AllFreeNovel
Share Us
9
Raven
The cafeteria wasa hum of conversation and seemed to vibrate with an energy unlike anything I’d ever felt in a human school. Though, sadly, the round tables with attached plastic chairs were just like the tables we had in my high school.
I hoped that didn’t mean I was in for the same bullying and jabs at my self-esteem that high school brought me.
“Welcome to the jungle,” Makayla said with a grin. “Otherwise known as the cafeteria.”
I glanced from table to table, taking in the other students in uniforms. There was a good variety of clothing choices. Some students in shorts, some in pants, a few in skirts. They all had white shirts and a red tie. Some wore blazers or jackets or sweaters. But they were all a well matched group in red, white, and black. It was like walking into a cheesy nineties teen movie.
I hoped nobody broke out into a synchronized dance.
We walked a little farther into the room and as we passed the tables, the conversations died down. My cheeks heated as I felt the gaze of dozens of eyes on me. Fuck. Maybe this would be exactly like high school.
A table on my right had four girls seated at it and all of them were staring at me. I stopped in my tracks and stared back at them, entranced. They were the most beautiful beings I had ever seen.
Two had straight, dark hair down to their waist, while the other two had short natural curls that framed their faces like halos. All four of them had sea-green eyes. They were so soothing to stare into.
“Hey,” Makayla grabbed my upper arm and tugged me away, “leave the new girl alone.”
“We didn’t do anything,” one of the girls said.
“She was raised in a mage community. Give her a week to warm up to being out in the wild,” Makayla said.
The girls broke their gaze on me and I stumbled forward, Makayla’s hold keeping me upright.
“She’s got a week, then she’s fair game, puppy,” the girl said.
Makayla growled, then guided me away from the table.
“What just happened?” I asked. “And why did you say I was raised in a mage community?”
“Shhhh,” Makayla hissed. “You’re here five minutes and you’re already being charmed by the sirens.”
“Sirens?” I asked. “I thought you said there were only four kinds of creatures here.”
“Sirens are considered demons,” she said. “And much like the incubus, they can get in your head quickly.”
It was a good thing she didn’t know just how much Luka had gotten inside my head.
“You’re going to get eaten alive in here,” Makayla whispered. “You’re lucky Ben decided to make you honorary pack.”
“What does that mean?” I asked.
“Exactly as it sounds,” Makayla said. “Please tell me I don’t have to explain everything.”
“No, I get it, but I guess I want to know why.”
“I suppose he felt sorry for you. A mage thrown in with the shifters is bound to have a harder time fitting in. Plus, none of us want to have to carry you back to your room after you get your ass kicked,” she said.
I ignored the rest of the students as we walked toward the line for food. I could still feel their stares on me but I didn’t want to risk another siren situation.
Delicious smells greeted me as we approached the food line.
Cheerful women with pink cheeks passed trays of food to each waiting student. My stomach rumbled in anticipation. It had been nearly a day since I last ate and even cafeteria food sounded good right now.
Makayla went first, grabbing a tray and silverware. I followed her and moved along behind her in the line. They set a heaping plate of eggs and bacon on my tray. Then a bowl of fruit joined the other plate. My mouth watered at the sight of the food. It looked delicious.
