Page 10 of The Sea Witch's Son

MELODY

The car glides to a stop at the front of the school.

I study the building silently, taking in the stone towers soaring high into the sky. It looks more like a cathedral than a college with the sharp arches and a bell tower looming in the distance. The sky is overcast and gloomy, adding to the gothic backdrop of the setting.

“Thanks for the ride.” I unbuckle my seatbelt, but before I can reach for the door handle, Erik grabs my arm.

“Be careful.” His eyes flick towards the mass of students lingering nearby, “Remember what we talked about. Don’t trust anyone.”

“I’m going to school with the next generation of criminals.” Removing my arm from his grip, I give him a tight smile, “I have no plans on making friends.”

He hesitates before giving me a nod. I climb out of the car, hitching my backpack over my shoulder as I follow the flood of bodies moving towards the doors.

Low murmurs echo around me as the crowd files through the main entrance, it’s vaulted ceilings and stone walls reaching new heights as we funnel into the foyer.

Once the crowd is thin enough, I break off and loop back around to one of the first classrooms. The pocketknife I borrowed from Erik stays tucked in my waistband, the cool slide of metal offering me a slight bit of reassurance.

By the time I find the appropriate classroom, the lecture has already begun. I slip in through one of the side doors and begin quietly making my way towards the back row.

“Ms. St. James.”

The voice halts my tracks. I lift my head and meet the professor’s cool gaze.

“Please make your way to the front of the room.”

Swallowing thickly, I turn and descend the steps to the front of the classroom. The name Florian marks the front of the professor’s desk while the man himself stands off to the side, his long grey beard brushing the arms crossed over his wool cardigan.

“You are the new transfer, correct?”

The question comes off as a statement.

I nod, keeping my eyes trained on a spot over his shoulder.

“In that case, I would like to formerly introduce you to the class.” The creases around his eyes deepen as he addresses therest of the room, “Everyone, meet Melody St. James. She will be joining us for the rest of the semester.”

Turning around slowly, I face the seated students, feeling the heavy weight of their stares. Big, masculine bodies fill the room, their scarred faces and leering grins making me painfully aware of my decision to wear a skirt today.

Flaming orange catches my eye and I turn to see a girl twirling a lock of ginger hair around her finger. Quickly noting the empty seat next to her, I keep my face neutral as I scan the rest of the crowd.

“A saint in Wolf Hollow? This will be an exciting semester.”

The female voice rings through the room and my eyes snap to the back row. A blonde shoots me a sly grin while the guy sitting beside her raises his hand.

Florian nods, “Yes, Gus?”

“I have a question for Melody.” Dark skin peels back to reveal perfect teeth, “Do you have a time set up for confessions? My sins have beenunbearablyheavy lately.”

Snickers echo among the students. I clench my teeth and stay silent, keeping my eyes trained on the empty seat next to the ginger.

Florian chuckles, “I’m sure many of us could use some holy water. You may find a seat now, Ms. James.”

I walk stiffly over to the empty chair, resisting the urge to glare at the couple laughing in the back row. Sliding into my seat, I wait until Florian resumes his lecture before turning to the girl beside me.

“Does he always put the newbies on trial or am I special?”

She smirks, “You’re nothing special. Introducing new students is the only time Florian stands in the limelight. He tries to make it last as long as possible.”

“As one does.”

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