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I followed the old man up a cement staircase. It was narrow, and lit with candelabras that lined the stone wall. It twisted like a snake might, until it opened up into an office that was much larger than I anticipated. Everything was made of smooth oak and looked very refined for someone who lived with no electricity.
His desk was in the middle of the room, in front of a large window that took up the majority of the wall and looked out into the forest. Though it grew dark now, I was sure the view would be astounding to look upon. To the left and right of the desk, there were stacks of books all organized neatly, tucked in pristine bookcases. Everything had a proper place, and everything had a proper order.
The small man moved into his desk and took a seat behind it. He folded his hands on the surface of the desk and offered me another small smile. He gestured at one of the seats in front of him. “Please. Sit. If we’re going to enroll you into the academy, I need a couple of pieces of information.”
“Wait, what?” I asked.
“Master, she’s a stranger!”
Master Grey narrowed his eyes at Kent. “I'm well aware of what her status is, Captain.”
“I thought this academy was strictly for shifters,” I said as I took a seat. I tucked my ankles under the chair and slid my hands between my thighs.
“We are slowly integrating more humans within our academy,” he said. “In fact, we already have some throughout our dormitories. I’m unsure as to why our very intelligent Captain Byron would forget this very important piece of information.” This time, he did stop to look at Kent. “The treaty was signed with the humans at the start of this year, if you remember correctly. Why would we not accept humans within the academy? The time for segregation has long since passed. There’s an argument to be made that no such segregation was required whatsoever. There can be peace amongst those with different statuses. Surely you, of all people, know that, Captain Byron.”
This time, I glanced behind me, not quite at the Captain, but in his direction. I wondered what the Master meant when he said that. Had Kent been involved with a human? Was that human his wife –mate?
“Anyway.” Master Grey cleared his throat and smiled again. Each time he did, he closed his eyes, like his smile was the only thing necessary on his face. It made it seem more genuine. “I just need a few key facts about you, if I may. A birthdate, an age, and any prior education.”
I rattled off what he wanted from me. I was just eighteen, my birthday a couple of weeks ago on May thirteenth. I completed high school through a prestigious homeschool program that my mother oversaw, and even then, she extended my education to some online college courses where she saw fit. I also had the capacity to defend myself if I needed to, but my endurance was lacking simply because she never trusted me to explore places on my own, especially not at night. On top of that, my strength was lacking as well. My mother always ensured I was well-fed, but even I knew I was too skinny to do any sort of damage in a fight.
If I wanted my revenge on what killed her, that would have to change.
“Perfect.” He angled his shoulders to me, offering another smile. “Are there any questions you have, my dear?”
I cleared my throat. “Well,” I said, shifting in my seat. “Um, my mother sent me to you. And I'm just, I was wondering why. She never mentioned knowing you at all.”
“No, I didn’t think she would,” he said. “Your mother has always been special to me, as have you, my dear. I kept a careful eye on you even though I wasn’t physically near you. Your mother was one of the first human students to attend the academy, and she was a star pupil.”
“She attended Bloodmoon Academy?” I wrinkled my nose. She never mentioned that. Not once.
Why? Why wouldn’t she tell me that?
“Oh, yes,” Master Grey said. “She was with the Fire Pack. A difficult community to fall into place with. But she earned her spot, as did every person who attended. Now, most have joined the ranks within the pack community, serving as guards, Elite agents, and educators, willing to instruct the next generation or go on difficult missions outside the academy.”
I blanched. “I…” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say. “Are you sure I should be enrolled here? I don’t think it’s right. Just because my mom went here and knew you…What if I’m taking a spot from someone who deserves it?”
“Nothing is freely given at the academy,” the master said gently. “I would not be giving you this opportunity unless I feel you have the means to earn your position. Tell me, child. Your mother trained you, yes?”
I nodded once.
“And you kept up with said training?”
Another nod. I wanted to open my mouth and tell him I doubted my training would give me any strength against actual shifters but I kept the thought to myself.
“And I’m sure your mother told you about how the Vrykolakas came to be?” An arched brow. The smile slipped from his face, and I suddenly realized how important this must be.
“Of course,” I said.
“Good.”
It was hard to read his stare. I whipped back around to look at Master Grey, trying to figure out what it was before he could tell me. Why did he want a history lesson?
I slid my hands from between my thighs to underneath them.
“Was that what killed my mother?” I asked. “Is that why you’re asking about them?”
“Quite possibly,” he said.
