Page 10 of Rejected Darkness

"Next," the councilwoman demands, her tone almost making me flinch.

"Hello, I'm Archangel Isis," she gives a small soft wave. "I was rejected for being too strong-headed," her tone lacks the confidence she previously showed when we had all been talking outside. I have a feeling there's a lot more to her story but I can understand why she only mentioned strong-headed.

Before we are demanded for the next person to go, Stark jumps at the opening to introduce himself. I’m thankful for that because I have no idea why I was rejected only theories.

"I'm Angel Stark and I have no idea why I was rejected," he explains. Isis's shoulders shake with silent laughter, the only clue to me that there is more to the story than his not knowing why he was rejected. That is something I'll have to ask Isis about later.

"Arabella," Councilwoman Talia scolds, putting the spotlight on me. I can hear the disappointment in her tone, but I'm not sure why she is.

"Hi everyone," I mutter. "I'm Arabella and I don't have a concrete reason for why I was rejected I only have an idea that it's related to me not willing to fully submit to my mate." I had contemplated to not even giving my guess but I was hoping giving more information would help me more than hurt me in this instance. Plus they said the Seraphim Council had already given them the reasons for our rejection as it is, and considering she is a Seraphim it's more than likely she knows my father so everything I do and say will get back to him.

"Thank you, Arabella," Talia states. "Some of you will see each other in classes and some of you will not. Classes start on Monday so you have the weekend to adjust to campus life. Mira will escort you to your dorms where your belongings and everything else you'll need are waiting for you. Before you all leave this is the rest of the Council who you all will be introduced to at a later time. All of us will be in charge of you while you're here should you need anything, but please speak to me first before seeking out another council member, especially if there is an issue with another species.

"Please remember this campus has attendees from all the races. You won't necessarily have joint classes but you will see each other in the halls and common areas. We expect everyone to be respectful. If we hear of any malicious conduct there will be consequences," she pauses to look for someone behind us and gives a small nod. "You may now follow Mira to your rooms,"Councilwoman Talia explains. We all turn around together to see the woman who escorted us up here waiting on us. "Oh, one last thing before you go," Talia calls out causing us to turn around. "Angel classes are combined with the Fallen Angels. I expect you all to treat each other with respect. We are all one race Angel or Fallen. Here you will work together in and out of classes. If I hear of any issues there will be a problem. I would prefer to not see you all in my office until the time comes for you to leave the academy, whether that is to return to your mate or to pursue a life with a second chance mate or alone. The world is your oyster here. Good luck to you all and may you find peace inside yourself with whatever decision you make."

With that dismissal, we turn to follow Mira out of the room and back down both sets of stairs. When I reach my room I’m going to think about everything Talia had informed us. I have never seen a Fallen Angel before, let alone spoken to one. Our time here will sure to be interesting after all.

Instead of Mira going back out the front door when we reach the bottom floor, she guides us to a back door leading to the gardens. I am definitely coming back to explore these garden areas when I have time. The walk to the dorms takes us through the woods for about ten minutes. When we exit the trees we come upon a small building. I fully expected the dorms to be a lot larger and similar to the apartments back in Aeris. This building is about half its size and looks more like a large house rather than a dorm building. Upon closer inspection, it looks like some of the rooms on the upper floors have balconies and large double doors leading from the rooms to the outside.

"This is the Angel dorms where Angels and Fallen both live. The three of you girls will be sharing a suite. Young man, you will be placed in a suite with an open room. Please speak with the front desk, they will give you access to your rooms and buildings. Think of them like security for the dorm. We don't want otherspecies entering dorms they are not supposed to be in, for everyone's safety," Mira explains right as she scans a badge to open the front door. "Please proceed inside and give your names. Good luck." She shuts the door behind us as we all enter.

It takes a second for my eyes to adjust, despite there being many windows throughout the main floor. While the others are in line to speak with the woman sitting at the front desk I take my time to look around the area. Once you make it past the front desk the area opens up with a small study area off to the left settled among a wall of windows. On the opposite side of the room is a hangout area with four couches and a large television. There is also a pool table and an air hockey table. The dorm is a lot fancier than I expected and I know I'll be checking out the air hockey table eventually when I find a good opponent. I always did enjoy kicking Warrick's ass at it.

"Arabella," Isis calls out, bringing my attention back to her. Turning around I see her and Harper standing in front of the woman waiting on me. "Come get your information registered so we can see our room!"

I shake my head and roll my eyes at her excitement but do as she says. "Hi, I'm Seraphim Arabella," I hold my hand out to shake hers.

"Nice to meet you, Arabella. Welcome to the Angel Dorms," she smiles and shakes my hand. "You will be rooming with Archangel Isis and Angel Harper. You all are sharing dorm room 413. If you're worried it's only female dorms on the fourth floor. All even floors are for females and odd floors are for males. Despite you all sharing the dorm we do try to ensure everyone has their privacy. There are only three per suite as well. I sure hope you girls get along because you will be roommates for the remainder of your stay here. Good luck and if you need anything please stop down here and whoever is sitting here will assist you in whatever way they can."

"Ahhh, we get to be roomies!" Isis squeals before grabbing mine and Harper's hands as she pulls us behind her toward the elevator. "This is going to be amazing. We can do whatever we want without any parents telling us what to do."

"Speak for yourself," I mumble. I know any move that I make will be reported back to my father. There's no way I can relax and enjoy myself here. I need to be at the top of my game and excel, proving to him that I'm not a failure. Whatever these classes require of me, I'll do it no questions asked. I don't particularly want my supposed mate to take me back though. Maverick is an asshole and I would never be happy with him, despite what the Divine may believe. This is my time to shine. I don't need a mate.

"Isis, do you think you could take it down a small notch? We just got here," Harper questions, right as the elevator dings, notifying us that we have reached our floor. The doors open, and we all walk off together. Isis is basically skipping down the hallway, looking for our room as Harper and I slowly follow behind.

"This is it!" she shouts, coming to a stop in front of a door at the end of the hallway. By the time Harper and I reach her, she already has the door wide open and is exploring the space. "This place is huge! They really set us up. This is amazing!"

"Isis," I chuckle, trying hard to not bring down her excitement to much. "Could we maybe bring this down a couple of notches? Not all of us were ready for a change like this just yet. Give Harper and I time to take it all in before we can share in your excitement."

"Time?" she laughs, spinning in a circle. "Girls, we are free! Our parents aren’t here to tell us what to do. We aren't trying to prove how amazing of an angel we are just so whoever our asshole mates are will choose us as their lifetime partner. This is our time to shine and discover who we are without all thebullshit telling us what to do. I don't know why you both aren't as excited as I am."

"Maybe because some of us came from a good life and had good parents who accepted us as we are and didn't expect anything different," Harper answers with a small shoulder shrug. I know she doesn’t mean to hurt Isis's feelings with her words but I see the change in Isis immediately.

"Sorry," she mumbles. "I shouldn't have assumed that everyone's life was as shitty as mine back home."

"No, don't be sorry," Harper moves to give her a quick hug. "You're right. This will be an amazing opportunity for all of us, and we will do this together. My family understands why I'm here and is fighting to get me released."

"Thanks, Harper." Isis's smile comes back to life before she turns to me. "What about you, Arabella? Are you team celebrate and enjoy life or will you hide?"

"Both," I answer hesitantly. There's no good answer here. My life at home sucked; my father is a complete asshole. I have nothing there for me except my best friend and my great-grandmother. I want to enjoy this time and grow as a person and an angel. It's my chance to be myself, but I also can't do that knowing every move I make will be reported back to my father.Fuck!

"Let me guess, your father?" Isis questions, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah," I nod. "Every move I make will be reported back to him. I can't take my time to discover who I am while every move I make is told to him. He may have said he disowned me, but I know he didn't. I'm still his daughter despite everything. Whatever I do will reflect on him, and in his eyes, being an Angel, a Seraphim, is all there is. Position for an Angel defines you. Both of you know that."

"Shit, Arabella," Isis sighs. "I didn't realize it was that bad for you."

"I didn't either," Harper adds. "I honestly thought that being a Seraphim you had it all and could do whatever you wanted. I didn't realize how tough your dad was until he put you in handcuffs to fly you here, just how bad it sort of was, but even then, I didn't expect he would disown you. Is he really that selfish?"

---