Sierra

I love watching things burn.

My entire life, I've been called a pyromaniac. Arsonist. Incendiary. There's just something so pure about fire. It was always something forbidden for me. Something everyone wants to touch but can't.

Except, I can.

I remember growing up and watching candles burn for hours. Observing the way the wax would melt instantly at it's touch. How it just disappeared as the fire cut through it. I remember going through a whole box of matches before my father swooped in and took it out of my hand.

"Don't play with fire, Sierra." He told me once. He always hated fire. How couldn't he? He was a firefighter before he retired.

And then one day, I touched it. On accident. At a camping event. Someone swung around with a marshmallow that was ablaze. It skimmed my arm and where it should have burnt me, it didn't.

So, I tried it again. I touched fire and I smiled when I realized it didn't 'burn' the way it should. It was warm and comforting. Hot—but not "burning." I don't know really what it means to feel a burn.

"Joder," Alejandro curses beside me. Our eyes traveling together up the beautiful courtyard of the Valley University. He links his arm with mine, grinning brightly. "Ya no estamos en Kansas."

I shove him lightly with my body, "We've never been anywhere remotely close to Kansas. No jodas."

It's our first day of class and I am absolutely giddy with excitement. Our tour guide, a young werewolf named Evan, is pointing out where everything is. I've personally never left the United States, but I do feel like I'm in some medieval castle or institution that belongs to Europe. The buildings are all beautiful stone and there's a large bell tower where the main University library is.

The Royal Palace is similar in the sense that it feels old. But the Castle is regal and grandiose. This is just...academic. Gorgeous.

There are werewolves—everywhere. We were all prepared for this. Our group—this little Coven in the making—is only roughly twenty students. We were all handpicked by the Wiccan Elders to partake in a new program that our mentor—Killian—has set up.

I wish our purple-eyed mentor was here. He saw us all off at the Royal Island a few days ago. Speaking to each of us individually. Truth be told, I've had a huge, little girl crush on him for a while now. The way a high schooler might think her English teacher is cute.

It's stupid but partially due to the fact that Killian is the one who found me. Or at least, he's the one who realized I had Magic. I didn't grow up in a Coven like Alejandro or my peers did. I didn't start my training at ten or twelve like everyone else. I was sixteen when my Magic couldn't take it any longer. The aftermath...not fun. Actually, quite catastrophic. I only got out of it because of Killian.

I grew up with humans. Around humans. I went to a normal elementary school. I started dance lessons when I was four. I was in ballet, and contemporary, and all kinds of different school plays through middle and high—because I was good at dancing.

By freshman year of high school, I tried out for the dance team. I thought it could be my way into college. But while everyone was worrying about how they're bodies were changing physically—the boobs, bad BO, voices dropping, and carrying around tampons—I also had different for of puberty.

I pushed it down for so long. I tried. I shouldn't have, but I thought I was a mutant like from X-Men. I've learned—Magic accumulates. Like a battery pack. And mine was overflowing until it all just rushed out. I wish it hadn't, but it did.

If I was a mutant, then Killian was my Professor X. He found me. Out of chance, fate, or maybe through his Mind Warping—I don't know. But he brought me into this world.

"You've come a long way, Sierra." He told me the day before we were leaving for the Valley. He set down my paperwork against his desk. Smiling at me with that devilish grin that honestly could make any woman swoon.

"I know." I told him eagerly. I knew what was on those papers. The overachievement. The incessant need to please. He wasn't blind to it.

We're all ranked on a sheet of paper. Constantly having to compete with one another. When I was first introduced to Magic, I was at the bottom of the barrel. I trained...so many nights and days to get better. To be better.

Killian's purple eyes swirled a bit, trying to read into my mind. They do that sometimes. His powers are...intense. During one of our lectures, he Mind Warped each of us. He wanted us to know how it would feel, to have someone in your head. He didn't hurt us, but it was an odd sensation. Like an itch you couldn't quite scratch.

Honestly, everyone is afraid of him. He knows it too. His power to control others, to get into your mind—awake or when you're sleeping—it's not Dark Magic, but it borders it. It took us all time to realize that Killian would never harm us. We came to appreciate him. Knowing that none of us would be here without him.

Me especially. I'd never been as afraid as my friends. They grew up hearing stories and rhymes about Mind Warpers. When I first met Killian, I was excited, petrified, and so relieved to find someone like me. Someone with that feeling in the pit of their stomach. Someone who understood and taught me to control it.

I always thought I was alone. A freak of nature. I didn't even tell my parents. Hence, catastrophic explosion at sixteen. Since then, I've been immersed into the supernatural world.

What we all know, however, is that none of us would be here without Killian.

"I know, you know, that you've been outperforming everyone." Killian said to me with a smile, "And Queen Sloane has taken quite a liking to you."

Also, an opportunity that Killian threw my way this year. He introduced me to the Queen. Asked me if I could show her Magic. Or at least, the fundamentals of it. I thought it odd, she's a werewolf after all. Werewolves can't control Magic—they can hardly control their wolves. It's one of the fundamentals we learn day one.

Werewolves have to control their wolves. Vampires their hunger. Nymphs their own set of powers. Faeries their need to be bad. And Wiccans, we control Magic.

I pestered Killian with an evil smile and quick wink, "I'd rather you take a liking to me."

Killian rolled his eyes at that, but I could see the amusement on his face. He made it abundantly clear that he would not be interested in me romantically and I've grown to accept that. Doesn't mean I won't shoot my shot.

I mean, it's hard not to be attracted to him. He has dark hair, tanned skin. His eyes are literally shining in purple. Slap some tattoos on him and he's the morally gray character I read in my books.

Except he jokes around a lot. Maybe not so much with his students, but I've overheard his little raunchy comments he'll make to his friends.

Killian quickly changed the subject then. His eyes sparkling as he tilted his head at me, "Have you considered where and with whom you'd like to do your Apprenticeship?"

I took a moment then to stare at him. Before breathing out deeply, "With you. With the best."

He seemed genuinely shocked to hear my answer. Never has Killian taken an Apprentice before. He smiled at me, tilting his head, "Is that so?"

"I'll stop being quippy." I told him honestly, "I just want to learn."

He leaned back in his seat. Resting his chin in his hand as he stared at me. "Keep performing well, Sierra."

I took that as a Yes. That should I keep performing the way I have been, should I stay top of my class, then he'd take me as his Apprentice.

Being an Apprentice is the next step for Witches and Warlocks. There are only a few who were able to climb the ladder into positions of power without it. Killian is one of them, but he had the Alpha King to lean on. I don't have those kinds of connections—despite the Queen taking a liking to me.

I want to Apprentice someone powerful. Someone great. Someone with a set of skills that are so starkly different to mine. Most Elementals, like myself, we tend to Apprentice other Elementals. Elementals are a lower tier of Magic because we're so common, but not as common as basic Wiccans.

It's like being middle-class. Elementals, Shape Shifters, and Empathy's—to name a few. We're able to perform lower-class Magic. But ultimately, we have a specialization that isn't uncommon.

For Elementals, like myself, there are certain elements that are more common than others. Water, Wind, the ability to control plants—those tend to trend a lot. Moving the earth like in Avatar, not so much. And fire...we just get a bad reputation. There aren't many of us and a few years ago, some Fire Elementals went rogue.

Lower class Wiccans tend to be those with Clairvoyance, Scrying, Force Fields, or Palmistry. Every Witch or Warlock has the ability to perform these smaller tasks if need be. I've personally levitated a few things and created a force field once. Drawn cards to see if I could read my future. Just because I can do it doesn't mean I like it.

Then we have our upper-class. The "big boys" that are so rare, sometimes we go centuries without having a Wiccan that wields this power. Or some haven't walked the earth for so long, we think their powers may have been made up. These consist of our Mind Warpers, Chaos Magic, Necromancy. Magic that lingers between the shadows of Light and Dark Magic. Magic that takes something very dark to ignite.

I'll never forget my first day of class on the Royal Island once we entered this program. The Wiccan council was standing in front of us. We all felt...untouchable. No one in our cohort has upper-class Magic. We're just middle and lower. But the council was lecturing us about how we were all hand selected for the program.

Killian walked in through the door, strolled right to the front, glanced at the Council, and said politely, "Please take a seat."

It was in that moment we all realized where the true power of the Wiccan Council resides. In the purple eyed Warlock who stood in front of us and smiled.

Some of the students didn't even know that was him. They had all heard stories of the King's Mind Warper but hadn't met him face-to-face.

"I'm Killian," He introduced himself. Eyes bugged out; some whispers could be heard. I glanced to Alejandro whose jaw was practically on the ground. It made me giggle softly.

"Before we get started," Killian told us. "If any of you has a problem with working alongside a Mind Warper, I implore you to leave this program now. There will be lessons in upper-class Magic that will make you uncomfortable. It will make you fearful. And at some point, in this course, I will be in your Mind. That is...if I haven't been already."

He winked with a sinister smile. But that didn't make us feel all that better. We wouldn't be able to tell if he was kidding anyways.

Then he continued, "If any of you asks me how I came to my Gift, I will give you silence. If you insist, I will expel you. Is that understood?"

No one dared to ask him. Even the Wiccan council looked uneasy. Killian smiled then. After a few moments of silence, "See you all in class."

He walked out back into the castle. He's a busy man after all. Not only residing in the Wiccan Tower but helping the Alpha King like a right-hand man.

After months of teachings on the Royal Island, we're now getting swapped to the Valley University.

"I can't believe we're here," I end up saying to Alejandro.

I feel like crying which is the stupidest thing ever. Touring a university should not make me want to cry. But hey, I never got that traditional American university experience. That blew up.

Alejandro looks to me, he let's out a happy laugh. Putting his arm around my shoulders to give me a quick noogie and kiss the top of my head. I shove him away with the same laugh.

"Siempre juntos." He says our mantra.

"Nunca solos." I reply with a smile.

Alejandro is a little bit of a nerd like me. A scrawny kid with dark black hair. Bushy black eyebrows. Tanned Mexican skin. We met because I was at the bottom of the list at the Royal Palace. Years ago when Killian whisked me away to start studying and living there. To incorporate me into the supernatural world.

No one really wanted to talk to me—I was kind of used to that anyways. But Alejandro found me one late night. I was trying to get a stupid feather to float in the air. Basic Magic that I found more difficult than wielding fire.

"You're Sierra, right?" He asked me after I screamed with frustration.

I looked over at him. Instantly realizing he was Latin. Unsure whether he knew how to speak Spanish.

"Yeah," I told him. "Quién eres tu?"

He smiled at that, "Hablas Español?"

"A little." I answered, crossing my arms over my chest.

"There aren't that many of us that speak Spanish." He told me with a smile, "You're the late bloomer, aren't you?"

"Yeah." It was dark out. I was tired. I had lost track of time. Trying to understand all the Magic I could.

I hated the fact that I was behind. I was only a teenager then—my first time away from home. My first time having to be the bottom of it all. I was on the honor roll at my human school. I was top of my class. I wasn't necessarily popular, but everyone knew who I was.

Here, everyone knew me for the wrong reasons.

"I'm Alejandro." He told me softly, "Water Elemental."

"Fire." I said without much thought.

"I know." He grinned, "You're the only one."

The only one. I've heard that a million times. The only one who spoke Spanish in school. The only one who was adopted.

"We're having a little salsa night tomorrow," Alejandro told me. "It's just the Latin crew, but none of us ever see you out. Join us. We do virgin margaritas and mojitos."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. My dad loves mojitos. I nodded at him, my smile tired. "I'll think about it. I want to try and get this feather up first."

He frowned at that. Pulling a chair and sitting beside me, "I can help you with that."

Of course, he could. He's been doing this trick for years. Regardless, that night, our friendship blossomed. We've been friends for years now. Meeting at sixteen and seventeen. We helped each other with our Magic. Pushing each other's limits when no one else would. I got to watch him discover his sexuality. Hold his hand whenever he didn't know what to do. We've cried together over sappy movies and stupid boys.

We got into this program—together. And for the lack of a better word, we're quite popular now. Last year, we celebrated Alejandro's twenty-first birthday with plenty of margaritas and tequila that we shipped out from his hometown in Mexico. This last year, we celebrated my twenty-first birthday. With plenty of mojitos and rum. Even my dad sent me some of his favorite rum from Cuba.

Alejandro and I, we have our mantra that has been adopted by our cohort. Siempre juntos, Nunca solos. Always together, never alone.

"Hey Sierra," One of our friends stays behind to walk beside us.

His name is Dean—he's a shapeshifter. One of two in our class. Shapeshifters—like Elementals—have a specific thing they master. One person, one animal. None of this, I can become whatever I want. Although, upper-class Shapeshifters—Doppelgangers—supposedly have the ability to become other people.

Dean, however, can turn into an owl. A beautiful majestic barn owl with huge black eyes. He's done is a few times in our class and sometimes, we've caught him peeping in the girl's locker room through the stained-glass windows. It's just out of mischief and fun. He's rather harmless otherwise. Besides, I could fry him like a chicken rotisserie if I wanted to.

The other shapeshifter is a girl named Avery. She turns into a fox. It's pretty cool but she's been warned not to do it here. The werewolves might mistake her as an actual fox and hunt her down. Poor girl is going to have to wear a cat bell if she wants to shift.

"What do you want?" I can't help but roll my eyes. Dean is definitely a troublemaker. He looks like someone who would have been a star quarterback in my human high school.

"If there are group projects," Dean puts his arm over me—right on top of Alejandro's. "I think the three of us would make a good team."

"Piss off Dean," A witch in our group rolls her eyes. "You can't just call dibs on Sierra. Share the wealth."

"Thank God you're my best friend." Alejandro chuckles. Knowing full well, we've always done group assignments together. He may not perform greatly on the personal exams, but on the group assignments, I help to shoot him up on the charts.

We all come to a full stop on the tour. Everyone who walks by keeps looking at us. Excited with smiles on their werewolf faces as Evan steps up on a stair leading into the main library. Now that Evan is a few feet taller than us, he scans us all over. He's just about to speak when his eyes catch someone in the distance.

He cups his hands around his mouth, "Ashley! Tyler! Look! I've got the newbie Magicians!"

We all turn around to see a blonde girl walking alongside a tanned guy. The guy is pure muscle and cups his hands back to yell, "I feel sorry they have to look at your ugly face!"

"Hey," Ashley hits him in the arm.

"You look hot, Ash!" Evan screams at the girl. "I'd totally tap that!"

She covers her face in slight embarrassment. Tyler starts to laugh, pulling the girl away towards the lake.

"Sorry," Evan turns to us. A big grin on his face, "That's my Mate, Ashley. And one of my best friends, Tyler. He's the Beta, I'm sure you'll see him around."

We all just look at him with slight amusement. He makes Dean look like a saint.

"So," Evan clasps his hands together. He's wearing a short sleeve shirt and we can see his Pack Branding on his wrist. A beautiful Celtic tree. "You're about to have your orientation in our biggest lecture hall. Nothing to be intimidated about. Every werewolf on campus and in our town has been informed you're here, as you know. We're all so happy to have you so if at any time you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of us. We're all here to help you in any way."

I raise my hand before anyone else does. Evan nods in my direction. Grinning, I ask. "You told us about some of the activities you have here. The lake, forest, what will you. Where can a girl find a drink though?"

A few snickers can be heard in my cohort. Even Alejandro grins at it. On the Royal Island, we'd just go out to the many bars in town. We all had a favorite we would go to on Thursday nights. All twenty of us, hanging out, drinking. Watching sports or playing darts and billiards.

Sometimes on the weekends, we'd all hop on a ferry boat and go to the Port. They're known for having some of the best supernatural party scenes. It's where Alejandro and I once took a weird potion. It's where a lot of us ended up having the craziest, most haziest nights. We're young, we're warranted to having a fun night out after exams.

"Personally, I love getting litty-titty at our Full Moon bar." Evan says with a light laugh, "It's up in a clearing. Our locals go there but it's become quite popular now that they've expanded over the last year. I'm sure you'll all love it. If you need a ride up, just let us know."

Alejandro raises his hand next to me, "What are all these fliers we keep seeing around campus? The pink ones?"

Evan practically bounces with joy. A grand smile wrapping on his lips, "We're having an end-of-summer festival this year. We have performers coming in front all around the world. But our closing act is the one everyone is most excited for."

"Who?" Dean asks, he's always loved music.

"Special guests. They've never performed publicly before." Evan's eyes twinkle. "Kaspian's Crew."

"Who?" Someone in my cohort asks.

I frown slightly—the name feels vaguely familiar.

I didn't think Evan's smile could get any brighter, "They're a band. Our Alpha, he's the lead guitarist so we're all buzzing with anticipation."

"Alpha Matthew plays the guitar?" Someone asks.

"No," Evan shakes his head. "He fucking rocks it."

"Who else is in the band?"

"Alpha Wayan from the Port," Evan tells us. "His Mate, Luna Kole. The lead singer and vocalist is Alpha Alexander from the Sierra."

Hearing my name out of context makes me raise an eyebrow.

"And the drummer is Alpha King Aiden." Evan tells us.

"Shut the fuck up," Someone in my group exclaims.

I can't even hide my shock. We've all been around King Aiden a few times. Mostly in passing. That's what happens when you live in the Palace—you see him walk through halls on his way to meetings. I've never actually spoken to him. Just his Mate, Queen Sloane.

"When's this concert?" I end up asking.

"Two weeks from now." Evan smiles, "We're going to get a massive influx of visitors. You're all going to get to see the Valley like never before, trust me. It's going to be wild. But don't worry, you're all invited to the concert too. It'll be outdoors, there are going to be vendors. Shit, we're going to get so fucking litty titty. If I don't recognize you that day, don't fret. It's just the alcohol."

I already love it here. Everyone is so nice and open. It's not just the ambiance. It's everything. The town has so many restaurants and shops. The people are always smiling or laughing. Hell, even our dorm rooms are a step up from the bunks we'd have to share back in the Castle. Our view overlooks the beautiful lake and valley.

It just feels warm and open and happy. I so badly cannot wait to start learning. To have fun here. I can't wait to be a part of the Valley.

"Alright everyone," Evan finally says after he's answered a few more questions about the festival. "Let's go in for your orientation, shall we?"

***

A/N: Lowkey, I missed the Valley so much!!! It's just so magical, isn't it? How are we feeling about Sierra? First impressions?

PSA: Also, personal note, I am Hispanic. I come from Spanish and Cuban roots. The way I speak Spanish is the Spain-way. I only mention this because although I'm very much integrated with my Hispanic friends, different Latin American cultures, etc.--every form of Spanish has it's own little differences. So if some Spanish words aren't totally accurate to the aligning culture, sorry about that. But Spain Spanish (Castellano) is just how I naturally speak. I.e., I say patatas for potatoes. Not papas (it pisses my Argentinian friends off a lot lol).