Page 14 of Unshaken

Well, that explains the pain in my chest. Oh, fuck. This can’t be happening.

“I’ve already given you an order, this now includes you too, Rodyn. Stay away from her. If you ruin my plans, Rodyn Larrieux.” She points her hands at me, and I already know that she wants me to address this without saying a word in front of my brothers. “You have no idea what any of this means, and to be honest, neither do I.” We watch as she storms out of her office, leaving us behind. The door slams from the force of her power, knocking books and plaques from her shelves.

For the first time ever my mother seems shaken, and I love it. Her need for control is absolute. She always needs to control the narrative, and whatever her plans are for the former Light Guardian in training just flew out the window with the Soul Tether revelation.

I guess I have Miss Micah Jones to thank for that.

If I was polite, I would do just that, but I’m not.

I was given a direct order to stay away from her, unfortunately, despite what it will do to my brothers, I have to get rid of her.

Nine

MICAH

“This is Lux Hall, where most of your classes are held. That dome building just beyond the wall gardens is the Assembly Hall. Now that you’ve gone through a doorway, you’ve been given a magical ranking and your schedule will be generated. All that information you will find on your school issue tablet.” I can feel Esme’s unease, but she refuses to acknowledge what happened when we shook hands. I guess it’s safer to get on with the tour and get the hell away from me as soon as she gets the chance. I mean, I get it. I wish I could talk to Rook, but I don’t want her to think I am ignoring her either. So, I follow behind her and do my best impression of a dutiful new student marveling at the world around me.

I stare up at the massive gothic style building. The tall spires climb high into the sky, casting ghostly shadows on the courtyard below. Even with the sun shining on the building's black stone it still casts the entire building in shadow. Red ivy climbs up the entire façade, making it appear as if it is bleeding. The color contrast is striking and breathtaking, if you love this architectural style. To me, it feels eerie, ominous and foreboding, yet you can feel the power coming from it all the same.

Steep steps lead up to the largest set of arched doors I have ever seen. Six in total, and they have to be twenty feet tall. My eyes follow them all the way to the top of the arches where huge gargoyles are carved into the recesses of the stone. They aren’t complete statues, yet they are so detailed that you would think they could break free from their stone prisons and fly off into the night.

I wouldn’t put it past this place to have giant bat-creatures flying around. I mean, gargoyles aren’t real, but what the hell do I know? Apparently, my magical education is a bit lacking. I realize then how sheltered the Witches in my coven are. The things we were taught, and the information passed on at Caelum is very one sided. But like I said before, the Angels see things in black and white, and they want their soldiers to believe the same things.

“This is the East Tower, student accommodation for first years. It offers these students added protection and is guarded at night. There is an identical tower to the west of the campus that provides the same protection for students whose power levels aren’t as strong.” Esme indicates with her hands; her back is to me as she continues to look at everything but me. I have been so lost in my thoughts that I haven’t realized we made it past the courtyard and are now standing in front of a wide circular tower. I look up at the black stone structure, one entry door is made of polished metal. I notice windows climb in a spiral pattern all the way up to the top of the tower. I cringe but if this is where I will be staying for now, I guess I need to get used the prison-like structure.

I move past Esme, a little disappointed that this is the extent of my tour, but she said there would be a map in my room. Perhaps I can explore on my own later. Pulling my luggage behind me, I turn, finally our eyes meet. The urge to rub at my chest comes over me again. Why does this pull towards her feel so strong? Esme tilts her head in confusion and opens her mouth to speak but I beat her to it.

“Thank you for showing me around. I guess we will cross paths again eventually.” I offer her a small smile and she frowns as I turn towards the building.

“Micah,” Esme calls my name, and I turn towards her. I guess she is ready to address the painful connection between us.

“Yeah?” I reply, swallowing past the lump in my throat and wondering why every person I have come across since I got here has been affecting me this way.

“This is not your dorm.” Esme laughs at the stunned look on my face. She pulls her phone from her pocket, and with a swipe of her finger she looks at something for a moment and then back up at me. “Wow, it says here that you are housed in the Quads.” She looks back down at her phone. “Yep, the Quads. You must be one hell of a Witch, Micah Jones.” She laughs and turns, gesturing for me to follow behind her once more. I pick up my pace until we are walking side by side along another path leading away from the main buildings towards the surrounding woods.

“The Quads?” I ask her, and she furtively glances my way and stops. She looks around quickly, as if we are being watched and grabs my arm. Her soft fingers wrap around my bicep, sending a wave of warmth through me. I look up to see her eyes are closed tight in concentration for a moment, and we stay that way for a few seconds before they spring back open. Her eyes are like liquid metal as they swirl with magic, suddenly, she blinks, and her eyes go back to their normal shade of gray.

“I’m sorry, I am not sure how much you know about Witches like me, but I don’t always have control over my sight. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I was cast out,” she says as her hand drops down to her side and she takes a step away from me. I want to ask her more, but she starts walking again.

“What did you see?” I ask her as she picks up her pace, I notice she’s looking around once more. I start to look around as well as we head further and further away from the campus.

“I arrived here at the beginning of term. Like you, I wasn’t the usual candidate for a spot at HellNight. Headmistress Larrieux came to see the High Priestess about me, and I was allowed to leave and come here to attend the Academy. I’ve been here for three months, Micah, and the things I’ve seen.” She stops and pulls at the ends of her hair, she seems nervous, afraid even. Then I think back to what she said earlier about the dorms being guarded at night. I remember the Headmistress mentioning me being caught unaware and how I didn’t want to face the night alone.

“Esme, why do the dorms need to be guarded at night?” I ask, but she doesn’t answer me, so I continue. “I mean, even the Headmistress warned me about arriving at night. So, what am I missing here?” I stare at her, noting the strain around her eyes, her lips are in a thin line, and there’s a slight hint of perspiration on her brow, as if she is fighting something. It suddenly dawns on me then that she wants to tell me, but she can’t.

“You can’t tell me, can you?” She shakes her head and blows out a breath. Her shoulders relax and she looks up at me.

“Once you make it through the first night, all will be revealed.” She wraps her arms around herself. I want to reach out and comfort her. But I resist. We don’t know each other, and after all the revelations of today, I need to shut down my emotions and think like a soldier. My father’s words echo through my mind like the crack of a whip. ‘Never let your guard down, Micah. Giving into your emotions can get you killed.’I sigh, cracking my knuckles with the urge to punch something as I continue to follow her. What the actual fuck is going on with this place? And is that the reason why there aren’t that many students wandering around? I look around me, and it seems that the only person we came across is scurrying along with a fire lit under their ass disappearing into buildings like their life depends on it. Maybe it does. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

“Let’s just say that there is a reason why the Academy is called HellNight.” Esme’s words are like a whisper on the wind, but I hear her loud and clear. I was just about to ask her what she means but my mouth falls open as we approach what looks like a neighborhood in the middle of the campus. Set against the woods, three rows deep, and shaped like a square are what looks like shotgun houses all lined up along the pavement facing in on each other. I remember reading once that they were called that because all the rooms were connected without hallways. I guess it is perfect for an individual’s dwelling. I mean, it is said that if you shot a bullet through the front door, it would pass straight through the backdoor. Well, I definitely don’t want to test that theory, but it was an interesting fact none the less.

“Welcome to the Quads, technically the Quadrangle, but nobody calls it that,” Esme said, as if she was presenting me with a million-dollar prize, but when I look at her face it is far from excited. “All the stronger Witches, Shifters, and even some Vampires live within these houses. These are the people you need to be wary of, Micah. These are—” She pauses, trying to get her words out, but growls in frustration because it’s obvious to me what she was about to say is something she can’t share right now. Of course, that only makes me anxious.

“So, they’ve put me in the lion’s den then?” I ask, trying not to sigh in despair. I am having so many mixed emotions I am feeling a bit crazy.

“Yes, they have, and all the lions know that there is fresh meat amongst them. They will all be gunning for you. I am sure you are more than capable of taking care of yourself, and if my visions are correct, you will survive the night.” She sighs, and I blow out a breath as well. “I don’t know what this is between you and I.” She places her hand on her chest, and I swear I could feel the warmth of her touch for a brief moment. “We don’t bond in my coven, it’s forbidden, we give ourselves to the land, to the mountains around us in sacrifice.” She looks down, and her hand falls away, leaving me hollow.

“Hey, I was destined for an arranged marriage, so I know nothing about fated or soul mates, bonds or Soul Tethers. I guess we can figure it out together. Well, you and me, and Ty and Trys.” I try to make it humorous and fall short as I fumble with my words, my nerves are getting the better of me.

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