Celine's POV
I stand awkwardly at the door, staring at the large bird cage above Headmistress Triss' head. She is unusually quiet, her long nails tapping furiously against her mahogany table.
"Come along," she instructs, getting up. I allow her to pass, then hurry behind her down the hallway. Her legs are so long it seemed like I had to run to catch up with her.
She said nothing, maintaining her brisk pace till I realized we were heading for the shifters' wings. Grunts and groans filled the air, along with sounds of a huge object hitting against the ground repeatedly, I closed my nose, the smell of wolf sweat nauseating.
Headmistress Triss walked till she got to the last room, and then pushed it open. I hurried to her side and everyone inside the room paused, their gaze on us.
She entered the class and I instinctively edged towards her, my eyes scanning the room. All the males were shirtless, their skin shining from sweat and exertion while the women wore tops that barely covered their boss, their midriff bare.
I immediately recognize three people: the vampires from yesterday that almost attacked me. They are so pale and slim compared to the wolves they stood near, but their red eyes were already locked on me.
"This is usually an optional class for witches, Celine," Triss finally spoke to me, "since their strength is majorly spell casting instead of physical altercations, so only vampires and werewolves usually take it."
A tall brooding man walked towards us, his hands crossed across his chest. His long hair was tied into a low bun, his gaze narrowed on me. "Headmistress," he greeted, bowing slightly. "Do we have any issues?"
"I hope soon enough we won't, Lord Aldrich," Triss replied. "You must have heard of Celine Fallows," she pointed at me.
The big man glanced at me. "Barely."
"Well, it seems she needs to join this class, Lord Aldrich and you know I do not take things like this lightly. I am sure you felt the tumbling of the earth that just occurred?"
My face heated up again. "That was you?" The big man asked. I swallowed and nodded, looking at my feet. "Impressive, but she looks too weak, Headmistress. A single snap and her head would be lolling on the ground."
Ouch, I thought, I loved my head attached to my body, thank you.
"I am afraid you will have to make an exception, Lord Aldrich. She needs someone that can teach her control and stamina before she brings down the entire army in her rage."
Lord Aldrich barely looked convinced, but he said nothing. "Now Celine," Triss said, "this is your punishment. You have two weeks to train with him and if after two weeks you do not have a hold of your powers, you will be expelled."
A lump formed in my throat. "Do you understand, Celine?"
"Yes, headmistress," I replied.
"Good," Truss straightened and turned to Aldrich. "I guess she is starting now then," she smiled. "I will see you soon."
I watched her strut out, and then, turned to face the imposing professor. "I—"
"You do not speak unless you are spoken to," he warned, his brows dropping low. My mouth snapped shut as I just looked at him.
"Very well then, Celine Fallows," Lord Aldrich said. "If you can cause the earthquake and your little display last night, I will presume you have a bit of a fighting experience."
Apart from the vampire I killed when I ran away from Velethean, I had not fought anyone else but I wasn't about to tell this man that.
"Who wants to be her sparring partner?"
I scan the room slowly. Eryx is not here, neither is Cassian. I bit my lips, wondering if the wolf prince was still injured from last night, whispering a small thanks that the fowl vampire was missing.
"I will," one of the vampires from last night stepped forward, a smirk on his lips. "My name is Caden."
"I have no use for your name," I bristled, staring straight at him.
His eyes narrowed in anger. "The rules are simple. No use of powers, no critical damage. The first person's back to hit the floor loses."
Caden stepped closer towards me, as everyone moved backwards, making a fighting circle. "Ready when you are," he said.
Lord Aldrich pursed his lips. "Fight."
I raise my hands up to attack, but Caden comes flying at me, grabbing me by the shoulders and pinning me down. "Well," he breathed, "that was easier than expected."
I tried to back him off, but he was too big. "It's just because you are a guy," I hissed, still trying to kick.
"I have females stronger than him," Lord Aldrich hisses like he heard me. "Do not be pathetic."
Pathetic.
Caden got up from my frame and I stood, anger in my bones. The surge of energy climbed up my spine, but I know Aldrich wouldn't hesitate to break me just as easily.
"Next."
One by one, each member of the class fights against me. Some start drawing out the matches, enjoying pummeling me to the ground and by the time the bell for lunch goes off, my face is swollen and I was certain I could see a tooth next to me.
"Pathetic," Lord Aldrich said, hissing at my head. I turned slightly, trying to catch his feet but he stepped away.
The rest of the class dispatched in laughter as Aldrich bent to me. "I think you do not belong here, witch. It does not matter what you seem to have displayed, you are an embarrassment, along with your flawed magic. Leave, now you have the chance."
He walked away as tears filled my eyes. Alone, I struggled to get up on my feet and finally, I walked out slowly from the training room towards the dining hall.
"Celine," Kiera shrieked, cashing people to glare at her as she ran to me. "What happened to you?"
"Punishment," I hissed, limping slightly. Apparently, Aldrich's definition of no long lasting wounds did not involve a rib being broken. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Why?" An annoying voice I was sure I would hear in my nightmares came from behind me. "You don't want everyone to know how pathetic you are?"
I ignored Dahila, leaning on Kiera. "I'm so sorry."
"Pathetic much," Dahila hissed, causing everyone to laugh. "Why don't you go back to whatever hole you crawled out from?"
Kiera managed to get me to a chair and I sat down ignoring the zip of pain my body went through. "I have good news," she said, sitting beside me.
"Tell me."
"I may have found a lead on your letter. I heard people talk about the place where letters are sent for delivery. Maybe we could go ask someone there," she answered.
"Let's go then," I said.
"But you need to eat—"
"No," I insisted, already getting up. "Trust me this is more important. I need to know whoever it is that they want from me."
Kiera pursed her lips. "Fine, but you owe me lunch."