Octavia

"Now," Mother said, her stance regal as she stood beside us. "I have a meeting with headmistress Dowling soon. We shall get the last of your training details sorted, stella. Not to mention the guards I'll have to have put in place for you, Octavia"

"You think someone will try and hurt her," Stella demanded, taking a step closer to our mother. "That's ridiculous, this is Alfea - there's nowhere safer."

Don't need guards. You have use

Yes, well keep you safe

Safe. safe. Keep you safe

I winced as the shadows voice took over my mind, yes, you keep me safe my darlings. No need to panic

I could have sworn I heard one of the shadows swoon over the pet name.

"And I doubt Dowling will allow it mother."

"Dowling will take my advice if she want to keep what little power we allow her And it is not Octavia being hurt that I worry about. The last thing the royal family needs is another scandal."

 She paused. I felt myself tense as she took a step closer, felt her cold hands as she gently brushed a lock of hair from my face. "Besides, I can't have anything happen to them" Mother looked down at my shoulder, reverently brushing a hand towards one of my shadows.

CRACK

Faster than I could stop one of the shadows whipped out to my mother.

She reeled back in horror until delight filled her eyes

"Glad to see they haven't lost their fight" after what she did, she means. Glad they're still standing after what happened.

"Queen Luna" A tall dark skinned fairy walked towards us, every step was filled with power and authority. Not like my mother's. This was confidence and control of one's movements brought through years of training. A specialist then. "Allow me to escort you to Dowling's office"

Mother turned to Stella and I one last time. "Make me proud my dears and I will see you in the meeting Octavia"

I watched as she strode away, the specialist having to jog slightly to catch up with my mother's graceful stride.

What a funny sight. I hope that not all of the specialist can be as easily defeated by a power walking bit-

She is still my mother and queen. I reprimanded in my head. Show a little respect.

I began walking through the gates of Alfea, twirling a lock of dark hair around my finger. Or rather a lock of hair that was a hiding little shadow. The little creature wouldn't leave me alone. Perhaps he can sense my anxiety. Or not a "he", I suppose, don't want to be presumptuous. It's always rude to assume another's gender - especially when there are no blatantly obvious flaunted characteristics.

"I'm supposed to be meeting a newbie at the gates. Some fairy named Bloom" Stella's brows were furrowed in annoyance as she looked around the campus.

"Shouldn't you be looking for them then- wait hang on. Did you say... Bloom?" I paused incredulously "bloom, as in... that's their name? Who calls a kid Bloom?"

Silly name, silly name indeed mistress my dark shadow - I really have to name them at some point, this is getting ridiculous - mocked quietly in my ear. I saw a smile twitch on Stella's face but it was gone before I could be sure.

"She's new to Alfea apparently. I believe Dowling said it was her first time in the Otherworld"

We began walking through the gates, Stella clearly had no intention to wait for the poor girl and began striding towards a group of her friends from the year before. Right, because my twin was here last year. Of course she would have friends. Helios, it was so stupid of me to think otherwise. I walked towards the closet building carrying my duffle bag with me. Pausing hesitantly in the courtyard I began to look around for signs or teachers with maps.

That's the specialist hall mistress, where the soldiers train with their wooden sticks and steel spikes.

You know what, I'm calling this guy Darkling. He's far too loyal to not have a name. I've been here five minutes and the loyal shit has given me more information than my mentor of a twin. Not that you'd know we were twins from a glance, permanent free hair dye thanks to mothers experiments. I guess it's not too bad, I've always wanted to have dark hair instead of Stella's bleach blond.

Turning around sharply I made my way to the other building insight.

Is this the right building? I asked quietly in my head.The little shadow curled around my ear

Yes. This is th-

The world tilted.

I felt my bag slip out of my grasp.

Eyes clenching ready for the impact of the gravel.

Nothing.

I felt a pair of strong arms grip me tightly. Opening my eyes I looked down and realised I was dangling at an angle in a pair of strong muscular arms. I looked up noticing that though my feet were on the group my full weight was still leaning against the stranger.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going and then all of sudden you were right in front of me. And then you were falling- "

He talks too much.

Why is is he still holding you

He should have been looking where he was going

Sky. sky. His name is sky

Nevermind his name. Get rid of him

Why's he talking so much

Can't he see he could have hurt her

Hurt, yes yes. Hurt her. Could have hurt her

I let out a gasp of pain - my hands reaching up to grip at my head. Be quiet. Please be quiet, I'm fine, see I'- All of you be qUIET - m fine.

"Are you okay? What's wrong? Did I catch your head"

That voice. I had been waiting to hear that voice.I look up into his eyes, I freeze.

"I- I'm fine. Sorry, just a headache. Not your fault"

"Are you sure, you had me worried there for a second." Blue eyes clouded with worry looked down at me taking in my form as I did his. Blond hair, blue eyes, strong jaw and broad shoulders. Sweet Apollo, what are they feeding these boys?

Sky. Darkling whispered in my ear. His name is sky. Second year specialist. A pause. He thinks you're cute.

I couldn't stop the blush that rose to my cheeks . The stranger - Sky - seemed to snap out of his daze, quickly letting go of me. For a second, I couldn't help but miss the slight warmth he provided. Ew, what in the name of Apollo just happened. I've been here for barely half an hour and I'm already acting like a swooning woodland nymph.

"Sorry for knocking you over, I'm Sky" He held out his hand. I gently shook his hand "Octavia. Sorry for not looking where I was going"

He chuckled under his breath. The noise caused my cheeks to heat up, the sound being far more attractive than it should. I looked around helplessly, desperately seeking an escape before I embarrass myself.

For Helios' sake. Just say "nice to meet you" smile politely and walk off. 

I could practically feel the little shadow rolling his eyes at me. Nevermind the fact I could still feel Darkling and the others sulking in the back of my mind over Sky. Straightening up I channeled all those useless etiquette lessons.

"It was nice to meet you." Smiling politely as I bent down to grab my bag before walking off towards the nearest hall.

Oh here we go again Darkling muttered

I felt my brows furrowed in confusion just as the sound of crunching gravel reached my ears.

"Well you are obviously lost." Sky sounded confident this time, cocky even. Gone was the worried state at the thought of causing me harm.

"I'm perfectly fine thank you"

"Oh? Really? Then why are you walking towards the specialist hall?" Sky looked at me. Brows raised in question. His eyes glittered with humour as he leans in closer. "You don't look like a Dumaris."

He hums and I scoff. Of course, the Dumaris-specialists instincts kicking in.

"The fairy hall is in the opposite direction." He states and I tense realising how close we are standing to each other. I open my mouth to reply, not entirely sure what I'm going to say but I'm never one to back down.

"You are a Fairy, yes?" He interrupts, staring intently at me. 

What makes him think you aren't a specialist?

Probably because she doesn't have the reflexes of a  Dumaris based on their introduction to each other.

Yeah, but we've been training you for so long with Drea

Sky's eyes flicker to my shoulder. No. Just below my ear.

Hide I command.

I watch as Sky's brows furrow with confusion, he leans back, stepping away. My heart races, I wait for the questions, the confusion, the fear.

"What was th-"

"QUIT perving on the first years" a brown haired boy spoke from behind Sky. Again, that feeling. That pause. As if I know him.

She's a second year dimwit one of the shadows hissed.

Ignoring the comment I turn on my heel and begin walking towards the fairy hall in search of my twin. Looking around I saw Stella talking to a redhead. Bloom. Huh, I was almost certain Stella would bail. I guess she's staying on her best behavior to draw less attention. Like that will work. Knowing Stella's need for attention and drama she'll end up causing problems within hours.

I walk up the steps to Alfea in search of a shadow to drift into. Honestly one of the greatest perks of my new powers. Shadow travel is rather convenient, especially when trying to avoid gossipers and crowds. I wonder how long it takes them before they realise who I am. Having Stella last year caused enough drama but having the hidden twin brought into the light. Well, that's going to be a shit storm of gossip and drama.

Finding a shadow filled corner I quickly glance around to check that no-one's watching before sliding into the shadow and moving to Dowlings office.

You do know where Dowling's office is, right. Your not going to just ditch me in a random corridor like last time

Of course. a wispy shadow floats up to me that was a joke, this is business. We're not going to put you in danger.

I open my mouth to respond but the sudden reappearance of lights sends be reeling back into the wall behind me. I sink lower. Hiding in the shadows till my eyes readjust.

"When are they getting here?" Asks a tall man with broad shoulders and dark hair that's going grey at the sides, he has a sword strapped to his back and a leather strap filled with knives across his chest. I thought this was a school - not a military camp.

Silva. Saul Silva. Little shadow told me. He cares for Sky. They are father and son.

"Octavia will be here soon. Queen Luna probably sent her up after she left." Dowling. That must be Dowling.

"And what exactly has Queen Luna said about these mysterious power's of hers" The man sounded almost taunting in tone. As though my mother merely amused him. Maybe he was bothered by the lack of information on me. He looks nothing like Sky yet I can already feel that challenging arrogance. Must be a family thing. I sighed in annoyance, going to step out into the light and announce myself.

"Octavia was a light fairy caught in one of Rosalind's traps and as such requires specialist training to keep her under control. That is all we know" Dowling replied somewhat hesitantly

"Rosalind" Silva rasped "That's impossible, she's gone. We made sure of it"

They were friends with Rosalind. I tensed, ready to run. But not anymore. Something happened. A betrayal. The shadows whisper about Aster Dell but will not speak of it

Well this just got a whole lot more interesting

A/N: What should Octavia name her Shadows?