Chapter 10

Anila POV

My lungs burned as I sucked in quick breaths, working to stave off a panic attack as Xaden’s eyes moved to Professor Howl, and a snarl came from his lips. “Release her from your hold, Professor! She is my mate!”

“She could be a spy, Xaden!” Professor Howl snarled.

If I had the ability to laugh, I would have. How could I be a spy if literally knew nothing other than what I had read in books and seen on TV?

“She isn’t! I know she isn’t!” Professor Howl’s eyes narrowed, drawing a conceding sigh from Xaden. “She lived in a small town. She was treated like a prisoner at home. I literally had to break her out of her house to bring her here.”

My eyes landed on Xaden’s deep forest green pleading gaze as he pulled me tighter to his chest as if he were afraid I would disappear.

My chest tightened even more, and it felt like my lungs were on the verge of bursting.

“That is enough,” Principal Rapport said, holding up his hand. “Professor, release her.”

With a humph, the wizard professor lowered his hand and my body fell limp against Xaden’s as the weight of gravity slammed into me. Air filled my lungs, and I took greedy breaths as I tried to calm my trembling and terrified body.

Principal Rapport’s eyes were fixated on Professor Howl, his lips pursed.

“Anila’s name was on the automatic acceptance list and has been since she was born,” the principal said sharply, surprising me. “Which means we were already anticipating her arrival for reasons I am unsure of.”

He then turned to me, and his gaze softened.

“Anila, do you remember anything about your parents at all?”

My chest tightened from his question. I looked up at Xaden who gave me an encouraging nod while he rubbed my back with the palm of his hand, trying to soothe me.

I looked back at the principal, meeting his eyes.

“Not much, I’m afraid,” I said, my tone raspy because my throat ached. “But I know my father was a human. He died when I was only 6 years old. He was a basic man with a normal job; he was hardworking and kind. He married my stepmother Claire when I was 3. My birth mother, Carmilla Montgomery, died when I was an infant. She was never really spoken about, but after seeing that small clip in the crystal ball, I believe she died giving birth to me.”

“Is Montgomery her maiden name?”

“No, it’s Opun. Carmilla Opun. She became Montgomery when she married my father.”

Principal Rapport's eyes hazed over with a blue tint, his body still as his eyes flicked about the room like he was looking at a fly. It wasn’t long after they cleared that he looked towards the door.

Seconds later the door opened, and in walked two people cloaked head to toe in purple, hoods drawn to conceal their faces.

They carried a thick leather-bound book with old, crinkling pages, and dropped it onto the round table with a heavy thud. Professor Howl barely managed to keep his crystal ball from rolling off the crowded table without breaking his concentration.

Principal Rapport, with a wave of his hands, the two cloaked people turned and left the room. Principal Rapport’s eyes were back to normal as he went toward the round table and unclasped the bindings that kept the book closed.

He hovered his hand over the leather cover, never breaking his eyes from it.

“Carmilla Opun,” He spoke, and the book flew open, pages rustling as it skimmed the entire book before stopping on a single page. The name Carmilla Opun glowed gold against the aged parchment.

Now that was a handy spell.

The butterflies in my stomach started to nosedive into my intestines, as I looked at my mother’s name. Xaden’s arms tighten around me as if he sensed my growing unease. I knew before the principal spoke that she was here.

She went to this school.

“Let's see, Carmilla Opun. Enrolled in 1982. Human witch, and the only magically gifted in her entire family at the time. Doesn’t say anything about what she did after graduation.” Principal Rapport's eyes land on Professor Howls. “We always track when someone becomes a dragon master, so no information means she didn’t become one.”

I swallowed a knot that had worked its way into my throat. My mother was here. She graduated from this school. And… she was a witch.

My skin prickled at all the new information.

“A witch?” I asked, staring up at Xaden.

I wondered if Claire had known about this. I wondered if this was the reason, she kept me locked away for so long and refused to let me go to this school.

“Witches can birth different creatures,” Xaden explained. “But they can’t birth normal humans, which is how I know you aren’t a typical mortal. Considering you are my mate, I thought…you must be a werewolf born from a witch…”

He thought I was a werewolf. But I was also mated to Harley, a bear-shifter, and had some weird connections to Damien’s wand.

“So…what am I?” I asked, looking between the professor and principal.

“I guess we will have to figure this out after your first shift,” Principal Rapport shrugged.

“Could it be my mom who is keeping everything hidden about me?”

Principal Rapport met my gaze, eyes blank as if he were digesting what I asked.

“Like she blocked this information before she died?” Xaden counter-asked, both of us looking at Professor Howl who was staring at me questionably, and then our gaze shifted to Principal Rapport.

“I’m not sure. Certainly possible,” Principal Rapport shrugged, and a smile spreads on his lips. “But now, It’s time that I’ve welcomed you to Lunar Academy.”

“You don’t mind my hidden past anymore?” I was confused by this sudden change.

“It’s clear you aren’t lying. The spell Professor Howl did on you was simple, but torturous, and designed to see if you could rescue yourself from his hold. As well as allowing us to know what knowledge you have when it comes to certain spells, or if you had taught yourself anything. It is obvious that you know nothing.”

Relief flooded me from hearing his words. I wasn’t broken; I was just clueless. I felt Xaden’s body relaxing as well, but he didn’t release his hold on me.

However, his words about the tortuous spell reminded me of what I’ve experienced for their trust.

“Even human police don’t resort to such harsh forms of torture just for the truth. You could have just asked me for fucks-sake.”

“I had to take precautionary measures,” Professor Howl shrugged as if it was no big deal.

I opened my mouth to retort, but Xaden squeezed me gently, signaling me not to say anything. So, I closed my mouth and leaned against his body for support.

My body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds after spending that much time feeling weightless. My lungs still screamed with each breath I took after the air was squeezed from me. If Xaden hadn’t been holding me, I would have crumbled to the floor by now.

I felt exhausted.

Xaden’s big hand rubs down the sides of my waist, his head resting on the top of my head.

“Perhaps next time we can be more civil,” I found myself murmuring without meaning to.

Principal Rapport chuckled.

“Duly noted, Anila. You have a great sense of morality. Something I hope you will hang onto as you discover what you are in the future and resist the urge to join the Dragon Master.”

That title again. It must be someone who makes them all nervous because even Xaden tensed at the name.

Principal Rapport then touched my arm, warmth spreading as fine, golden letters started to spell out my name on my shoulder.

My mouth hung open; it didn’t even hurt. Magic was truly amazing. It was one thing reading about it and seeing it on TV, but to see it with my own eyes was truly breathtaking.

He smiled at my stunned expression.

“You are now officially a college student at Lunar Academy,” he said, motioning to the name on my shoulder. “This is your student ID and allows access to any area on campus.”

He smiled warmly at me, and I blinked like an idiot.

“That was quick,” I managed to squeak. “I don’t have to fill anything out? An application? Paperwork?”

“We have all the information we need,” Principal Rapport chuckled.

He then reached into his sleeve; I glimpsed a flash of silver beneath it before he pulled out a small card.

Was that magic too?

I found myself thoroughly invested, so far having witnessed so many incredible things.

“This is your student funds card. Residence and Food on campus is completely free and available to you. This card will be loaded every month with a little bit of spending money so you can… enjoy what the island has to offer. I suggest going for a shopping spree soon to get essential things. I know you came here with nothing if I’m not mistaken.”

His smile remained on his face as I pushed away from Xaden’s hold and grabbed it.

“I am allowed to leave campus to explore the island?” I found myself asking, confused by this overwhelming sense of freedom I had.

“Yes. The only thing we ask is if you leave campus, take an escort with you. Preferably 3(rd) year or higher. Despite this being a space for shifters and magical beings, there are still dangers out there. Humans also live on this island in remote areas as well. It’s best to not wander around alone.

I nodded, excitement bubbling in my chest as I stared at the silver card in my hand. I never even had a normal credit card before; this was a huge step into my future.

“Orientation is held tomorrow evening at 11. Xaden can take you to your dormitory and from there, your dorm advisor will assign you a room and roommate.”

The nervousness returned to my gut.

A roommate? Would I get along with her? Would she be a shifter or a witch? Or both?

I managed to nod my head, pushing the questions and fear away for right now.

“Thank you,” I said to him.

He smiled and gave me a head nod.

“If you have any questions, my office is always open,” he added just as I felt Xaden thread his fingers with mine, lightly tugging me away from the classroom.

My mind buzzed. Questions and theories bubbled in my head. I wanted to grill into Xaden, to ask everything I possibly could, and maybe chastise him a bit for being so open about our kiss.

I didn’t want him to think I had forgotten about that.

Yet before I could open my mouth or form thought, Xaden turned back to Professor Howl and Principal Rapport.

“I almost forgot the most important thing,” Xaden said with a frown as I tilted my head in his direction. “Unfortunately, Anila’s birthday and first shift are less than a month away.”

“Why is that Unfortunate?” I asked.

Professor Howl sighed, “Oh, Goddess, you are an ignorant girl.” I bristled at the insult but waited for him to continue. “It usually takes months for a normal student to be fully prepared for a first shift. Your body is going to be put through hell.”