Her Silver Eyed Mate

Welcome To My Enemies

Sienna POV

I opened my eyes when I felt a dampness soaking through my shoes and peered down to see I was standing in crystal clear waters of a tranquil stream. The smell of fresh flowers and crisp air filled my lungs and I almost hummed in satisfaction. When I glanced up, my mouth dropped open as my wide eyes scanned the enchanted surroundings. To my right was a beautiful arched stone bridge over the little stream I was standing in. Ivy and white roses lined the outer walls all the way down to a small selection of rocks that would be my ticket out of this quaint stream. In the distance, I could see one huge modern building made entirely out of glass, marble and glittery sandstone with five towers, all slightly different in structure and design. But it was the sky that momentarily took my breath away. It was a dome, a protective shield over this mystical and harmonious utopia and shimmered in multi tones like a sunrise, merging with a sunset. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

“Welcome to Academy Pro Omnibus!” I heard an enthusiastic voice pull my attention away from the shimmering sky, that had to be a magical illusion, to see a pretty girl with short mousy brown hair perched on one of the rocks by the bridge. “My name is Amelie and I am your guide. It is so lovely to meet you Sienna,” she smiled.

I straightened up as I composed myself and remembered the role I had to play. Friendly, little apprehensive but confident student.

“Hello,” I returned her smile as I waded through the water towards her.

“Don’t worry as soon as you step out of the stream, your shoes will dry.”

She was right. As soon as I climbed onto a rock, the damp, sludgy feeling inside my trainers vanished. Magic. Again. This was going to take a bit of getting used to. I had avoided magic and supernaturals my entire life unless necessary and now I was surrounded by them.

“This place is quite something,” I stated. “I had no idea it was in another dimension. What exactly does that mean?” I asked, naturally curious but also needing this information to report back to the SIA.

“Oh, it just means it is nearly impossible for any human to detect it. The mirror you came through… that is our only way in or out unless you can shimmy, travel using magic or your own portals. The location of the mirror in the human world changes regularly to keep us protected,” she chatted away, completely oblivious to the fact she was giving away lots of extremely valuable information so easily. This was going to be a walk in the park if everyone was as trusting as this girl. I wasn’t about to tell her that I could create my own portals between two locations once I had travelled to both.

“So! You are fae?” she asked, even though it was clear she had already been briefed on who I was.

“Half fae,” I corrected and she gave me a small smile.

“It might be best to keep that to yourself. Just say you are fae for an easier life,” she advised as we started to walk over the bridge towards the enormous, modern building that I guessed was the Academy.

“Why is that?” I pretended to act curious but really my anger was growing.

“Let’s just say, sometimes they give the half users a harder time in order to prove themselves.”

My eyebrows furrowed together. “Half users? But I thought everyone was supposed to be accepting of all species here?”

Her wary expression changed to one of fake reassurance as she plastered a smile on her face. “Oh they are! Everyone is super supportive of each species now, but… being half human can make you seem weaker. That’s all I am saying. If they know, you might be an easy target in practical lessons.”

I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t help it. “Bring it on,” I mumbled and her eyes widened in surprise before a natural smile took its place.

“I like you! You have some balls. You will need balls of steel coming into the game so late. Not that you won’t be accepted here. But you are twenty already, right?”

I merely nodded, my attention had suddenly been taken up by the twenty-foot-high glass doors we were approaching off the main building. It was both impressive and a little intimidating as it made us seem like ants in comparison.

“So this is the main building. Behind us and over the bridge is the Wayward Wood. Best to avoid that place at all costs unless you are going there with a class. It can get a little… intense. And over there,” she pointed out past the thick woodland to a large body of water, “are the swimming lakes and waterfalls. That is where everyone hangs out in their spare time. Socials, parties etc. But this,” turning back to the main building, “ is the hub. All your lessons will be in this building and then we have five towers for accommodation. You can choose whether you want to be roommates with your own species or if you are happy to be in a mixed dorm.”

My body tensed at her words. I would hate to be put with other fae. The man who raped my mother was a dominant fae hybrid and I wanted nothing to do with them.

“I think I would prefer mixed,” I said quickly and she nodded.

We made our way to another set of large doors though they were not as grand as the entrance and Amelie pushed them open. The sound of chattering filled my ears. For a second, my feet stopped working as I stood frozen in place. The large circular hall was rammed with students. Hundreds of supernaturals all in one place, giggling, laughing and eating. It shocked me to see them all looking so… normal. So like humans.

“I know. It can be a little overwhelming at first. Don’t worry, you will get used to the noise,” Amelie reassured me as she linked her arm with mine and started to weave us through the crowds of tables.

Conversations seemed to die down as we passed each table and I felt many eyes on us, or more specifically on me. It seemed I was already starting to draw attention to myself without even trying.

“Why are they all staring?” I hissed through my teeth at my guide.

“You are fresh meat,” she chuckled. “They are just trying to figure you out.”

“I was hoping I would blend in,” I whispered, causing her to laugh some more, which only made more eyes narrow towards us. I held my chin higher and focused on trying not to glare at any of them. Best not to create enemies on my first day here. I had to remind myself that I was here to gain their trust.

“You’ll never blend in, Sienna! You are quite a rarity here. Not many half humans attend this academy and you don’t know your full heritage-so you could have more abilities than you realise. This place is all about self-discovery. I am excited for you! Also, you are hot as f*ck so you are going to get a lot of attention no matter how much you try to blend in.”

I scoffed but caught the eye of a few very good-looking young men who were shamelessly undressing me with their heated gazes and I almost laughed out loud. Oh god, what had I gotten myself into?

“What do you mean about not knowing my full heritage?”

“Arius shared your application with me, so I know your background. You never knew your father, did you?”

“Oh. Er… no. Hang on, you call the headmaster by his first name?” I narrowed my eyes at her in question.

“Yeah. Most of the professors prefer us to call them by their names instead of their titles. I suppose it makes them more approachable. Although, I still have to fight the urge to call him King Arius. I am a vampire, you see, so he is a legend among my people. Come on. I will take you to him now. He can’t wait to meet you.”

The muscles in my jaw tightened as I clenched at her words. Hm, I can’t wait to meet him either, but not for the same reasons.

***

I forced the pure hatred and indescribable anger that was brewing within me down into the depths of my soul as I hovered outside a simple oak door with the words Head Master’s Office engraved into the woodwork. This is the moment I have been waiting for since I found out what had happened to my parents twenty-five years ago. However, I had imagined it quite differently. Always with me mercilessly murdering the man responsible. Yet, I was about to have what would seem to be a pleasant conversation with him instead. But I was biding my time. I would still get my revenge. Just not today.

Amelie knocked gently and a deep, masculine voice called from behind to enter. My heart raced slightly as I heard it for the first time. I tried to prepare myself the best I could for who I was about to meet, but as I stepped into the beautifully decorated modern gold, black and white room and saw the man sitting behind an impressive desk, I was left slightly taken aback.

Firstly, I was surprised by just how young and attractive he looked. Swept-back head of raven hair, flawless skin without a single age line and alluring but distinctive eyes. One bright blue like the shallows of the ocean and one a dark brown like rich soil. It was him. Without a doubt.

A slow smile crept up his face as he saw Amelie enter first and then his eyes narrowed slightly when he peered past her shoulder and saw me. I was trained to read people’s reactions. He was surprised or perhaps intrigued by me instantly. I tried to focus on my breathing and keeping my wild heart still as we locked eyes. Neither one of us spoke as the silence stretched between us and a strange atmosphere prickled in the air.

I suddenly had no thoughts. Staring into his eyes almost…calmed me.

“Ki- Arius, this is Sienna Stone. Our newest student. She arrived just an hour ago,” Amelie broke the tension and I snapped out of whatever spell he had me under and shook my head. My heart went into overdrive as I realised that for a moment, I didn’t feel the expected pang of hate for this man.

“Thank you Amelie. Miss Stone, pleasure to meet you,” he said slowly as if he wanted every word to be heard. He stood up from his leather chair and gestured towards the seat in front of me.

I sat down quickly and glanced over my shoulder to see Amelie leaving the room and closing the door.

Alone with the man I hated more than anything else in this world. I may never get a better chance to end him than I did right now. He would not be expecting it. The element of surprise is the only thing I had against him. I knew how powerful he was and meeting him now, I could feel the impressive aura radiating off him without him even trying. If he was prepared for a fight, he would no doubt win.

“I hope your travel wasn’t too taxing, Miss Stone,” he asked, leaning back in his chair, clasping his hands together as his distinctive eyes studied me some more.

I shook my head, hoping my voice would not fail me now. Forcing a small smile, I replied, “No, not at all. I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting here but… I have to say, it is beautiful.”

What seemed to be a genuine smile spread across his face but his eyes still felt as though they were trying to see me for who I truly was. Get a grip, Sienna. If I ever needed to hone in on my years of training it was at this moment.

“It is okay to be nervous, Sienna. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?” he asked politely. Sh*t. He was mistaking my anger for nerves. This was not f*cking good. Although, this may actually play in my favour.

“What makes you think I am nervous?” I narrowed my eyes at him slightly and watched as the left corner of his lip twitched up in a smirk.

“I can hear your heart racing. Don’t worry. It is a pretty normal reaction upon arrival and first meeting me. But I promise, I am not as scary as they say.” His eyes twinkled with humour before he added, “unless I have to be.”

My nostrils flared. Unless he had to be. He never had to be. He chose to be. There was a difference.

“You seem oddly familiar to me,” he stated boldly as he leaned forward and looked me over carefully. I shuffled in my seat but held his gaze. The next question out of his mouth made my heart leap into my throat. “Have we ever met before?”