Cara smiled. “Some training will take place in the forest here and the field behind the castle. There is an indoor arena which also doubles as the main classroom, but we have smaller breakout rooms as well.”
The Watcher continued as we walked. “The gate we just used has been set up for entry to the academy. We have created another behind the castle. It is linked to several realms that will assist in your training.”
With just one experience, I could already appreciate how realm hopping could enhance training opportunities. Poor Matt was going to have to get over his hatred of them.
The castle’s true scope became apparent as we approached the main entry. My mouth hung open again, and I closed it with a snap. I doubted the CAF trained in such fancy accommodations.
Two huge men stood at the tall front doors.
“Dires,” muttered Matt.
“Once students have the basics under their belt, they will take turns on guard duty,” Cara stated. “Shifts will be assigned. It isn’t likely anyone will try to crash the party without permission, but it is a precaution. The council is not without enemies.”
The Dire guards both stared at me as we climbed the stairs. Trix stiffened beside me, and growled.
It was echoed from my other side. Matt refused to meet my shocked gaze. Instead, he seemed locked in a staring match with the guards.
Was this how shifters greeted each other? Or was it a male thing?
I settled on the latter. “Testosterone is not your friend,” I told him. Then I looked down at Trix. “And you have no such excuse.”
Trix cast me a disillusioned stare and Matt’s growl cut off, but he continued the unconscious measuring of dicks until we’d passed through the entrance.
I sighed. He was a werewolf, after all.
My mouth fell open again as we stepped into the foyer. The ceiling extended from the floor beneath our feet to about three stories up. It was lit by a massive chandelier hanging from a chain as big around as my thigh. The bright crystals within it looked as though they shared an ancestry with the one around my neck.
At the far end of the expansive space ran a huge staircase. It ascended straight for fifty feet, before splitting to sweep right and left like a trueBeauty and the Beastcastle.
Matt went from growly to impressed so smoothly that it spoke to a lifetime of rapid mood alterations. “Strewth. Look at this place.”
Cara gestured as she led us across the polished floor, her long braids swinging with every stride. “Ground floor is administrative offices and supply rooms. Second floor is still under development, but it will house the library and the gym. Third floor is staff quarters and the access to the indoor arena as well as breakout classrooms. The cafeteria is centrally located on the fourth floor, and more staff quarters are also on that level. Fifth floor is the student dorm. Amadeus’s office is this way.”
My mind raced to assimilate all that. I hoped a detailed map was to come.
“We’ll catch you guys later.” Cody wrapped his arm around Kitani as he directed her toward a bank of elevators.
“We can do the stairs,” she suggested.
He pulled her close. “Elevators are much more fun.”
His deep voice carried easily across the foyer, and Kitani blushed. “Oh.” She waved at us as he punched the button and then pulled her inside.
Cara snorted a laugh and shook her head, leading us down a hall to an ornate door with a curved lintel. The stained glass insert depicted a pack of wolves chasing an animal with elaborate horns. She opened it and took us through.
I eyed the glass. Maybe they weren’t wolves...
Inside was a woman who looked human. I stared at her suspiciously, no longer certain I believed my eyes.
“Is he in, Constance?” Cara asked.
“He is, but—”
Cara ignored her and kept walking.
“He asked not to be disturbed, you can’t—” Constance called after us.
“He’s always disturbed,” Cara replied as she pushed open two dark paneled doors.
