Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 21

Valeri

Two months have passed since my confrontation with Jillian and Adeyemi. I’ve been trapped at this SU for about three months now and I’m slowly losing my mind. I was able to attend classes again, thanks to Eros.

The egg still hasn’t hatched, and it probably won’t anytime soon. I keep it within my bosom every day. I think it enjoys hearing my heartbeat like a child in the womb. I would sometimes hold it in my hands, just to feel the soft thrumming of what I believe is the heartbeat. At night, when my dreams aren’t filled with the pain Cassius leaves me, I dream of either being trapped in darkness or traveling through galaxies.

Cold. Coldness seeps into my very bones. There’s a heaviness on my body and nothing but darkness surrounds me. I’m suffocating and can’t understand why. A voice calls out to me.

“Rise, Forgotten One! Rise and seek vengeance!”

The voice sounded far away, but strong and masculine. Something within me willed my body to move and see who summoned me.I dug my claws into the hard material and began clawing my way to the surface. The voice continues to entice me with it’s words.

I continue to dig my way up, up, up, until whatever has kept me under crumbles away. There, I am met with a blazing inferno…

Endless stars and planets swirling in a blur as I’m searching for something. A little orange ball of gas zips past me. I try to follow it until it lands on a desolate place. The little orange ball of gas has this bright radiance that fills the dark skies...

Visions of Cassius and Jillian in between the sheets have made me bitter and withdrawn. Eros still brings the frozen drinks I’m crazy about. The vitality cuffs make me weak in body, but strong in mind. I decided to delve deep into my studies and avoid speaking with any possible acquaintances. It helps that people are still wary of my presence.

I excelled in History. The children seemed to warm up to me, and we even played little games before class ended. I became Professor Blossom’s assistant and helped create ways to make class more enjoyable and keep the students attentive. It worked, and grades improve greatly every week.

I know it isn’t a good idea to choose favorites, but I had a few who caught my eye. There’s Rowan, the little competitive child; Erin, the intellectual; Amara, a caring and kind soul who makes others feel welcomed; and Neveah, the little curious child. Lastly, is the quiet and sheepish child who jumps at her own shadow. Her name is Gwendolyn and I feel a surge of protectiveness towards her. No one sits at her table or befriends her. I watch from a distance and notice by her frail bones and the hollowness in her eyes that she doesn’t eat or sleep. What is it that keeps her up at night? Who’s taking care of her? I didn’t have time to figure it out, but my heart doesn’t allow me to be selfish.

I fared well in Potions & Alchemy, much to Professor Applebottoms’s displeasure. Being able to turn one thing into another is satisfying to see. We are taught the potions to heal, to disguise oneself, to defend oneself, to kill. It was forbidden to use kill potions outside of the classroom.

To say I understood Divine and Arcane magic was an understatement. The concept of said subject was easy enough for most to comprehend. I blame the handcuffs for my lack of skill in this department. How was it that I’m able to pass Potions and Alchemy just fine, but not with this class? I became a laughing stock for this class. I was put up against even the weakest and they would still win against me.

Battle Practice and Latin & Demonology classes were switched in my schedule. My tongue seemed to naturally know the flow of Latin and my knowledge of demons came easily. Professor Peter Latimer had a weird aura about him. When his small, beady eyes landed on me, they held a hungry look. The classes held a mixture of students of all ages from fifteen to mid-twenties,so I didn’t feel too alone.

Battle Practice is another area that I haven’t excelled with my missing eye being a weakness. Nerissa is renowned with the sword and became my spar partner. Nerissa and I became steady acquaintances, but I feel as though I’m holding her back from her true potential. I tried to pry out what she needed from me, but Nerissa was as elusive with her answers as a snow leopard.

She does, however, answer my questions about this world I replace myself in. History does help in that department, but it’s taught at an elementary’s level. It’s nice to actually hear it from an adult’s perspective.

There was a war that occurred back in ’15. They called it the Apocalyptic war, and the supernatural race was exposed. Disasters striked, allowing the continents to merge as one. Witches and beasts sided with the wrong side and lost. Apparently they are still paying reparations from three thousand years ago. That’s a little extensive. Also, there are beasts? What kind of beasts? Later, humans and the supernatural race made peace treaties and created new borders for the new world.

With the superior race making a sudden appearance, the world changed for the better. Natural magic helped heal the Earth from man’s greed. Cars were dependent on air and no longer polluted the air. Electricity ran solely on solar panels, making the air clean and breathable. Plants were able to grow wherever they desired. Animals thought long extinct were able to breed and spread on the Earthen planes again. The earth was fruitful, world hunger decreased, cures were found for terminal illnesses and diseases. It sounded like a dream.

The Executives were the leaders of each race. They keep the peace between everyone and hold equal power in the Hall of Union when a sacred law is broken. The Enforcers were like the police, they ensured the laws were upheld amongst the people. The Hunters were tasked with meting out punishment if the law was ever broken.

I seldom see Tanni now that she’s been selected by the Healer Raemithir. I finally remembered that he was the one I saw in the Medic Ward before he had to leave. However, Tanni does try to send messages through Professor Blossom, which I ignore. It’s nothing against her, I just rather not form close bonds with anyone.

I’ve been feeling the lure of Eros everyday now, and it’s hard to ignore. There’s a sensation of an itch that I want to scratch, but can’t seem too. I try to avoid Eros, but it’s becoming a challenge with him playing nice. When he speaks to me, his voice becomes a glaze that places me under a hypnosis that makes me sick as well. After a while, he starts to notice and the change in his voice becomes normal, the look in his eyes holds a hint of worry with greed.

Daxter is like a balm to all of my problems I face every day. Ever since the confrontation with Cassius, Daxter has always been a comfort for me. It doesn’t matter how large or small my situations are, Daxter extends a listening ear. It’s kind of selfish of me to do so, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

Daxter convinces me to finally come down to the cafeteria for an early lunch. It’s a warm Saturday afternoon and students were buzzing with excitement. Whisperings of Winter Solstice and Sacrum Solstitium carry on in my ear and I feel nervous. This was a time where some people hoped to replace their mate. I, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about it. What if my future mate didn’t like hybrids? What if he couldn’t accept me for my past? I have a feeling my past was something even I couldn’t accept. Maybe it was best if I didn’t go. I couldn’t replace a way out of it.

Maybe I could use a potion to make myself sick? No, Adeyemi will see right through my bullshit.

Daxter and I enter the cafeteria. It’s interior designs are stunning. Cream and golden tiled flooring match the cream colored arched ceilings. It’s tall walls allow natural light to beam through them. On the right, is a buffet of food of different categories to satisfy all species. To the left to right, are booths that line the entire walls. At the center are large rectangular tables that seat about ten students.

At the center of the room sits Bianka, Jillian, Mystique, and Gisele. I’ve personally named them the Bitch Squad for obvious reasons. The rest of my pod sits across from them. They all talk amongst themselves, and haven’t spotted us yet. I wanted it that way.

I try to break away from Daxter, but he grabs my hand. “Where are you going?”

I stutter slightly. “I-, I’m going to get a Blood N’Fused drink and try to replace Nerissa.”

He looks at the Bitch Squad before turning back to me. “I understand. I’ll replace you after lunch then.”

I smile at him. “Okay”

He releases my hand before going to the buffet line. I walk around it and replace the Blood N’Fused logo amongst the drink station. Eros forgot to deliver my drink for the day so I decided to be an adult and get it myself. It’s big loopy writing draws my eye and I rush to get a cup to fill up. I decided to try the tropical flavor. The orange colored drink has me licking my lips in anticipation.

I skirt around the center table, avoiding the eyes of my enemies by blending through the crowd.

“Valeri!” someone shouts

I turn around and see a small hand waving in the air. It was Alstas from the Omega training. He and Thaine smile like idiots at the sight of me. I sigh heavily, it was too late to avoid them now. When I get closer, I notice Tanni and Greta sitting amongst them.

Tanni smiles when I sit at the table across from her. “So good to see you again! It’s been forever.”

I return a smile. “Nice to see as well.”

“Did you receive any of my messages from Professor Blossom?” she asks.

“I did, but I’ve been feeling under the weather.”

Tanni sits up straighter. “Understandable. If you ever needed a quick check up, I’m your healer! Raemithir is rather impressed with my skills.”

“Congratulations! If I ever need to be healed, you’ll be the first to know.”

“So how have your studies been?” I ask, turning to the Alstas and Thaine.

Thaine is the first to speak. “It’s going really well! Math sucks though.”

“I’m getting the hang of my role as an Omega. Agricultural courses are a breeze.” Alstas answers.

A girl around Alstas’ age hits him over the head. “Stop lying, you dolt! You suck at agriculture! I’m the one that’s passing with flying colors.” She wears clothes similar to Alstas, and her facial features are very akin to his. A white rat with gray spots pops out of her jacket pocket.

“Are you twins?” I ask.

The girl rolls her eyes. “Isn’t it obvious? Al here copies my style right down to the shoes.”

Looking at them both, I could see what she meant. They both wore striped shirts with blue jean jackets straight out of the 80’s. Blue jeans with strings at the bottom, and when I look under the table, their tennis shoes are the same.

“Hey!” Alstas protests.

I laugh aloud. “Well, what’s your name?” I ask the girl.

She gives a skeptical gaze. “Alaina.”

“Nice to meet you, Alaina.”

Alaina arches an eyebrow. “Sure.”

Greta watches the entire exchange in silence. She was another puzzle I couldn’t quite figure out. Her demeanor wasn’t threatening in the slightest, but the waves of energy she gave off were… chilling and alien like. It’s as if her soul is a thousand light years away, never in this moment or time.

I decided to pull her back to the present moment. “How are things with you, Greta? Are you settling well with your pod?”

“Things are as good as they can be.” her soft voice answers. “How about you?”

“As good as can be.” I repeat.

“Have you chosen an outfit for The Winter Solstice ball?” Tanni asks.

I point to my outfit. “No. Isn’t that what the leather-like material is for?”

Tanni chuckles. “Yes, but where’s the fun in that?”

“Where could I possibly go for a dress? It’s not like I have anyone offering a ride into a city.”

“You’ll have to ask your Alpha.”

I wanted to vomit. I take a swig of the tropical flavored Blood N’Fused slushy and gagged. The salty tang of blood overrode the sweet taste of pineapples and coconuts.

Well this is a first… This reminded me of the first time I came to SU and tried the soup left in that small room. Why is my body rejecting the nutrients it needs?

“When is this ball anyways?” I ask.

“Deceëme 15th.”

I look at her in confusion. “Don’t you mean, December?”

Tanni returns a look with equal confusion. “What do you mean? It’s always been Deceëme.” She takes a closer look into my eye. “Is everything alright, Valeri?”

I blink a few times, not knowing where I remembered that word before. “Yes.” I smiled.

Our table seems to quiet down and I feel a looming presence behind me. Oddly enough, I knew it was Adeyemi.

I tilt my head back. “What can I do for you, Alpha?” I questioned sardonically.

Heat waves glide along my body while Adeyemi’s storm filled eyes gazed down at my open cleavage unabashedly before meeting my eyes. I didn’t know if he wanted to choke me out of pleasure or hate.

He shows one of his canines in a snarl. “Were you not informed of our pod meeting today?”

I tilt my head back down before rotating to him. “No.”

“That’s “No, Alpha” to you.” He spat.

I bark out a laugh. “In what ways have you garnered that respect?”

Adeyemi places a hand on my shoulder before whispering in my ear. “Ever since you’ve made a blood oath to this pod. You have responsibilities, just like the rest of us. You are no different.”

He then grabs my bicep and hauls me to my feet. I growl deep in my throat in protest, but was weak to pull out of his grasp thanks to these lovely cuffs. Adeyemi nods to the others in our pod to follow suit while dragging me to the Keep.

Once we make it back to our Pod Suit, I’m thrown onto the couch. I caught a hint of Jillian’s scent and I wanted to throw up again. I quickly get up and move to one of the other chairs by the window. Eros sits down in a chair directly across from me. Daxter sits on another couch next to the large one. Cassius sits at a bar counter and Adeyemi stands in the middle of the room.

Adeyemi claps his hands enthusiastically, his large barrel arms flexing in the dark blue t-shirt he wears. “I was given a mission by the Chancellor. We are officially investigating Sinful Maestra.”

“For whatever reason?” Daxter queries. His voice raised an octave.

“There are missing hybrids. Lady Helena has a notorious reputation, and is our main suspect.”

I was suddenly angry. “Why? Because a female successfully runs a club?”

Everyone looks at me in shock. Well, besides Eros. His eyes hold a hint of amusement.

I stare back at my pod. “What?”

Daxter is the first to speak. “How would you know anything about Sinful Maestra? Do you even know what she’s notorious for?”

“No, I just assumed-”

Adeyemi’s gazes at me with detest. “You assumed nothing, Omega. Dress in something appropriate for tonight. We leave at 8 o’clock. If you are even a minute late, you will be left behind.”

If this mission were to lead to anywhere else, I’d have purposefully been late. But there is a need to go to this Sinful Maestra. There was a call that I needed to answer right away. A sense of dread sets in the pit of my stomach on what this means.