Chapter 5: Meeting the Group and Learning the Ropes

"Reed will show you to your room." Headmistress Olsen slightly bowed her head. "Testing will begin at eight a.m. tomorrow, so I suggest you settle in and get some rest."

I followed Reed, Jasper, and Kento out of her office, my heart, feeling like a dead weight, sat in my chest. How was I going to pass magical quizzes? Seriously doubted they were multiple-choice ones. Half the time, my magic was on the fritz on a good day. I couldn't count on it. Not to fail me or arc into something else. I was so screwed.

Numbly, I climbed the stairs after Reed with Jasper beside me and Kento taking the back.

At the third floor, Kento cleared his throat. "Your room is at the end of the hall. Don't be out without an escort after sunset."

"Why?" I forced a smile. "Are there vampire mages?"

His face contorted into a scowl, then he took the next flight of stairs without answering.

"Hey, I was kidding." I faced Jasper and Reed. "There isn't any such thing as vampires, right?" Just dark mages that used blood magic and other forbidden acts to enhance their powers.

"Be sure and get plenty of rest," Reed said in a clipped voice. "Breakfast is at seven sharp. Once the food is gone, you won't get anything else until lunch, after your first two examinations."

Unease sank into my gut. Just how many chances for me to fail were there? What if I didn't make the cut to stay here and learn? I had to. Mom was counting on me and I wanted to be able to protect us. To be able to live on my own without others bossing me around.

"What's for breakfast? There aren't magically made foods like eggs and bacon?" I kidded. Not really caring if I had any or not as long as there was extra crispy bacon and orange juice.

Before I could say anything else though, he continued. "Don't be late. That will strike off points from your overall score."

Jasper set down my suitcases he had been carrying. "Dude, you're freaking her out. It's her first time here."

"Would you rather I lie to her?" Reed snapped back. "Tell her that all of her troubles are over?"

"They aren't?" I asked, half-joking.

Reed shot me a look that had bile rising into the back of my throat.

"Not every witch or mage is invited to the academy. Those who are, must prove their worth."

"Can't be too hard." I waved a hand, pushing aside my nervousness. "You three got in."

"This isn't a joke, Zoey." Reed tensed. "There's been a war going on since before you were born between good and evil. We hope that you've got what it takes to stand up for what's right. Though, we've never accepted anyone already set in their ways and as old as you before."

"Well, you brought me here, remember?" I crossed my arms. "I never asked to come here."

"Pickings have been slim lately." The muscle in his jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth.

"How about I have a little practice by frying your butt like I did to the wall at school?"

"Pranks here aren't rewarded." He glared down at me, but I refused to back up. "Neither is showing off. Though I doubt you could take me."

"Yeah?" I puffed up.

"Look, I get it. Yesterday your life was fine, now it's all screwed up." He sighed. "Try to lose a little bit of that hot temper out on the field tomorrow. You're going to need it."

He strode away.

"Wait, I'm not done talking to you." I had a million questions about the testing. Was there a cliff sheet I could cram for? A stress headache clamped down on the back of my skull.

But Reed was already out of earshot.

Jasper turned away too, giving a low whistle under his breath.

"Um...can you tell me about the testing?" I asked, hopefully, my nerves starting to eat me up inside. Not to mention, Reed had been right. I missed my old life and my mom already.

"Sorry, no can do. That would be cheating."

"Hey, will I have a roommate?" I asked to lighten the mood, but more out of curiosity than anything. I'd been an only child my whole life. Might be cool to have another girl to lounge with.

"After you pass the first week of testing, you may get assigned a roomie, but right now you've got the place to yourself."

"Oh," I said, sounding a bit more disappointed than I meant to. First week?

"Take Reed's advice." Jasper gave me a sad smile. "Crossing fingers that you pass."

"Thanks." My throat suddenly felt dry.

Jasper disappeared and I was left alone.

I dragged my suitcase into a dorm room with two small beds, a nightstand between them, and a bathroom and two closets. The beds were bare, with stark white mattresses on iron frames. Nothing fancy. Almost was like a half-step up from a prison cell.

The closet held sheets, towels, and a thin blanket. First thing I was going to do if I got accepted into this place was to buy some proper bed sheets, a comforter, and a dozen decorations. Somehow, I had to turn this dreary room into a bedroom I wouldn't cringe at to see every day. Plus I wouldn't feel so homesick if that was possible. I had never been away from my mom before - she hadn't even allowed me to have any sleepovers.

Rolling back my shoulders, I focused on making up the bed. All I had to do was get through this. However, in order to do that, I needed to pass these tests. But that thought had my insides cramping up, which made me want to forget this whole thing and run away.

My thoughts drifted to Reed, Jasper, and Kento. The desire to prove them wrong had me wanting to defeat them now. No one knew more or anything about what I could do.

Where was he and this stupid school when I was trying to control my magic? On top of that, the Headmistress had congratulated him for bringing me in, like I was some kind of prize.

Anger still twisted inside me at having no choice but to come here, but I didn't have any other options right now if I wanted my mom safe. Plus seeing three arrogant wizards with their mouths hanging open while I blew these tests sky-high was going to be so worth it.