Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 16

Valeri

A brown carriage was brought over for the remainder of the students who were the last to make it to the finish line. There were three others with me. One other woman, and the rest were boys.

The woman standing before me was the same woman I saw when I was first sent to this place. I wonder why I didn’t notice her before this time?

She, too, was a tall woman. Taller than both Professor Luxembourg and Adeyemi, I’m sure. Her plain blue dress complimented her wheat-colored skin. She wore white stockings and plain white tennis shoes. She wore wide circular glasses that covered more than half of her face. Her dark curls cover her otherwise beautiful face. She carries a small brown book bag on her person.

The men ranged from burly to slender, their features weren’t remarkable. Call me shallow if you want, but when you have a few handsome faces on your mind, you’d feel the same way. They were average looking, I’d give them that.

We pile up into the carriage. It was slightly more lavish than the one I was in earlier. Gods, that felt like a while ago. I wonder what month it is? Of course, I wasn’t at liberty to ask. Everyone was too afraid of me, or were just plain mean.

I sat next to the other woman while the men were across from us. I peer out the window and see we’re flying at a leisure pace. Endless cerulean skies surround us with deep blue waters beneath us. It’s oddly quiet and I get the feeling of being watched. I turn around and three pairs of eyes peer back at me.

“Can I help you?” I asked.

“What did the Golden dragon say to you?” the youngest one asked. His olive skin seemed to compliment his murine-like features. He had a small pointy nose and small dark eyes. He was small in stature, a little smaller than the average man. A gray and white rat peeks out from his shirt pocket.

“Yeah, what’s so special about someone like you anyways? You murder people,” sneered the second boy. He was a well rounded fellow with pudgy cheeks and green eyes. He wore a striped shirt with a pair of blue jeans.

“Murder is a strong word. I’d say I was accused.” I said.

“Yeah right,” says the pudgy one.

I made eye contact with the other boy. “As far as what the ‘Golden One’ said, it’s of no concern to you.”

An awkward silence ensues afterwards. We continue to travel for what feels like hours before landing. The sun has long sunken low into the sky, and the full moon makes its appearance. By the look of things, we were brought to another island. This was smaller than the others, because I could see the other side of the little island. A few tables aligned with weapons stand a few yards from us, with the professor and Adeyemi standing beside them.

“Nice of you all to finally join us! For those of you who may not know, I will explain what an Omega means and how important their roles are.” Professor Luxembourg begins. “Some may think you are lesser than, and in a way you are! You may not be the strongest, bravest, nor the fastest, but you are what holds the pack together. Whether it is in healing others or supplying your group with what they need, you are important. Now, after today you will be assigned to different pods -or groups- with the others of your class.”

“What if you don’t like the pod you are assigned to?” asked the murine-faced boy.

“You take it up with the Alpha of your assigned pod and they will submit a Form of Transfer. Whether the request will be submitted is up to Provost Ritenour,” answers the professor.

I didn’t like the sound of that. The Provost already seems to have some sort of hatred towards me. Well, for anyone who wasn’t purebred. I remember the way she looked at the other woman as well. I wonder what kind of hybrid the tall woman was?

“In conclusion, we will be giving you a crash course of what’s expected of you,” says Adeyemi.

I forgot about my last class for today. “What about classes after this? Is there a way that we can come back after finishing all of the day’s classes?”

“We will send an excuse for whatever class you’ve missed for today. Going forward we will send a carriage to those who are unable to fly here themselves. You are to arrive here in a timely manner,” Adeyemi responds. He gazes levely at me with a severe look in his eyes.

“Alright.”

“Now, for today, you will be taught how to efficiently clean weapons.” Professor Luxembourg says.

We began learning the different parts of guns and the proper techniques on cleaning them. We were then taught how to clean off the blood from medieval-esque weapons and to properly oil them. How to make sure the weaponry worked properly, and to report any mishaps to our pod Alphas. I’m beginning to dislike referring to someone as an Alpha. Why does winning a race determine who gets to lead and who gets to follow?

While doing our menial tasks, I overheard the young men talking. The one smaller one was a boy named Alstas Prescott. He comes from a place called Balendros. His family owns a farm, so to become an asset for them, he and his sister are majoring in Agriculture.The other young man was named Thaine Ahrens from the same place -Balendros- but from an urban city. His father owns a bank and wants Thaine to carry on the family business. I don’t really get too much out of the tall woman besides her name. Her name is Greta, and seems to not have any living relatives.

With all of the paranormal shit I’ve witnessed, I’m surprised to see that this university offers normal courses. Also, why are there so many young ones in an adult college? Surely there’s plenty of schools for their appropriate age?

We finally finished cleaning the weaponry and made our way towards the awaiting carriage to take us back to Sundancer University, SU for short.

“Valeri, you are to come with me.” commands Adeyemi.

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach. ”I think I know my way well enough that I don’t need assistance. But thanks for the offer!”

“That was an order, Omega.” Adeyemi growls. His deep voice is like a thunderstorm in the summer.

My body stills. Anger pulsates from within my body. The other Omegas look at me with pity. I didn’t need their pity. As soon as I’m able to, I’ll submit a request to not become an Omega. I refuse to be looked down upon and serve some upturned Highborn.

Play along, Valeri. Now is not the time. Look at where you are. The voice says within my mind. I take a deep breath, and whirl around to the silent asshole.

“See, now you’re getting it!” shouts the professor.

I roll my eyes while approaching Adeyemi. He doesn’t crack a smile at the professor’s joke. Naka lands soon after. She grabs me with her talons again while Adeyemi settles in the saddle. Once again, we take off and SU is not too far from the islet we temporarily inhabited. Naka practically flings me from her grasp before taking off again. The silent and broody guard follows me through the university’s corridor.

I whirl around. “Again, I don’t need assistance. Specifically, your assistance. I have a map of where I need to go.”

His stormy eyes gaze levelly at me. “Unless you are Queen Esther, I don’t listen to the likes of you.”

“So what, are you going to watch me as I shower or when I eat?” I asked.

“If you give me a reason to, yes.” He purrs. Adeyemi’s eyes seem to glow with warmth before turning as cold as a snow storm. He grabs my bicep and marches up to my room.

“Hey! I can walk by myself, thank you!”

I try to open my door, but notice he blocks my way in. “Don’t you have a room to go to?”

He takes a deep breath. “I don’t know what your endgame is here, but I will stop you before you think you strike your final blow.”

He leaves soon after and my half undead heart erratically beats unevenly. I quickly rush inside and run to the bathroom.

That man is enticingly dangerous, purrs the dark seductress in my mind.

Yes indeed he is, I answered.

I quickly shed my clothes and hop in the shower. I decided to keep the necklace on since it’s been proven time and time again that water doesn’t damage it. After drying off, I lay in bed gazing at the old ceiling. Soon after I drift off to sleep. My mind dreams of Cassius.

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