Page 13 of A Curse So Cruel (Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy #1)
Chapter Nine
~ Shade ~
S ighing at the closed door, I turn to the room and freeze.
Holy moly. I’d expected the dorm to be small but functional, and I’m surprised to find a huge room with beautiful gothic décor that matches the patterned filigree wallpaper.
On opposite sides of the space, there are two single four poster beds with black fabric draped from the canopy, and both beds are accompanied by intricately carved bedside tables that look like they belong in a Victorian manor.
In the center of the room sits a polished wooden table and two chairs, clearly meant to signify a shared, communal space.
A small vase of red roses sits as the centerpiece, but that’s not even the best part.
At the back of the room, a single window spans a large portion of the far wall, and there’s an alcove that would make the perfect reading nook.
Silvery moonlight streams down onto the padded window seat, and I walk over, smoothing my hand over the black-silk cushions.
“Well, maybe this place won’t be so bad,” I muse, choosing to ignore the fact that while there might be a gorgeous reading space, I don’t exactly have any books to read.
At least, I have this. Lifting my shirt, I pull out my sketchbook.
It’s warm from being pressed against my body, and I run my hands over the textured cover, feeling a little comforted that I at least managed to hold onto the tiny part of me that I’d started to rebuild.
I’m contemplating sinking into the reading nook and attempting to sketch the guys, when a flicker of red catches my eye.
I lift my gaze, peering through the window at the ghostly forest that spans the ground far below.
The massive trees reach all the way to the academy boundary walls, and a thick fog blankets the forest. I think I see a creature dart between two of the closest trees, and my breath catches, but the beast is gone a heartbeat later.
I tell myself that I was seeing things, but for all I know, it was Bonfang keeping an eye on me .
Trying not to think about it, I turn from the window and face the room again.
Both beds are perfectly made like neither of them have been slept in, but there’s a dagger on the bedside to my left, and a sheathed sword beneath the bed.
On the other side of the room, a single black box rests on the mattress, and I remember what Thane said about a welcome package. Looks like that’s my spot.
Walking over, I drop onto the bed and lift the box onto my lap.
The insignia of Shadowbone Academy is embossed in gold on the lid, and I run my finger over it before pulling off the silk ribbon.
Holding my breath, I grab the edge of the lid.
Oh, please don’t let there be something creepy inside.
I’m half expecting to find the box full of spiders or something equally as horrible, but I’m relieved when I remove the lid and nothing crawls or slithers out of there.
Thinking of creepy things reminds me of the shadows I’d seen on the walls as I’d walked the corridors, but thankfully, neither Elgyn or Tarlaz are in my dorm room.
I’m glad, because I doubt I would have been able to sleep with those shadows mocking me all night.
Shuddering, I focus on the box. The first thing I pull out is a piece of black card with cursive writing printed in gold foil. It reads:
Welcome to Shadowbone Academy, new student.
I roll my eyes at the impersonal greeting. I’m almost surprised it doesn’t simply say ‘human’ considering that’s what the four shadow daddies seem intent on calling me. Shaking my head, I read on:
By choosing to be here, you agree to the following rules:
You will not speak of the human realm and your past life while at the academy.
You must present to all classes in a timely manner or risk being punished accordingly.
You will not attempt to leave the academy grounds. If you are found beyond the academy walls, and in the unlikely event you have not already perished, your memory will be erased, and you will be sent back to the human realm. There are no exceptions.
This makes me sit up straighter, and I curse under my breath.
It’s like they’re just waiting for an excuse to wipe my memory.
Of course, I’m guessing these are the same rules all new students receive, but it still feels like a personal attack.
Once again, I can’t help wondering if that’s what happened to me.
Had I been a student here, and I broke the rules?
But that makes no sense, because Thane himself said that he doesn’t remember me. I force myself to continue.
Should you wish to terminate your enrollment at the academy at any time, you must call out the words, Korsinus Aleia.
Once these words have been spoken, the decision cannot be reversed.
Your memory will be erased, and you will be returned to the human realm to live out the remainder of your days.
Note: You cannot utter the command for another student.
Should they wish to leave, they must speak the words themselves.
Below the rules are further instructions.
In this pack you will find your signature ring, which must be worn at all times. Also included is your class schedule. Speciality classes will be added as needed and at the discretion of your respective professors.
Welcome and congratulations for answering the call.
I’m not sure what that last sentence means, but I place the card on the bed and lift out the schedule. Each day has a total of three classes, but there appears to be six core classes, each interspersed in the timetable:
History of the Shadow Realm – Professor Galen
Physical Training – Professor Thane
Offensive and Defensive Maneuvers – Professor Knox
Shadow Basics – Professor Lankin
Creatures, Critters, and Tracking – Professor Raith
Battle Tactics and Warfare – Professor Yevar
Well, I guess at least I know what they teach now.
My gaze snags on physical training and offensive and defensive maneuvers, and I groan loudly.
I can handle sitting through a history class, but physical training?
Yeah, not so much. I’ve seen how hard Blake had to train to become the badass she is, and frankly, I’m not interested.
Not to mention, I’ll have to attend a class with Knox as my professor…
But even as I remind myself what an ass he is, heat rushes through me until it settles somewhere, uh, lower.
Girl, stop it. Stop it now. Yep, I’m talking to my vagina. Shame she’s not listening.
Clearly, my vagina thinks Knox and I must be mates. It’s the only explanation that makes sense, because from what I’ve seen, aside from being a pretty face, Knox is not my type. Okay, so I’m not exactly sure who is my type, but I do know, an asshole with a god complex isn’t it.
Trying not to let my unhinged vagina run the show, I place down the schedule and pluck out the ring that’s nestled in soft fabric inside the box.
The ring is decorated with the academy crest carved in steel, and I study it, tracing my fingers over the small petals before sliding the jewelry onto my left index finger.
It fits perfectly, and the instant the metal connects with my skin, a wave of tingles rushes over me.
The sensation borders on becoming uncomfortable, but the tingles fade seconds later, like the sensation is nothing more than a passing chill.
I have no idea what’s supposed to happen.
The ring isn’t giving off the same energy as my portal ring that Galen stole, but I can still feel power humming from within the metal.
I decide not to experiment without knowing more, because considering my bad luck, it would end badly, and I go about my original plan.
Grabbing my sketchbook from where I’d placed it on my bedside, I move to the alcove against the window and settle in, resting my back against the wall.
I sketch the guys in the order that I first saw them, starting with Raith and ending with Knox.
I contemplate not sketching the broody asshole, but it doesn’t feel right to have the other three there without him.
It feels like hours later, and Knox’s dark eyes are still staring back at me on the paper when my dorm door opens.
I snap my sketchbook shut and have just enough time to slide it beneath a cushion before a young woman enters.
She looks to be around my age, early twenties, with long, black hair that’s shaved close to the scalp on one side and braided on the other, and she’s wearing black leathers that look as though they’re splatted with…
blood? Her gaze instantly locks onto me.
“Feels weird, doesn’t it?” she says, shutting the door. Her voice is soft and at odds with the badass look she has going on.
I frown. “I’m sorry, what does?”
She jerks her head toward the ring on my finger, and opens her hands, gesturing to our surroundings. “Being here. One moment, you’re in the human realm minding your own business, and the next, you’re in the shadow realm wondering if you’ll survive another night.”
When I don’t immediately answer, she continues, “My name’s Kenzie.” There’s something guarded in her expression, though I’m not sure why.
I give her my friendliest smile, and I don’t miss the way she visibly relaxes. It makes me question the academy and how bad her time has been here. It’s then that I think about the fact there’s no creature symbol on our door, and I’m dying to ask her about it, but I don’t.
“I’m Shade,” I pipe up. “Looks like I’m your new roommate, bestie.”
“Bestie?”