Alpha Academy: Misfit's Rise

Chapter Seven: The Realm

I pressed my face to the window again. Mr. Gavon chuckled and waved his hand, and then the carrier lurched forward, throwing me back against my seat. I glared at him as I rubbed my bruised shoulder. A little warning would have been nice.

Finally, the carrier slowed down and I could see the Realm. Mrs. Leto said the Realm was the most beautiful place in the world, like one great, gleaming diamond. She was wrong, because diamonds exist on Earth, and Earth had nothing like this. I'd always pictured it as some huge, underground cavern— probably because they always told us the Realm was like an underworld—but the sky above me was brilliant and endless. The trees looked real enough, but they were impossibly vibrant. I could see a dozen different shades of green in one tiny leaf.

Mr. Gavon chuckled again, and I braced myself, but all he did was roll down the window. A gentle breeze carried the warm aroma of wildflowers. There were birds singing, even though we'd landed inside the city. It was like a dream.

The city itself was a sight to behold. The buildings were made entirely of crystal-like material in every color and shape imaginable. They glistened in the light of the Realm's huge, pure white sun. It was brighter than the Earth's sun, but somehow, it didn't hurt to look at it. I couldn't tear my eyes away as I reached my hands up, trying to touch it.

"Try not to stare too long," Mr. Gavon said to my right. "Otherwise, you'll never be able to stop."

I blushed, and he smiled. He seemed to find my amazement amusing, but right now I couldn't care less. I did take his advice and tried to take in the city as we whizzed past. There was so much to see though.

At a clothing shop called Aphrodite's Closet, a huge, pink dress in the display window flashed different colors. A tarot card shop had a line leading around the block. Several giant, smoking cauldrons perched in front of a shop called Witch's Brew. The smoke filled my lungs, but it didn't burn. It was sweet and fresh, like wildflowers. Now I knew where the smell was coming from.

As we rounded another corner, I heard the distinct pulsating beat of cranked up music. Even though we were up in the sky, it rocked our ship a little bit. And sure enough, ahead was a flashing building decorated in ornate red and gold. Jade Empire was written in fancy gold letters on the roof, and from the sound of things, a crowd was already inside. I guess they didn't worry about partying too early in the Realm.

My view was suddenly obliterated as a Faerie flew in front of me. She touched down not far away, giving me a perfect view of her wings—swirling lines of green and pink so light they almost seemed to glow. The pattern extended to her clothing and even up to her face, making her look like a glowing green and pink entity.

I'd seen Fae before, obviously, and technically I was one, at least in part, but my breath still caught a little at the sight of someone so beautiful.

The Faerie disappeared inside a building, while a man with whiskers took her place. Standing next to him was a woman with spines going down her back. They must be Witches. Witches always had some sort of "natural" mark. It symbolized their connection to the Earth, or something.

I glanced back at my mother. Was this why she wanted to come? To see this place again? It had been her home once, after all. She'd never spoke of her life here, never once told me how magnificent it was. How could she have kept that from me? And how could she have left this behind for the Rustlands?

Judging by her face though, she wasn't happy to be back. She was pale, almost deathly so, like she had just heard some terrible news. She looked so uncomfortable, you would think the chair was made of knives. She caught me staring at her and quickly looked away.

Sighing, I went back to people-watching. I could pick out Fae and Witches easily enough, but the Wizards and Warlocks were harder. I'd heard there was one more species, but I couldn't remember what it was.

I started to ask Mom, but the question died on my lips at the look on her face. Did she really hate it here that much?

She avoided my gaze as she glanced at Ms. Waverunner. "Aren't you taking her to the UEA?"

"We moved to the other side of town," Ms. Waverunner replied lazily, like Mom's question bored her. She still gave her a leering smile as she said, "A lot has changed since you've been here."

Mom didn't reply, but rather gazed out the windows I was so mesmerized by seconds earlier. Her face was nothing like mine though. It was dark and unreadable.

"Not as much as you might think," Mom said quietly.

Ms. Waverunner pursed her lips, but didn't say anything. I glanced between the two of them, hoping they would elaborate on their annoyingly vague statements, but I might as well be staring between two stones.

"We're here," Ms. Waverunner said as we stopped in front of a large, dark building. I probably should have noticed it earlier, considering how much its black exterior stood out against the brightly-colored buildings around it, but I was distracted by trying to suss out the relationship between my mother and Ms. Waverunner. Not that I was making any progress.

With a sigh, I followed Ms. Waverunner and Mr. Gavon out of the carrier. Printed in gold letters on the building in front of us were the words, "UNION ENFORCEMENT AGENCY" or the UEA, I presumed.

Just like that, the nervous energy inside me rushed back. I'd been so focused on the beauty of the Realm, I'd completely forgotten why we'd come here in the first place.

Thank goodness I had this dark, looming building with two bulky security guards dressed in all black to remind me.

"Hurry, Billie, we're on a tight schedule," Ms. Waverunner said as she waltzed toward the building.

I would if I could, but my legs had suddenly decided they didn't want to move, and I wasn't feeling all that motivated to make them move again.

Someone placed their hands on my back and gently nudged me forward. My mother. Somehow, with her walking beside me I managed to stumble forward, although I was pretty sure my legs were shaking. That was a confidence-booster. Also, I was starting to feel clammy, my skin cool and sweaty. Great, I might throw up during my test. That would leave a great impression.

There was no more time to think about it though, because Ms. Waverunner was ready to go the moment we stepped inside.

"You can wait there," Ms. Waverunner said to my mom, indicating to some chairs in the far corner of the UEA's giant lobby.

But Mom moved closer to me. "I'm staying with my daughter."

Ms. Waverunner only smiled. "I'm afraid I can't permit that. It would be against regulation."

Mom stiffened, but then let slip a smile of her own. "Heaven forbid you break one, tiny regulation."

Ms. Waverunner's eyes flashed. Guess Mom had struck a nerve. I'd be proud if I wasn't feeling so uncomfortable. Plus, making a scene wasn't going to reflect well on me. The idea of going without her was terrifying though.

"Let her come," Mr. Gavon said, striding forward without giving Ms. Waverunner a chance to respond.

The look on Ms. Waverunner's face after being overruled was almost enough to quench my anxiety.

Almost.

They led us through a maze of hallways before finally stopping in front of a small, black door.

"I'm afraid this is as far as you're allowed to go," Ms. Waverunner said to Mom, before turning to glare at Mr. Gavon, as though daring him to contradict her again.

Unfortunately, he didn't.

Mom didn't miss another opportunity to glare at Ms. Waverunner. My curiosity about their relationship was killing me, but I had more important things to worry about. Like what lay behind this door.

When I didn't move, Ms. Waverunner pushed me forward. She was not rough, but I stumbled anyway. My eyes immediately darted back to Mom. She didn't say anything, but there was something in her eyes, a silent plea to remember what she'd told me. Then the door slammed shut behind me.