Page 19 of Fortune Academy: Year One
The voice belonged to the dark mage Hendrik and he was nothing at all what I’d expected. He was absolutely stunning and my spine straightened under the scrutiny of his eerie gaze. Like the other dark mages in his group, I couldn’t see any color in his eyes, just an onyx-blackness that drew me in. Thick, sleek strands of midnight hair were cut short and practical, leaving the hard lines of his jaw and collarbone on full display.
“Good things, I hope,” I finally answered, swallowing.
The dark mage swept his gaze over me again and I wondered if he could recognize me from whatever vision he’d had. If I became his ally, maybe I could hear more about it, assuming he hadn’t already figured out who I was. I wanted to know what it was that he saw. Whatever was in that vision had been powerful enough to drive Dante to track me down and make me a member of Fortune Academy. Curiosity swelled in my chest and I decided that maybe allying myself with Logan and his friends would benefit me.
There were two other groups for me to consider, however. Hendrik’s group of dark mages were intimidating enough, but beside them stood what I guessed was Logan’s wolf pack. They adopted Logan’s penchant for barely being dressed and looked like they’d tossed on whatever uniform scraps they could find before walking into orientation.
Logan caught me staring at the group of muscled males and females that eyed me with reservation. “My pack stashes clothes all over campus. We’re allowed to run naked except when in class.”
I gave him a raised brow. “That’s, uh, interesting,” I said, not sure how to respond to that. The campus apparently had a clothing-optional policy except for when the professors had to deal with the wolves.
Glancing past the pack and to the final group, I wasn’t sure what kind of supernaturals these were. Where everyone in Fortune Academy was gorgeous, these four individuals took the cake. A female crossed her arms, staring me down. Her hair ran over her shoulders in braids and her stance put a strain on her tight-fitting uniform that left little to the imagination. “Hey. I’m Ally, Daughter of Athena,” she said.
I glanced back at Logan for confirmation. Leaning in, I lowered my voice. “As in... theAthena?”
Logan opened his mouth to reply, but another one of the stunning group members stepped in front of Ally. “I’m Trevor, Son of Poseidon,” said a male with a stunning smile and ocean-glass eyes. He wiggled his fingers at me and droplets of water danced in the air, proving that the Greek Gods they were naming were their parents.
“I’m Zero, Son of Zeus,” said a stunning and lean male who looked bored with this entire event.
Finally, the most eye-catching of the group introduced himself. “Orion,” he said with a smirk. “Not sure who my father was. Probably Zeus, maybe Artemis.” He shrugged. “Makes my title a little less catchy. Both my parents were such players that I never know how to introduce myself.” When I blinked at him, he added, “the Demis get to keep some of our memories, so we know some of who we are and where we came from,” he explained.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. So, I wasn’t a demi-goddess or else I would have some memory of my past. That was a bummer.
I had to take a moment to really appreciate Orion. Like his namesake, he seemed to glow from within and his eyes gleamed with golden specks matching freckles that dotted over his nose, down his arms, and I could even spot a few shining through his thin pants uniform, which I suppose was where he got his name. He looked like a constellation come to life.
Logan laughed and clapped Orion on the back. “Way to break the ice, man, but don’t forget, your player ways are off-limits. I’m courting Lily here.”
I choked. He really got to the point, didn’t he?
“She doesn’t want a wolf, bro,” Orion said, flashing me a panty-melting grin. “I think she should get to choose her alliances and who she jumps around in the sheets with, what do you say sweetheart?”
“Oh look,” Melinda drawled, coming up to us and ruining my mood, “the hoe of our house has found more men to play with.” Two of her posse girls sidled up behind her and gave me dagger glares.
“What do you want, Melinda?” Logan asked, sounding bored. “I’m courting Lily here, so if you have something to say about her, you’ll say it in front of the group.”
Melinda grinned as if she had dirt on me that would destroy my reputation before I even had a chance to build one. “She’s already shacking up with a bounty hunter. Saw him go into her room just last night.” She tossed a lock of glossy hair over her shoulder as she settled a smug look on her face. “Didn’t think wolves liked to share, but that’s your call, I suppose.”
Logan frowned, but didn’t say anything. He’d been in my bedroom all night and he knew that I hadn’t slept with Dante, but to my relief, he didn’t say anything.
“It’s time to begin!” Gwen said with excitement bubbling in her voice that magically carried to every student in the orientation hall.
Groups began forming neat lines to the stage to go up to the fountain that Gwen had materialized. I watched to see the first group go and was relieved that there were no daggers involved. My dark secret would be kept for a little while longer yet.
What did unnerve me though was how each student reacted as they leaned over the edge of the fountain and peered into the waters. Gwen and Merlin monitored each one, documenting whatever they saw and then announcing it to the rest of the group.
“Shifter!” Merlin bellowed when one sheepish girl leaned away from the fountain, her face ashen with whatever she’d seen. In that instant her eyes flashed and sliced into the shape of a cat’s. She winced and patted at her face, but her friends nudged her aside.
Logan drew in a hiss. “Oh man, a cat. I feel sorry for the newbies stuck with that crowd.”
I rolled my eyes. “Weren’t you one of the bullies chasing a poor cat around campus today?”
He chuckled. “Hey, it’s just the natural order of things, babe. Dogs chase cats, right?”
I shrugged. “I’ve seen cats chase dogs before. You’d better watch who you pick on.”
He gave me a toothy grin full of fang and danger and eased closer to me. His sweet musk swept over me and I tried not to respond to it as my nostrils flared. “I’ll be sure to be careful,” he promised. “I would never judge a supernatural by her appearance.” His gaze raked over me. “No matter how delicious her appearance might be.”
The various groups took their turns at the basin. Melinda already knew what she was and had solidified her alliances with a bunch of wanna-be girls, but she took her turn with giddy delight as if she had no idea what the fountain would show her. She leaned over the edge and peered in, gasping and giggling when it was over and Merlin announced her as a Muse.
