will gradually become more challenging. Starting at the end of next term, you’ll be evaluated. These critiques will focus on more than just your academic performance, which means the bar on our expectations will be raised. Your general progress will be closely monitored by an entire panel of experts in the fields of combat, psychology, and the development of each of your given supernatural abilities. It is for this reason that our Advisors have developed a system for determining which domain each of you will answer to, and by whom you will be evaluated when the time comes.”
When Alani paused, five others wearing the same style of cloak joined her. They took their seats in silence behind the long table, leaving one open for when Alani finished her speech.
“Beside me are the honorable men and women who will join me as Domain Overseers,” she shared before pointing at a man seated at the table’s head. “My brother Jude and I will oversee Domain Ignis, where all dragons—and those hybrids whose inner beings most identify as dragon—will report. Next, representing Domain Lunos for lycans and identifying hybrids, I present to you Catherine and Preston, who have joined us all the way from the mainland. And finally, representing Domain Akaasha, for the witches who have joined us here at the academy, I present to you Sira and Claire, two sisters from the powerful Bahir Dar coven of Ethiopia.”
When prompted, the audience applauded the named Overseers. Glancing at them all, I breathed deep. The two who’d been chosen to evaluate the witches reminded me so much of aunt Hilda—their rich, brown complexions, and hair bound in colorful scarves. In fact, I could practically hear my aunt’s thick accent and sassy remarks. The thought of her made me smile, and also made me miss home a little more.
“With your cooperation, my constituents and I will be able to move through this ceremony expeditiously, leaving you all plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your night, and also to prepare for this term’s finals, which will commence Monday.”
Toni groaned beside me at the mention of finals. Marcela, Manny, and Tristan had similar responses.
“When a delegate comes to your row, please stand and follow them to the stage,” Alani instructed. “One by one, you will be called forward to stand before your peers, instructed to state your name, and then to stand before the pendulum. After a few seconds, Spirit will read your inner being’s supernatural calling, and the medallion will be drawn toward the emblem of the Domain to which you belong.”
That sounded simple enough, which I guessed meant we wouldn’t be here too long.
“Once your Domain has been identified, you will step to the table and receive a pin from your Overseer,” Alani explained. “Wear it with pride and represent your Domain well.” Her tone was friendly, but I definitely detected the warning within the statement.
The room was silent while she crossed the stage, and then, before taking her seat, she gestured toward the delegates—who were mostly teachers and other staff members—to begin. My friends and I watched as the first row on the left side of the room was led to the front of the auditorium. Their expressions were a mixture of excitement and anxiety, I guessed from the idea of being the center of attention.
Smiling, Alani extended her hand to motion for the first student, the guy at the front of the line, to step forward. You could have heard a pin drop as he made his way. Once he stood facing the pendulum, he stared, almost like he wasn’t sure what to do next.
“Please state your first name,” Alani prompted.
“Justin,” he answered, turning to face the pendulum again.
His fists were tight at his sides, and I was beginning to think he was meant to do something more, something to activate the thing, but then, out of nowhere, the red rope began to move. Gently, it swung back and forth between the two posts without being touched. A few among the crowd stood to get a better look at how things worked. It gained speed and momentum as the seconds wore on.
Apparently, Spirit—as the tribe referred to it—had just shown us its power for the first time. All of a sudden, the rope stopped, and the medallion was nearly touching the left post.
“Domain Lunos,” Alani declared with a warm grin. “Please come receive your pin from your Overseers.”
The audience clapped as Justin walked toward Preston who greeted him with a handshake,