Opposites: The Staff of Light [Book One]

17. Secrets

Annabeth

"So, sir, what would she be having in store for me?" I asked. I hadn't realized that the man's name was Frankenstein, but he preferred being called Frank, as of I've been introduced to. We've been walking through the lobby for a few minutes until I've finally stopped by the office. "Would that be something bad, perhaps?"

The professor only laughed, just the same way he did when I guessed his real name. "Oh, you are indeed so bright, Annabeth," he smirked at me, as if we were old friends. I made a gulping sound. "Don't worry. I wouldn't know, but I think a girl as intelligent as a lass like you can get yourself into your own trouble, and indeed, you can get yourself out." The door opened when my heart stopped beating. Great, that was all I needed, a door that opened with magic. I hope sarcasm existed in there. "She's ready for you. Just meet your cabin mates at your base, okay, Annabeth?"

I gave a quick nod before a force pulled me into the room and shut the door behind me. I sat on a chair opposite the head mistress. She had a smile forming on her lips. Her deep-belled sleeves of her green medieval dress fell back to her elbows. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. "Ah, Miss Candum," she said, making a gesture in the air, like she was moving something invisibly with her hands. As I expected, something magical happened again. "May I interest you with a cup of jasmine tea?"

I waved her offer away as soon as I found a teacup with blue Indian designs painted on the surface levitating in the air, making its way towards me. "I'm afraid not, Miss Demetria," I answered politely. I shot her an uneasy glare that said: What are you playing at? Of course, that would be rude if I told her that. She returned the glare. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

A voice answered in my head: Oh, yes, Annabeth. This is indeed a good idea. And plus, this is very safe.

"I apologize for rudeness, Miss Demetria," I thought. I swore she heard me. I wish I considered her powers before I even dared to snarl at her.

Okay, so, exactly, I'm afraid you'll have to lose a cabin mate tonight. I gasped. Oh, don't worry. He'll be safe. He won't die. I was just giving a warning.

"Why do you do this? I wish you haven't told me that."

It's not just you. I'll be informing the rest of the cabin heads, on how many people they shall be losing tonight. There may be circumstances that you will lose.

"Well, wow, that helped."

Miss Demetria chuckled aloud. "Now, run along, dear." I was about to walk towards the door until she made another force to make me come back. I wondered if that was the same way she did with the teacup earlier. "You have a question about the voice in your head? Don't worry, he's a friend."

* * *

"Annabeth," Colton trudged to me. He handed me a black tunic and denim jeans. I unfolded one portion of the pants and found biker-styled leather fingerless gloves with these metal spikes sprouting out of the knuckles. The suit would be perfect for a Goth initiation, not a Camp Haven-styled one. "How did the talk go?"