The Silverstone Academy

Chapter 1

Chapters 1, 2 & 3 uploaded on Patreon for paying readers. 

Located in the majestic Swiss Alps' foothills, the Silverstone Academy was an erstwhile castle converted into a premier education institute in the early 20th century. Owned by an aristocrat named Henry Dumont, belonging to the French Royal family, he had readily submitted the Castle for educational purposes, retiring to his ski lodge. Ever since, it had housed the children of the elite, aged fourteen to eighteen, in its sprawling premises.

Zoe got out of the sleek black car, whose name she'd already forgotten. Despite the relatively cooler climate, her thighs were slick with sweat; the wet imprints on the leather inside were proof. She breathed in through her nose, willing to calm down and bunched her jeans within her clammy palms. The imposing iron gate in front of her did little to detangle her knotted nerves, and she almost got back inside the car.

"You are not doing anything of that sort, young lady,"

Zoe cursed under her breath and turned around to find the middle-aged driver, Lancelot, staring with narrowed eyes. Hands respectfully behind his back, but the pursed lips didn't convince her. The first days to school sucked, she thought she was done with those last year, but life wasn't as predictable she felt it to be. Another car stopped behind, and her newly discovered half-siblings stepped out. Each tall and crafted by the gods themselves. Markus, Claire and Daphne Huntington, children of Emmanuel and Kelly Huntington. Claire and Markus gave her half-smiles, courteous but not warm, while Daphne didn't even bother to look at her.

"We are late," Daphne muttered, "I am never late."

"Calm down," Markus whispered.

"It could've been avoided," Daphne shot back, turning a burning gaze towards Zoe. Zoe gulped and looked away; indeed, they were late because of her. Her palpable anxiety as she tried to breathe through her nose in the private jet's bathroom, one which her father had sent for his children, had taken quite a bit of time. If Lancelot hadn't knocked on the door, she'd be on the same flight back home.

Not a bad idea.

Zoe never knew that she was spawned by Emmanuel Huntington himself; he was American royalty; a family with money since seven generations ago. This summer, when her beautiful Mother had passed away, she had only left a mobile number behind, belonging to Emmanuel Huntington himself. That one phone call changed her life. The Father figure whom she had thought to be dead was, in fact, alive and well. It wasn't the happiest of the meetings. They were both vary of each other, and Zoe felt the resentment building inside her.

Zoe knew her siblings were at most tolerant of her. Her entrance into their lives was a storm that disrupted everything. Their summer plans were ruined, and so had their idea of a perfect family. Whenever she passed by them, she could feel the simmering rage, especially in Daphne. Youngest amongst the tripling, she was the apple of Emmanuel's eye with her perfect strawberry blonde curls and bright blue eyes and an attractive model-like figure.

"Your Father will be down next week; he is apologetic to have not dropped the three... I mean the four of you himself. Mrs Huntington should be accompanying as well," Lancelot said.

Zoe had almost flinched at Lancelot's slip, and Markus narrowed his eyes at their driver. Eldest of the four, not by much, but he still acted in control.

"Let's go," Markus said, "Clair and Daphne, the two of you can go to your dormitories, and I will accompany Zoe to the Headmaster's office."

Clair shrugged and walked into the school premises, and Daphne followed her sister with a huff. Markus laid his eyes on Zoe and motioned for her to follow him. Zoe turned to Lancelot, waving him goodbye shyly. The driver gave her a polite smile, sat in his car and drove away. Zoe already missed him, throughout the way he had spoken to her politely and had encouraged her to embrace the legendary and enchanting Silverstone Academy with open arms. She didn't say much, just contemplating upon the next three years of her life. Zoe hadn't said a lot of things since her Mother's death. Keeping to herself in a quiet room, mind reeling from all the things that had happened to her.