Chapter 21

Anila POV

I lay on my new bed, feeling a bit overwhelmed over the day. It was hard to believe that I’d been away from home for a little over 24 hours. In a matter of hours, I found out that I was more special than I ever thought I could be.

It was strange going to bed when the sun was rising. The sun was desperately trying to shine through my closed shades, and I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to sleep. I hadn’t slept since the plane though and my body was tired despite the time of day.

Penny told me that I’d get used to the shift in time. As an owl she had been nocturnal her entire life though so I wasn’t sure how she could possibly understand that.

I liked Penny and I liked her friends. I never had friends before so there was a part of me that was hopeful that maybe they could become my friends as well.

As I drifted off to sleep, I thought about all the amazing adventures that await me in the future. There was so much I was going to discover during my time here and I was more than excited. Some part of me wanted to call Claire and tell her that I had made it to the school and that I was okay, but then I silently laughed to myself because I knew Claire wouldn’t care if I was alive or dead. All she cared about was controlling me and keeping me as her prisoner; but now that I was no longer her prisoner, she couldn’t give a shit about me.

It was better off that way.

I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep, but soon I was waking up to the sound of my alarm clock on my nightstand. It was set for 8 pm because that’s when curfew lifted. Curfew was between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm. Breakfast in the dining hall began around 8 pm and ended at 8:45 pm, 15 minutes before classes began.

I didn’t have classes today though; today I had an orientation and then hopefully I’ll be getting my schedule. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous.

I groggily slid out of bed and made my way into the living room. It was empty, but I could hear that the shower in the bathroom was turned on. The window shades were wide open, revealing the lit-up campus and the night sky. It was incredibly beautiful, and I found myself growing more excited by the second to explore more of the school.

I went back into my bedroom and went to my closet. Blazers and button-down shirts were hanging up. In the drawers were skirts and pants. I grabbed a skirt, and I grabbed a button-down shirt.

I made a mental note about seeing customization later. I had normal clothes too that I bought with Xaden last night, but I knew I should probably wear my uniform for orientation so I could make a good impression.

By the time I got my uniform together, Penny was already out of the bathroom and back in her room. I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Within seconds the bathroom was filled with steam, and I breathed in the hot air, feeling my body relaxing already. It was rare that I got a hot shower back at home. By the time Claire and Gina finished in the shower, the only thing left was cold water.

So, I was pleasantly pleased when I stepped into the hot shower. I closed my eyes as the water hit my skin and washed away all the tension I felt from the night before. The water soaked through my hair and massaged my scalp tenderly. There was shampoo and conditioner already in the shower that I used to wash my hair and I used some lavender body scrub that I knew probably belonged to Penny.

I made another mental note to get my own body wash; it never even occurred to me when I was out last night. I got everything else for basic survival and hygiene, except body wash.

Once I was finished, I took my new brush and brushed through my long brown hair and then I tied it into a low ponytail. I brushed my teeth, applied deodorant, and then quickly dressed in my uniform. I was honestly surprised that it was a perfect fit, despite knowing that this school was magical, and they knew things about me that I never told them.

I gave myself one last look in the mirror before leaving the bathroom.

Penny was curled up on the couch, smiling at me. She also wore her uniform.

“Sage told me yesterday that she’s really good at design and she’s joining the design department,” Penny told me. “We will see if she can remake our uniforms. I’m told that this school encourages creativity and doesn’t mind if we customize them.”

I nodded.

“Are we going to meet them at the dining hall for breakfast?” I asked, eager to see what this school offers for breakfast.

She beamed and jumped up from the couch.

“Yes, we are,” she agreed, wrapping an arm through mine. “I can’t wait for today!”

I couldn’t help but smile at my roommate as we both left the dorm room and headed down the stairs into the community living room. I was surprised by how busy the living room was this morning. I could smell and hear the coffee brewing in the shared kitchen.

The news station played loudly on the TV, and a few girls were curled up on the couch watching it. Most were scattered around and talking with one another, but when I walked in, most turned their attention to me, and their eyes grew large.

I suddenly grew very self-conscious and aware of my own presence.

“Everybody heard about the fiasco yesterday with Damien’s wand,” Penny whispered. “Don’t pay them any attention.”

“Good morning, ladies,” a familiar voice said, and when I turned, I saw Kendra walking toward us. “Are you ready for today?”

“I’ve been ready my entire life,” Penny said proudly.

Kendra smiled at her.

“Good. I’ll be at the orientation this morning so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask me,” she told us, looking between the two of us. “I have coffee brewing in the kitchen and if you want a quick meal before your day starts there’s cereal and oatmeal as well.”

“Thanks, we are just going to the dining hall,” Penny told her.

“Then, I’ll see you at orientation,” Kendra replied.

We both nodded and thanked her before going to the elevator.

Per usual, I held onto the railing as the elevator did weird things. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to an elevator going in different directions other than up and down. Then, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened.

First, I heard the sharp intake of breath from Penny, and then I smelled him. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stuck up and my entire body felt like mush as Xaden stood before us. For a moment, I had forgotten how to breathe, but then he gave me his heartwarming smile.

“Hey,” he said, stepping into the elevator. “I was just coming to get you.”

My cheeks warmed.

“I was just getting some breakfast with Penny,” I told him.

He nodded and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close to him. I instantly felt relaxed against him.

“I have some free time after 1,” he told me. “We can meet around then for training.”

I nodded.

“Okay,” I said breathlessly.

“Training?” Penny asked, staring at us wide-eyed.

“For her first shift,” Xaden explained to her. “It’s only a few weeks away and she has no training.”

Her eyes widened even more if that was even possible.

“None at all?”

I shook my head. “But I’m ready for training. I’m excited for it.”

“I don’t even know what I am. I could be anything and that terrifies me,” I confessed. “But I’m ready for training and learning everything I can.”

She looked uncertain, maybe even a little worried, but she nodded.

Soon, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened again. My entire body froze as the hairs on my arms and neck stood once again. A new scent filled my senses, and I didn’t have to look to know who was standing at the elevator doors.

The low growl emerging from Xaden confirmed my thoughts.

“Well, look at what we got here,” Zach said, stepping into the elevator. “Hello there, pretty girl.”

I turned to face him but kept my back pressed against Xaden’s body and his hands rested firmly on my hips, keeping me in place protectively.

“Zach,” I said in return, trying to keep my cheeks from flushing from the use of his name. But to no prevail; his growing grin told me it didn’t work.

“When you’re done with my brother feel free to join me on this side,” he said, winking at me. “We can continue where we left off yesterday.”

My heart flipped in my chest; I felt Xaden tensing from behind me.

Penny sucked in another sharp breath and that only made Zach’s grin widen as he kept his eyes on me. I couldn’t seem to stop myself from looking at him, despite how hard I tried. But there was something about him that captivated me.

The elevator dinged again, and the doors swung open. From the new scent alone, I knew exactly who it was. He didn’t have to say anything for me to know who it was.

Harley stood at the doors, staring wide-eyed at all of us. He first looked at me and held my gaze for only a second before looking at Xaden. He then looked at Zach and his expression grew cloudy.

“I’ll take the stairs,” he muttered and then he turned away and scurried down the hallway as the elevator doors shut again.

I wanted to melt away.

“Oh, my goddess,” I heard Penny breathing as she eyed me carefully. “The rumors were true. You’re mated to all 3 of them.”