3 Chapter 1
Staring out the small window of the aeroplane, I counted each drop of rain rolling down the glass until I got to ten, only to start counting all over again. I’ve done this for the past hour, and though the action seems like a boring activity, its the only thing distracting me from the paralyzing thoughts threatening to burst out of the pandora box within my mind.
The music playing from my earbuds changes to another and the song, Oceans by Hillsong United begins with a soothing melody in my ears.
Closing my eyes, I feel a sense of calm wash over me and can’t help but relax. I’ve never been one with faith in any religion, but before his recent death my step-father had been a strong Christian believer, and listening to one of his favourite songs makes me feel like he’s right by my side. Offering nothing but strength and encouragement.
Opening my eyes, my thoughts are shattered by the presence of someone settling down heavily beside me. I halfheartedly acknowledge the older man who's been my brooding seatmate ever since we boarded the plane.
Shifting my sitting position to put a little distance between us I stare at him through the corner of my eyes, for something about the older man puts me on edge. He has wrinkly ivory skin with neutral undertones and a slightly crooked nose, his eyes are a startling shade of forest green and his lips are a little wide in shape. He’s wearing a large black coat and when he raises his left hand to run it through his hair an eye-catching tattoo appears, it’s a dragon tattoo coiled around his wrist.
It's head resting on the inside of his palm while its tail is wrapped around his wrist, and its the entire snaky body is covered in flames of red.
Tilting my head in wonder, I can’t help but stare at the tattoo until it disappears when he puts his hand back down. The colours of the tattoo are so vivid and bright that it almost looks like it was painted on his skin. Not seeing anything else that could tell me why I’m uneasy next to him, I turn away and settle further into my seat to concentrate on the music from my earbuds.
A few months ago, I, Coral Ray had everything any girl could dream of. A pleasant life filled with a large group of friends and a happy family. Then a mysterious accident takes the life of my parents and suddenly I’m left all alone to face the world.
Right after their demise, harder news was dropped onto my lap at the reading of my parents' will and testimony. I was told by their lawyer that should in case anything happen to them, I’d be left under the guardianship of my supposed “biological” father.
A man I’ve never heard, met, or even seen before. Deciding to shake off my brooding thoughts, I let my head fall back and close my eyes.
I seriously need a break, the migraine pounding away at my temple is proof enough that I’ve been thinking way too much these past few months.
~*~*~*~
The feeling of being lurched forward startled me awake, blinking my eyes open I scrunch my face in confusion at my unfamiliar surroundings. Looking around to see seat-belts being unbuckled and unfamiliar faces rising to their feet. Letting out a long sigh it all comes back in a flash, the speakers blare softly with the voice of the pilot has he thanks everyone for their cooperation during the flight.
Unbuckling my seat belt, I count the time difference between New York and Paris and realize it’s 10:16 am.
Tuning my watch to Paris time I rise and stretch, a shiver of discomfort running down my spine as my legs slowly get back their feeling and blood starts circulating.
Getting off the plane I quietly follow the crowd of passengers towards the baggage claim in the airport and grab my suitcases before searching for the person sent to pick me up.
I searched for close to an hour before giving up, standing in-between the moving crowd I couldn’t help the sigh of irritation that left my lips. Due to the academy’s strict rules, phones are prohibited on school grounds and I had to leave mine back at my place. It never occurred to me until now that I might have difficulty reaching out to the academy should in case my escort be late or, not show up at all.
A male clears his throat behind me, and I’m startled when a hand lightly taps my shoulder. “Excuse me?”
Turning around, I tilt my head in confusion and stare at the male through the dark shades resting on my nose. The first feature I noticed was his shocking pair of violet eyes, they captured my attention immediately with its startling beauty. Next is the fact that he’s quite tall compared to my average 5’6ft height and his skin is very tan for someone who looks like he doesn’t get out much. He’s classically handsome with dark brown hair, a straight nose, and a well-defined bone structure.
“Are, you talking to me?” I ask in confusion, looking around just to be sure.
“Yeah.” He nods, smiling to reveal dimples in both cheeks. “I just wanted to ask if you’re Coral Ray?”
“Yes,” Pulling off my glasses I hook them to the collar of my shirt and respond uncertainly, nodding. “I am. Who's asking?”
He visibly breathes out in relief and holds out a hand for a handshake. On his outstretched hand is a tattoo of a turtle, the tattoo very similar in style to the one I saw on my older seatmate on the plane. It’s larger too and coils around his wrist in a similar pattern. The turtles head rests on the inside of his palm while its legs fall to his wrist, there’s a splash of clear blue water wrapped around the green turtle and for a second I wonder if life-like tattoos are starting to become a trend here.
After discovering I’ve done nothing but stare at his hand, I immediately grasp his palm so I don’t appear rude. “It’s nice to meet you Coral Ray, I’m Devon Prescott. I was sent by the academy to pick you up.”
“Oh, well that’s a relief.” I smile, and could only watch in surprise when he releases me to pull out the handles of my suitcases. He starts heading for the exit and I hurriedly followed. “How did you guess it was me from the start?”
“I didn’t, I must have stopped like 10 different girls asking if they were Coral Ray before I saw you. The picture I was given wasn’t very clear so I had no idea what you looked like, I just knew you had auburn brown hair and beautiful blue eyes.”
I momentarily falter in my step at the “beautiful eyes” comment but shakes off the slight flutter that rose in my stomach. “Do you work for the Academy?”
He barks out a laugh as if amused by the question. “No I’m a student, I was sent because the Dean felt you’d be more comfortable arriving at the Academy with someone your age.”
Sceptical, I study his frame from behind and ask. “Are you also 15?”
“No, 16, I meant a teenage age.”
As we make our way out of the airport, immediately a uniformed middle-aged man steps forward to take my suitcases from Devon. I watch him around a sleek SUV parked on the sidewalk and slip my bags carefully into the trunk.
Stepping away from my side, Devon moves forward and opens the back door for me like a gentleman, motioning me in with one hand raised while smiling. I can’t help but be a little charmed by the show of chivalry and slide into the back carefully, flipping my hair over my shoulder when the door is shut closed.
I watch through tinted windows as both Devon and the uniformed driver slip into the car, and after buckling up we made our way from the airport in silence.
The drive was rather boring and filled with french music from the radio, so I stared blankly out the window for the duration of it, lost in thought. I couldn’t help but startle when my door is suddenly jerked open. Blinking, I gaze up at Devon in surprise before looking into the car to realize the driver isn’t within sight and we’re parked in an underground parking lot.
“Are we at the academy already?”
“No, we're making a brief stop first.” he steps away from the car before I can ask why and I follow behind when I step down from the SUV.
He pulled out my suitcases from the trunk and heads towards a smaller vehicle, which is built in the exact model of a golf cart. There are solar panels on the roof which leaves me stunned for a minute because I certainly wasn’t expecting that.
“Hey, wait a minute,” I frown, confused. “why are we changing… what I hope is a car?”
Slipping my suitcases into the back seat, he keys out what sounds like a tired sigh before turning to me to respond. “the school doesn’t allow automated cars into its territory so we’re taking the battery-operated cart instead.”
So, it is a cart.
“Why doesn't the school allow automated cars into its territory?
“environmental reasons I guess, our Dean is very eco-fire, day," he responds, his answer a little mocking, as if there’s a hidden joke within his statement.
He slips into the driver's side after motioning me forward, and I slowly slide into the passenger seat. He starts the cart with a small circular button underneath the wheel and immediately the vehicle vibrates with a soft hum, I shift in surprise at the feel of the cool air grazing my skin and slowly put on my seat-belt when he turns towards me expectantly.
He reverses out of the lot and drives into the street of whatever colourful town we’re currently in, the cart surprisingly going a lot faster than I expected it to. “can I ask where exactly we are?”
“the lovely town of Versailles.
