Chapter Five

Chapter Five

                           Natasha

The shock only lasted for a few seconds, before I pushed him off my body. His lips tugged up in an unrepentant smirk. Our lips had merely touched, and couldn't qualify as a kiss, but repulsion crawled over my skin. 

“Did you just kiss me?” It was a stupid question. But my brain wasn't moving in sync with my mouth. The question was out before I could stop it.

“Head back to the dorm, Natasha. Now.” Kai ordered. The smirk had long disappeared, and he was now looking around warily.

But I was way past caring about whatever was happening around the Academy.

“If you don't answer my question, I'll break your jaw, by the Goddess.” My chest heaved. His watch had begun glowing again, and I observed it without appearing to.

“It was barely a kiss. Don't think highly of yourself, Pest. I've kissed many girls, than I can probably keep count of.” He scoffed.

I shook my head. Of course he had.

“Don’t give me that crap.” I rasped, raising my forefinger. Blue flame burned on its tip. 

“Are you stupid?!” He yelled, exasperation written over his face. 

The words were barely out of his mouth before my hand collided with his jaw. Surprise shone in his eyes, but disappeared quickly. 

Anger burned in his eyes when his gaze met mine again.

“How dare you hit a Prince?” 

“A shitty Prince, you mean?” I retorted.

I heard a low curse, before the scene around me warped. For a while, all I could see was darkness, before it cleared up again.

I looked around. The dark room was quite unfamiliar. 

“Where’s this place?” I muttered subconsciously.

“Your new prison. Since you wouldn't head back to the dorm like an obedient little princess, that'd be your new room. Why don't make yourself at home, ‘cause you'll be staying there longer than you think.” I heard Kai sneer.

“A mere cell can't keep me locked in, Kai. I can teleport whenever and wherever I want.” I snickered.

“Of course you can, Lady Natasha. You might want to take a look at the new piece of jewelry adorning your wrists.” He said sweetly.

I peered down at my wrists.

Handcuffs.

“Are you this stupid, Kai?” 

“Enjoy your new room, Pest.” He said with a humorless chuckle, and then his voice faded.

I didn't bother trying to escape. That'd be too easy. But I soon discovered the reason why he'd been so confident. The handcuffs weren't ordinary.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, as I tried once more. Rather than falling off, they tightened. I let out an exasperated sigh as I fell to my knees on the cold cell floor. 

Damned bastard.

I hugged myself, and buried my head between my knees. My mind strayed to what'd happened earlier on. What was happening at the Academy? 

As if in response, the ground suddenly rumbled. I swallowed, and sat still. Waiting.

I waited for a long while, and then I heard footsteps.

“Already made yourself at home, I see,” he sneered, as he pulled open the lock.

I didn't respond, and merely brushed past him. He pulled me back before I barely made it a few steps away. 

“What?” I huffed, my chest heaving.

“If you want to keep your life, steer clear off my path, Natasha.” He warned. Gone was his playful demeanor. 

I whipped my hand away from his hold. “As if I need any reminder.” I began walking away and then on second thoughts, turned back.

“And Kai? The next time you lock me in a godforsaken cell, you'll know why the females of Gavemorth aren't to be underestimated.” And then I stalked away.

The pathway remained the same. Except for a few fallen vases, there was no evidence that something had happened there. I hurried towards my dorm, desperate to change into a more comfortable outfit.

I longed for my normal outfit; pants, and a loose shirt.

There was no one in the living room when I walked in. 

“I wasn't expecting you back so soon,” A calm voice said as I turned the doorknob. I didn't need to turn before knowing who it was.

“Hi, Kaleb.” I still hadn't gotten over the fact that these men were my new roommates. I had to talk to Sir Patrick as soon as possible. Hopefully I'll get a change of dorm. I was sure I'd be content with anywhere. Anywhere but this particular dorm.

I finally turned to see him staring at me. 

“What happened earlier on? Was the Academy under attack, or something?” I asked, noting the way his face immediately closed up. And when he spoke again, his voice had changed.

“Nothing to worry your pretty head about.” He said dismissively. 

I decided to press on the topic, and instead bade him goodnight and turned to leave.

“Why don't you join me for dinner?” He asked, making me halt in my tracks.

“Maybe some other time. I'm not particularly hungry.” I said politely.

“Good. If you need a tour around the Academy, you can ask me. Not to brag, but I'm the best guide you can ever wish for.” He said with an insincere smile.

I scoffed. So much for not bragging.

“Good night.” I muttered, hurrying into the room and pretending that I hadn't felt the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. Someone had definitely been staring at me.

And it wasn't Kaleb.

I let my eyes sweep around my new room, and nodded in satisfaction. Not too girly, and too manly either.

The four poster bed had a beautiful carving on its headboard. The ground was covered with dark soft rugs. I wasted no time before rushing into the bathroom.

An hour later, when I was ready to retire to bed, I grabbed my duffel bag which I'd left on the bedside table before heading into the bathroom. My lazy actions vanished as my hand frantically searched through the bag.

Again. One more time. 

I searched again and again. To make sure, I overturned the contents of my bag, and let my eyes roam over the contents. There was no sight of the bottle which I was searching for.

My heart plummeted down to my stomach. I was sure I'd brought the bottle. I'd carefully added it alongside other items which had gone into the duffel bag.

“Oh God, oh God,” I muttered softly, my heart racing. 

Someone had gone through my things. But who?

I tossed and turned on the bed, afraid to close my eyes. And when in the wee hours of the morning, I finally did, my nightmares clawed at me. 

I hugged myself, shivering as I leaned against the headboard. My eyes darted around the room in fear, as if any moment from then, they'd come in through the door.

Those people. Those horrible people. They were going to come in, and they were going to do horrible things to me.

The shivering increased, but my eyes remained open. 

                                ***

The bell rang loudly the next morning. I'd already changed into the allocated Academy's outfit. 

Black leather pants with high knee boots, leather corset-like top and a black cloak.

 As I glanced at my reflection through the mirror, loving the bold essence, Sir Patrick's voice sounded through a microphone.

“Esteemed Sirs and Ladies, it's my pleasure to welcome you back to the new session. For the new students, please head to Hilton hall where you'd be assigned your courses, and officially become students of this prestigious Academy. Thank you.”

His voice went off. 

Kai was in the living room, and my gaze directly met his, as I stepped outside. His look was chilly and unnerving.

Not bothering to say a word, I sidestepped him and headed for the door.

“I’ll take you to your class,” I heard him say.

“No, thanks.”

I hurried out of the living room before he'd say something else. Kaleb was leaning against the wall outside the dorm. Just like Kai, he was wearing a black suit, and black trousers. He also had a cloak on. 

“Ready?” He asked.

In spite of myself, I smiled in amusement. “Were you waiting for me?”

“Not really. But I figured you'd need my help.” He shrugged.

I merely scoffed, and followed his lead as he led the way through the meandering paths. I wondered if I'd ever familiarize myself with this place. We finally got to a large door. I watched more out of curiosity than admiration, as he raised his wrist watch towards a little hole close to the doorknob. The watch shone brightly and the door opened without a hitch.

I waited until we were outside, before I asked him what that was about.

“The door wouldn't open without your identification as a student. You were given one, weren't you?” He asked, and I silently cursed.

Was there anything worse than leaving my ‘identification tag,’ on my bedside table on my very first day as a student?

Shit.

Kaleb misread the expression on my face, as he continued chattering. 

“The Academy is fascinating. You'll settle down soon enough.”

I tuned out the rest of his words, my head banging furiously. I had to find a way to get my sleeping draft, else I wouldn't be getting any wink of sleep in the coming days.

“... understood?” 

I whipped my head towards Kaleb who was staring at me.

“Pardon?”

“We are here. Your first class is Shifting.”

Blood roared in my ears, as I walked through the perfectly tiled school ground, into the large hall with classes on both sides. I turned to see that Kaleb had vanished.

‘I can do this.’ I chanted inwardly, and pushed the first door open hoping that was my class.

I regretted not asking Ka

leb which class I was supposed to head to. 

Fucking idiot.

Pairs of eyes met mine, as I stepped into the classroom which looked like something straight out of a dark gothic tale.

I ignored the whispers and headed straight for a vacant chair.