Page 36 of The Song of Sunrise
“I’ll swing by and get Leaf,” Castor says.
We walk up the hatch, across the grass, and into the castle. Once inside, Castor splits off to find Leaf.
Ramona looks at me expectantly.
“Don’t.”
She just laughs and laughs.
Then I laugh too.
13
Elementation
The corridors are packed with cadets eager to get to their next class as Ramona and I work our way toward the west tower to Elementation with Professor Gregorio.
“Part of me knew I would always be a Sun’cher like the rest of my family, but a small part was holding out to be a Moon’cher just to piss them off,” Ramona says as she taps her newly adorned golden Sun’cher patch on her shoulder that she just received in Introduction to Talent class this morning. With Ramona finally placed, all first year students are now officially sorted to their assigned faction.
“Well, at least you get to train with me and Leaf!”
Her cheeks blush ever so slightly at the mention of Leaf's name, but I decide not to push. Leaf had impressed all of the first years with his accurate archery and saber skills. He was equally as lethal, and shirtless, as Castor while practicing.
Shit, now my cheeks are heating too.
We walk into another one of the levitating glass lifts run by source magic. It’s incredible the different uses magic can have. Ramona presses the polished black stone with the number ten engraved and practically bounces with excitement.
“Hold the door!” Selene comes rushing toward the doorway, her dark curls wild. “Elementation?” she asks in a huff as she tries to catch her breath.
Ramona, for once, seems at a loss for words.
I jump in, “Yes. Come in.”
“Thanks. Ran straight from my library shift,” she adds more to herself than to us. She hastily runs her fingers through her hair and slings a large book bag over her shoulders. “Clarance is a long time friend of my father. He would definitely pass along if hisperfectly studiousalmost-daughter missed a class.” Her voice drips with sarcasm.
“Clarance?"
“Professor Gregorio,” Ramona and Selene answer in unison.
My eyes darts between them. The level of awkwardness exuding from Ramona starts to become unbearable just as the door opens and an ethereal voice announces,Level Ten - Elementation and General Classrooms.
Ramona grabs my hand and rushes out toward an alcove. I hiss from the sudden jerk of movement.
“Well… Are you going to tell me why you are being so weird?” I ask.
Ramona tucks a strand of hair behind her ears and looks out the large windows that overlook the surrounding small mountains and forest.
“Fine,” she relents. “It’ll get out soon anyways. Selene and I hooked up. We were together this summer, but she decided to call it quits before classes started.”
Oh, that’s interesting. Selene and Ramona are both from legacy families. Maybe they grew up together and have a history of friendship.
“Sheisbeautiful,” I say, looking at Selene. She is smiling and chatting with another cadet I cannot see from this angle. Her dark skin gleams like moonlight. Her hair effortlessly curls down her back in soft ringlets.
“Akemi. Not helping,” Ramona grits through her teeth.
I laugh, this time grabbing her arm and leading us back into the classroom. We sit near the back.
Professor Gregorio sprints into the room, his long Watcher blue robes fluttering wildly behind him. His mousey brown hair in disarray, blood drops from his bulbous nose and from the corners of his mouth down his long, rust-colored beard. He falls to his knees. Selene rushes to help.
