Page 6 of Unshaken

“I think you already know the answer to that,”the key says out of nowhere, startling me once more. This is definitely going to take some getting used to. The voice is masculine, deep, and not actually bad to listen to. Curiosity gets the better of me and I decide to try and talk to him inside my head.

“Do you have a name?”I ask him.

“Not anymore,”he responds.

“So, you used to be a person?”I ask quickly.

“Yes,”he replies back with a bit of a chuckle as I gasp in shock. How is that even possible if I made him from my blood.

As if reading my thoughts, he responds.“Every Anchor key is unique depending on the strength of its maker. Some Witches are so powerful that willing souls are attached to the keys, offering the wearer guidance as well as the normal boosting of powers that a regular Anchor key provides. You, Micah Jones, are an extremely powerful Witch, and it would have been a waste of your talent to let the Angels have you.”I don’t know what to say to any of that. All I know is that I am wearing a soul around my neck. Unbelievable.

“So, not all Anchor keys talk?”I ask him after a few moments.

“No. It will be wise that you keep this to yourself. You are rare, Micah. You will make many enemies if people know your truth. Especially at HellNight,”he replies, his tone deadly serious. He knows so much. How did he get to know so much? What is he not telling me?

“What is my truth?”I ask him as I finally pick myself up off the floor, shoving the offending pouffe out of my way.

“Oh, Micah, that is not for me to reveal but for you to find out. I will be with you every step of the way. So, I advise you to start packing because you are wasting time,”he says, and I can almost hear the echoing of clapping hands hurrying me along.

“Rook,”he says after I have pulled out one large suitcase and a backpack.That’s all I will need,I think to myself as I begin to pull out my favorite clothes. I will need to travel light. I don’t know when the next time I’ll be able to come home. If I am even welcome after what I am about to pull.

“Rook?”I stop my progress and ask.

“Call me Rook.”He seems sure, as if he actually went away and thought about it for a moment. I shake my head, reminding myself that this is just a key.

“It’s nice to meet you, Rook.”I smile and relax for the first time since I walked into my room. This is happening. Only up from here on out, right?

Four

MICAH

Ihaven’t slept. I stayed awake for the remainder of the night and packed my bag. It was the least I could do. When my parents realize I’ve left, they will be furious. I’d rather go without than make things worse, especially after the confrontation. The bitterness from it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I am an adult, and more than capable of making my own decisions.

Rook stayed quiet for the rest of the night, and I haven’t spoken to the key around my neck since he decided on his name. I still feel weird about having him in my head, so I made sure to keep the key between an extra layer of clothes unless I need him. Also, it didn’t help that I feel there is more to this than just a soul willingly helping me because it was his duty or whatever. There is aways a catch. No one does anything without intent.

Even with my trepidation about my journey ahead, there is a part of me that feels relieved, excited at beginning something new. I have been wrapped up in Light Guardian training for the past three years, and it has consumed my life for too long. I want this. No, I need this. I’ve had all night to think through the letter the Headmistress sent along with my admission box. Although I have some reservations about some of the things mentioned, it isn’t enough to make me stay here. I don’t know what she meant about my first night and being caught unaware. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I know going into this that HellNight Academy isn’t going to be easy, but I’m not a naïve child barely coming into my magic. I am a fighter, and I am more than proficient with my power. I am ready for whatever this school is going to throw at me. Or at least, I will fake that shit until I make it.

I shower and dress, making sure I make as little noise as possible. I stand in front of the mirror, assessing my appearance: jeans, a black band t-shirt, and of course my favorite knee-high calf length biker boots. I never leave the house without them. You never know when you will need to kick some teeth in, so I’m always prepared.

I tug on my long braids; they’re pulled into a high ponytail, yet they cascade around my shoulders. I am as presentable as I am going to be. My mother, if she saw me would tsk, disapproval written all over her face. I quirk my lips and shrug at my reflection. I’m not a dress and skirt kind of girl. My father made damn sure of that. “You never know when a fight will find you, Micah. Always be ready,”he would tell me. Taking one final look at myself, I ease my suitcase outside of my childhood bedroom and close the door with a soft click. I don’t even spare it a second glance. I’ve stared at those walls long enough to never forget them. This isn’t going to be forever though, right?

I think I held my breath until I reached the front door and opened it, reeling back in surprise at the sight of my brother. Marcus is leaning against the column with a solemn look on his face. I clutch my chest in shock and close the door softly behind me.

“Marcus!” I whisper shout. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I incline my head. “What are you doing out here?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Oh, you know, waiting to see if my sister is going to up and leave without telling me goodbye.” He shrugs as his frown deepens, crossing his arms over his chest. “You know I can read you like a book. As soon as you dismissed yourself without brooking another argument, I knew you had already made up your mind.” He smirks.

“When you didn’t come and check on me, I thought you had made yours up as well.” I shrug back. Glancing over my shoulder I expect our father to open the door and catch us out here at any moment. “And this isn’t goodbye, you silly Panda.” He cringes at his long-lost pet name, and I can’t help but chuckle.

“You know I want the best for you, right?” I can hear his sincerity and I know he means it. Marcus has always had my back, no matter what. “If HellNight is where you are supposed to be then who are Mom and Dad to stand in the way? Besides, I agree with you. If Caelum wanted you, you would be there by now. I don’t know why you aren’t. Who am I to question the Angels? You would have outshined Mom in a heartbeat. All I know is that they have lost their best potential asset. So, you know what, fuck them.” I open my mouth in shock for a second. Letting my brother’s words heal the gaping wound that the Angel’s rejection has caused.

“You’re right, fuck them. I know my worth.” I smile, shouldering my backpack and grabbing my luggage I step off the porch and head towards our garage.

“So where is this place? I heard the location is a secret only given to their students.” I nod my head in agreement. He is right. The location is secret. I have the address already programmed in my phone, and honestly, I wasn’t sure I will make it on time.

“According to my admission box, it’s down south. Louisiana to be exact,” I say over my shoulder as I reach in my pocket for my car keys.

“Will you be able to keep your car?” he asked

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