Persephone's Point of View
♕︎ ♕︎ ♕︎
The soft tapping of Adeline's fingers against her screen broke the silence, signaling that she was beginning to type her response. The rhythm of her keystrokes was something I had grown accustomed to, a quiet, reassuring sound amidst the chaos of my thoughts. As I glanced down at my phone, I couldn't help but feel a tight knot forming in my stomach. I had no time to waste on idle chatter, but the moment was fleeting, and it would be best to respond sooner rather than later.
Adeline: Understood, Captain.
Anna-Charlotte: Uh, can we all surround you then?
Nyssa: Yes, cap, let's all stick together.
Chen Liling: The others will probably do the same.
Solana: Pride-Niklaus definitely will.
That last message, from Solana, struck a nerve. My jaw tightened, and I felt an involuntary clench in my stomach. "Why does she have to mention that jerk right now?" I muttered to myself, my irritation simmering beneath the surface. I couldn't understand why Pride-Niklaus always had to be brought up at the most inconvenient times, but here we were again. The mere thought of him was enough to sour my mood, his smug demeanor and incessant arrogance weighing heavily on my thoughts.
Anna-Charlotte: Can you pick our places with the girls, Captain?
I paused for a moment, taking in a slow breath as I gathered my thoughts. My fingers hovered above the keys before I sighed heavily, resigning myself to the inevitable. "Aye. If that's what they want," I muttered under my breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders once more. I grabbed my shake, taking a long sip to steady myself. The cool, sweet liquid flowed smoothly, temporarily easing the tension in my body and offering a brief respite from the storm brewing inside me.
After a moment, I put my phone back in hand and quickly typed out a response, trying to get the details sorted without delay.
Me: Anna-Charlotte seats behind Makayla.
Me: Nyssa seats behind Stella.
Me: Liling seats on Aaliyah's left.
Me: Solana seats behind Chen Liling.
My fingers moved swiftly across the screen, each tap of the keys punctuating the message with a sense of finality. I needed to ensure there was no confusion this time. Things were already complicated enough, and I couldn't afford to make a misstep now.
Chen Liling: Will we all go together then?
Stella: Yes, to pick our seats.
The thought of walking with all of them sent a shiver down my spine. I didn't even need to consider the logistics—there was no way it would work. "Uh? Going with them? They would absolutely hate that, so, no," I thought, shaking my head as I imagined the awkwardness that would undoubtedly follow.
It seemed like a nice idea in theory, but in reality, it was a disaster waiting to happen. The last thing I wanted was to have a group of people trailing behind me, each of them uncomfortable in their own way.
Me: No need.
Me: I'll hold your places with magic.
Me: No one will get them, but arrive there soon.
Me: I'll be out in one minute.
As I typed the message, I could feel a small sense of control returning to me. Magic had its way of making things simpler, and in moments like these, it was a blessing. At least with magic, I could make sure the seats stayed untouched. It was a small comfort, but a comfort nonetheless, considering the chaos that was unfolding in my life.
Makayla: We made lemon pie, Captain.
The message from Makayla made me pause for a second. "Lemon pie?" I thought, a small flicker of warmth spreading through me. It was such a small, simple gesture, but it was enough to bring a fleeting smile to my lips. The thought of lemon pie wasn't enough to fix everything, but it did make me feel appreciated, even if just for a moment.
Me: Leave a slice for me near the penthouse door.
Me: I ate already.
Me: Thank you for the consideration, regardless.
I appreciated their kindness, though I couldn't help but feel the heaviness of the day ahead, weighing me down. It was a strange mix of emotions, gratitude and exhaustion battling within me. Closing the group chat, I tucked my phone back into my pocket, taking a deep breath as I mentally prepared for the task at hand.
I stood up, stretching my arms above my head, the muscles in my back crackling in protest. I quickly moved to change my clothes, my fingers working with practiced precision. A flick of my wrist was all it took for my shirt to transform into something more fitting, a garment that covered everything—especially my neck. My gloves followed suit, quickly changing to something more suited for the day's activities.
Magic made everything simpler, but even then, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was about to face something far beyond my control.
Grabbing my 3L ice crystal bottle filled with my signature cocktail mix, I took a deep drink. The combination of AB positive blood, strawberry, vodka, lemonade, and a generous spoonful of milk jam was comforting in a way I couldn't explain. The rich, cold liquid settled deep in my chest, a fleeting sense of peace washing over me. It was a strange, almost numbing comfort, like a shield protecting me from the oncoming storm.
My iPad and pen were packed quickly into my black bag, followed by a small metallic box containing my blood gums—an essential survival item—and my crimson red headphones. Everything was in place, and I was ready. I focused, gathering my energy for what was to come. With a flicker of magic, I teleported myself to the auditorium, the familiar hum of power coursing through me as I made the jump.
Sky-Eden, the academy I called home, had seven wardens. These beings were powerful, each one assigned to oversee a different class and assist the Headmasters in their duties. The wardens were responsible for the well-being of the students, especially the upper years like myself. They included Samira Gilani, a dark witch who oversaw the freshmen; Pedro Paulo Abril, a vampire; Rosa Orlandi, a she-wolf shifter; Geun Kyung-chul, a male dragon; Lidia Esinencu, an archangel; Keith Wilson, a male demon; and Rebecca Dufour, a nine-tailed fox.
While their job was to care for us, some of them seemed to take pleasure in making my life difficult, and that was something I couldn't ignore.
Samira, at least, was tolerable. She had dealt with me in the past, and while she wasn't exactly friendly, I could handle her. But Pedro and Lidia? They were an entirely different matter. They were the ones who handed out our schedules, which was the one thing that I needed to focus on right now.
As I entered the auditorium, I immediately felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that clung to me. This was going to be interesting, and not in a good way. Pride-Niklaus is approaching.
"Princess," Pedro greeted me, his tone polite but carrying an edge that told me he wasn't exactly thrilled to see me.
"Walking-disaster," Lidia purred mockingly, her voice dripping with disdain as she eyed me with barely concealed contempt.
I ignored her completely, turning my attention to Pedro as I walked up to him, handing him my iPad. "Shall we get done with the most infuriating schedule of my academic life?" I asked, my voice calm, but the frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
Pedro's grin was all teeth. He clearly found my discomfort amusing. "Unease?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"She's never unease." The voice was unmistakable, and my bones froze as I felt every hair on my body stand on end. I didn't need to turn around to know exactly who it was. Pride-Niklaus. Of course, it had to be him. The one person who could tower over me with that insufferable smugness, like he owned the world.
"Scarlet's calculated and manipulative. Uneasiness isn't a word that suits her at all, warden Pedro," he added, his voice thick with venom.
My irritation twisted in my stomach, and without even glancing at him, I couldn't stop myself from scoffing. "The only thing I am being calculated about is how I will murder you, your sister, and that slut you call mother, Pride-Niklaus!" I hissed, the words slipping out with practiced ease. Anger boiled beneath my skin, my chest tightening as the heat surged inside me.
I turned back to Pedro, my tone shifting ever so slightly. "Thank you for the help," I said, though the words were laced with something far more grudging than I let on.
Lidia sneered. "Fanged slut," she hissed, her words cutting through the air like a blade.
I glared at her from head to toe, matching her venomous gaze with my own and smirking. "Said the winged whore!" I retorted, not bothering to hide the smug satisfaction that rolled off my tongue. I opened a portal to my first class before Lidia could snap back at me.
Let them think what they wanted.
I had things to do, and they were not going to stand in my way.