average human’s Reviews > Hectic Elements: Fairview Academy Book 1 > Status Update

Opening the door before I could comment, he murmurs a greeting and shifts into a stiff, but surprisingly respectful bow.
The hairs on the back of my neck tingle, rising. My intuition screams at me, and my dragon shifts sluggishly as a leg clad in grey tartan slacks steps into view.
“Good afternoon, Mr Orichalcum.” Imelda greets warmly, the pleasant polite smile absent.
He murmurs the return greeting, and she moves further into the room, her head turning to take it in.
Her warm smile hitches when she sees me, her eyes tracking over my face and form with a flash of surprise.
I would have been offended, but I remembered that I likely still looked like a murder victim, and she’d probably assumed I’d gone straight to the healer after leaving class.
“Mr O.” Yelana drawls cheekily, sauntering inside.
She jerks to a halt when she spots me, her features brightening with delight. “Hah! I fucking knew it.” She crows, elbowing Imelda.
Imelda rolls her eyes and digs into her small purse, handing something back to Yelana.
I swear it looked like a folded $100 bill.
“Did they know I was a dragon shifter beforehand—”
“No, I didn’t tell them your name. I gave no personal information, in case her Highness,” He nods to Imelda. “Was unable to help, and therefore your identity would remain confidential. You were supposed to meet each other officially today.”
He gives me a quizzical look, obviously realising we had met before.
“We share classes. Both Fitness and Combat, plus Art.” I tell him as I stand from my chair with a wince.
Sitting had stiffened my injured ribs and leg, and my arm wasn’t much better.
“Sit down, Sinta, you’re hurt.” Imelda orders, moving over to me. “By the Gods, why aren’t you healed?”
“I thought you took the little one to the healer?” Yelana pipes up, grabbing my arm and forcefully settling me back into the chair.
I give them both an unamused look, but they ignore it.
“She was a trainee, and only had enough power to help Kenya. I can go back later.” I shrug them off and let my sore arm rest back in my lap. “How did you know?” I ask Yelana.
She pulls out the other chair and waits for Imelda to gracefully lower into it, then jumps up to sit on Mr Orichalcum’s desk.
He gives her a look but doesn’t say anything, retaking his own seat behind it.
“Honey, that fight in the Pit was all Dragon rage.” She laughs. “I mean, we should know. It’s not often you see a Dragon Shifter get that wound up, and the roar? If I didn’t spend so much time around Imelda, you could have knocked me on my ass.” She chuckles.
Imelda nods sagely, picking up my schedule. “Yes, it was quite the surprise. You are all the rage, now. Everyone wants to know who you are.”
Everything in me shrieked with panic.
“Don’t worry, we’re sworn to secrecy. First lesson on Dragon Fae – we hold Honour above all else. If we make a vow, we will die to defend it.” Yelana tells me.
“Or slaughter the threat. Whichever works.” Imelda murmurs. “I like the schedule, but I think we should add some Combat classes with Yelana. Trevone may be able to teach the basics, but soon your strength, speed, and abilities will increase. It’s best an experienced fighter help you, if that is alright?”
“You want me to fight you?” I splutter.
She smiles and giggles. “No, Sinta. You’re a good fighter, and I dare say you’ll be a force once you’ve shifted—”
“Fuck yeah, she will. She’ll be more Dominant than me.” Yelana grins.
“But I’m no combat instructor.” She says with a warning look at her friend. “Yelana has trained since infancy and is a master swordsman. She’ll be able to teach you all you need to know.”
“Sure can. We can set up some sessions on…..” Peeking at the sheet, she stares at it for a moment as she thinks.
Her face is so expressive it was like watching cogs moving behind her eyes, her brain visibly working.
“Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays?” She finally suggests. “Early Sunday, ‘cause I have other shit I have to do in the afternoon. We’ll do hour, maybe two-hour sessions so you don’t get overwhelmed.” She adds.
“That,” Clearing my throat, I take a moment to let my mind catch up and try to work through all of it. “Yes, that’s fine. Great, actually, if it’ll help.”
“Oh, it will.” She assures me with an enthusiastic nod.
“My brother Festos is the most Dominant Dragon Shifter currently attending the Academy.” Imelda says, placing the schedule carefully back on the desk where Yelana begins to scribble in the times for her combat tutoring. “But he’s attending family business at the moment. He’ll be back by next week, and it’ll be him that assists you through the Shift – with us on standby, for safety.”
“The Shift is that dangerous?” I question.
“For an infant, no. Their dragon isn’t yet big enough to cause major damage. For you?” She tilts her head back and forth. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“I already have money on you.” Yelana tells me.
“For what?”
“Kicking Festos’s ass, of course. You’re strong, girl. Who knows how much stronger you’ll be once you’ve shifted.” She muses.
“Yes, but first I need to see your scales.” Imelda says.
I stare at her for a moment, wary, and chance a glance at Mr Orichalcum.
“She’s here to help, Sinta.” He reassures me, his expression clam and encouraging. “She’s sworn no harm to you and sworn not to share your private business. You are safe.”
“You aren’t the first lone Dragon we’ve helped – though we’ve never shepherded them through the Fever.” Yelana admits. “But we’ll still do everything we can.”
“But why do you need to see my scales?” I question.
“It’ll help us to prepare for your dragon’s arrival.” Imelda calmly informs me. “For example, think of a pet lizard. They have enclosures, safe spaces, and each species has different needs. Some need extreme heat, some are more tropical, others are fine in a forestry habitat. Some need sand, others need grass and water. Our dragons are much the same; I myself sleep atop my jewellery to satisfy my dragon’s need to sleep on a hoard.”
“What?” I laugh.
“Oh yeah, she has special vault-like compartments built into the bottom of her bed, and she even has chunks of gold and uncut gems in there. We need certain things to regenerate our dragon’s powers.” Yelana explains. “Mine requires a pool of molten metals. I have to take a nap over a fire pit full of liquid gold just to keep my power levels up. It’s easier in Dragon form, I can just set a few gold bars on fire and sleep on them.”
“So my scales will tell you what my dragon needs to be comfortable and powerful?” I recap.
“Exactly.” Imelda nods. “It will also help us narrow down exactly what you need to be taught, instead of trying to teach you about the broad spectrum of dragon breeds. Much easier.”
“Right. But what if I’m not a normal dragon?” I ask.
“Every Dragon Breed that has ever been throughout history is recorded. We have a sort of…. Database, if you want to call it that. If Imelda and I aren’t immediately sure, we can essentially just google it.”
Right.
I glance at my Counsellor again.
He offers an encouraging nod.
Pulling in a deep breath, I watch Imelda’s face as I slowly tug off my loose shirt.
Leaving me in a black sports bra that did nothing at all to hide my Marks.
Her face goes slack, her purse landing on the floor with a thud.
“What,” Yelana gapes. “The fuck.”
I watch the Princess gather herself, breathing deep and visibly forcing herself to put away the shock and, I think, awe?
Clearing her throat, she reaches out and takes a hold of the hand attached to my non-injured arm, giving it a tight comforting squeeze.
“We are going to have to do a lot of research.” She mutters, but there’s a determined glint in her eyes. “Despite that, we will help you, Sinta. You’re a miracle.” She breathes.
“The last Green Dragon.” Yelana mumbles. “That’s more than a miracle. That’s a fucking twist of Fate, right there.”
Despite the pain I was still in, and my anxiety over the entire situation, I breathed easy for the first time in days.
I believed the Princess and her no-nonsense look. And Yelana too.
I was going to be okay.