Chapter Nine
~ Shade ~
Sighing at the closed door, I turn to the room and freeze.Holy moly.I’d expected the dorm to be small but functional, and I’m surprised to find a huge room with beautiful gothic décor that matches the patterned filigree wallpaper. On opposite sides of the space, there are two single four poster beds with black fabric draped from the canopy, and both beds are accompanied by intricately carved bedside tables that look like they belong in a Victorian manor. In the center of the room sits a polished wooden table and two chairs, clearly meant to signify a shared, communal space. A small vase of red roses sits as the centerpiece, but that’s not even the best part. At the back of the room, a single window spans a large portion of the far wall, and there’s an alcove that would make the perfect reading nook. Silvery moonlight streams down onto the padded window seat, and I walk over, smoothing my hand over the black-silk cushions.
“Well, maybe this place won’t be so bad,” I muse, choosing to ignore the fact that while there might be a gorgeous reading space, I don’t exactly have any books to read.
At least, I have this.Lifting my shirt, I pull out my sketchbook. It’s warm from being pressed against my body, and I run my hands over the textured cover, feeling a little comforted that I at least managed to hold onto the tiny part of me that I’d started to rebuild. I’m contemplating sinking into the reading nook and attempting to sketch the guys, when a flicker of red catches my eye.
I lift my gaze, peering through the window at the ghostly forest that spans the ground far below. The massive trees reach all the way to the academy boundary walls, and a thick fog blankets the forest. I think I see a creature dart between two of the closest trees, and my breath catches, but the beast is gone a heartbeat later. I tell myself that I was seeing things, but for all I know, it was Bonfang keeping an eye on me.Trying not to think about it, I turn from the window and face the room again.
Both beds are perfectly made like neither of them have been slept in, but there’s a dagger on the bedside to my left, and a sheathed sword beneath the bed. On the other side of the room, a single black box rests on the mattress, and I remember what Thane said about a welcome package.Looks like that’s my spot.
Walking over, I drop onto the bed and lift the box onto my lap. The insignia of Shadowbone Academy is embossed in gold on the lid, and I run my finger over it before pulling off the silk ribbon. Holding my breath, I grab the edge of the lid.Oh, please don’t let there be something creepy inside.I’m half expecting to find the box full of spiders or something equally as horrible, but I’m relieved when I remove the lid and nothing crawls or slithers out of there. Thinking of creepy things reminds me of the shadows I’d seen on the walls as I’d walked the corridors, but thankfully, neither Elgyn or Tarlaz are in my dorm room. I’mglad, because I doubt I would have been able to sleep with those shadows mocking me all night.
Shuddering, I focus on the box. The first thing I pull out is a piece of black card with cursive writing printed in gold foil. It reads:
Welcome to Shadowbone Academy, new student.
I roll my eyes at the impersonal greeting. I’m almost surprised it doesn’t simply say ‘human’ considering that’s what the four shadow daddies seem intent on calling me. Shaking my head, I read on:
By choosing to be here, you agree to the following rules:
You will not speak of the human realm and your past life while at the academy.
You must present to all classes in a timely manner or risk being punished accordingly.
You will not attempt to leave the academy grounds. If you are found beyond the academy walls, and in the unlikely event you have not already perished, your memory will be erased, and you will be sent back to the human realm.There are no exceptions.
This makes me sit up straighter, and I curse under my breath.It’s like they’re just waiting for an excuse to wipe my memory.Of course, I’m guessing these are the same rules all new students receive, but it still feels like a personal attack. Onceagain, I can’t help wondering if that’s what happened to me. Had I been a student here, and I broke the rules? But that makes no sense, because Thane himself said that he doesn’t remember me. I force myself to continue.
Should you wish to terminate your enrollment at the academy at any time, you must call out the words, Korsinus Aleia. Once these words have been spoken, the decision cannot be reversed. Your memory will be erased, and you will be returned to the human realm to live out the remainder of your days. Note: You cannot utter the command for another student. Should they wish to leave, they must speak the words themselves.
Below the rules are further instructions.
In this pack you will find your signature ring, which must be wornat all times.Also included is your class schedule. Speciality classes will be added as needed and at the discretion of your respective professors.
Welcome and congratulations for answering the call.
I’m not sure what that last sentence means, but I place the card on the bed and lift out the schedule. Each day has a total of three classes, but there appears to be six core classes, each interspersed in the timetable:
History of the Shadow Realm – Professor Galen
