Chapter Three
"Catherine, how does my skin look like nothing happened?" My mouth is hanging open, my pale skin perfectly clear, not one imperfection I know was littered across it just hours before.
"Hun, it is just a lotion that the academy leaves in every students room. It wouldn't look good on the academy if everyone walked around as soon as they got here looking like death. Especially the students whose parents come see them after a couple days, it would be hard for them to explain." Catherine's red hair is pulled back into a slick ponytail, showing her bright eyes.
"I guess. This is all very strange. I didn’t even know a school like this existed, let alone kidnapped people to be brought here. Why can't I remember what happened yet?"
"They must have used a stronger sedative; it should wear off though. Don't worry. But, yeah, the academy isn't well known. You only get brought here if you exhibit magic. You will see people from eighteen or higher at this academy." She stands up and walks over to my dresser, pulling out some black jeans and a black T-shirt, tossing them at me. "Go get cleaned up, throw these on, and we will go get some food. I will explain more when we get there."
We walk down the same hallway as the day before, but we go the opposite way, dread still creeping into my body at the thought of Mr. Snow or that room. I shiver before I can hide it.
"Hey, Viv, you okay?" Catherine's gentle voice asks with her hand resting on my arm.
"Ya. Sorry, stuck in my head a little bit." I try to smile, but I think it comes out more like a grimace that Catherine pretends to not notice.
"Understandable. You clean up well though, I didn't really notice before, but your eyes are beautiful." Her smile is genuine, but I don't know how to take it. My eyes use to cause me all types of problems growing up.
"Umm… Thanks. I must have lost a contact yesterday," I mumble out, looking at my surroundings, instead of at Catherine. I don't want to see the pity I expect. Around me is large foyer-type room, with two large ornate wooden doors leading outside, with a large staircase leading upstairs and another two hallways similar to the one we just exited. A quick glance shows an office, with administration written on the door.
Following Catherine we pass through the foyer to another large open space. The Cafeteria. "Go ahead and grab what you like, the school covers it, I am sure you are starving." I grab a couple items, nerves getting the better of me. I can feel the eyes on me. I don't remember why, but something inside is telling me attention is bad. Dangerous. My palms are sweaty, my chest is feeling tight, but I don't know why I am thinking I am in danger.
Catherine grabs a spot at a table with a woman who looks like she is in her 60s, chocolate brown hair with salt and pepper strands, but her white eyes are what give me pause, unsettling but familiar. I settle in beside Catherine, with the woman across from me staring at me, but I don’t feel the threat from her staring at me. I rub my chest, the pressure from earlier dissipating slightly.
"Viviana, this is Maureen. She is a well of knowledge and like a mother to me." I can see the fondness that the two women have for each other, displayed across their faces. "Maureen, this is my new roommate, Viv."
I smile at the women, enjoying the genuine warmth that radiates from the woman across from me. "Hi Maureen, nice to meet you."
"My dear, how you have grown," she replies, the food in my mouth almost causing me to choke. "Sorry dear, didn't mean to cause any harm."
I reach for my glass of water, chugging half of it down before I am able to reply. "Wait, we have met before?" My eyes scan the woman in front of me, studying everything from her hair to her birthmark on her left shoulder, to her cupids bow lip. Nothing in front of me is familiar.
"A lifetime ago, my dear. You were just a child. I knew this day would come."
Chapter Four
"What do you mean you knew this day would come?" I am getting tired of asking so many questions, but having no idea what has been happening has made me sound like a broken record.
"Darling, do you remember anything that happened?" Her eyes crinkle at the corners, sadness pulling her lips down. I glance at Catherine, who is watching me, no judgment on her face, just concern.
"I honestly can't tell you what happened yesterday, let alone what happened when I was five," I say as my voice raises an octave. I take a deep breath, not wanting to draw attention to myself. "Sorry. Is there something I should know?" My head falls into the palms of my hands, my food forgotten.
"Dear, I can't tell you. That won't help anything, but I will leave you with this: When the sky is dark, the grass is dead, the water is still and the wind doesn't blow and you can feel it in your chest, what do you do?" Her eyes implore mine, searching, for what I don't know.
"I don’t know what that means. Am I supposed to?" I question, not sure what she is getting at.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Things can change. Things happen." She replies cryptically, "How about I tell you about a woman I met a long, long time ago?" I look to Catherine, who just shrugs, she doesn't look concerned, just intrigued with what the woman has to say.
I nod, "I guess so."
"Back before man craved all power, there were a select few gifted with the power of the Elementals. These people were blessed and were called Devas. They had power unimaginable, but they could
