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Chapter Four

Juno

“They’re calling us,” Nix warned me just as I returned after having showered and changed. We’d eaten at a restaurant that served food similar to ours, making it way easier than we thought to fit in. They had the same vegetables and animals as us from what we could see. Nix told me to research their world through the internet, which was easy to do from my slate now. I would need to do that before bed, if I could stay awake that long. The warm shower hadn’t helped my tired body, only made me ache for my new bed.

“Answer,” I replied, joining him on his bed. While eating, we got a message from my dad that they would call us once the others had returned home, having us join in on the meeting to go over their findings. I was glad we still got to be a part of the meeting. I really wanted to know what the others had experienced today, and if they would attend our school too.

Nix accepted the call; the rulers and the rest of our team were projected into the middle of our room soon after. They took in our surroundings before Henriette greeted us. “Good evening, boys! Are you well fed and ready?”

We nodded, smiling happily at everyone. We spotted sandwiches in our teammates’ hands; they hadn’t even finished eating before the rulers called us which really showed their eagerness.

They made each pair recount their findings, asking questions as they went. None of the others had found work yet or like us, a school to attend. They’d spent the day people-watching and browsing the internet on their slates, having done like Nix did and used magic to combine their technology to ours. I was the least tech savvy in the group, eager to learn, but failing to understand how our magic could work with something so different. Luckily, Nix knew this and always did the work for me, relying on me being the person to do most of the talking instead, despite my awkwardness in new situations.

“I think the gas station we found would be a great place to work,” Nolen continued. “People come and go all day, different types too, all needing gas for their cars to run.”

“Hmm,” Mia, another of our rulers, hummed. She was the least talkative of our leaders, but insanely intelligent. “I would like for all of you to choose different workplaces, spreading out as far as possible but still within a few hours’ drive from the portal.”

“How long are we staying for?” I asked, dreading the thought of leaving already.

The rulers shared a look I couldn’t decipher. In the end it was my dad who answered for them. “We simply do not know yet. We need to see how you feel living there for a period, and right now we think a week before for the next check-in. While you were gone, we discussed that, and in order to let you truly be immersed in their world, you need to push our world to the back of your mind and only focus on your job there. We hate to think about not hearing from you, since we are just as interested in learning about this new world as you are, but we also know we need to let you do your own thing.”

I didn’t know what to say. They were letting us roam freely for a week before our next check-in? I had thought daily check-ins would be necessary.

“What if one of us doesn’t want to return when our mission is over?” Nix asked, surprising me. It was brave to ask that already. Would they force us back if we didn’t want to leave? I’d like to think they would respect our choice, but they ruled over us, didn’t they? Technically we weren’t in their world anymore, but did that mean we were we free?

“We don’t know if you can live there without consequences yet,” Trise answered calmly. “Until then we want you all to return when we order it, however, we wouldn’t force you to do anything you didn’t want to do, including returning.” My dad’s gaze found me and his slightly narrowed eyes told me to not even think about it. Too bad it was all I could think about since coming here.

We ended the call after that. The others would return in the morning and each find schooling and jobs. If they couldn’t find a place to live, they would use hotels until they did, making everyone stay in this world without contact with our rulers for a week.

“Nervous?” Nix asked now that we were alone again.

“A little. Mostly about the other students. I keep fearing we won’t be able to talk to them about anything.”

“Like what?”

“Like what kind of books they read or series they watch on TV. It’s similar to our world but also not.”

Nix nodded looking like he hadn’t thought about that. “Shit, now I’m nervous.”

I grinned at him, loving we got to do this together. “Maybe we should each study what humans our age like to do, before we go to bed?”

“Good idea,” Nix already had his pajamas on and quickly got under the covers to play around on his slate. I did the same, using mine as a laptop on my lap as I browsed their internet.

I really hoped I would be able to sleep tonight. It was our first day of school tomorrow and I really wanted to make some friends here.

The next day Nix and I were both giddy with excitement and nerves. We sadly only shared one class, but it was twice a week so we at least got some time together. We gave each other a hug before splitting up on our own for the first time since coming here.

After being a little lost, I finally found my first class of the day. Nix and I had bought laptops yesterday, since changing our slates wouldn’t work in front of the non-magic humans. The rulers had told us to use as little magic as possible to get used to the idea of it never returning fully, but also to stop us from accidentally exposing our magic to the people here. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, not using my magic. Being surrounded by non-magic humans helped since they seemed to manage just fine without it.

It may have sounded odd to my friends, but I actually held a bit of anger towards the magic. Having it fade over time, caused our rulers and our people much anguish and worry. Being here, where I was able to think about something else, was freeing in a way I hadn’t expected.

Our professor walked in and quickly got the class started. I felt like an imposter but tried my best to keep up with the others. Nix and I had agreed that we would use the excuse of any misunderstandings or lack of knowledge to be because of us just moving here. Loretta had seemed to understand us better after she saw we were from Snivem, and hopefully our professors would be understanding of it too.

My first and second class had been filled with new information and I found my brain too full. I needed some food and water to get my brain ready for my next and final class of the day.

I met Nix at the cafeteria and we sat down to eat our food in shared silence. It was obvious he was just as information overloaded as I was. Once we finished eating, we realized many were looking at us and whispering amongst themselves. I shared a worried look with Nix and decided to message the rest of our team for help.

Juno: So, we might be in trouble… We’re eating in the cafeteria at our school and everyone keeps looking at us weird and whispering to their companions. Are you experiencing this too?

Evie: OMG YES! I even had a man follow me and whistle after me. He only stopped once I entered a random shop to get away from him.

Nolen: We are getting looks as well. I asked a random lady kindly if I was looking weird since many had stared at me, but she simply told me I was handsome and that was why. No idea why that matters since none of them were my mate, but maybe it matters here?

Charlotta: I was thinking the same thing! Maybe they appreciate beauty more than we do? Maybe they notice beauty in general and not only in their mates?

Sid: Let’s all share whatever we figure out about beauty and so on in a few days’ time. From their advertisements it is clear that beauty matters to these people.

Nolen: Agreed. Have a safe day everyone!

“So… we’re handsome?” Nix stated with a worried expression, after having looked at their messages.

“I guess so. Let’s just finish eating and once our classes are done for today, we’ll figure out this beauty thing.” He nodded, and as we parted I noticed several people looking after him as he walked in the opposite direction of me. Why hadn’t I noticed the stares in class? Now I felt like all eyes were suddenly on me.

Brushing the feel of being watched away, I headed to my final class with renewed energy.

I was ten minutes early but since I’d gotten lost earlier, I figured being early was the right choice until I learned where everything was.

I saw two men smiling and laughing in front of the classroom, and I felt a strange pull towards one of them. The sensation travelled through my body, begging me to erase the space between me and the stranger. I had no idea what that feeling meant, but as soon as the man turned around with a confused frown on his face, I knew.

His eyes locked with mine and I just fucking knew.

He was my mate.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I’d found my mate! And in this world of all places. That just further proved that we were meant to be here. I couldn’t wait to tell my dad. But first I needed to introduce myself to my mate.

I walked closer and saw his eyes widen in surprise. He was obviously just as shocked as me. His friend patted him on the arm and left just as I stopped in front of him.

“Hi,” I beamed at him. He was gorgeous. Brown hair and the greenest eyes. One black piercing in his ear, and I found that I really loved piercings, as of yesterday, and especially now.

“H-hi,” my mate stammered nervously, looking me up and down, obviously trying to sort out his feelings. I understood him completely. I, too, was fascinated with finally feeling attraction, want, lust. I’d been told it was an amazing feeling wanting another person like that, but when you didn’t know how it felt it wasn’t something you believed you needed in your life. But I needed this man now. Needed him like I needed to breathe. He was everything I would ever want or need.

“You’re so beautiful!” I blurted, unable to help myself. I was ready to announce my undying love for him right there in the halls.

His eyes widened further, mouth gaping, as he took a step back. Huh? That wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. Did he not like me? I’d never heard about mates moving away from one another after having their first moment of recognition.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked cautiously. I would hate myself if I’d said something hurtful to him. I’d called him beautiful but we still hadn’t researched what that meant to people here. Should I have said handsome instead?

“N-no I… I just… need to,” he stuttered, almost like he was afraid of me. Then he spun on his heel and rushed out of the hall, disappearing from my sight.

I felt my chest ache at the thought of scaring my mate. We were going to spend the rest of our lives together, this hardly seemed like a good start. I just wanted to kiss him, hold him, touch him. I felt the first rush of arousal in my life and I had no mate to share that with. A tear escaped me as a silent sob broke out.

I walked back to my dorm room feeling defeated and heartbroken.

I didn’t even get his name.