"Welcome to students old and new." Mrs Kennedy strolled around the edge of the raised platform as she spoke, her sharp eyes missing nothing as she surveyed the silent students.

No one dared to speak or move in case they interrupted her. Finally, I understood the meaning of the phrase you could have heard a pin drop. It was almost comical to see everyone's eyes fixed on the tiny woman who clearly held so much power here.

Today she wore a smart white suit that complimented her dark grey hair and made her look a little less severe. "The Wyld Academy has stood for almost two hundred years and taken in over nine thousand students in that time. Arch Mage Ernest O'Connor created our school with the simple mission; to teach students to protect themselves and others. Whilst its purpose has changed over time to match the needs of the world around us, one thing remains constant," she paused dramatically, "We are committed to making you the best versions of yourselves so you will make a lasting difference in our world and others. Our walls have held some of the greatest supernaturals the world has ever seen. Whether you are a legacy student, the first chosen in your family, or," her eyes landed on me, "something else entirely, the academy has chosen you and it doesn't make mistakes."

Her words echoed in my mind. It doesn't make mistakes? Then what was I? Because I sure as heck didn't belong here.

After another long pause to let those words sink in, she smiled, "Over the years you are here you will be put to the test in ways you could never have imagined. You may have heard rumours, perhaps put out there by older years." Her eyes moved to a few tables who tittered nervously, "but I would like to reassure you that we have not experienced the death of a student in nearly fifty years. We may push you to your limits, but you do so with the support of our expert staff. Do your best and you will know only success here. Without further ado, please eat. Your first class begins in forty-five minutes."

Conversation immediately erupted around us, but my eyes stayed fixed on the teacher's table where more than one openly stared at me. It was clear they questioned what the hell the school was thinking just as much as I did.

"Well, at least we don't have to actually worry about graduate or die." Nancy joked, bumping my shoulder with her own.

I shot her a smile I didn't quite feel, "Less chance of imminent death always brightens up a... wait what day of the week is it?"

"Thursday." Enzo offered as he piled his plate high with pancakes.

My stomach rolled as I reached for a single piece of toast to put on mine. "Who starts a new school year on a Thursday?"

Nancy laughed, "I said the same thing to my mum. You know I think they-"

Her cheery chatter seemed to fade out as something prickled the edge of my mind. Eyes on me here was nothing new, but this felt stronger, more... venomous. I couldn't quite describe it but I'd never felt hate quite like it and my hands curled into fists, ready to protect myself if I needed to.

I glanced over my shoulder and searched the sea of people for whoever it was out there that was causing this unsettling feeling. But there was nothing, no one out of the ordinary. Not that anything here could really be classed as ordinary.

"Hey are you ok." Enzo's voice broke through my concentration and my eyes shot back to the table.

"Yeah." I forced a smile to put his concern to rest. "Just a lot to take in."

He gave me a lopsided grin that made heat rise in my cheeks unexpectedly. "Don't worry, we will watch out for you."

Nancy's arm wrapped around me in a hug, even as her other hand shoved what had to be her third or fourth pastry in. "What he said."

I leaned back to avoid the spray of crumbs as she spoke and she giggled sending more flaky pieces of pastry flying. Within minutes, half the table was cracking up and the feeling was gone.

Perhaps I had imagined it, I thought as I retrieved my class schedule along with everyone else and we filed out into the hallway to see which classes we had together.

"Introduction to magic?" I read off under the Thursday morning class.

"Oh cool, we're the same." Nancy said, scanning the map to work out where we needed to go.

At least the map didn't hate her and lit up a cheerful orange path to the classroom. She was just heading back towards me when someone stomped between us.

"Why the hell do they think witches need an introduction to magic? Urgh this is going to be so boring." Ariana flicked her hair as she spoke.

Tia and Darcy hurriedly made noises of agreement as they scurried after her up the corridor. I wrinkled my nose, "I guess it was never going to be perfect."

"Just ignore them." Nancy said with a serene smile as we linked arms.

I raised an eyebrow. I wondered if she would have been my friend if she hadn't been pushed into it. She was so light and good and just...not like me.

"How do you do that?" I asked as we waved goodbye to some of her friends who had a class in the opposite direction.

"Do what?"

I nodded my head towards the groups of girls ahead who were still bitching loudly for anyone who would listen. "You know. Not let them get to you? Just let things go."

Nancy shrugged, "You know as well as I do that there are far worse things in life than mean girls."

I frowned. There was that sadness I had glimpsed before drifting across her features and pain lingering in her eyes before the mask went back up and she forced a smile to stop me from questioning it further.

"There are worse things, but it doesn't mean we have to put up with it." I pointed out.

She opened her mouth to reply when someone barged her so hard she went crashing to her knees. "What the fuck!" I yelled, turning on the person without even thinking.

The huge guy I was squaring up to was the definition of gym rat and reminded me oddly of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. As he looked me up and down a lazy smile formed on his lips.

"Clearly I got the wrong girl on her knees sweetheart but you're welcome to join her." He grinned.

I gagged as vomit rose into my mouth, "I think the thought of that might have mentally scarred me."

He bit his lip in a way I think was supposed to be sexy. "Babe, I'd ruin you."

"Oh Jesus, no thank you. You will be hearing from my therapist because that might just be the most disgusting idea I've ever heard. Does that actually ever work for you?"

His expression changed in an instant from leering and smarmy to snarling and terrifying, "No weirdo bitch is going to speak to me like that."

He took a menacing step towards me but I held my ground. "Erica don't." Nancy had scrambled to her feet and was tugging at my arm, trying to pull me away.

"Erica? You're the little human freak. Like I'd even want to touch you." He snorted.

A simpering giggle caught my attention before I could snap back about cutting off any body part of his that dared to get anywhere near me.

"Is the little human slut bothering you Chase?" Ariana laughed, strutting passed me to lay a hand on his huge bicep.

He flexed and shot her a grin. "Yeah, like I'd go near her."

"Of course, why would an alpha waste their time on a human?" She sneered.

"Do you plan for me to conduct my lesson in the hallway or are you going to come in and take your seats?" A calm voice broke through my annoyance.

We all spun to look at the teacher I had thought looked like a viking who stood in the doorway to the classroom just a little further up.

With one last filthy look at me, Ariana stalked up to him. "It's such an honour to meet you Professor O'Connor."

"As in the person who founded the school." I whispered to Nancy as we collected her things from the floor.

She shook her head, "Not quite. He's a descendant of him though. Pretty cool that we get him as a teacher."

I watched him shaking hands with each student before they entered the classroom and the wince from Chase as he seemed to crush his hand. "I don't appreciate commotions outside my classroom, Mister Jefferson." he warned in a low, pleasant tone.

"Understood. Apologies." Chase muttered, his head down as he hurried in.

"Miss Winters, Miss Tucker I hope your involvement in the ruckus just now will not be repeated." He greeted us with a genuine smile.

"Of course." Nancy gave him a wide smile and went in.

"Miss Winters, I understand this is all new to you. If you have any questions or require support, please don't hesitate to ask."

I couldn't help the suspicion in my eyes at the offer. No one ever offered something for no reason and I didn't believe for one second he was any different.

His hands raised in a universal sign of no harm intended, "Or don't. It was just an offer, Miss Winters."

I fixed a smile on my face, "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."