Facing the Fae [BOOK TWO]

Chapter 8

Rebecca finally managed to get to school by midday.

As she walked through the front entry of the school, her feet were aching. For whatever reason, Aleric remained on her mind—and not just him. All she could think about was the fact that hundreds were now willing to die for her. They spoke of it as if it was honourable, something they wanted to do. As if dying for her was perfectly sane.

Which it was not.

Even thinking about it was terrifying.

"To the left."

Without questioning it, Rebecca turned to the left. Unlike her old high school, it was decadent. In the centre, there a large square courtyard. Half of it was grass, the other half gravel. Statues surrounded the edges. All the classrooms were in the surrounding two-storey buildings that acted as a border. It was like a fortress.

"Right."

She changed direction, turning right at the end of the hall. Momentarily blinded by light, Rebecca shielded her eyes with her hand. The windows in the door were overtly large, so the light streamed through even from far away.

Abruptly, she stopped, turning slightly. "I don't know where I'm going," she admitted.

Her guards just stared at her.

"Go on," she said. "Say it: I'm an idiot. And because of it, now I'm lost."

Unsurprisingly, none of them said it. Frankly, there presence made her nervous. She understood that they had to follow her around—but at a place where she went to learn? It felt unnecessary. Luckily, the halls were empty so she wasn't being stared at by others on top of it.

She sighed. "Do any of you know where I'm going?"

More staring.

Finally, one of them stepped forward. He didn't say a word, but he did walk around her. Whatever direction he was heading, he was walking with purpose. So, Rebecca rushed to follow behind him.

He went straight through the doors with the dome-like windows.

Rebecca raced to follow him, squinting against the harsh light that almost blinded her. As she got a better view of him, she wasn't surprised to see who it was. He was the young guard that had been the most compensable before. Already she could tell, that out of all them, he was the friendliest. The others stayed silent; brooding no matter what they did. They didn't attempt to talk to her—then again, she didn't know if they spoke English or not.

As soon as she stepped out into the main courtyard, the blistering heat hit her. It hadn't been that hot before, that she knew. Rebecca tried her best to ignore it as she made her way down the metal steps, passing an overtly-large and slightly terrifying gargoyle statue to her left.

Behind her, the rest of her guard hurried to catch up—but Rebecca paid them no mind. Instead, she moved until she was standing next to the faerie who was leading the way. "Uh, hi," she blurted. "How do you know where my class is?"

For a second he didn't respond. Then he turned his head, though he didn't actually make eye contact. "Ser Lancester obtained the schedule."

Rebecca frowned, wishing her legs were longer. Then she'd be able to walk faster. "I'm sorry—who?"

"Ferro Lancester. First Millietum to Your Grace."