Moonlit Academy

One

Stella Lockheed

Ugh, I swear Mrs. Pendleton's mouth could have powered a small town with all her nonstop talking.

Mrs. Isabella Pendleton, my escort, was babbling without ceasing as soon as we left the manor. I was just sitting there, pouting and complaining in my head as the coach rolled along.

Getting into the carriage had been a whole ordeal. My mom tried to bid me goodbye, but I ignored her, staring forward like a sulky teenager who didn't want to go to school. Wilfred, our family's human butler, was there too. And in a petty act of rebellion, I hugged him in front of her. Ha! Take that, Mom.

And Dad? Pfft. He did not even bother to see me get hauled away to my exile. I guess it was easier for him to pretend like I didn't exist.

Why do parents suck big time?

My dad is Alistair Lockheed, the Alpha of the Northern Border, and everyone in the wolf community respected him like he was a force of nature. Seraphina, my mom, the Grand Sorceress of North Dakota, was revered by the entire supernatural community as a goddess with her unmatched power and grace.

Alistair and Seraphina, the power couple of the millennium with a powerless daughter as their only heir. Whatever.

My parents tried everything short of summoning a twerking unicorn to unlock my dormant powers. They subjected me to countless rituals, from brewing bizarre concoctions to chanting ancient incantations. One time, they made me dance under the moonlight wearing a cape made of enchanted chicken feathers while singing some absurd spell. It was borderline ridiculous, and as I twirled around like a lunatic, I couldn't help but wonder if they were going mad.

The frustration on their faces after everything spoke volumes, and I couldn't bear to be the disappointment they saw in me every day. Thankfully, they never attempted to torture me to force my powers out; they weren't that far lost.

Alas, here I am, on my way to the Moonlit Academy, a school for supernaturals with bad reputations, to get fixed.

Just one year at the Academy, and then it's over. Once I turn eighteen, I can finally escape this supernatural craziness.

I gazed out the window, taking in the scenery as we left the Lockheed Manor behind. The estate's yard and garden faded from view, replaced by the winding road leading to the Academy. One hell to another.

As my eyes darted around the inside of the carriage, I found myself with little to fixate on apart from my escort's parrot-looking dress and her ever-moving mouth. The plush and posh interior was a stark contrast to my current mood, but I couldn't, for the life of me, muster any appreciation for its extravagance. The padded seats and lavish upholstery did not impress me. This coach was meant to carry me away to a new chapter of my life, but it reminded me more of the inside of a coffin—a comfortable one, perhaps, but still a coffin.

Sighing, I decided to break the monotony of Mrs. Pendleton's chatter. "Why can't the school be bothered to bring a car instead?" I asked. "It would take us forever to reach the Rocky Mountains with this hearse."

Mrs. Eager Pants let out a giggle that grated on my nerves. She started fanning herself like a maniac with a colorful fan she produced out of nowhere. "Oh, dear Stella. Is this your first time riding the Academy's coach?"

"Hopefully, this is also the last."

Her grin widened, and she leaned closer. "You see, my dear, Moonlit Academy is a place of secrecy. As much as it embraces the modern world, it clings to the traditions of old. Cars and other modern conveyances can't just waltz in there. Oh, no! The Academy is hidden, tucked away in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and it's been cloaked from the prying eyes of regular humans for centuries. So, we rely on the enchanted coaches to transport students like you."

"Enchanted? What do you mean?"

"Darling, just look out the window and strap yourself in. You're in for a ride," she said with a wink.

Before I could protest, the coach picked up speed. The views outside the window changed into a blur, and I was jerked back to my seat, feeling like all my insides were tumbling within me. It was like gravity had lost its hold, and I was thrown into a wild, stomach-lurching roller coaster. A purplish light enveloped the vehicle, and the surroundings seemed to warp around us.

For a vomit-inducing minute, the carriage was engulfed in a swirling vortex of magical energy. And then, with an abrupt slam, the coach came to rest, rocking my spine and leaving me nauseated. Something bitter was in my mouth.

"What the hell was that?" I exclaimed, feeling like I was a Jack-o-Lantern with all its insides scooped out.

Mrs. Pendleton grinned from ear to ear and pointed to the window again. "Look where you are, darling."

I did, and my breath caught in my throat.

The majestic Rocky Mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, their snow-capped peaks piercing the sky. In the distance, atop a craggy cliff, stood a grand castle-like building, its turrets reaching for the heavens.

“Welcome to the Moonlit Academy, Stella Lockheed.”

~ o 0 o ~

The rhythmic clattering of the horse's hooves against the cobblestone driveway added to my growing sense of dread. I rolled my eyes, thinking how cliché this whole supernatural world was with its grand entrance and foreboding gates.

And speaking of gates, the ones in front of Moonlit Academy were massive and ornate, but also kinda creepy. I mean, who needs gates like that? It's not like they're keeping out a dragon or something.

Or maybe they are? Who knows?

I tried to distract myself from the unsettling atmosphere by observing the other coaches arriving. They were also making their way inside, each one carrying students like me.

Well, not exactly like you, dummy, I corrected. They have powers unlike yourself.

"Off you go, darling!" Mrs. Pendleton exclaimed, breaking my trance. She popped the coach door open with an exuberant flourish before hopping off like a rabid bunny.

I hesitated for what felt like an eternity, my hand gripping the carriage door as if it were my only lifeline. This was it - the point of no return. With great reluctance and a deep breath, I emerged from the carriage and set foot on the grounds of my new school.

The whole place seemed to scream, "Welcome to your worst nightmare!" The dark and gothic architecture sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't help but feel like I had just entered some creepy haunted mansion.

The other students were spilling out of their carriages, and honestly, they looked like they were straight out of a supernatural fashion show. Some were practically beaming with excitement, while others seemed too cool for school as if they had better things to do than attend a magical academy. I can relate to that. And then there were those who appeared just plain evil like they were lunatics and most wanted criminals.

They are all a bunch of lunatics, I thought, vowing to steer clear of these people.

Before I could spiral into anxiety, Mrs. Pendleton's voice pierced through my trance. "Come, come, dear Stella. Let me lead you to your dorm room," she chimed, her fan flapping wildly as if it had a life of its own.

"How about my things?"

Mrs. Pendleton beamed, waving off my concern. "They will be brought to your dorm shortly, my dear. No need to worry about a thing. Now, come along, come along."

Sighing, I followed her into the massive building, trying my best to keep up with her energetic pace. The last thing I wanted was to get lost in this sea of supernatural teenagers on my first day.

As we stepped inside, the grandeur of the place greeted my eyes. It was hard to miss. The school had an eerie elegance to it with its high vaulted ceilings, dark stone walls adorned with mysterious symbols, and the occasional flickering shadows of other passing students. I was half-expecting torches and medieval-style decorations, but thankfully, there were modern LED lights. At least the Academy had electricity.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, we turned a corner and stopped in front of a door. Mrs. Pendleton pushed it open with glee, "Here's your room, Stella!"

Is this it? A frown formed on my face. It looked like the average dorm, nothing special, except that it had two of everything, which made me raise an eyebrow. "Why are there two beds?"

"Oh, because you'll be sharing your dorm with another student," she replied, still smiling as if she had just delivered the most fantastic news on earth.

"What?" My eyes almost popped out of my head.

"Worry not, dear. The Academy has paired you with another girl who we think you'll get along with just fine," Mrs. Pendleton explained.

"But I really don't want to share a room. Can't I have my own?"

"Rules are rules, darling." She shook her head, looking apologetic. "Now, settle in. I believe we arrived earlier than your roommate."

"Whatever," I grumbled and stepped further into the room.

Mrs. Pendleton folded her fan. "Classes will officially start tomorrow, but in the meantime, you'll stay in your room. We will send your student guide in an hour for the tour of the school. But if you get hungry, the pantry's just two stairs down," she added, as if it was a piece of useful information. “Alright, dear?”

I did not answer her. Instead, I stared out the window, lost in my thoughts.

"Do you need anything else, Stella?"

"Nothing. I just want my things."

She let out an exasperated sigh as if I had become a burden to her. Well, it was mutual, I thought, but I didn't have the energy to voice my feelings. Mrs. Pendleton bid her goodbye, and I waited for the door to close before letting out a heavy groan.

Alone at last.

I plopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with anxiety and frustration. Minutes dragged on, feeling like forever, and my stomach reminded me of its emptiness with an audible growl.

"I should have finished those pancakes at home," I muttered, which only brought back thoughts of Mom. Shaking my head, I tried to banish my emotions. No need to think about her right now. She wasn't here, and I needed to focus on surviving this place.

With a heavy sigh, I tried to lie down and force myself to sleep, hoping it would distract me from my hunger. But my appetite persisted, gnawing at me like a relentless beast.

Fine, I thought, I'll go to the pantry. It can't be that bad.

Are you sure, Stella? my anxious brain asked. The thought of encountering other students - werewolves, vampires, and who knows what else - was overwhelming.

However, I couldn't let myself starve to death. Quickly, I formulated a plan in my head: go down to the pantry, grab something, and get out as fast as I could. No need to linger or make small talk with anyone.

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I stood up and sauntered toward the closed door. Just get the food and go, I repeated to myself like a mantra.

My hand shook as I reached for the doorknob, and my heart seemed to be playing drums inside my chest. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to turn the knob and swing the door open.

Then, my jaw fell to the floor.

As if a sick joke from the universe, three young men, equally gorgeous in their own rights, stood in the corridor.

"Mine," they said in unison, all of them smiling like they owed it to the world.