Of Life and Death: [A Dark Academia Paranormal Romance]

Chapter 10

A bird-like woman who I'm assuming is the Headmistress comes into my line of vision with a smile. "No, no." She chuckles. "Adrien is a polymorph. He is a familiar face with which people can identify with." My mum--Adrien--waves, briefly shifting back to his original form. The Headmistress looks at me expectantly, as if waiting for something. Excitement maybe.

I paste on a smile. "That's wonderful."

That's different levels of creepy.

Perhaps she senses the lie because soon after she signals the polymorph out of the room. "Okay, let's get started. Please have a seat."

I lower myself into the plush leather chair. She follows suit, a gracefulness to her movements. Her blood-red lipstick is stark against her pale face, her brown hair in child-like ringlets around her face. "I am aware of the circumstances that have led to your enrollment here." I tense, but then she says, "I understand your safety was greatly compromised."

Even as she says that, there's a crude intelligence behind her eyes that tells me she knows more than she lets on.

"Yes," I say. "It... it was."

A warm smile. "The gates of Elmore academy will forever be open to provide a safe haven to those who need it, whether or not they conform to society's standards of what a person should be, can be. The world may try to dehumanize you but here, in difference we still see existence. You are who you are and we are here to help you realize that."

Her words sink in and I feel it. A chasm breaking open.

Before coming here, I had a clear plan of how life here would look like. Me winging it through my last year with a detachment that ensured everyone would be kept at arm's length, in total darkness. I didn't expect to be blasted with an overhead spotlight, bringing me out of those shadows.

A lump wedges itself into the back of my throat and my lips part, but no words are forthcoming.

The corners of her eyes crinkle in a vaguely sad smile. "I know Elmore academy has a bad reputation, a lot of people would argue that this is a dangerous place. And that's because they think we're something to be feared. Something... wrong. But you're not wrong, Emma." She smiles a soft smile. "You're just different and that's all right.

I nod, blinking back an increasing burn. "Thank you."

A nod. "I want to apologize for the lack of a welcoming party, I'm afraid you caught us in the thick of our academics but I'll assign you a personal guide. They'll help you settle in." She sizes me up with a thoughtful look. "As for the matter of your House..." She tilts her head. "Perhaps Elmloch."

"Elmloch?"

"Yes. Students are assigned Houses based on certain characteristics. Elmloch is particularly gifted with runners and volleyball players as they're tall and lithe--I assume you're a gazelle, or some other Bovidae? Anyhow, the students who go to Veloria are mostly aerial shifters, sharp and quick, with the right measure of wit and alacrity that allow them excell in mental aptitudes.

"Malkar and Vargoth are mainly for fighters, shifters with extraordinary strength and speed. Although, it is not uncommon for mix-ups to occur, it's not advised as we try not to equip a House with every species and as such, grant them invincibility in sports. We take our sports really seriously, you see."

I nod.

"That being said, I think Elmloch is a right bet. In your records--oh!" she exclaims, rifling through the papers spread before her. She looks up at me. "Your records don't state what species you are."

A spike of anxiety. It diminishes when she suggests, "Not to worry, the general clinic will have that under hand. Once you're tested, your file will be logged into one of our archives." She waves an arm behind and my eyes take in the large room on the other end of the panaroma glass. Hollow compartments span the length of the stretching walls, filled to the top with bulky folders.

My stomach clenches with equal measures of dread and anticipation. I want to know what I am, but I'm not sure I'm prepared for the weight of that revelation.

"Okay," I say.

"Good. So, Elmloch Hous--"

"Wait," I interject. "But you don't...we don't know what I am yet."

She waves. "I'm rarely wrong about these things. Besides, you need somewhere to stay until the school makes provisions for another testing. The students of House Elmloch are... Welcoming."

Alarm bells ring.

That pause...

Just as she puts her pen to paper and begins to seal my fate, I blurt again, "Wait."

She looks up.

"Um. I have a cousin?"

The question hangs in the air. Her gaze turns doubtful.

Never said I've been good at lying.

I clear my throat. "Sofia Alwell." When Mrs Alba continues to stare, I add awkwardly, "She goes here."

"I know who that is. Daughter of Mr Juan Alwell. House Veloria."

"Yeah." I nod. "That's her."

"I really do think Elmloch would be a good fit for you."

"I know. It's just... After the scare at my former school, I'd rather prefer to stay among family."

Understanding lits her gaze and my chest tightens at lying to her.

"That's alright. I believe we can make an exception for you. However, only for so long. Once your species is determined, we'll make appropriate adjustments."

"Okay. That's fine. How soon can I be tested?"

"You'll hear from the clinic as soon as that is. I expect before the week is over."

"Okay." I stand.

"Here's a map to help you navigate your way around. You'll go to Veloria and settle in now. Your class schedule will be emailed to you later."

"Thank you," I say, retrieving the map.

She nods, going back to her books while I head out. I wheel my box through the admin, going out through the huge archway across the hall. My eyes bounce around the open gardens. Students in grey and white shoot glances at me and they're not subtle about it. I try not to let my confusion show. Where the f*ck are you, cousin?

On I go. Each squeak of my wheels seem to scream Newbie!

Walking through the peristyle-like veranda, I take in moss covered walls, bubbling fountains and gothic statues. I find myself stepping into a connecting corridor.

Candles flicker on black candlelabras, paving a narrow path. A chill slides down my spine. I don't know how long I walk for but I halt when I come across a grand hall. I haven't spotted a single soul since. I do a slow spin. Is this some kind of restricted area? Saints etched into the stained windows above stare down at me, leaving a churning sensation in my stomach. I need to head back.

Footsteps sound behind me and I whirl around in shock.

Not a Reverend.

I've just let out a relieved breath when the student comes into full view. I freeze. It's a boy. It isn't the sheer size of him that has my breath stilling, it's the air about him. Dark. Sinister.

Magnetic.

He draws closer and I register a wide jaw, a pair of sharp cheekbones, and razor-sharp eyes. When he's within hearing distance, I draw back just as he grits, "What the hell are you doing here?"