Page 9 of Rejected Darkness

Despite knowing it's a bad idea, I turn to look at him and give him one final comment. "Hard to bring shame to a family name that I no longer belong to." With a sweet smile, I turn on my heel and walk through the now-open gates.

I can feel him staring me down, his heated gaze on my back with every step away from him that I take. I half expect him to come after me and punish me. Either the guards won’t let him or he's trying to save face. I win either way.

"Follow me. I'll take you to the council; they will give you further information," the guard who had silently watched usinstructs. He doesn't wait to see if any of us follow, just begins walking up the long winding drive.

The stone driveway twists and turns as it winds its way up the hill. The closer we get the larger the school appears. There are two turrets on the side of the castle at the front, with several windows covering the stone exterior.

"Move to the side please," the guard instructs as he comes to a stop on the side of the road. The sound of a car approaching us makes me turn and I see a black SUV coming up the drive.

"So you're telling me that we could have driven here instead of flying for hours?” Stark groans as he watches the car pass us.

"Yes, almost all students arrive via vehicle. It's uncommon to arrive by any other method. I don't know why Seraphim Castiel chose for you all to fly here," the guard who had faced my father answers from behind me.

I jump at the sound of his voice, not expecting him to be behind me or any of us. Thank the Divine I didn't scream from the surprise.

"Scared, Little Angel?" he whispers in my ear.

"No," I sputter, rushing forward to get away from him. That dude moves so silently, I'm going to need to be on high alert. I hate that I already have a target on my back thanks to my father. I was hoping to just fly under the radar here. If I keep this guard's attention then that won't be possible anymore.

"This is the main building," the first guard explains." All administrative offices are in this building as well as your classes. After you meet with the council they will give you a map to get around. Please wait here and they will be out to get you shortly."

"You want us to wait outside?" Stark questions. It almost sounds like he's complaining, but I think it is more confusion than anything.

"Yes, stay here, Guard Noah will remain with you so don't try anything," he answers.

And there it is the kicker to his first instructions. I'd much prefer that he was the one staying with us. With a look out of the corner of my eye, I see Guard Noah staring at me. Goosebumps form on my skin and it takes everything in me to not visibly react. Better to just stand here and ignore him. I can blame the goosebumps on the fact we are standing under the large double stone arches that provide a shaded cover to the entrance of the school.

Chapter 5

Arabella

In an effort to avoid Guard Noah, I make small talk with Harper and the other girl who came with who I learned is Isis. Harper and I shared one class while in school where Isis was three classes ahead of us. Both girls are nice though Harper’s a little on the shy side and remains mostly silent unless asked a specific question. Isis shared what she knew about the school which was just as much as I did, so not much at all.

"What? Swapping rejection stories?" Stark snarks as he comes to join us.

"No, just making small talk to pass the time. Something that I doubt a little boy like you knows how to do," Isis retorts rolling her eyes and turning away from him. "Boys, right?" she chuckles.

I snort at her dismissal of him and then quickly cover my mouth. "I'm so sorry," I mutter. "I didn't mean to laugh that was rude."

"Not rude, true. Don't conform to societal standards and repress your true self. Being genuine is way cooler than conforming." Isis gives me a pointed look before turning to the guard. "Is the council ever going to get out here or are they just enjoying torturing us with this wait?"

"No, we don't enjoy torturing you or anyone, Archangel Isis. Please follow me so we can introduce ourselves and get you settled for the weekend," an older female with long grey hair answers surprising all of us. "Guard Noah you may return to the front gate. Thank you."

All of our eyes widen in surprise when she speaks. We never heard the front doors open as I would have expected. Isis drops her head to a submissive position before turning to follow the council member.

"Hey, it'll be okay. You didn't mean any disrespect," I whisper giving her hand a quick squeeze in support.

Silently, our small group enters through the open, dark wood doors. Inside is grand and dark despite the number of windows I had seen around the outside of the building.

"This is the main entrance to the academy. All your classes will be in this area as well as all common areas. Every species has its own dorms placed around the academy grounds. You will receive a map to help you get around, so don't stress about getting lost." We're escorted up a grand staircase leading to the second floor where we turn and follow along the outer edge of the main room to a second similar staircase leading to the third floor. The halls are empty as we walk, which is weird. Even though it’s Saturday I still expected to see at least a few people in the halls but not a single soul is around.

"You all may enter," our guide states holding open a single nondescript wooden door. Stark enters first, followed by Isis, Harper, and then myself. The room is pitch black at first, but when the door shuts behind us, the lights slowly brighten just enough to make out others sitting in a half circle looking at all of us.

"Welcome to RISE Academy. Where we believe this is an opportunity to Renew, Improve, Shine, and Elevate. I am Council Member Talia, and I belong to the Seraphim. Pleaseintroduce yourselves and the reason you were rejected. We want to make sure the class schedules we will be providing you are correct. If you don't know the reason that's okay, we have the information that was provided upon your enrollment here by the Seraphim Council. Angel Harper, you are first." Her tone leaves no room for argument and she doesn’t even bother to introduce the rest of the room. Even weirder I had never even heard of her and I thought I knew all of the Seraphim angels. I would have guessed she was shunned but she has a position of power so that wouldn't make sense. Maybe, she was rejected like the rest of us is the only thing that would make sense.

As Harper steps forward to begin I watch the councilwoman. Her black hair is pulled back into a tight bun on the top of her head, giving her a professional look. She wears light makeup but her blue eyes are like ice as she stares at us. I’ve never seen someone eyes such a bright blue, it would be pretty if she didn’t seem scary. She’s wearing a black pinstripe suit that continues to add to her professional look, as she sits in front of us with her hands clasped on top of the table.

"Hi, I'm Angel Harper and I was rejected for being too shy and lacking in magic," Harper practically whispers her answer before stepping back to basically hide behind the rest of us.

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