Page 29 of Dancing with Vipers and Shadows

I’m baffled.

“I’ll gladly go through your entire performance once we’ve finalized the official student list for this year’s N.M.U. acceptees. That will be in a few hours. Until then, I’ll gladly escort you both to the front desk, where you can complete your finalization documents and inform your families of your official acceptance.”

“Hisssss.”

We all watch Ophira as she moves from Blair’s shoulders over to mine, wrapping around my neck before her head slithers up until she’s on the top of my head.

“Can we keep Ophira, or is that against the rules?” Blair asks Headmaster Atlas.

“Ophira?” Headmaster Atlas inquires. Peering over to Professor North and Professor Blackbird, they decide to enlighten her.

“They named the snake,” Professor North grumbles.

“Miss Lysander used Ophira as her living exchange,” Professor Blackbird notes. “Extremely smart, don’t you think?”

“Very,” Headmaster Atlas admits. “Must thank Miss Guinevere for that.”

“Why would we thank her?” Professor North has a vendetta against me. He has to with his cocky annoyed attitude.

“Ophira, as we’d call her, is the eldest of her nest. That means she’s not only the strongest but is untameable.”

“Untameable?” I question as Blair and I look at Ophira, who is hissing away. It’s hard to see her because she’s on top of my head, but from the way Blair is moving her head, I can assume Ophira is moving from side to side.

“If she’s untameable, why has she been so obedient since Ophelia confronted her?” Blair asks the prime question we’re all yearning for an answer to.

“The rose,” Headmaster Atlas reveals. “The properties of these roses, which are living, have a different effect than the ones from the courtyard gardens that are of the dead. These roses that you see mark the gates as safe, and those who have their lingering scent upon them are off-limits from the strike of harm.”

“Meaning, since Ophelia had the rose in her pocket and confronted Ophira, she marked us both safe, and that was a signal to say we’re harmless,” Blair summarizes.

“Yes,” Headmaster Atlas agrees with a bob of her head. “That and she may like Miss Guinevere’s energy. There are very few gifted snake tamers, but it’s very easy to discover a student or two who are rather immune to the dangerous strike of any fae-tainted snake.”

“Fae-tainted snake?” I can only wonder what that classification is all about.

“You’ll learn all the details regarding the realms of Fae, Dark Magic, and the roots of Nephilim and Malevolence during your attendance here at N.M.U., so no need to worry about the lack of knowledge now. It’s our duty to present you with the tools and research we’ve collected for centuries. All you have to worry about is keeping yourself fit, fed, hydrated, and in some cases, alive during your attendance here.”

She claps her hands together.

“That shouldn’t be too difficult. At least, during the day, that is.”

Why do I feel as though that means nights are chaotic at the university?

“Once again, congratulations, Miss Ophelia Minerva Guinevere and Miss Blair Ivy Lysander, on your official acceptance to Nephilim Malevolence University,” she proudly declares and raises her arms up to kindle the opening of the golden gates. “May the shadows accept your offerings of exchange and ignite the marked blessings bestowed upon you within the embrace of the Valley of Shadows.”

A wave of chilled goosebumps runs through me, enough to make me shiver as my wrists sting like a burning wound. Unable to ignore it, I lift my hand and look at my wrist, catching onto Blair’s movement as she does the same thing with her left hand.

Together, we witness the finishing touches of a symbolized mark right above our pulse line—the main centerpiece being a golden Viper—which is intricately decorated with roses, green ivory, and clouds of shadows. It’s amazing to witness the marking in full color as it twinkles with lingering magic. Once the final specs of energy depart from our flesh, the marking becomes a black ink reflection of the symbol.

“That is the official mark of N.M.U. You will need to present that if a situation occurs where you’re teleported outside the school’s borders. I’d wish to say it wasn’t a coincidence that occurs often, but I’d be blatantly lying. As a competitive space filled with various young adults and older adults, it’s best to try not to get teleported off the school property because it’s a bit tedious to get back in without a professor’s assistance.”

That tells me if you get stuck outside, it’s your duty to find your way back in.

“Also, please know if your hand potentially gets cut off above your pulse line, it will also be impossible to get back into the school property unless you manage to get a hold of me personally,” she declares. “So, avoid that at all costs.”

Gruesome.

She spins around, her golden cloak leaving a trail of sparkling mist in its trailing movement.

“Now, follow me. Since you are the first students of your school year, you’ll be rewarded with a few special privileges, including the Venom Suite. It’s the most luxurious set of suites and is next to the Professor Lounge. You’ll be given special access depending on your grades, so keep that in mind for future reference.”

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