Page 16 of The Lost Elemental

Of course, they did. I unfastened my seat belt and slung my duffle over my shoulder. Sliding out of the SUV, my feet hit the cobblestoned driveway with a thud. Every set of eyes turned in my direction.

My ribs tightened around my lungs as the focus intensified. But not everyone stared at me. Some were zeroed in on Kai and Riven. I didn’t blame them. Kai and Riven were the epitome of male beauty. But this was more. There was a reverence. Heads dipped and eyes lowered. Who the hell were these guys?

A familiar head of dark brown curls headed in our direction, and I had to swallow back a scream. Of course, queen bitch would get placed at Kingwood too.

Drue beamed at Riven and Kai. “Riven, it’s so good to see you. It’s been far too long since the last dinner.”

Riven dipped his head in greeting but didn’t offer another word.

Drue’s smile faltered for a moment, but she pushed on. She gave a half-curtsy to Kai. “I’m Drue of Zephyr, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Zephyr was the air kingdom. One of the four royal realms of the elemental world. Followed by the Kingdom of Torrent, water; the Kingdom of Terra, earth; and the Kingdom of Ash, fire. But this antiquated curtsy business was new to me.

Kai winked at Drue. “Nice to meet you, Drue. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to take this one to a meeting—”

“Kai!”

His name was shouted in high-pitched unison as a gaggle of girls descended on him. I couldn’t differentiate one from the other as they circled, tossing their hair and running their fingers over his arms and chest.

“We missed you, Kai,” one purred.

“Yeah,” another pouted. “Why did you take so long at the testing?”

“Ladies,” he began, trying to extricate himself from the crowd.

A burning lit in my chest. I told myself it was disgust, not jealousy. I turned away from the scene and towards Riven. “Can you tell me where the head of school’s office is?”

I’d rather deal with Riven’s vitriol than Kai’s gaggle of women. Riven glanced behind me and sighed. “It’ll take him hours to be rid of them. Follow me.”

Drue looked from Riven to me and back again. “Y-you’re escorting her? I heard she’s half-human. Clearly not worthy of your time.”

“It’s Academy business, Drue. None of your concern.”

Drue’s mouth snapped closed, but she glared at me. I knew I’d pay for that later. I pushed the thought from my mind and followed behind Riven as he started for the doors. He moved as if he expected the crowd to part and they did.

I simply followed in his wake, keeping my head level. I didn’t have the luxury of looking down or meeting anyone’s stare. I had to pretend as if I didn’t see anyone at all.

But I could feel their attention on me, hear the whispers. The word human lifted on the air more than once. Some said it with curiosity, others derision. I guessed the half-human elementals didn’t usually end up at Kingwood.

I rubbed the scar on the inside of my wrist in soothing circles. Today would be the worst. Every day would get a little better from here. My novelty would wane, and the world would go back to normal.

Riven slowed in front of a set of double doors. He didn’t knock before entering. A woman looked up from a desk and ducked her head. “Your Highness.”

My head swiveled and I gaped at Riven. It all suddenly made so much sense. Of course, he was royal. The air of superiority. Calling everyone by their first names. Doing whatever the hell he pleased.

Riven inclined his head towards the woman. “Is he in?”

“Yes.” She pressed a button on her desk. “Go right in.”

I doubted Riven would’ve paused if she’d asked. He opened another set of doors, stepping through. Three sets of eyes swiveled in our direction. Two were familiar. Dean Sinclair and Quincy from the testing. But the third was dark and assessing.

The man leaned back in a large leather desk chair, taking my measure. He had salt-and-pepper at his temples and tanned skin. “Ms. Coleman, I presume?”

“Yes, sir.”

He stood, rounding his desk and extending a hand. “I’m Headmaster Acker.”

I slid my hand into his. “Nice to meet you.”