Chapter 5

I follow my grandmother through a herd of whispering students. Then, finally, they let us pass by, backing away from our path. But that doesn't help calm down my nerves—everyone is gossiping about me already, wondering what my house will end up being.

A girl flicks her long hair. "They must sort her into the house of fire, considering her powers."

That's right. It will probably be the house of fire for me.

A guy shakes his head at the girl. "No way! That would be too obvious—her house will be the water one!"

Ugh. Please don't say that! The last thing I want is to become buddy-buddies with Daisy!

"Well, it definitely can't be earth." A girl I don't know scowls at me before whispering to her friends. "She doesn't look like someone who values dedication."

Ouch. Although true, that comment stung.

"Raven!" My grandmother calls for me. She has stopped walking and is now standing before a mirror, holding up her hand as if meaning I should stand before it.

Gulping, I step forward, confused when I notice the mirror isn't showing my reflection. Where did my grandmother find this thing?

The magical mirror is more extensive than any other mirror I've seen before. It reminds me of the screen at the theater—the mirror is almost as wide as the entire room, allowing everyone to look at it with curious eyes.

My grandmother clears her throat. "Raven, since you are new here, allow me to explain what you are doing here."

I smile at my grandmother. She probably doesn't want me to speak, but at least I can show that I'm paying attention.

"At Magic Academy, there are four houses, each one representing an element and its values. The mirror exists to sort you into one of those houses, and usually, it picks the houses where you will grow as a person."

Not in the water house then.

My grandmother continues speaking. "The water house values beauty and change. The students placed in that house often see the grace in nature and are resilient to change, usually able to tackle every challenge life gives them."

I glance at Daisy. She plants her arms under her chest. I notice every student standing in her group is wearing white and blue. It's probably the colors of the water house.

"The air house values intelligence and freedom; the students in this house are creative and think before acting. And oddly enough, most students showing up late for class belong in this house—maybe it's because they value freedom?"

A gang of purple and black-clothed people laugh, cracking up until my grandmother sends them a glare.

"The house of fire values strength and courage; the students in this house are powerful and daring. Most of them are great at following orders, while some are great at giving them."

I glance to my left, my heart thumping when I catch Blake fist-bumping some guy. They are both wearing brown and red clothes—it seems the house of fire is where the alpha and his werewolf friends are. I wouldn't mind being sorted into the house of fire. Blake is an asshole, but he is eye-candy.

"The house of earth values dedication and growth; the students in this house are hard-working and proud." My grandmother winks at the green-clad students. "It's also your principal's house."

A bunch of Fae smiles up at my grandmother; I'm guessing my grandmother favors this house.

"You may step forward now, Raven," My grandmother announces. "Place your hand on the mirror and let it show you your future house."

Shit, I'm nervous!

I walk forward on shaky legs, painfully aware that the grand hall is deathly quiet. All eyes are on me. Not a single soul is uttering a word.

'Oh, I want to see this too!' Lucy sounds excited. He is also munching on something crunchy. 'I even brought popcorn for the event!'

I smile, glad that at least Lucy is celebrating this moment. I'm not. My hands are already shaking before touching the damn mirror, and I take a deep breath before reaching out my hand, expecting the worst.

Almost immediately, the mirror plays a scene of me standing inside a shared room, and the colors are-...

Purple and black.

"AND HER HOUSE WILL BE AIR!" My grandmother announces.

What?

Why!

Intelligence and freedom—how does this house fit me?

Nervously, I turn around, shocked to see my house already shouting, whistling, and celebrating. They clap their hands, and I hold my breath when one guy walks up to me with my black jacket with purple stripes.

"Welcome to the house of air!" The guy says, smiling.

I have to repress a shriek—are all guys here supermodels or something? This one got piercing blue eyes and the right amount of stubble on his carved face.

"T-Thank you..." Speaking is abruptly difficult.

I'm shocked at being placed in a house that values intelligence. It's baffling, considering I'm an idiot.

But another huge part of why I'm experiencing difficulties speaking is that simply looking at this guy gives me palpitations.

"My name is Hayden."

Gorgeous reaches out his arm, and I take the jacket hanging from his hands, blinking a few times. I have to force myself to stop appreciating his features before I get caught staring. But the cocky smirk on his lips tells me it's too late. He noticed me ogling him.

The guy tilts his head, and his lips widen into a full-blown smile. "I will show you around and take you to your classes, and if there are any question marks, ask me."

"Oh, okay, so you will be my mentor?"

His growing smile is making me dizzy. I also notice his razor-sharp canine teeth; he is unquestionably a vampire.

"Yes," Hayden says. "I will show you around tomorrow. But it's getting late, so I will take you to my room."

I stare at him, my throat turning dry. "What?"

His smile widens. "I said that I would take you to your room."

Did I mishear him the first time around?

I stare at him—Hayden's eyes are kind, but his lips form a mischievous smile. Nope. He is fucking with me already.

"Is it just me, or did you say something else the first time?"

Hayden chuckles and nods at me to follow him. "Come, follow me,"

Somewhere in my mind, Lucy is sighing. I can somehow imagine him frowning. 'You fall for them too quickly, you know...'

I roll my eyes at the demon before whispering. "Why do you seem to hate every guy that I meet?"

Lucy is silent; at first, I don't expect him to answer me, but eventually, I hear his voice again.

'I'm just jealous all these guys get to flirt with you.' Lucy sounds sarcastic. But, strangely enough, I feel there is some truth in his words.

"Aw, do you get lonely inside the mirror?" I tease in a hushed tone.

I expect Lucy to get defensive with me, but he laughs in amusement.

'Maybe.'

I roll my eyes. "Well, don't get any ideas—I'm not about to date a demon, much less one that looks like a kid."

Lucy hums. 'I used to be human once... And for the record, I don't look like a kid in my proper form. So why don't you release me from this prison, and I show you what I look like?'

"Never in a million years, pal."

Lucy sighs dramatically, but I can hear the smile in his voice. 'It was worth a shot. Well, I'm here if you ever get lonely, Raven. If you release me, I will take care of your problem too—you need to get laid judging from how your hormones are behaving.'

I stifle a laugh by covering my mouth.

Is this demon for reals?

Wow. My father said Lucy is manipulative, but I didn't realize to what extent until now. I must hand it to him, though; he is brilliant. I've met two hot guys today, and both melted my brain into mush, and now Lucy is using that fact against me.

Not that Lucy stands a chance—I would never fall in love with a demon.

I laugh and bite my lower lip. Hayden turns around to give me a questioning look, making me have to try harder not to laugh; the last thing I want is for my new air family to think I'm crazy.

"Who are you talking to?"

'Back off, vampire!' Lucy growls. 'Raven is mine!'

Ignoring Lucy, I smile. "No one."