Page 106 of Savage Hope

“Arlo, nice to meet you.” He offers his hand, a natural and calm smile on his face, effortlessly putting me at ease, which immediately sets me on edge. I don’t trust anyone, and I’m not about to start with him.

“Addi.”

He quirks a brow at me when I don’t immediately take his hand, but after a beat, I relent, just as Flora plants her hand on his arm. “She’s focused, give her some space.”

It’s my turn to raise my eyebrows at her, but she simply shrugs in response. I am focused. She’s not wrong. But, am I also that obvious? It doesn’t matter. As long as she didn’t come up with any other assessments that may weaken me.

“Focused. Nice. I?—”

Whatever he’s about to say is cut off by a siren ringing out around the huge space, drawing the murmurings to a halt. All eyes turn to the podium where a lady stands. Her white hair is pulled back into a messy braid, silver glasses are perched on the tip of her nose, and she’s wearing a florescent pink blazer and skirt set with a white silk blouse underneath.

She looks over the crowd, her smile growing when she turns toward the vampires, confirming what she is before she moves toward the slim, silver microphone perched atop the podium.

“Welcome, everyone, to Heir Academy.”

ADDI

Her voice instantly sets me on edge, offering no kind of warmth or excitement to be here. Not that it’s the approach she was going for, but still. We’re hopefully here for the long haul, building for the new future they’re insisting on, but what do I know?

A lot more than they think you do.

“Thank you for gathering here this morning. It brings me great pleasure to welcome you through the academy’s gates with open arms.” She pauses, lifting her arms in a fake half hug that looks awkward as hell before she drops them back down to her sides. “There is much for us to learn about one another, much for us to learn about our past that we don’t want to repeat, and much to embrace about where we hope the future will take us.”

“As long as you’re a vampire, she means,” Arlo whispers under his breath, making my teeth sink into my bottom lip to stop the smile from spreading. Flora, on the other hand, swats him in the stomach, her cheeks reddening once again. At least I’m not the only one coming to the same assessment of the woman before us.

“My name is Mildred Bozzelli. You may call me Dean Bozzelli. After much consideration among The Council, I havebeen appointed as the dean of Heir Academy, and it’s my utmost certainty that I will ensure everyone remains focused and dedicated to the cause we are undertaking.” She smiles proudly, reveling in the title she’s earned herself, and I feel the nervous energy around me increase. “But, less about me and more about all of our fine attendees today. Don’t you agree?”

Cheers echo around us, and when I peer over my shoulder, I find the wolves, mages, and shifters joining in with the vampires, while the fae and humans remain a little more stoic.

“Firstly, I believe we should start at the beginning. As many know, Floodborn Kingdom rose from the seas many years ago, led by many, but most recently, King August Reagan.” My chest aches as disgruntled mumbles spread among the crowd. “He was the last of the fae to lead us and the remnants of his rule still echo around us.” Her face is full of sympathy, but her words remain just as quick and sharp. “After all of the mistakes, The Council was formed, uniting the origins of our kingdom. Now, however, the time has come for us to find our new leader, one forged in stone by hard work and determination, fortified with the will to lead all of our people. No matter the cost, here at the academy, wewillfind the one who will lead us and unite us all, for the sake of our kingdom.”

Her gaze glances dismissively over the fae and humans again. She offers the wolves, shifters, and mages an extra moment, but she lingers on the vampires. It’s clear who she believes should rule.

Part of me wonders why the rest of us are even here, but then my heart skips a beat, reminding me exactly why I am here. There’s a lot to prove.

There hasn’t been a queen in over five hundred years, and the thought of a fae retaking the throne won’t come easy to many in the kingdom. I’m here to prove them all wrong.

“Our aim is to find the new heir among you. There will be trials, tests, and moments where we will push you beyond your limits; all to determine who that is. It won’t be easy, but if the past has taught us anything, it’s that we must not succumb to kindness that can linger in our hearts. This kingdom deserves a dedicated leader whose strength and cut-throat loyalty can do what’s best for the people above all else, someone ruthless enough to do what needs to be done for the best interest of Floodborn.”

Another round of cheers fills the air, and this time, it includes a few humans and some of the fae around me. I jab my hands into the pockets of my cloak, clenching them into fists in anger.

Paper brushes against my knuckles, making me frown, and I pull out a small folded sheet. With my gaze locked on Bozzelli’s, I meticulously unfold it until there’s nothing left to do before I peer down. My eyes skim the scratchy words scrawled across it. My heart instantly aches, but the warmth that blossoms in my chest almost floors me.

Quickly glancing at Bozzelli again, I’m relieved to see I’ve gone unnoticed as I refold the paper and return it to my pocket.

“In a few moments, registration will begin for everyone and we’ll filter you all onto the official grounds of the academy. Once in there, you will have the remainder of today to get comfortable, but everything begins tomorrow. Not everyone will make it. Not everyone will want to. But coming here today confirms your trust in The Council and your loyalty to the Floodborn Kingdom. I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you.”

“Why does she look so bloodthirsty when she says that?” Arlo whispers, nudging Flora with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

I school my features, pretending as though I don’t hear him as I watch six additions join Bozzelli on the podium. They stand shoulder to shoulder, three on either side of the dean, before she begins to point them out.

“On the end to my left, you have Professor Alyx Sorrow. She will be leading the mages. Followed by Professor Landon Fairbourne, who will guide the fae.” Her nose turns up slightly as she says it, but if anyone notices it, they don’t bother to say a word. “With Professor Garrick Knight beside me, who will assist the shifters.” They each wave at their introduction before Bozzelli lifts her other arm, indicating the three remaining professors beside her. “Professor Harrison Amos, to my right, will be here for the humans. Beside him is Professor Connor Whitlock. He will be commanding the wolves. While Professor Maxima Holloway will escort the vampires the best she can.”

I repeat their names a few times in my head as I stare at their faces, committing them to memory. Once over, I wouldn’t have remembered a single name she just said, but with my father’s guidance, I now understand the importance of remembering names and faces. Both to leave a good and lasting impression on them, while also remembering who may or may not betray you in the future.

The latter is more likely than I care to admit.

“As you are already in your groups, I will have each professor call out the origins before they guide you inside. They will go through the timetables, attire, accommodation, and dining details that will pertain to you for the next two years. Unless we find our heir before that time, of course,” she adds, twitching with excitement. I’m certain she’s going to bounce out of her shoes at any given moment, but before I can see if that’s likely to happen, Professor Alyx Sorrow calls out the mages.

---