The Valley of Mysteries | Book 1: The Beginning

Chapter 17 - THE SCHOOL FOR OCTAVES

"The first day at school... you ready?" Edward was leaning on Natalie's room door.
"Eh!" she replied. She tossed shirt after shirt out of the closet.
"What?" he walked in.
"I don't know what kind of clothes people wear here!" she said.
"Wear your normal clothes. Take these!" he picked up a pair of black jeans and a white t-shirt. "Put that jacket on!" he said. After a few minutes, she walked out in her outfit. "Ah... look at you sis-er-missy!" Edward winked.
"Heh, thanks." she looked at herself and sighed.
"What?"
"Another school... without you. What if I blow it?"
"What if? Isn't that a given?" he chuckled.
"Eh! Right! But I still wish you were there!"
"I want that too! But-"
"Your Regency!" Dominic almost tripped over his own foot before entering. "Uh, sorry. I mean... oh God!" he scratched his forehead.
"What is it?" Edward asked.
"Err... someone burnt the gardens of your mansion!" he rubbed his hands, his voice shaky.
"BURNT?" Edward was shocked.
"Yes."
"Nat, I'll..."
"Go! Actually... I'll come with you!" she said.
"NO! It's your first day at school. Besides, I have to do this on my own!!" Edward nodded and left.

"I'll be leaving now!" Garrett hugged Caitlyn and Natalie. Natalie kissed his cheek.
"Bye, Dad. Take care!" she said. He kissed her forehead and left.
"It's your first day, Natalie. This place is different from where we come from! So don't trust-"
"I DON'T TRUST ANYONE!" Natalie spat. Caitlyn took a deep breath and nodded.
"Aaron will take you to the school. Alyssia will be joining you!" she said. Natalie nodded and walked up to where Aaron and Alyssia were standing.
"Hey! Good morning!" Alyssia hugged Natalie.
"Morning!" she replied. "Not good, exactly."
"What happened?" Alyssia furrowed her brows.
"For one, Dad left for London. And second, someone burnt Harrington's garden. I don't know this place well but I think it was some kind of threat..."
"Oh, my God! When did this happen? I just saw him here!"
"Yeah, he just left."
"You two can continue your chit-chat in the car. I don't have all day!" Aaron said coldly.
"You-" Natalie was about to get started but...
"King Regent needs my service!" Aaron glared at her.
"Okay!" Alyssia pulled Natalie into the backseat.

"This is where I leave you!" Aaron said. He gave a knowing look to Alyssia, who nodded in response.
"Let's get going!" Alyssia said. They entered the gates followed by a bridge.
"That's not part of the river, is it?" Natalie asked.
"No, it's kinda... manmade you can say!"
"Why?"
"Water... it is used for protection against some sorts of demons. Lesser demons, if you will!"
"Huh!"

Soon, they were standing in the front yard of the magnificent castle. It was much bigger than Natalie had imagined when she had seen it from the wall of mist. The entire castle stood tall on an elevated piece of land. The boundaries were covered with trees and adorned with flowers she had never seen before. After every few feet, she could see students practising stances and spells. A boy was suspended in mid-air, surrounded by more students. Another student was turning a rabbit into a cup and vice-versa. Natalie jerked her head to pull away from other crazy activities going on around her.
"This is like... unreal!" she said. Alyssia grinned in response.
"Ah, if it isn't the brat!" a cold voice came from behind them.
"Back off, Thomas!" Alyssia said, angrily.
"Eh, for once... I wasn't referring to you.
"I know!" she glared.
"Huh, whatever." he shouldered her and walked past them.
"What the hell?" Natalie's mouth was open.
"He's just like that. Luckily, he isn't in our class!" she sighed.
"Brat? He doesn't even... I guess everyone knows me... but I... I'm no brat!" she said, defensively.
"I know... just ignore."

Alyssia guided Natalie towards the assembly hall. Most of the students were already there. They walked towards the front where Sean was standing.
"Hello, ladies!" he said, excitement in his voice.
"Someone's beaming!" Natalie smirked.
"I'm... whatever." Sean huffed. He turned towards Alyssia and smiled. "Finally!!"
"Yes, finally!" Alyssia laughed.
"Vampire thingy?" Natalie rolled her eyes. Sean glared at her.
"It's an honour to be selected. I wouldn't expect you to appreciate it." he scoffed.
"I'd never appreciate it. I'd rather live, fight and die than become immortal. Life is bitchy as it is. I don't want it to last forever." she turned on her heels and walked away. Sean's jaws dropped. He didn't move.
"She's got a point, you know!" Alyssia said.
"Nothing will change my..."
"I'm not trying to... just pointing out!"