.

Clearing my throat, I keep my voice low. "Addi, Addi Reed." My heart races, my pulse ringing in my ears the moment the words slip from my mouth as I anticipate the world folding in around me. But a moment later, she nods and waves her hand dismissively. "Off you go."

I blink, and blink again before I finally move, a sense of bewilderment in my step now as I rejoin the back of the fae line.

We're done far quicker than the rest, and Professor Fairbourne wastes no time directing us down the path that leads to the fae building.

The smaller buildings are all visible from what seems like a communal area, and it's no surprise to see that the fae building is the smallest. They either anticipated low numbers from us or didn't care either way.

Professor Fairbourne doesn't say a word until we come to a stop in front of the graystone building. There are four floors in total, and as I peer out toward the other origin buildings, I notice that even the human accommodations appear to be six or seven stories high. The accommodations for the vampires and wolves are double that.

"The first floor is your main communal area. The second floor has been assigned to the females, and the third and fourth floors are for the males. Each floor also has its own designated communal bathing room, however, because of the numbers, you are all welcome to enjoy your own rooms. Any questions?" Fairbourne rocks back on his heels, assessing each of us as he awaits an answer. When no one immediately speaks out, he sighs. "Okay, well, the food hall is in the main academy building, and I believe it is well signposted. Otherwise, you will find your names engraved on plaques on each door. Inside, you will find everything else you will require to begin classes tomorrow."

I rattle my mind, eager to think of something to ask, but I'm coming up blank since there's so much we're not actually being told. Before I can come up with anything, he shakes his head. "Everyone here is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, and you're here because you chose to be, not because you were called upon. We're searching for the new leader of the Floodborn Kingdom. If you can't come up with a simple question when asked, fates help us with anything else."

My eyes narrow at him as he waves us off, trudging back down the path we just came down without a backward glance.

"Asshole," Flora mutters under her breath, and I have to stifle a smile at the surprising outburst from her.

Everybody else ushers inside, and I count eighteen other fae attendees, plus me, confirming just how outnumbered we are.

The note from earlier flashes in my mind, bringing a smile to my face as I repeat it to myself word for word.

To Addi,

I'm so proud of you, and I'm saying this before you even leave the house. No matter what, you will always be the best big sister that ever existed. Dad's telling me to put something specific, regal or some crap, but you don't need any of that from me. You just need to know that I think you rock. Today, tomorrow, and every day that follows.

Be safe, because if I have to wait until death to see you again, I'll find a way to bring you back and kill you myself.

I love you.

Nora x

I letthe words reignite the embers of determination licking through my veins as I repeat the biggest mantra in all of this.

I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing it for my sister, my father, my people.

For the Floodborn Kingdom.