Magic and dragons

Zaria’s POV

Nova, thank you for today, I said, covering my body with a purple blanket.

You’re welcome, I like you, Zaria, human as you are. I feel your fire, and don’t fret, or they’ll feed on that.

Got it, good night, Nova.

" Good night, she sighed, then turned and slept almost immediately. I wished I could do that, let my mind drift away, but I couldn't. My thoughts twisted in circles, pulling up every doubt and fear I'd tried to bury. What if I didn't belong here? What if they found out how scared I really was? My heart thudded hard against my ribs as I lay in the darkness, too restless, too awake. Then I felt it, an icy sliver brushing along my leg. My breath caught, panic crackling through me. For a split moment, I couldn't move, couldn't even breathe. I forced myself to throw off the blanket and stare at a black snake, its eyes fixed on me, cold and unreadable. My hands shook as I watched it, my body froze between terror and disbelief.

Go back to your owner, I whispered. Boo!

The snake turned into a black cloud of smoke. Magic. I got out of bed and opened the door to walk to the bathroom. I passed the wall with the bright painting on it. Staring at the woman who was betrayed, fierce. I wanted to be like her, strong and brave.

Betrayal, the whisper came. Startled, I looked around. The moonlight shone on the marble-patterned floor. I shook my head and made it to the bathroom. washed my face and looked in the mirror. What am I even doing here? Did I make a mistake to be among a faction a hundred times stronger than me?

Walking back to the room, I heard footsteps behind me. When I turned, Master Malacar was standing there. He was a beautiful specimen in his T-shirt and black pants.

Zaria, why aren’t you in your bed now?

I needed to go to the bathroom, sir, I said as my eyes locked on him. Maybe it was my imagination, but it seemed like they softened a little.

Go on, tomorrow is a busy day. He took a step closer, and I didn’t move. Is he smelling me? I did take a shower, maybe it was a rule. I need to read the rules again. No one will disturb you. Good night.

"Good night, Master Malacar," I said, and walked away. When I got to the door, I turned. He was still standing there.

The alarm was so loud I jumped and sat up. Nova was shifted into her fox form and kicked her back legs, making me smile as I watched her. It was comical.

When she shifted back, she cursed. I had such a good dream, do you want me to tell you?

I was making out with a hot man….

Okay, stop right there. I haven’t even kissed anyone yet, so keep it to yourself.

You’re eighteen and never kissed a man or a boy? She sat on my bed.

Are you going to announce it to the rest of the school?

Of course not. We are friends; your secrets are mine to keep, and vice versa. Okay, I will tell you, she said excitedly. Professor James.

Is he a fox shifter, too?

No, he is a vampire, and he was on top of me, sucking…

I covered my ears and screamed. She laughed. I lost my virginity to a boy; I vowed never again to sleep with one. I’m looking for a man, Zaria…not a boy.

You’re right, I like older…men too…I said, brushing my teeth. They’re intense…

Wait, who are you describing just now? Nova asked. You…like someone…

No, I shook my head, want to meet a man…that cares deeply for me…

Honey, not these days, a woman has to be strong and take what she wants, she said as she closed her fist.

After we got dressed and had breakfast, we went to the first class, ancient languages. The classroom was high-ceilinged, with towering windows that let bluish light glint off rows of old, worn desks carved with odd runes. Bookshelves lined the back wall, crowded with dusty tomes and glass bottles holding faintly glowing liquids.

As I walked in, I caught the scent of parchment and something faintly metallic in the air. Some students had tails or flickering ears peeking from beneath their hair, and I heard someone quietly muttering a spell in the corner. I was lost. How am I supposed to know ancient languages? I let out a breath as Mr. James walked inside, and Nova's eyes followed him around. Yes, he was a handsome vampire. I chuckled inside.

Valerian was sitting to my left, Nova to the right, Astrid behind me. Okay, I could handle her.

Mr. James projected an image of an ancient scroll onto the board. I stared at it, and to my own surprise, I understood what it said.

Anyone, come on, I can hear my own heartbeat…he was joking since he didn’t have one.

My mouth opened like I was not in control of my own body. The words spilled out before I could even process them, and I heard myself say: By ink and oath we’re bound, I paused, a promise given, a fate entwined. When I finished, I blinked, shock tightening my chest. How did I know any of that? The writing looked strange and twisted, nothing like anything I’d ever learned, yet somehow the meaning had slipped right into my mind as if it belonged there. I stared down at my hands, confused and a little afraid, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

The class gasped. Mr. James kept staring at me. “You’re human,” he said, shocked.

Yes, sir, human, I’ve been told…I said, smiling more of nerve than anything else.

How is that possible? Valerian said humans do not read the ancient language of the realm.

Well done, Zaria, I have to say you put them to shame right now. Alright, let's move on. What is the purpose of ancient language?

Pacts and alliances?

Yes, but, more importantly? No one spoke again, and there was silence.

Preservation of the realms, again, my mouth betrayed me. I covered it, I should’ve done that from the beginning.

Mr. James walked to my desk. That’s correct, and whoever thought that I want to meet them, he smiled, which was odd for a vampire.

Honestly, I’m disappointed with the rest of you, because this language may save your kingdoms, or betray them. Most of you go back to leading your people. Think about that.

The class is over. Zaria, stay. I need to talk to you.

Great, he is going to tell me to keep my running mouth shut.

Do you mind telling me where you learned it?

I opened my mouth; nothing came out, and then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him standing in the doorway.

Master Malacar walked to Mr. James. Lucky guess, maybe? He told him. She needs to come to practice now, he said, gesturing for me to go.

Yet you personally came to take her there, Malacar?

Zaria is new to the grounds, and James, back off. I followed him to an open area with a platform and looked high. I was wondering what kind of gymnastics we need to do? Suddenly, something huge blocked the sun, throwing the world into shadow. I looked up slowly; my breath caught in my throat. Towering shapes soared over us, their wings casting rippling patterns across the ground.

Dragons. Real dragons. My whole body went cold and hot at the same time, a rush of terror and wonder tangled together. Their scales glittered in colors I never imagined, and each time their wings beat, the air itself seemed to shudder. I was frozen in awe, barely able to inhale.

My heart hammered so hard I thought everyone could hear it. I’d seen pictures before, but nothing prepared me for how impossible and beautiful and dangerous they looked, every inch a legend walking through the sky. I gasped because I was about to see a dragon up close.

Don’t be a freak, Zaria, " Astrid said, " they’re just dragons, and Valerian is mine.

But he landed in front of me, his face inches from mine, and I was holding my breath. This cannot be real.