The Academy

Chapter 1: KIKI

I looked in the mirror. Who did I see, beside myself? I brushed extra hair behind my ear, pushing it in place with a bobby pin.

Please, please stay in, I begged while I tied up my remaining raven-blue hair into a low ponytail. I regarded myself once more.

Purple eyes bore into mine. I made extra sure to leave a few wisps of dark hair down to frame my high cheekbones. Then I straightened the collar of my shirt and smoothed down the fabric as best as I could.

I looked down at my pants and sighed. Little bits of dog hair from the hounds I’d been feeding had attached itself to the cloth. Grumbling, I found a roller and made sure to get every speck of anything off.

I looked at my appearance one last time. Then I squared my shoulders, pointed my chin up and went out my door.

I went rapidly down the hall—the sooner done, the better—and stopped at large oak doors, stained a dark red-brown. It always reminded me of dried blood, and this time was no exception. I shuddered as I stepped forward, taking a deep breath before rapping once upon the door.

“Enter.” The voice was booming and I shivered. Still, I pushed the doors open, determined not to show my fear.

“Sit,” the same voice intoned, even more booming. My fingers curled into fists, but I uncurled them through sheer force of will.

The room was circular; how could I ever forget it. Desks were situated in a half circle, with nine elderly people on each side. I didn’t meet their gazes, fearing their cold and calculating eyes. They did not talk. Only the Eldest, the old man in the middle, ever communicated with me.

The seat in the middle was extravagant, to say the least. The frame was made of solid gold, carved with lions with gaping mouths, my household’s symbol. The cushions were of the softest red velvet. I instinctively examined the seat for traps, realized that I probably shouldn’t be doing so, and sat down, folding my hands in my lap.

There was silence while I carefully put my knees together and pulled my feet in, so they were under the chair. Once I was done I remained silent.

“Kikyana Dreina,” the voice intoned. I knew it came from the high seat in the middle, where a frail old man hidden by a black curtain was sitting. Probably with a mocking expression.

I replied in a soft voice, “Yes, Eldest.”

“We, the Elders’ Council, have considered your request to attend the highly-qualified Academy.”

Whoa, they considered it! I thought sarcastically. I kept my face smooth and impassive.

“Since we do not want your halfblood filth to sweep our halls,” the old man—rather, the Eldest—said in that ridiculously powerful voice of his, “You are welcome to go.”

I gritted my teeth at the “halfblood filth” line. I may have not had both a Dreina father and mother, but that doesn’t make me any less valuable than a pureblood Dreina.

But that’s not how the logic goes…

Though, I though to myself, it doesn’t help that I didn’t know my other half. For all I know, it could have been an ordinary citizen my dad brilliantly decided to have a child with.

“The school year starts in nine days.” Gee, thanks for the warning, I thought, as he finished, “Leave us now. You have until sundown to depart. Do not expect transportation.”

Of course not. Money’s not in it, either. Still, I stood and bowed respectfully to the center of the half circle. I padded backwards, carefully placing each foot, until I reached the door. Then, turning, I opened the door with careful hands and went out.