8. Addi

EIGHT

Irritation still stirs inside me as I fumble into the classroom. A woman stands at the front of the room, circular glasses perched on her nose as she silently assesses everyone. Long wooden tables are lined up in front of her, three rows deep, but no one is seated. Everyone stands at the back of the class, huddled in their origins while waiting for their first direction from the professor.

Glancing around the students present, my gaze instantly latches on to deep brown eyes and perfectly styled black hair as their stare penetrates my skin, threatening to infiltrate my mind.

Raiden.

It seems like this guy is everywhere.

It takes far more effort to tear my eyes from him than I would like to admit, but when I do, I also notice the same wolf from yesterday. His brown hair is just as messy as it was then, like he makes a habit out of running his fingers through it. He's wearing the forest green cloak designated for his origin with a pair of faded jeans and a checkered shirt underneath.

He exudes a different kind of presence than Raiden, but it's still just as enticing and consuming if you let yourself fall under his spell. Not that I would. I one-thousand percent do not have the time for that.

With that reminder firmly swirling in my mind, I search for the gray cloaks in the room and find Flora standing with Arlo and a few others. I can still feel the intense stares from the group at the far end, but I force my eyes to remain locked on the fae as I approach.

Flora's eyes widen with relief when she spots me, and as I come to a stop beside her, she rubs my arm gently. "Is everything okay? I don't even know how to begin unpacking what any of that was," she murmurs, eyes peering toward Raiden, who now has Vallie vying for his attention again.

Not that I care or would even know if I. Just. Stopped. Looking.

"It's all good. I guess this is what's to be expected with that target on our backs," I admit, folding my arms over my chest as I turn to face forward, only to find the professor already staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm glad you could join us, Miss…"

Everyone follows her line of sight, finding me under her watchful eye. I clear my throat as my shoulders roll back, and my defenses instinctively rise.

"Addi."

She tilts her head, waiting for my last name. She can have it if she wants, but she's going to have to repeat herself if she does. The stare-off lasts a whole ten seconds before she nods, and I could swear there's a smile threatening to tilt her lips, but she looks away before there's a chance to confirm it.

"Miss Addi," she states, clasping her hands together. "Take a look at those in here with you now. This is the same group you will have all your classes, trials, and tests with going forward," she explains, making my spine tingle.

Raiden, Vallie, and their group that appears to bleed into the other origins is going to be a pain in my side for the foreseeable future it seems.

Peering around the crowd again, I notice a few mages huddled together, a flash of auburn hair among the shifters, and a gathering of humans who look like they're ready to throw hands at any moment.

It's crazy how we're all here for the same thing, yet we're all so different. It would be exciting if I weren't concerned for my safety on top of it all, but that's the reality of this life and not something I will ever have the luxury of being free from. So we're rolling with it instead.

A flash of red flutters forward as Vallie steps toward the professor. Her hands are braced on her hips, and even from her side profile, I can see the sly tinge to her smile before she even speaks.

"Can someone explain to me why there has to be any fae in attendance? It's wasting all of our time." She looks over her shoulder for added effect, her eyes finding mine instantly. I don't think I've ever seen someone look so smug.

Ever.

My hands curl into fists, the words calm and collected swirling in my mind, but doing little to actually make me either of those things.

"And you are?"

My gaze pulls from Vallie to the professor, who stares at my least favorite vampire with a quirk to her eyebrows. At least it's not just me who earns that look from her.

"Vallie. I'm Vallie Drummer." She preens—literally freaking preens—extending her fingers and batting her eyelashes like she truly believes she's that fabulous.

"A vampire. Typical," the professor says with a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose for a second before she pushes her glasses back into place and looks back at Vallie. "Miss Drummer, have you been crowned the heir of Floodborn Kingdom?" I frown, as do quite a few others, the question catching us off guard as we wait to see where this is heading. "I'm going to take your silence as a no. That being the case, why do you think anyone needs to explain anything at all to you?" An air of awkward silence drapes over the room, everyone staring between the professor and Vallie, who is getting redder in the face with every passing moment, but she still doesn't utter another word before the professor continues. "And would you look at that? It seems that it's actually you who has wasted our time."

Snickers echo around me through the crowd as Vallie steps back, glaring at everyone in her wake, me included, but I opt to keep my gaze set forward. I really don't need to cause more drama so soon after the dining hall. I need to at least try and make it through the first lesson.

The intense stare burning into the side of my head seems to be coming from a slightly different direction, and despite how much I tell myself not to, I take a quick look out of the corner of my eye.

Auburn hair. Deep black eyes. Chiseled cheekbones that look tough enough to cut diamonds. Avoiding his eyes, I note he's wearing a blue cloak, labeling him a shifter. I know he's watching me, but I can't pull my eyes away until the professor clears her throat, regaining control of the room.

"I'm going to seat you in order of your last names. Maybe it will help squash any of these rights you feel you have simply because of your origin. Whatever special treatment your family name may get you back home is irrelevant. It means nothing here, and there's no better place to get used to it than in your intro class."

"I can't decide whether I love or hate this woman," Flora whispers, and I hum in agreement. I'm definitely leaning toward the more positive side, but the jury is still out.

She starts to rattle off the list in alphabetical order based on our last names, and I get uncomfortable waiting for her to get closer to the end. It's a strange dynamic and concept, especially since I spent my entire childhood being homeschooled by my father, but I guess it makes sense, and no one else seems to be irritated by it.

"Raiden Holloway." The brief calling of his name garners my attention, and I watch the dark and looming vampire slip into a chair in the front row. Vallie is already seated a few spots to his left, looking at him longingly, and I quickly turn away.

There's no way in Hell you will catch me looking at someone like that.

I focus on the students taking their seats instead, noting that Raiden's wolf friend is named Cassian Kenner. I don't know what it is about the name, but the way he carries it…damn. It suits him.

Irritated with my train of thought again, I startle when I hear my name called out. "Addi Reed." I follow the moving students and slip into the next seat in a rush as the next name is called out. "Kryll Tora."

My attention is on the blond mage to my left, my thoughts spinning, trying to remember the name called out before mine, but I'm drawing a blank. He turns to me, as if sensing my stare, and smirks.

"Addi, nice name." His blue eyes twinkle with mischief, a trait you don't often see with mages.

"I didn't catch yours," I admit, clenching my hands in my lap to refrain from trying to touch my hair, even though I'm aware it's braided to my head.

"Brody."

"Nice to meet you, Brody," I reply, his name rolling off my tongue as if I've said it a thousand times before, and his smirk only grows.

"I'm sure it is. Don't worry, I have that effect on people." He winks—fully winks—before turning to face forward like he didn't just say…whatever the hell that was.

A shadow casts over me as Kryll Tora falls into the spot beside me, and I startle when I catch a glimpse of auburn hair again. I don't feel the intensity of his stare this time, though. He relaxes back in his chair and faces forward with his hands resting on the table before him. Black ink marks his skin, peeking out from beneath the sleeves of his blue cloak.

He must sense me looking because a moment later, he lifts his sleeve slightly. "They cover my entire body," he states, his voice deep yet smooth as it washes over me. "I can show you if you like." Brody laughs as Kryll rolls his blue sleeve back down, and I sink my teeth into my tongue, fighting the urge to blurt something at him in response. But this ass beats me to it. "Or do you only want a glimpse if you lower yourself to your knees? Because let me tell you, it's worth it. Am I right with that, Brody? I can't remember it word for word since we weren't there to catch her offer in person."

Despite my efforts, I can feel my cheeks heat. They're obviously friends with Raiden. That, or my snarky exchange with him yesterday has spread like wildfire. My money is on the former, especially when I realize I'm sitting right behind the vampire himself. He looks over his shoulder, glaring at me before his eyes soften when he makes eye contact with Brody and Kryll.

Fuckers.

It's official. They're all fuckers here.

"And that leaves us with Arlo and Flora Zeller."

My head whips around so fast I'm certain I'm going to pull a muscle. I find Arlo and Flora taking the final two seats at the end of the row behind me. As if sensing my surprise, Arlo winks while Flora hides her face in her hands.

"Isn't she the cutest little stepsister you've ever seen?"

His words only fan the flames on Flora's cheeks, who looks down at the table with a sense of sadness I feel in my bones. That would explain the weird dynamic between them. The sense of familiarity tinged with longing that floats around them like a second skin.

Turning around to the front, I lace my fingers on the table. Now that I'm seated, I instantly miss the idea of sitting beside Flora. Not that it had been mentioned, or even thought, but subconsciously, it was there. She reminds me of Nora.

Flora and Nora. They even rhyme.

The familiar warmth from her must be what draws me close. I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing, but either way, I need to make sure I'm thinking logically and purposely and not just leading with my feelings.

Despite the occasional stare from either side of me, I keep my face forward and listen to every word the professor says.

"Today, I have been asked to do a small overview of each class you have so you will be better prepared for the rest of the day, along with the coming week, as we adapt to the new changes for us all." She lifts a piece of parchment from her desk, walking around to the front to lean against it before she continues. "Combat class. I think that's self-explanatory, don't you? You'll need your fitness clothes for this class, and combat will range from hand-to-hand training to weaponry." She purses her lips, her eyes flicking over the document. "History class, another easy one. You're going to learn everything about what went wrong in the past so we don't make those same mistakes in the future." My fingers curl tight, turning my knuckles white, and I slip them off the table and into my lap to hide them away from any watchful eyes.

"Those mistakes are exactly the reason I don't think the fae should be here," Vallie reiterates, tilting her head so her nose sticks a little higher in the air.

This time, the professor doesn't even bother to acknowledge her, and I can't deny that makes me like her a little more.

"Origins class is where you will work on your individual abilities as well as learn about each other so that when the heir is selected, there's a wider understanding and appreciation among everyone. The potions and incantations class will be for everyone as well. Not that everyone will excel in those areas, but there are certain skills that can come in handy, and if you don't even know they exist, you'll never learn, am I right?"

I glance around the room, expecting someone to answer her, especially a mage, but to my surprise, everyone remains quiet.

"Then we have the kingdom classes, which are broken down into three different sections: kingdom visits, kingdom etiquette, and kingdom services."

"What does that mean?" a guy from the front row asks. I haven't seen him before, but the cream cloak confirms he's a human.

"If you let me get to the end of this, you'll find out," the professor retorts, not bothering to lift her head as another round of snickers echo around the room. "Kingdom visits are just that; you will travel to all parts of the kingdom to see everyone and everything. What is an heir to the throne if you haven't walked among the people, seen all the pain and love mingled among them?" Her words hang heavy, but excitement fills me at the prospect of traveling. "Kingdom etiquette will cover what being the heir is all about when you're not dealing with wars, blessing babies, or any of the other boring stuff," she explains, waving her hand dismissively. "And kingdom services just might be my favorite. It will require each and every person in attendance at the academy to offer some form of service to the kingdom. It may be your magical ability or an afternoon of picking up litter in the park. You'll know on the day and provide whatever services the kingdom requires to prove to the people outside these walls that you love this land as much as they do."

I strangely like the idea of that too.

"Finally, this is your form class. We will gather every Monday morning like this. It gives us a chance to provide you with any important information, allows you time to catch up on anything you're struggling with, and gives you the opportunity to bring any queries forward that you haven't had the opportunity to speak with your head of origins professor about."

Someone clears their throat from the left behind me, and I glance back to see a small girl in a gray cloak. Fae.

"Will our voices be heard?"

"I'm sorry?" I'm unsure if the professor simply didn't hear her, or if she needs further clarification. Either way, my pulse quickens as I watch the girl falter under everyone's stare. When she remains quiet, I open my mouth, ready to repeat the question for her when she manages to pull the strength from within and do it herself.

"Our queries, will they be listened to?" It's an honest question, more valid than anything else I've really heard today, and when I turn back to the professor, I can sense the same level of understanding in her eyes.

"As strongly as I'm listening to you now," she vows, the snarky comments and sternness no longer present as she nods at the fae girl. Rising from her desk, the professor discards the parchment, pacing a few times in front of us before she exhales slowly. "Let me make myself clear. I don't care if you're a vampire, a wolf, a mage, a shifter, a human, or a fae. I honestly couldn't care less if my life depended on it. I won't let vampires walk in here and dictate to me like they have the ability to do elsewhere, and I won't overlook fae simply because the kingdom has a history. This academy is here for everyone, but most of all, it's here for the kingdom. The kingdom deserves us, deserves this level of loyalty from its people. That is what I am here for. That is what you should be here for."

I feel like I can barely breathe listening to her. Her words ring true. Not just for me, but for all of us. Possibly not the vampires because they'll get pissy that they can't just rule everyone, but hearing her list off all of the origins, humans and fae included, feels validating.

"The last time it was reigned over like this, it didn't end well," Vallie remarks, and the professor instantly shakes her head.

"The last time the kingdom was reigned over, it was lonely at the top. Not only will the heir be the best of the best when the time comes, but those who stand around them will be just as honorable, just as strong, just as determined. We're not here to find a diamond in the rough. We're here to forge something never seen before that can face any storm, weather any war, and remain unwavering throughout."

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Fuck it. Screw my chances, give this woman the role. She knows what it's about.

A bell rings, shattering the moment, and everyone starts to stand. I follow suit, acutely aware that I don't recall the professor even telling us her name. Maybe next week.

"I'm here for you all. That's my role. We'll meet once a week, just like this, but my office is always open at any other time, too," she adds as we all head for the door.

I slip from between the two guys that were flanking my sides moments ago, rushing for the door with as much speed as I can without all-out running. I have no idea where I'm headed after this, I just need a minute to breathe and refocus before I go anywhere.

Barely making it over the threshold, a hand wraps around my arm, nails biting into my skin as a familiar voice rasps against my ear.

"You're not running away from me for the third time."