The next morning when Ro arrived at practice, she tried her best to act normally, despite the discomfort she felt concerning Laine's words. She could feel him watching her as she practiced her accuracy. He didn't do anything but watch her and gradually she felt herself relaxing as she worked. Zephyr taught her additional moves for her chain attacks and the morning's session passed quickly as she struggled to master them.
After practice Ro met her friends at the sparring courts where they had already begun their fights. Once they had finished, the group went to lunch and a movie. Then they went to one of the outdoor practice courts for magic and they took turns throwing magic at one another. Ro was the best at this, and her magic hit their targets most of the time. After about a few hours the group headed to the cafeteria for dinner and broke up. Sunday passed the same way.
***
Week 15
Then it was Monday. Since they weren't leaving until noon Ro had waited to pack until Monday morning. The box from her mother had come on Saturday. Ro felt horrified as she looked at the swimsuits her mom had packed for her. Ro's mom had chosen only her skimpiest Bikini's. The note she had sent said "I hope your boyfriend likes these!" only. Ro felt her heart sink knowing she'd have to pack them. She quickly threw them in her suitcase on top of her already packed clothes. She went to the bathroom and grabbed her toiletries. She had just dropped them on top of her swimsuits when there was a knock at the door. She opened it.
Alexi stood there looking very attractive in designer jeans and a dark purple collared shirt. He had sunglasses perched on top of his head. He walked in and peered over her shoulder at her open suitcase.
"Good morning, lovely." He told her.
"I am still packing. What do you need?" Ro replied dryly. Alexi held up two fingers.
"Firstly, you aren't bringing those ghastly glasses with you. Your mother sent contacts for you to wear." He lowered one finger as Ro's eyes widened in surprise. Alexi smiled mischievously. "And secondly, you will wear this necklace instead of Ky's while we are gone." Alexi held up a small black feather pendant on a silver chain. Ro put her hand over her necklace protectively.
"I won't." Alexi's eyes hardened.
"You will. It is just for protection. If you are seen not wearing it, you may not like the results." Alexi saw determination written on her face and he sighed. "Fine. Will you wear it if I promise not to do anything to you without your permission, while you are wearing it? Then I promise." Ro still didn't look convinced. Alexi, feeling very frustrated, forced himself into Ro's mind, easily pushing his way past her defenses. He had her remove Ky's necklace and put his on instead, then forget that she had done it. "Fine. It's gone." He said as he released her. Ro felt the reassuring bump of her necklace under her shirt. Alexi smirked again. "We'll leave as soon as you're ready." He told her as he sat. He watched her as she put a few more things into her suitcase. Finished, she zipped it closed and went to the bathroom to put her contacts in. When she came back out, she had her glasses in her hand. Tucking them into one of the pockets on her bag, she said,
"Ready." Alexi smiled.
"Excellent." He closed his eyes and after a moment a black circle appeared on the floor around her suitcase. The interior of the circle filled in black and her bag vanished. Alexi grabbed Ro's arm as she stared at the place her suitcase no longer was. He towed her from the room. They walked out of the tower and through the school to a room with a whited painted door. Travelling room, the plaque on the door read. Alexi pushed open the door and shoved Ro in. Then he walked in after her.
This room too was white, from the floor to the ceiling. It was plain except for two black circles, one on the ceiling and one on the floor. Ro wondered what they were for.
"In the circle." Alexi ordered. Ro hesitatingly obeyed. Alexi stepped in beside her and pulled her into his chest.
"Alexi" Ro began. Alexi shushed her. He closed his eyes and Ro watched as the black circle lit up like a fuse around them. Then the floor under her feet shifted to black and Ro closed her eyes afraid she would fall.
"We're here." Alexi stated proudly as his arms released her. She stepped back and took in her surroundings.
The town was built onto the sloping side of a mountain and was similar to a human one in some respects. They were in a square of grass surrounded by sidewalks like a park. Buildings lined the square and beyond it on either side was what looked like a shopping district. People were bustling about their business all around them. But that was where the similarities ended. All of the people had jet black wings on their backs and were flying from place to place. The only ones using the sidewalks were crippled, extremely elderly, or parents accompanying children with wings too small to fly. The buildings too were different. Rather than have porches with front doors these buildings had spacious balconies with front doors on their highest floors. Instead of windows they had sliding doors. Further up the slope Ro could just see a massive building with tall spires rising. Alexi followed her eyes as she took it in.
"You want a closer look?" He sounded proud again. Ro turned to look at him confused. She didn't want a closer look of the imposing building and Alexi's pride in it made her worry about what his connection to it might be. Since they had never really talked much before now Ro had no knowledge of Alexi's family. She had just assumed that they were upper middle class like so many of her classmates. She was saved from answering his question however as a middle-aged male in a black and gold uniform dropped from the sky at that moment to land before them. He swiftly dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"Young master, we've been expecting you. You are to greet the clan leaders immediately." Ro's eyes widened in surprise. Ro felt suspicion and unease well up inside her as she thought of Alexi meeting with such important people immediately on his arrival. Alexi smirked at her and his eyes danced in amusement as he took in her response to this statement.
"We will be along shortly, but at present we are not properly attired for such a meeting. Send appropriate clothes for Roselyn to my rooms."
"Very good, young master." The male replied. He took off immediately and flew in the direction of the castle.
"Young master?" Ro asked feeling more uncomfortable. Who was Alexi to receive such deferential treatment? Alexi shrugged.
"I am young still. Now come on." He quickly snatched her to him, her back to his chest. Wrapping his arms about her waist, he said, "Hold on tight." Instantly, Ro felt air surge past her as his wings propelled them into the sky. She gripped his arms tightly as they were the only things she could hold and let out a soft squeak of surprise. When they were about a hundred and fifty feet up, Alexi stopped propelling them upward and levelled out. Ro thought her feet should be dangling but Alexi must have been using air magic to keep them both prone.
She looked at the ground and swallowed hard. A fall from this height would kill her or at least break every bone in her body before she died. Alexi's arms tightened around her and for once she felt grateful for his proximity.
"Relax." He breathed into her ear. "I won't drop you."