Page 17 of Lost and Bound

Thankfully, Master Maddern provided some toiletries. Not much, but enough to get me clean. There’s no towel, but I figure one of my old T-shirts from home will do the job just as well.

I also sacrifice another T-shirt as something to stand on in the shower because until I’ve scrubbed the tiles with bleach, there’s no way I’m putting my feet on them. The water is cold, not freezing but cold enough to make my skin goose. My shower helps me stay on track, then I go from one mindless task to the next until I am ready.

At just before six-thirty, I wait at the bottom of the stairs for Orion.

CHAPTER SEVEN

IN THE PRESENCE OF GREATNESS

Orion talks the entire time it takes us to walk from our dorm to the main quad at Thales. He stops beside a fountain and shifts his monologue recounting the events of last night to the facilities and amenities.

“The easiest way to remember the layout is like a dartboard, with the fountain as the bullseye, and each part of the board representing each segment of our community. The first circle is used by everyone, irrespective of species or lineage, and comprises areas we all use. You’ll find the school administration office and the principal’s office there.” He points before doing a slow spin, stopping briefly at the library, student study areas, gymnasium, student health clinic, and the dining hall.

The buildings that house each of those are the ones I saw with Master Maddern yesterday. In the light of day, the architectural detail and the age of each of them are obvious.

“It’s really pretty here,” I say, taking in the campus.

“This academy has been a part of the supernatural landscape for a long time. It first opened in the early 1700s; there’s a stone in the principal’s office which has the exact date. It’s pretty amazing, right?” Orion’s not as impressed as I am, but it’s still clear he’s not completely blasé about how special it is to be surrounded by history.

I wish my mom were here. She was always drawn to ancient worlds and antiquities.

Orion starts walking off. “To enter any of these buildings, you use your student card. The library and study areas are accessible at any time of the day or night. The dining hall isn’t carded, and you don’t need it to eat there, but it’s a good habit to always have your card on you.”

I hold up my card, showing him I have it in my blazer pocket.

“All meals are provided,” he says, but stops so abruptly I nearly crash into him.

“What?”

He looks a little chagrined. “Wait. I should have said most students have their meals included. Sorry, I just assumed you were a scholarship student like me.”

I wave him on. “No harm, Orion. Apparently, all my fees and anything else associated with Thales have been paid in full. Like everything.”

“Shit, huh.”

“What does shit mean?”

“It’s outrageously expensive to attend Thales. There are other schools in Quin-state, but coming here is my family tradition, even though we don’t have that kind of money anymore. I got in on a scholarship.”

“A scholarship? That’s kind of amazing, Orion. Where I come from, that’s proof of you being a good student.”

He pulls a face before walking off again. “The dining hall opens early and shuts late. Thales also has coffee shops and food shops, which is where a lot of students go, but you have to use your own money there. I know Master Maddern said everyone is encouraged to take all their meals onsite, but there’s no hard-and-fast rule. Except for House dinners.”

“House dinners?” I ask as I race up the stairs next to him.

We push inside the doors and walk through the foyer only to reach another set, just as large; inside it sounds as packed and raucous as a stadium. We’re not the only ones arriving, other students are too. And while we’re all wearing the same uniform, seeing the different colors is eye-opening.

I come to a stop just inside the second doorway, overwhelmed by the number of bodies inside but also remembering I’m surrounded by supernaturals.

Orion twists around. “Maya?”

Except he’s not the only one who is watching me. The loud chatter dims until I swear even those beings sitting in the back corner would be able to hear my breathing.

I’m not panicking, but it’s a lot to take in. The dining hall is freaking huge to start with, and it doesn’t look like there’s a spare seat in the place. Now that everyone is staring at me, I blaze pink and am unsure what to do.

Orion saves the day. Ignoring everyone, he steps into my field of vision and then gives me a small smile of encouragement. “Let them stare. You’re new and you’re also a Nom. When they figure that out, they’ll go back to what they were doing.”

I push my shoulders back and raise my chin a little higher, spurred on by my dad reminding me to be the best version of myself I can be, in every situation. “I feel like you’re not happy being a Nom, Orion.”