THE PROPHECY, zodiac academy

003.

CHAPTER THREE
( ASTRID )

She followed the crowd of fire elementals away from the Orb and down the path which led to the south of the building before dropping down a steep hill.

Pillars of stone sat either side of the path every few meters with flames burning in plinths on top of them. As the older students began to pass them, the flames took the forms of various creatures and her lips parted as she stared at horses, wolves, birds and men built out of nothing but flame.

The power roiling with in her responded to the fire and each flare of magic which shaped it.

Sophia slipped through the crowd until she was walking at Astrid's side, offering a friendly smile.
"Well you certainly know how to make an entrance," Sofia said, the corner of her mouth hooking up in amusement.

"I either can't keep my mouth shut or I'm as quiet as a mouse," Astrid admitted, thinking to herself. "When it comes to my sisters though," she trailed off and Sophia nodded, getting what she meant.

When it came to her sister's, she'd go to hell and back defending them, sticking by their sides.

"Well I wish my balls were big enough to allow me to stand against the Heirs like you did and come out unscathed," Sofia said appreciatively. "Not that I have any reason to stand against them or any intention to find one."

"I wouldn't say we came out unscathed," Astrid muttered, thinking back to Tory being bitten by Caleb. Guilt consumed her as she realized Tory had chosen the house he was the captain of.
Because she chose fire and Tory wouldn't have ever chosen water. Both of them tended to avoid it; for different reasons.

"I'm guessing you guys didn't know he was of the vampire order?" Sophia inquired knowingly.

Astrid gaped at her. Of course in this crazy ass place vampires were a thing. Astrid shook her head. "She's not gonna sprout fangs, is she?"

Sophia laughed in surprise, "You really don't know anything about our world do you? All of your ideas about us come right out of a mortal fairytale!"

"So she's not?" Astrid needed her to clarify.

"Nope. Vampires are just an Order of Fae. Each Order replenishes their own magic in different ways. The Vampires can't create their own so they have to take it from others by overpowering them. As freshmen we're all going to come under a lot of fire from them - we can't defend ourselves with our magic yet and trying to overpower them physically is crazy difficult. With your magic being as potent as it is you'll probably find that you get a lot of attention from the vamps while they're able to overpower you so you might wanna get used to it."

"Great," Astrid dryly replied, dread filling her.
"I've always wanted to be a blood bag."

Sophia cracked a smile at her sarcasm.she confirmed Tory wouldn't sprout fangs and told her more about how Caleb might keep her as 'his source' 

Soon the crowd of students halted and Astrid  could see the view of building, although that term really didn't measure up.

An arching doorway was cut into what looked like a hulking rock but the clouds had drawn in over the stars and  she couldn't see anything outside of the huge fire which blazed above the opening.