FIVE

Two days later.

Monday, first day of classes.

According to the curriculum, general studies has us taking Leadership classes and Combat Mastery. In addition to that, we have to choose three or more other courses. I chose Business, International Relations and Alchemy. For some reason the last one seemed like it would be fun.

I'm looking through my phone to find the map of the castle when it is snatched from my hand. “What?!” I look up and to my horror, it's the guy from two days ago.

“What are you doing?” He scrolls on my phone, half a sandwich on the other hand.

“Hey, I don't have time for this. I have to get to class.” I groan, trying to get my phone back from him but he sidesteps me. He's quick on his feet.

“I told you my name. Use it.” He lowers my phone, looking down at me through his round rimmed glasses. His long black hair is tied up in a loose ponytail and has two traditional hair sticks sticking out of his bun. If he wasn't a threat to my position in the academy I might have stared longer at his enchanting physique but he is.

“Mr Artemis.”

“Drop the formality, I know you'd rather tear into my neck right now.” Taking another big bite of his sandwich. I sigh.

“Darien…” His name rolls off so smoothly off my tongue. His parents must have really known what they were doing when they chose Darien to go along with Artemis. Sheesh! “Can I have my phone back please?”

He smiles.

My goddess!

“Of course you can. Anything for a dear friend of mine.” Darien hands me back the phone and instead of leaving, he swings a hand across my shoulder, reminding me in still small next to real men.

“What now?”

“You have Alchemy next, right? We're going to the same place. I'll show you the way.” He beams like a kid then tosses the wrapper of his sandwich into a bin. Perfect score.

“I’d rather go alone. Thank you.”

His smile drops, “I'll tell everyone your secret.”

“You know what? This castle is way too big to go around without a friend. Shall we?”

“Of course.”

-

Darien attempts to make us sit at the back of the he class, however as soon as he lowers himself to the seat, I weave my way around him to go the the middle. Average at everything, that's the plan. I don't turn around but I feel him staring into the back of my head.

What have I gotten myself into?

Let’s rewind to that evening when he broke into my room.

What should I do? How did he find out already? Am I going to have to leave the academy on the first day?

No no no. I can’t fail now!

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Maybe he’s wrong. Let me not give anything away just yet.

My grip on the door tightens. I want to slam it shut but he used his leg to wedge it earlier before he leaned on the frame.

“Sure you do.” He looks down to where my real height would have been. His violet eyes scan my body making me uncomfortable. “I can see the distortion from the enchantment.”

I’m sure the blood has drained from my face by now. He wasn’t mistaken, he knows. The mage that drew my magic circle was one of the best in Theria. He assured me no one would see it unless they’re at the level he was or higher.

Does that mean…

“What do you want?!” He snaps out of his inspection, meeting my eyes. He searches them too before a small smile appears on his lips.

“Don’t worry. I’m not about to go blabbing what I know.” He assures me, still I don’t trust him.

“You’re going to blackmail me instead?” I frown, realizing just what this is.

“Well…” he looks away, hand on his chin as if he’s thinking. While this might just be a random day for him. My entire life is at stake here.

If I can’t get that certificate, I’ll have to get married to Fredrick. I know because there are some things that have happened in both timelines that I couldn’t change. Who’s to say that the biggest decision of my life in the past wouldn’t occur too.

I will do anything to escape that fate.

“I haven’t decided yet.” He meets my frown with a pleasant smile of his own. He’s enjoying this. What a psycho!

I open my mouth to yell at him but before I can, he walks away, waving bye like I’m an old friend.

“What the heck?!” I look both ways of the corridor before I close my door and sink to the floor. This is a disaster.

Searching for my phone, I contemplate texting my Aunt.

This is my problem. I knew there would be a risk in coming here so I should fix it.

I can’t depend on Aunty for everything.

I’ll wait and see if he’s a threat. I don’t intend to murder anyone but I’ll do what it takes to survive here.

A large hand clamps down on my shoulder and I jump, letting out a small yelp. “Hey Bro!” Phineas plops down on the seat beside me. His red hair floats around as he does.

“Hi bro.” I adjust myself as I place my heart right back where it belongs. Geez, that scared me. I wonder how thick skinned Fredrick and his friends had to be to lie every day for five years. Gosh I hate those people. Just you wait, when I’m done with this Academy, I’ll have my revenge on your asses!

“Are you taking Alchemy because of her too?” Phineas’s deep voice brings me back from the past. He has a hand at the back of a chair and one leg crossed over the other while I’m sitting all prim and proper.

“Sorry who?” I slide down on my chair and spread my legs more before crossing my hands over my chest instead of leaving them on my thighs.

“Her.” He says.

I follow his gaze to the bottom of the hall where the podium stands. And that’s when she walks in.

The hottest woman I’ve ever seen.

“Oh my freaking goodness.”

She commands attention with each step, hips swaying like they know the world’s watching. Her figure is lethal: full curves poured into a form-fitting black suit that somehow manages to be both elegant and scandalous. Her heels click against the floor like a countdown.

Now I understand why the classroom is so full.

Long raven hair tumbles down her back in soft waves, but there’s nothing soft about her. Her eyes—sharp, ice-blue—scan the crowd. A flick of her wrist sends a brief shimmer of violet energy trailing in the air like a warning: No nonsense.

Every guy in the room straightens unconsciously, like their wolf senses know better than to mess around.

She takes the podium with the grace of a queen and force. “I am Sloane Strange, your Alchemy Professor. I know most of you joined just to see me but I’ll warn you now. This course will be one of the hardest you’ve ever taken but it will also be one of the most fulfilling. If you’re not ready for the trouble, don’t come back after this lecture.”

No one dares to breathe.

Professor Sloane goes on for an hour explaining the diversity of alchemy in science, medicine and healing. From what she explains, most of the other courses have branches like this too but in the first two months of our stay here, we learn it all and then branch out in the third month.

Her voice is firm as she speaks. I notice how she takes her time to look at every student in the class. I may have imagined it but I can swear she looked my way more than once.

Did she notice me drooling? I hope not. She’s just so pretty.

When the class is almost over, she checks the attendance. “I expect to see half of this number in my next class so feel free to change.”

From her interaction with the class, I can already tell—she’s the kind of woman who could melt your brain with a single look… and then make you write a ten-page essay about why you deserved it.

And somehow, that just makes her hotter.

She sits on her desk, scrolling through what I assume is the attendance. “Do you think she dates younger guys?” Phineas asks, when I face him, his head is almost as red as his hair.

“I really doubt you can handle her.” I shake my head, offering a pat on his shoulder. “Class is over, let’s leave.” Most of the boys are already filing out, I glance around but Darien is nowhere to be found. Thankfully.

“I’m not giving up!” Phineas springs up in a loud voice. Some boys around us give us weird looks.

“Wow. I admire that courage! Go for it.” I genuinely laugh because the scene in my head is a Doberman trying to date a Dragon.

“That laugh doesn’t seem like you’re that much supportive.” He squints at me as we begin to file out of the hall too. That’s when I hear it.

“Eldon Thorne.” The whole class pauses, looking back at where Professor Sloane is. It takes a minute for me to register that she just called my name.

“My office.” That’s the only thing she says as she saunters out the door below.

Whispers erupt around us but I’m even more confused than everyone else.

“What did you do?” Phineas whispers at my side.

“I don’t know.” And I don’t like it. I frown.

I’m supposed to be laying low but whatever I’m doing or not doing is drawing more attention. I hope this doesn’t have anything to do with my disguise again.

Goddess, please help me out here. I swallow nervously.

I guess I didn’t imagine her glancing my way earlier.