The Lunaris Academy

Chapter Four:

Synthia

The group we were sitting with introduced themselves as Gabe, Austin, Laurin, and- the one that invited us over to their table and introduced everyone- Jen. Short for Jennifer but my sister and I are usually pretty lazy when it comes to names. If we’re given a shortened version, that’s what we use. So after everyone was introduced to everyone, and everyone made a big deal about our filled in marks, we proceeded to eat our salads. Stupid damn health freaks. 

I felt a slight difference in the world around me- as if the earth itself was going through some sort of change- at the same time that my sister felt a change in air pressure. Hmm… How did I know that? I thought to myself. Then I noticed him. The guy who was hotter than any guy I had ever seen. He and the OK-looking guy with him went to a table in the corner farthest from the crowd. Then Art said she was going for a walk. She left and I got the strangest feeling as she left the building.

A few moments later, I felt like danger was surrounding me, crushing me so that I could scarcely breathe. I got dizzy and the room started to tilt around me. Then I heard, clear as day, “Synthia, I need you.” It wasn’t in any particular place. It was just there. I didn’t know where it came from but without hesitation I lurched to my feet and out the door as fast as possible. (Without drawing attention of course.) 

I saw Artimis punch one man in the face, possibly breaking his nose and definitely causing some pain. This was bad. My sister is not a fighter. Not like me. She hates it and just does not do it unless she has to jump in when I can’t hold my own. Which is rare. She almost ALWAYS talks people into a tangled mess so they walk away with a goofy grin on their face. 

What can I say? She is good at reading people and knowing what compliments will confuse them into walking away. I’m not. At all. I’m more the type to punch someone in the face and roll with the punches that come my way so I don’t get bruised up. 

Seeing the other man sneaking up behind her enraged me (hello…I have a really bad temper). So, being graceful as I am-not- I tackled him and pretty much pounded him to a pulp while Art finished beating the other guy down. Hey, we can’t let them just get back up and come back for more. I mean, I have no problem kicking ass, but even I don’t like fighting that much.

We rose up from the chaos and looked at each other. She had just a little bit of a split lip where the man had managed to barely smack her as she pummeled him. I had a scratch from my cheekbone nearly to my jaw line, where he had managed to dig his finger into me. 

We gave each other a slight nod, too tired to actually say “good job,” to each other. We slapped each other five, then turned simultaneously to go inside. We froze before we had even taken a step. I sat down hard as my injured leg gave out.

That was about when we realized our newfound friends were there and so were my dream guy and his friend. That’s pretty much when we realized what we had seen on each other that had been different. 

She had delicate swirls of sapphire framing her face like a mask. In her mind I could see my own face like looking in a mirror. I had thorn vines twined around the full and crescent shaped moons on my forehead. The vines wrapped gently and magically around each other almost as they formed an exquisite mask over my face, framing it perfectly. 

Noticing that we were still being watched, we turned back to the group. Seeing the two guys especially staring intently at us, we did what anyone exquisite, beautiful, and utterly magical would do… Yeah, right- if only. We busted up laughing, clutching our stomachs and trying to keep breathing. (Artimis laughed a lot less.)It was mortifying!

Artimis

I saw myself reflected in my sister’s eyes. I had beautiful swirls framing my delicate face. It looked like an ancient mask. I laughed only slightly. I was mortified, horrified even. I turned and walked away, going to our dorm. I went to our room. Going into the bathroom, I looked at my markings, tears running down my face. “Why me? I’m such a freak. In both the human world and this one. Nothing but a freak.” 

Then I heard a gentle voice surrounding me. “Do not yourself a freak my dark daughter. You have been Chosen by me. Both yourself and your sister are very special. You are Chosen to save your race. Look up and don’t cry. Hold your head up high. For this is your destiny.” 

I smiled. It was the voice of Isis. She was telling me not to be so afraid. I went back into our room and sat on the bed to wait for my sister.

Ayden

I watched Artimis walk away. I could hear in her head that she was upset. Her sister, Synthia, was laughing although she was obviously embarrassed. I couldn’t help but smile at her. Her sister, however, was obviously distressed. Archer stared after her, wanting to make sure she was OK. I elbowed him and he walked after her.

Archer

It seemed like another normal day. Ayden came and we walked into the dining hall. He had a smirk on his face like he was hearing some deep, dark, embarrassing thoughts. Really, he had a tendency to pick up on those things without even trying. Kind of annoying but I loved him anyway. He’s my best friend- the best I’d ever had- and he was like a brother to me. As well as my roommate.

“Man, you better not be listening to my DAMN mind!” I said to him. 

“I’m not!” he laughed. “I was thinking about the new girl. I think her name is Synthia, but I’m not positive.” We sat down and he looked around. Then apparently he found her. He pointed to her. I didn’t really look at her though. 

The girl sitting next to her was beautiful. I said so to Ayden. He smirked. “They’re twins.” He had a mischievous look in his eye.

I looked back. They were both somewhat tall with long, silky hair. But other than that, they looked nothing alike. The one I found the most attractive had black hair with platinum blonde highlights that I somehow knew weren’t dyed in. And she had silver-blue eyes. The girl Ayden seemed so interested in was just about the exact opposite. She had platinum blonde hair with natural black highlights. And bright teal bluish- green eyes. “No way are they twins.” 

He laughed. “They are! I promise! Oh, and the one you think is so hot is Artimis.” 

“Don’t read my mind!” I snapped at him as Artimis got up, said something to her sister and walked out. When her sister stood up suddenly, looking panicked, Ayden and I both stood. We followed as she rushed out and as a result, saw a major battle outside. We stood there in a kind of shock as we watched the two girls kick ass.

Artimis was tough but looked like she’d rather be doing just about anything else. I could tell she was more the sweet type to avoid fights. Synthia was another story. She had a wicked, honestly somewhat evil glint in her eye. She was born for this sort of thing. I noticed that their friends from the dining hall had come out but my attention couldn’t be torn from Artimis.Then the fight was over. 

Synthia sort of collapsed, laughing while her sister laughed only very slightly then walked away, clearly upset. I stood there, wanting to go after her, but not knowing if I should. Ayden nudged me. That was all the encouragement I needed. I walked after her quickly, trying (and praying) as hard as I could not to look like a stalker.