Crescent Wolves - G. Bailey Page 0,19

all five clans. We’ll have to start her in introductory courses for each of them. As for her last period…” He considers for a moment. “Coexisting with Humankind. That will give you plenty to do this semester, I think.” Once again, he gives me that toothy grin. “It’s a pleasure to have you here, Ms. Brix. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.”

With that, President Hawthorne excuses himself.

“See?” says Mrs. Fairbanks, turning back to me. “Nothing to worry about. Our headmaster is very progressive.”

“I can see that,” I say, nodding. “What kind of shifter is he, anyway?”

Mrs. Fairbanks blinks. “Why, he’s not a shifter at all, Millie. President Hawthorne is a human.”

Chapter 8

The dormitory was an equally ornate building on the other side of the drive from the academy itself. “You’ll be on the fifth floor,” Josie says as she leads me down the cobblestone path. Samantha stayed with Mrs. Fairbanks to do my intake paperwork, and with President Hawthorne having gone back to his offices, that only left bringing my stuff to my new living quarters, which I can only hope won’t be too difficult to find. “Everyone has a single room, so privacy won’t be an issue. Lights out is at ten PM, after the last bell rings.” She glances at me, frowning. “Are you okay? You look… I don’t know, worried.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking myself. “I’m still just trying to process everything. Yesterday I was going to regular high school and walking home in the rain, and now… It’s just all so surreal.” A beat passes, and I add sheepishly, “Come to think of it, I’m also pretty tired.”

Josie laughs. “You’ve had a long twenty-four hours. Well, don’t worry--you won’t be expected in classes tomorrow, so you can spend the rest of the day decompressing.”

“Maybe this is a stupid question,” I say as the road levels out beneath our feet, “but do I need to bring anything tomorrow?”

“There should be notebooks and pencils in your dorm room,” Josie replies, “but other than that… Oh, wait! That reminds me: what’s your clothing size?”

I purse my lips. “Medium, I suppose.”

She nods. “Okay. I’ll run down to the laundry and have them drop you off a uniform later today. Do you prefer skirts or pants?”

Glancing down at my dirty, torn jeans, I can’t help but chuckle. “Pants. Definitely pants.”

By now we’ve reached the front of the dormitory. The circular drive is lined with trees and hedges, reminding me of some kind of Victorian manor, and all around me are students going to and from classes. Josie turns to me and fumbles in her pocket before pulling out an old-fashioned skeleton key. “Here’s your room key. Quaint, I know. Yours is number 12-B. Fifth floor, remember.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

She shakes her head. “I have to get back to my office and check my charms. There may be others like you out there who need to be picked up. But the dormitory is pretty straightforward--you won’t have any trouble. Here’s a copy of your schedule, as well,” she adds, producing a printed sheet of paper. “The breakfast bell rings at seven every morning. If you’re worried that won’t wake you up, set an alarm on your phone. Just follow the other students to the dining hall, and if you get lost, you can ask the faculty for help getting to your classes.”

“Got it,” I say, nodding. “Thank you, Josie.”

“You’re welcome, Millie,” she replies, giving me a long look. “And listen,” she adds, “if you ever need anything, or even if you just want to talk, my door is always open. I know how it feels to be new to all this--I was in your shoes too, once.”

I can’t help but wonder if she knows anything about being in my shoes, considering what the headmaster said. An abomination, he had called it. If he’s to be believed, then I’m only the second shifter like me in history. Still, I appreciate her kindness, and when she extends her hand, I shake it. “I’ll take you up on that, I’m sure,” I tell her, smiling. She takes a step away, giving me a professional nod, and then begins to make her way back towards the academy building.

On my own now, I turn and walk the rest of the way down the drive until I find myself facing the dormitory doors. I probably look pathetic, standing there in dirty clothes, all my possessions on my back, clutching my schedule like a lost