Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series

Chapter Eleven

Eros

Her tantalizing scent was like a dream, something so near but yet far out of my grasp. She smelled dark and tempting. Scenting Hargus’ desire while he forced himself on her in the cell made me want to tear him limb from limb. It made me want to hide her forever.

Chancellor Barati’s baritone voice disrupts my thoughts. “It seems some of my old students have returned to visit me.” He kicks his feet up onto his L-shaped desk. “Tell me why I should let you grace my hallways again?”

Cassius huffs, crossing his arms. “I’m sure you were notified by the Alpha as to why we’re here.”

“I was sent to oversee Miss Valeri’s memory.” I answer respectfully.

“I see,” responds the Chancellor. Turning to Cassius, he then asks, “Any news on the Lonemaw Pack?”

Cassius settles into one of the guest chairs before responding. “No. It’s like they’ve left without a trace. Their territory reeks of rogues.”

“What does your Alpha say?”

“To keep searching. He thinks we may have overlooked something,” he growls. His thick eyebrows draw close in frustration.

“Perfect. You all will board in your respective rooms within the Keep. I shouldn’t have to remind the you of two of the rules here, correct?” The Chancellor queried.

“No, sir” We both say.

“You are dismissed.”

We turn to leave, before Chancellor Barati calls out.

“Oh, and Mr. Conrad?”

Cassius turns around in response. “Yes, sir?”

“If I hear wind of you insulting the hybrids again, I will personally cut out your tongue. Do you understand?”

“Crystal clear.” he growls out.

Valeri

After this revolting revelation I quickly towel off. Wrapping my towel around my mid-small frame, I hurriedly placed the necklace back around my neck. The reddish-golden gem glowed softly from it’s clawed prison as it lays on my chest. Warmth spreads from my thoracic region before spreading throughout my body. The scars on my body and other evidence of my dark identity slowly hide from eyesight. Except for the faint tattoo-like lines lining my torso.

So that’s what it does. It doesn’t seem to damage when wet.

I storm towards the chest of drawers. Yanking the top drawer open, there lay undergarments, bras and pajamas in an array of colors. They range from glossy reds to silky blues to cotton whites. I choose the color black from head to toe. There was even a silk scarf that’ll help with my hair before bed.

Speaking of which, turning towards the bed, an envelope lays across the pillow of the bed. It crinkles lightly when I pick it up. It reads:

Dear Miss Valeri,

I’m sure you are anxious to settle in and catch up with your studies. In this letter, you will find a list of your current classes and a map of the entire school. I hope this will assist you on your endeavors. If not, please scry Provost Ritenour or myself.

After reading the letter, I flip to the next page. It reads as follows:

Student: Valeri (No surname)

Course of Study: General Study/Undecided

Courses:

History with Professor Dawn Brown

Potions & Alchemy with Professor Rose Applebottom

Divine and Arcane Magic Leilani Smith

Training and Battle Practice with Professor Berta Luxembourg

Latin and Demonology with Professor Peter

If this was “general study” then I’m in for a rude awakening. What the hell, magic? Really? Like I could really do magic!

A map lay behind my schedule. It’s a thick packet showing the floors of the university. Most of my classes consist of being on each level, except Training and Battle Practice. That would take place outside. Laying my new schedule on my desk, I try to go to sleep. Only I can’t. My body refuses to rest as my mind still reels on today’s events. My stomach whirls in anticipation for tomorrow’s events. Will I be tormented again by the student body, or will I be a target? My mind leans on the latter.

Sigh.

The sun casts ominous shadows against the walls of my room as it sets for the night. Eventually my body and mind sync as one in an almost deep slumber. And for the first time in what feels like forever, my dreams consisted of nothing but a sea of blankness.

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I woke to the constant knocking at my door. I stumble out of bed to see who would wake me at these god-awful. Throwing the door open, I see Tanni standing there with the same uniform as yesterday.

Squinting, I attempt to give her the evil glare. “Can I help you?” I ask sarcastically.

She sighs before rushing past me. “Did you not read your introductory letter? Your first class starts in fifteen minutes!” She goes straight towards my drawers.

“Hey! A little privacy please?” I exclaim, slowly shaking off the sleepy weariness from my body.

She throws a black uniform at me in response. “Change. Quickly. I won’t be late because of you.”

“I have a map, you know. You don’t have to play babysitter.” I replied.

Tanni crosses her arms and pats her foot down in impatience. We have a stare down. Her pretty eyebrows knit together in frustration before caving. She throws her hands up in the air.“Fine! But if you are not out in five minutes, I’m dragging you out.”

With that, she leaves me to dress.

I strip down to my underwear and throw my pajamas on the bed. A cool draft brushes along my skin and I shiver. My uniform was … not the best. It was just a sheet of leather if I’m being honest. I slide the leather-dress-thing over my head and it glides down my body like water. It was cool to the touch and light as a feather. Suddenly it shifts and conforms to me.

I freak out.

Tanni rushes in again. “Is everything alright?”

I try to get the accursed thing off of me, but it sticks to me like glue. It snatches my boobs and gives me a wedgie. I squeak as it grabs my neck and constricts my arms.

“You have to calm down, Valeri. It is affected by our moods. Just breathe slowly.”

She grabs both sides of my face and mimics slowed breathing patterns you’d see in a yoga video. I copy her and my heart beats unrhythmically slow. The leather-like material stops contorting. It settles on me like a second skin.

Looking down, the black material wraps around my legs like a lover. It forms high waisted leather pants with gold-burgundy swirls that appear on my right outer leg. Black flat-heeled materialize on my feet. Gold buckles gleam in the sunlight as well. A black semi-sheer crop top forms on my upper torso.

Suddenly feeling confident and bad ass, I turned to Tanni. “Let’s go.”

“Finally” she responds, leading the way out of the room.

We didn’t have enough time to grab a bite to eat and my stomach growled in objection. Coming downstairs I’m faced with sneers and jeers from my fellow students. I hold my gaze confidently forward. Not wanting to stare anyone in the eyes, so as to avoid confrontation. That is, until someone trips me up and laughter surrounds me again.

“No one wants you here, one-eye.” someone says.

“You should leave, halfbreed” says another.

“Yea, if you knew what was good for ya!” yells another

I don’t know why I never stood up for myself like last night. I just wanted to be left alone. To be invisible to my fellow peers. Wow, the first thing I’ve discovered about myself, since my memory loss, is that I truly want to be alone. Or maybe just a chance to gather my thoughts about this world.

I’m hauled to my feet by Tanni. Gods above! This woman was strong. She dusts invisible particles off of my outfit before turning to the bullies.

“Shame on you! Don’t think I don’t know who gave birth to you imbeciles! Williamson, that means you.” She barks.

They scurry along, leaving us alone. The bystanders clear out as though dismissed. We continue on to my first class. Standing in front of a dark oak door, I go to grab the gold knob.

“Well, this is it. I wish you good luck!” Tanni says before gliding towards her class.

Opening the door, I’m shocked by what I find.