I’m at even more of a loss of who actually surrounds me.
*****
I could cut the tension in this car with a knife. I don’t want to be here but apparently that’s irrelevant. My arms are completely numb at this point, but I refuse to complain or show any weakness. No one’s offered to help me out. Seems it’s completely normal to take people against their will and handcuff them like this for hours.
Clearing his throat, Rafe gains my attention, “Luna, we aren’t too far from Featherstone and I feel there is still more for us to discuss.”
“You’ve had plenty of time to discuss all of this with me Rafe, why worry about it now?”
I’m trying to see all of this from Rafe’s point of view but I’m still furious with him. As much as it may have been a tough conversation, I would have been more prepared right now.
He sighs but continues, “When we arrive there won’t be any hanging around, they don’t fuss around like that, so I only have now to prepare you. There is only so much apologizing I can do Luna and right now that isn’t my priority.”
He looks me in the eyes, and I can feel him trying to communicate how serious he is. I give a nod and his shoulders relax.
“When we arrive, you should be taken for registration. They’ll give you everything you need to settle in, from your dorm keys to a list of materials you may need. Some items can be purchased on site while others hold more value. You should be given access to our bloodline vaults, where you’ll have access to heirlooms. Anything else you need, should be provided by Featherstone, otherwise I can get you whatever you need.”
He looks to my mother for confirmation of this, who simply nods like it was obvious to begin with.
“There are already cliques amongst surnames here, add the fact that most of the other students will already know each other leaves you at a disadvantage,” Rafe murmurs, his eyes darkening with the thought.
“Although, with you being a Steele, you are high up in the ranks, and learning three bloodline skills should help broaden your reach amongst the student body.”
He pauses like he’s trying to find the right words, “Luna, it’s a dog eat dog world here and that includes the tutors too. You are stepping into a world where these kids have been raised to be criminals. Stabbing you in the back, literally, would be like waking up and having a cup of coffee to these people. You need to make sure you are always alert.”
“Rafe, always the storyteller,” my mother muses, but Rafe doesn’t seem to pay her any mind.
“As much as I hoped this would never happen Luna, I trained you for this. I threw so many techniques at you, pushing you to your limit sometimes, to make sure you could hold your own no matter what.”
I usually like seeing the pride in his eyes. I don’t want it in this moment but I do trust him with my life, so I have to set my emotions aside and take in any information he can give me. He looks as though he’s going to push on with more insight, when we’re interrupted by one of the meatheads sitting upfront in the SUV.
“We have arrived.”
Arrived? I glance out of my window to see us pass through giant wrought iron gates. The parameter going on beyond what I can see. Twisting around the best I can, to get a better view, I’m taken back with the size of this place.
From my viewpoint, I can’t see much, but guards stop us before we are able to continue down the road. Apart from the road, everything else is nature. Perfectly cut grass, vibrant flowers and large chestnut oak trees.
It’s beautiful.
“This is the entry building and where they hold events. The dorms are in separate buildings to the left, classes are held over a few buildings to the right and the shops and cafeteria are in the center. You’ll get used to the size of it,” Rafe says.
His hands are pointing out in random directions, and I struggle to keep up with him without ending up with whiplash. I hope I get some form of map because I can’t remember all of that.
As the car pulls to a stop, I rattle the handcuffs, “If you’re so intent on me attending you may need to uncuff me mother.”
She smirks as she says, “Don’t look at me, I assumed you’d come without acting like a child, they’re Rafe’s.”
She wants me to lash out and aim it all at Rafe, but I won’t give her the satisfaction. On the inside I want to rip him a new one, punch him in the throat and smash his face through the car window but on the outside, I simply smile.
“The honors, Rafe.”
He moves swiftly as he murmurs, “You’d have killed us all Luna and it’s not our time yet.”
I hum in response as my arms fall to my lap, wiggling my fingers to get my blood flowing again. My mother hands her gun off to one of the guys. Seems it was just an extra precaution to keep me compliant.
“I’m aware we’re at Featherstone Academy but would anyone like to tell me where that is on the map?”
“Not far from Richmond, Virginia.”
Oh, so the guy next to me does actually talk, who knew? The guy sitting to Rafe’s left opens the door and everyone gets out. The humidity hits instantly and I consider jumping back in the car for the air conditioning alone.
Two people are heading towards us, a man and a woman, who seem to be having a heated discussion, the woman is dressed similarly to Veronica with a tailored pantsuit in black and her caramel hair slicked back in
