Lady of the Night

Chapter Five

☾

"DON'T WORRY, EMMY. DETENTION ISN'T that bad," Bash reassures me.

I grunt in reply because to me, detention is the bane of my existence.

After the little incident in the cafeteria, Alastair issued Bethany and I with detention tomorrow evening. It suffices to say that neither of us were impressed, and neither of us would give up without a fight. However, Alastair was swift in shutting us down, enforcing the Academy's strict policy: do not — under any circumstance — use any abilities against each other.

I did argue I hadn't been informed of that but unfortunately my escape attempt only made Alastair more frustrated. Apparently they took no prisoners when it concerned enforcing their rules.

"Detention," he said, his dark eyes wide and pouring onto me with singeing drops of disapproval. "Please don't think that this is some vacation, Emmy. It's a safe place, but if you infringe on the rules you will suffer the consequences."

Luckily, Dylan swooped in and got me out before I could escalate my argument. Giving some flimsy excuse about how she promised to show me around. And now, hours later, I'm here in the Training Area according to Dylan.

Its expanse is long and wide baring multiple sections for various facilities. There are targets in an enclosed section near the back corner, where I spot Fire/Ice Cambions throwing balls of fire and shooting long, glorious spears of ice. As well as Witches and Warlocks practicing defensive spells tucked in another section just across from the Cambions. Shapeshifters are practicing along a short runway, shifting quickly between hurdles structured like a narrow obstacle course, changing their form within the blink of an eye. Far in the back is a pool of glistening water that Water Cambions are performing with.

In the centre of the Training Area is a small fighting ring upheld onto a silver stage. A few people have been upon it, but not many. Others have chosen to spread themselves thin across the spare spaces surrounding.

It's odd watching everyone train, exploring their abilities as well as improving their physical skills too. Admittedly, it plants a small seed of flimsy hope in my stomach, that Knowles' speech rings with some truth. Otherworlders are persecuted and forced to hide and run for their lives, but it doesn't have to be that way. We are here and we can fight back.

Sighing, I tug on the small gloves meant to protect my hands. "Detention on the first day," I mutter bitterly.

"That's a new record, I think," Dylan says. He's sat on the floor opposite, tying Bash's undone shoelaces as the latter lays strewn across the ground. Apparently, he's not cut out for physical training. "News of yours and Bethany's little spat is circulating quicker than a Shapeshifter can shift."

My face drops. "Oh how wonderful."

"It was," Helena adds from beside me. "I haven't had that much fun at breakfast in weeks."

"Hey!" Bash's face contorts, wide hazel brown eyes scrunching. "I think I provide enough entertainment, don't you?"

Dylan rolls his eyes. "Of course you do, buddy."

"Guys, I hate to be that person," I start and their eyes automatically darken wearily. "Trust me, I'm not usually but ... shouldn't we be doing something?"