Chapter Three.
NatashaStepping through the gates of the Academy was like walking into a different world. Towering stonewalled buildings, with winding staircases that led to their individual entrances.My eyes widened when I spotted flying gargoyles in the sky.I ignored my guide, as he warned me to stay close.And regretted it almost immediately. I ducked just in time as one headed straight for me. My knee scraped the gravel floor, and I cursed.“And you didn't deem it fit to warn me?” I hissed, rising to my feet. Thankfully, my pants had lessened the effect of my fall.“I told you to stay close. The gargoyles are hostile to non-students.” He said, and that was it. He didn't offer further information.He led me to one of the buildings that stood out. If I'd thought the Academy was majestic on the exterior, then the word for the interior would be; grand. Breathtaking.Paintings adorned the wall, and I let myself admire them as my guide led me through the large hall with pastel accents. Golden chandeliers hung on the ceiling.We stopped in front of a brown door, and I watched as my guide knocked on it. It opened after three consecutive knocks.I took a deep breath, and walked in.“Your Highness,” the smiling faced man seated behind the oak table said to me. I turned to see that my guide had disappeared.Books were neatly arranged in the high shelves behind him. From where I stood, I caught the glimpse of the view outside.“I am Sir Patrick, the principal of this Academy.” His eyebrows crinkled, and I couldn't resist smiling back.“I am-” I began saying.“I know who you are, Princess Natasha.” He interrupted.I nodded curtly.“The Academy will provide everything you need. You don't need that bag,” he said, gesturing towards my leg.My gaze darted downwards, and sure enough, my bag had disappeared.“Nothing from the outer world is accepted within the Academy grounds.” He explained further.“But the clothes I came with haven't disappeared from my body,” I retorted sharply.“They would, once you're within your dormitory.” He shrugged nonchalantly.I observed him closely. His hazel eyes trained on me without blinking, and he appeared harmless. But I could sense the sheer power beneath that calm and harmless mask.“How do I find my dorm?” I asked, with a sigh.All I wanted to do at that moment was rest.“Here,” he held out a wristwatch towards me. I hesitated, before reaching out to grab it.I studied its features closely. A diamond wristwatch just like the one my guide had been wearing.“I didn't know the Academy was so generous as to hand out wristwatches to its students.” The words were out before I could stop them.“That isn't an ordinary wristwatch, Lady Natasha,” he chuckled, but my brow arched.Lady?He probably read the confusion on my face.“Every student is addressed as ‘Sir/Lady.’ You'll get used to it.” He explained.I scoffed. “You bet I would.”I clasped the watch around my wrist, admiring its delicate yet mysterious features.DRRA was boldly written on it.“I suppose I'd find the dorm on my own?” I asked sassily.His eyes narrowed. “You didn’t want to come here.”“No, I didn't. Where.Can.I.Find.My.Dorm?” I gritted out.He didn't respond, leaning down to peruse through the large book on the table. He traced the book with his finger, his face morphing into a scowl.“What is wrong?” I asked in an uninterested voice.“All dormitories are occupied, I'm afraid,” he said.“Deal with it, then.” I replied without hesitation, trying not to think of how easy it'd be to slip through the Academy's gates, back to my kingdom.“All female dormitories are occupied.” He said again.“I don't suppose you're considering letting me stay in the male's?” I frowned.“That’s the only alternative.” He sighed.I clenched my jaw. “Whatever. I don't plan on staying here for long anyway.”Relief crossed his facial features, as he ticked a corner of the page with an unusual looking pen.He handed over a tag to me. “It’d lead you to your dorm. And here,” he added a folded note.“Hand it to Sir Kai. He'd understand.”Kai. There was another Kai in my supposed dormitory?That was surely a bad omen. I accepted the note without a word, and turned to leave.“Lady Natasha?” He called out, as I twisted the doorknob.I faced him.“Stay away from the overgrown garden surrounding the Academy. All isn't as it seems.” He said solemnly.I merely nodded and walked out of his office. ★★★I climbed up the long winding staircase that led to the rooms above, while examining everywhere.The walls were made of light and dark stone, with high vaulted walls. The marbled floors gleamed in the soft light.The air seemed to hum, which I dismissed as my imagination. But according to Sir Patrick, everything wasn't as it seemed.Or maybe he was trying to make the Academy seem mysterious. If the latter was the case, good luck to him.I stepped off the last staircase, muttering a word of thanks to the heavens.“Dorm Tulip.” I read out from the tag.The door was slightly ajar, which I found odd. I pushed it gently and strode in.I couldn't tell what I'd been expecting, but…this wasn't it.Maybe I'd been expecting a normal dormitory with bunk beds. Or maybe a cramped room.The large dark walled living room greeted me. Ahead were three, no, four doors. The main rooms, I supposed. Dark curtains covered the windows.There was no one in sight. I decided to make myself comfortable, while waiting for Sir Kai. Whoever he was.The ornate dark table had a lit scented candle on it. I sat down carefully on the sofa, and crossed my legs.My eyes flew open as I registered someone's presence moments later. And scent.My heart thudded against my chest.That scent.No, that wasn't possible. He couldn't possibly be-I whirled around to see that familiar face. He was leaning against the entrance, a slight frown on his face. Dressed in a black button up shirt and black trousers, Kai was the very picture of devastating handsomeness. I pushed off the sofa, my eyes narrowing.“Hello, Pest.” He finally said, breaking the silence.“What the fuck are you doing here?” I hissed. I looked around for any weapon I could use as defense.He walked in leisurely.“Maybe I should be asking you that question. What are you doing here?” He retorted, his face bland.Blood roared in my ears, as everything clicked into place.“You’re Sir Kai.” It wasn't a question.“Indeed.” His smile was cold, without mirth.My chest heaved. “How-”“You might want to hand over the note Sir Patrick gave to you.” He said nonchalantly.I blinked, my throat going dry. The heavens were surely full of humor.Dark humor.I robotically handed over the note to him, my fingers going numb.“You can't stay here.” He simply said, flicking his hand. The note vanished from his hand.“I agree.” I forced the words out of my mouth. I hated admitting that we both agreed on something.As I expected, a smirk tugged the corner of his lips, broadening as I scoffed.“Go talk to him. Who knows? You might get special treatment.” He shrugged.“Of course. I wouldn't want to murder someone during my first semester here.” I threw back a sweet smile on my face.His face closed up. “I think you phrased that wrongly. You mean, you don't want to get murdered during your first semester.”I was about to retort, when I heard a familiar voice behind me.“And who else, but the Princess of Gavemorth?” The voice was taunting.I faced the owner of the voice, color draining off my face.“Calise.” I straightened, regaining my composure.“A cold welcome, cousin. But I guess that'd serve.” She smiled, pushing a strand of hair off her face.I didn't bother asking her what she was doing here. She was a student, just like I was.She strolled past me, like I was nothing. I watched as she made herself comfortable on Kai's body. Her lips curled in a taunting smile.I pushed back the rearing feeling of hate, and another foreign feeling.Jealousy.“I have somewhere to be.” I merely said, turning to leave, when I stumbled into a hard wall.Not wall, I quickly discovered as my eyes traveled up the well chiseled body.“Leaving without saying hi?” He asked.“I-” Every single thought disappeared from my head, as I beheld his features.Brown eyes. White hair. Xavier.“It’s been a while,” he simply said, and pushed me off his body. Humiliation tinted my ears as my nipples peaked at that mere contact alone.I turned to see that Calise was no longer on Kai's body, and instead was standing a few meters away.“Yes, it has been a while.” I said with spite.The last time I'd seen the King of Zandaya, was when we joined hands to fight against the force that was terrorizing the Dark Realm.He pushed his hands into his pocket, and shrugged.I turned to leave again.“Shit,” I cursed as I stumbled on something and crashed to the ground. I winced as I forced myself up.I knew whose handiwork it was, as I met her smiling face.“Who does the fourth room belong to?” I asked calmly, like I hadn't fallen.“Who do you think?” Calise winked.I scoffed. “Leave.”“That room belongs to me.” I ordered calmly.She threw her head back in mirthless laughter. “W-what?”“You heard me, Calise. Leave. This instant.” I ordered again.Her eyes burned with hatred, as she crossed her arms. “And if I refuse?”“Why don't you try finding out?”A brief look of fear crossed her eyes, before it vanished.She approached me, and halted right at my front. We were close now. Very close.I watched in amusement, as she raised her hand.“I’d advise you don't.” A voice warned from behind us, making me freeze.Chapter Four. Kai Natasha's face turned pale as Kaleb walked into the room. I tuned out the rest of their words, while I struggled to keep my anger at bay. Natasha at the Dark Realm Royal Academy? I pushed off the sofa and walked out of the room. They could kill themselves for all I cared. The hallway was unusually silent, courtesy of the first week of resumption. I rounded up a corner, and pushed the door open. “A knock would do, Sir Kai,” Sir Patrick said leisurely, without lifting his head from the book he was reading. “Take Natasha to another dorm.” I said straightforwardly. He finally lifted his head. “And why would I do that?” He countered. I took a step closer to him, slamming both hands on the table before him. He didn't flinch. I held his gaze as I gritted out the words. “Switch her dorm. The sight of her irks me.” “The only alternative is taking her to Dorm Beige.” He said with a sigh. I scoffed. “So? Isn't the Academy all about t
Chapter Five NatashaThe shock only lasted for a few seconds, before I pushed him off my body. His lips tugged up in an unrepentant smirk. Our lips had merely touched, and couldn't qualify as a kiss, but repulsion crawled over my skin. “Did you just kiss me?” It was a stupid question. But my brain wasn't moving in sync with my mouth. The question was out before I could stop it.“Head back to the dorm, Natasha. Now.” Kai ordered. The smirk had long disappeared, and he was now looking around warily.But I was way past caring about whatever was happening around the Academy.“If you don't answer my question, I'll break your jaw, by the Goddess.” My chest heaved. His watch had begun glowing again, and I observed it without appearing to.“It was barely a kiss. Don't think highly of yourself, Pest. I've kissed many girls, than I can probably keep count of.” He scoffed.I shook my head. Of course he had.“Don’t give me that crap.” I rasped, raising my forefinger. B
Natasha.“I’m sorry,” I apologized in a flustered manner, attempting to brush off the uniform of the student I'd just bumped into. Buried in my thoughts on my way to my seat, I hadn't seen her, the result was a glowering blonde looking at me with a look that could kill.“Sorry?” she repeated, disgust lacing her tone as she looked at me over. She held my wrist when I attempted to smoothen her uniform once more. “Don’t you dare touch me with those hands of yours.”I was inwardly seething with rage, but for the fact that I was the one who'd hit her first, not the other way round, I tried to maintain my calm.“I already said sorry. I was thinking about something.” I said, praying she'd just let it go.“Thinking? Hear that guys?!” She raised her voice for the benefit of other students, and her cohorts who were popping chewing gum beside her.She moved closer to me, and jabbed a finger at my chest. To my credit, I didn't lose my calm.“And what could a new stud
Xavier.‘Don’t do it.’ My inner voice warned. I watched as the boy led Natasha out of the class. She didn't look good, with bruises covered over her body. I didn't care. She'd learn how to fight as time went by. But for now, even with all the strength she boasted, she was still weak compared to an average student of the Academy. I claimed that I didn't care, yet my tie seemed tighter than usual. And I wasn't even putting on a tie. They walked past me, and the boy dipped his head differentially, but Natasha walked past. A new rage brimmed within me, more at the fact that Natasha hadn't noticed me, than at the fact that the boy had saved her.I should've been the one to. Wait-I shook my head, and donned on my non passive look before walking into the class. The girl was still giggling over her triumph. Her back was turned towards the entrance of the class so she didn't notice my entrance until one of her cohorts gestured towards my direction.Her
KaiShe hadn't seen me. I stood behind a tree far away from the garden, and watched as an unfamiliar guy tended to her. She was obviously in pain, but that wasn't the reason for my sudden anger. But what business of mine was it if my enemy was in pain? I didn't know how long I stood there for, but my chest twisted as she laughed at something the guy said. Before I could stop myself, I beelined towards them with a determined expression. “Should you be out here?” I deadpanned. Startled, the guy scrambled to his feet and bowed hurriedly. Natasha remained sitting like she hadn't seen me. “Sir Kai,” the guy said.“Do I have to repeat my question?” I asked, with a glint in my eyes. “Um, Lady Natasha had-”“The lady can speak for herself, or is our new student deaf and dumb?” I asked, still staring hard at her.No response.“How would you like your punishment, Sir-?” I cocked my head.“Aaron.” He replied weakly.“Aaron,” I repeated, stroking the rim of my
Mirah “He’s killing them,” I said, and willed myself to avert my gaze from the scene that was playing out in the projection on the wall. How could someone be so mean? “That sick bastard,” I heard Zeke growl. As he moved away, I held his arm. “Listen Zeke, we have to map out a plan. And quickly too.” I said, holding his gaze. “No,” He straightened. “The only plan there is to go out, beat the shit out of his ass. And finally send him off to the land beyond.” Zeke said with a heated gaze. I didn't blame him for his reaction. He'd just watched an uncle whom he'd been warming up to- after many years, die before his very eyes. I would react the same, even worse. “Yes. But if we make the wrong move, lives would be lost.” I reminded him. Gwev had an anxious look on his face as he walked forward. “Someone’s attacking my people. I have to get back.” He said. Something gnawed at my stomach. Tyler put the S in Sick. He was- to put it simply, deranged. I was about t
Zeke This was totally unexpected. “What do we do?” Mirah whispered to me, her eyes still trained on Tyler who was still transforming. His hair darkened like the color of the inky black night, and his fangs retreated. His muscles doubled in size, giving him the look of a giant. “We have to be on alert.” I whispered. I stared closely at Tyler, and what he was doing revealed itself naturally to me. Probably one of the powers of a Source Architect. “I gave you many chances, Zeke. But you blatantly disregarded them,” Tyler laughed loudly. It was the first time he'd regarded me as ‘Zeke,’ and not as ‘young prince.’ I glanced at Kai who noted my signal, and shadowed the others to where we were standing. Swallowing, I closed my eyes. ‘Mirah, can you hear me?’ I delved into her consciousness. She jolted, but didn't turn to me. ‘How did you do that?’ She asked. ‘I’m your mate, so it's natural now.’ I chuckled. ‘Now, don't turn. Keep an eye on his movements. I'll
Mirah I didn't have time to ponder enough, as Tyler walked in. He was dressed in a different color of suit from moments ago. “Let’s see how strong your determination is, in face of your boyfriend's death. I'm impressed, I must say. It's been weeks already.” His voice wasn't casual, even betraying a hint of anger. But that wasn't what I was concerned about. He just said, weeks. As in weeks since our last encounter? I didn't ask, afraid that I'd betray something I wasn't supposed to. As such, I pretended like I was still surrounded by heat, whereas I was lying on a plain land. “It’s time to go back. If my calculations are correct, Zeke is headed towards the castle. Alongside others of course.” He laughed sarcastically. “So this isn't Weasels?” I asked calmly. He simply cocked his head to the side, and snapped his hand. “Let’s unbind you, no?” He said, confirming my suspicion. He couldn't see through whatever facade it was that was shrouding me. And he st