Chapter One

Jerking awake and feelings of the same nightmare that been plaguing my dreams as of late it takes me a few minutes to slow my heart rate and realize I’m on the plane from the same nightmare that has plagued my dreams for the last month, I’m disoriented and forgetting where I am because I still have the lingering feeling of suffocating Like every time I wake up sweating profusely with my heart pounding with a feeling of overwhelming and dreadful darkness. unable to remember what happened in the dream

I wake suddenly, my heart racing and a lingering feeling of dread. It takes me a moment before everything comes into focus. My eyes take in the ray of light coming from the small window showing that I’m still on the plane. The noise from the staff and other passengers come trickling back in. I can’t believe I fell asleep but it was my last night at home with mama before I got on the plane this morning to head to North Dakota for College.

We stayed up late which with the nightmares as of late it was an easy decision to get in last moments of packing and having a cheesecake party. I woke this morning dressed and fed in fraction of the time it usually takes and left without thought of warmer clothes. Leaving Edge Hill, Georgia for Devils Lake, North Dakota. The winter months of cold are different but I still wear little less than I should have for the destination. I’m basic with jeans or leggings and a T-shirt and my leather jacket or hoodies. I had to buy some warmer coats and shoes.

I jumped when the captain came over the speaker, “our descent into Devil's Lake was upon us”, he said. My heart rate was finally coming back to a normal rhythm by the time the plane started taxing, which was good since I no longer felt like my heart would beat out of my chest after waking up. I am finally reminded that I am headed to the prestigious Devil’s Lake Academy where not only would I spend the next four years of my life but learn what a cruel mother fucker destiny could be.

I step out of the plane into the frigid air that is Devils Lake, ND. I really never would admit it to her but I should have worn warmer clothes as mama had suggested. In my rush this morning, I chose to go with a pair of skinny jeans, a form fitting dove-blue t-shirt, my black bomber leather jacket with a hood, and a pair of Justin Jaycie style Boots. Definitely not the warmest attire but seeing as I would not be in the cold winter day air long due to a limousine waiting right outside the tarmac with the driver holding a sign that had the school logo and my name on it, I wonder why they are right outside the tarmac and not in the pickup line like normal. I shrugged the weirdness away and moved toward the driver after standing there for what felt like hours thinking how this is my life now and what I do to deserve a ride of this caliber.

“Hi, you must be Miss Embyrson,” he said.

“Yes”, I said. He said nothing else while holding the door open until I slid into the limo, and he closed the door. I take a deep breath while I take a moment to ground myself since lately it feels like I’m going to explode with all of these uncharted emotions and feelings of need in me. It's like the closer I get to my 18th birthday the worst it becomes. I have enough to stress over, those feelings are future Em problems.

I have never been in a limousine before but from the look of it and the feeling of the seats this one must be the most luxurious one I imagine is out on the market. It has pristine leather seats, a flatscreen tv, and surround sound speakers. It feels like I am made of royalty getting to ride in this massive vehicle. It looks like a regal party car for the queen. I am going to soak up as much as I can, so I hook up my phone to the aux and play some quiet jazz.

The driver was quiet for the drive as I looked out the window and took in the scene. I admired how the beauty of this sunny day shone bright but brought with it the cold air enough to freeze you to death if you were to stay out without proper attire. It was winter and everything was covered with snow, which made today even more such a wonder like a winter wonderland of my dreams. We drove for what seemed like hours until the driver said, we are arriving Miss.

The beauty of the mountains that ascertained to cover the academy in what seemed like protection from outside threats. That sent a chill down my back for some odd reason. I shook that weird feeling off. The academy was ominous and foreboding however it was like a beacon calling to me in a way that was beyond beautiful. To describe it would be a disgrace.

When we pulled up to the gate we stopped and that is when I saw the guards at the black iron gates, where ivy creeps up the walls. which The driver spoke to one of them in a language that I didn’t understand. I was versed in five different languages, so it was one that I am not fluent in. I would file that under questions to ask someone later. After a few moments the gates opened the driver drove up to the middle building and came to my door to let me out.

When the door opened it wasn’t the driver but the sexiest man I have seen and all he said in the most musically and silkiest voice like he was caressing and sensually saying my name “Embyrson McElrath”. The man in a three piece suit with his lean swimmers built body and just looked like he was the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. I didn’t notice at first because his eyes drew me in the lightest silver color, and I was unable to speak. I lost my breaths because he was the most beautiful man I have ever seen. He has white-blonde hair that is long past his shoulders and breaded in small plaits and makes you want to run your hand through it and yes, I stood there like an idiot chewing him out. I can’t seem to pull myself from his mesmerizing gaze. He clears his throats and holds out his hand for me to take. As soon as I put my hand in his, an electric shocking wave went through me straight to my lady parts. I removed my hand as soon as I was standing on solid ground.

His face was a mask of a professional only with a flash of emotion before it was back to his stoic look. It was so fast you would think he felt the electric shock that I almost missed it. Did he feel it like I did or was I imagining it? Get it together Embyrson your just jet lag from your first flight in the air. Yeah it has to be just tiredness. Once I got a hold of myself I focused my attention on my surroundings taking a look around. I see some students have arrived early as well. I wonder how loud and busy this campus will be. Moving around with my mama since I was 3 didn’t leave me time to make friends or stability in knowing a lot of people. We seemed to stay in both big cities and small ones like Edge Hill which I was at the longest for a year to finish senior year. I’m still surprised I got into DLA but mama says that I inherited a trust from my grandmother on my fathers side for college. I didn’t even apply to college but received an acceptance legacy letter. I was so unfocused and after this drama with my ex I needed to get out of there and this was a new start.

I was so in my head looking at the property, which has stone figures that seem to stand watch on the grounds, and a black bird figure looking down from a gable flanked with the letter’s “D” and “L” that I almost missed him speaking. “My name is Cyran, follow me and I will take you to the Headmistresses office” he said. Then he turned and walked away.

It took me a second to get my bearings before I had to rush to catch up with him. He took me through the main thick double oak wood doors. We went straight up a set up stairs on the right side at the end of the hall. Once we reached the top of the stairs there was a waiting area and an office straight behind with huge brass doors. There was a strange man behind the receptionist desk. I was so busy looking around taking in the dark ominous décor that reminded me of something that would come out of a castle in Transylvania with a dark vibe. Cyran finished speaking with the receptionist and walked back over to me where I was standing looking out the large windows. I turn to look at him when he speaks, “This is where I leave you, miss McElrath” he said as he bowed and left.

I only had to wait a few moments before the receptionist stood and motioned to the doors, “the headmistress will see you now.” I walked into the office, the doors closing, then the headmistress turned in her chair looking like a raven haired goddess. She smiles at me like she knows the effect she has on any human, especially when she spoke in a spellbinding voice and said, “Embyrson it is nice to me you”.

“ It's good to meet you as well, headmistress. Thank you for allowing me to be one of the few allowed to arrive early and get settled.”

I don’t need the headmistress to tell me why I was approved. I knew it was due to my mother's involvement as a new professor to start once the old professor mythology and folklore studies department retires. I believe she got the offer a few years ago for a university or maybe it was DL Academy. I remember her talking to someone on the phone one afternoon. I only caught it wasn’t safe to accept the offer until I was 18. I can understand why she thinks this place is not safe because it does look like a castle that is dangerously hiding forbidden fruit. It's crazy how it also feels strangely like home.

The headmistress motions for me to sit as she continues speaking. “Your mother said she would finish out her contract in Edge Hills and then join you here to start as our New head of Mythology & Folklore. I look forward to having both McElrath legacies as a student and professor here.”

She finds the file she was looking for then extends her coffin style manicured hand out to hand me the file as she spoke matter of factly, “here are your classes for the winter semester and a map of our campus. In the file you will also have your dorm room assignment and you will be getting a roommate in a few days when Orientation begins. I have assigned one of our top second year students as a mentor and roommate. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask my assistant for service.”

“Thank you, headmistress, I’m just looking to get to my room and get it set up and sorted.

“Your welcome dear, now Edgar will show you to your dorm room and from there you will have the map to navigate through the campus. Meals won’t start till the first day of class in the dining hall so you can go to the campus Noir Night cafe which is over in the business center building. Also I will have Edgar give you some menus where some local dining is appropriate and safe.”

“EDGAR!” Headmistress yells into her speaker.

“Yes madam,” he says as he scurries in with his glasses hanging down his nose.

She responds with a dismissive shake of her hand “take Embyrson to her dorm and ensure her safety with the meal plans and local menus. That is all!” He never was spoken to and dismissed, just turned and left. I hurried out of the headmistress office after him. He is fast. I ask him to slow down. He looks back and slows saying

“Sorry Pr.. miss please forgive my haste. I will take this at your leisure, Miss McElrath.”

After a few moments of silence of walking with him out of the main building and to where the one of two dorms are he says, “I hope you like your room, the headmistress has made sure that you would be quite comfortable here with enough room to house another. Your mother is taking a head position so we must ensure you both have the best of accommodations.” He explains which is odd but okay I reckon my mother is a great professor all her students adore her everywhere she has taught.

After stepping in the frigid air and going over to the left side of campus where the resident hall and parking is located. Yes there's only two dorms, the male which is named Hades Hall and the female which is named Nyx Hall. He leads me to the female dorm building. The guard at the desk nods at Edgar as he leads me to the elevator passing through the commons area. Once we reach the elevators he presses the up button. We step inside and watch as he presses the 5-floor button. Yes, there are only 6 floors. The lobby, 1-4 year floors and then the top floor that is labeled 5. I assume the GL is the ground level which means the Lobby. He steps out of the elevator and I follow, looking at the dark gothic vibe of the hallway. Edgar stops at the only door on the right side. There is a room on the left that says RA on the plaque with the number 500 on it.

I wonder who my RA will be and why would an RA be needed for just one room. So weird to be placed in a hall that only has me and a second year. That is a future me problem to wonder why I’m not with the other first years. It must be my mother's influence? Edgar takes a set of keys from his pocket, handing them to me when I turn around to move toward my room. “Here are your room keys, Miss, this is called the Hall of Lilith. Your RA is a 4th year and will be here after classes have started. The one with your room number on it is the one to your room, the small silver one is the laundry room for girls in this dorm in the basement which is the BL button on the elevator. You should have your elevator pass for this hall in your welcome file the headmistress handed you.”

I didn’t notice he used a card to access this hall or the BL level hmm! must have been when he pressed the 5th floor and I looked away. I take the keys he handed me and unlock my room with the one that has the letters HoL and the number 501 under it. There was a third key which he did not explain so I asked, “and the third key?”

“Oh yes this is your master key for the dining hall your mother requested. I handed it to you until she arrived for all your food and drink needs. I suggest going to the cafe though since the dining hall is yet to be opened. Before I go, I have the list of menus for take-out delivery that your mother has already made accounts with. You can order from your room, and it will be delivered to you. Is there anything else you need before I head out, miss?”

“No, thank you, Edgar, for your help today.” I opened the door to my dorm and stepped inside.

Before closing the door, GarIt bows as he says “it was my pleasure to meet you miss Embyrson, then he leaves. I stared at the door for a moment thinking what a strange dude would really like to bow to me?, but okay I think as I shake off that weirdness.