S O R E N

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     "You must be the Lancaster kid Amelia mentioned," Draven said almost in an amused tone.

I let out a nervous laugh, not focusing on the fact that the Headmistress was talking about me to her staff. "That's me, but my friends call me Soren," I said awkwardly, wishing someone would just shoot me in the foot at this point.

"I'll stick with calling you Lancaster," he remarked dryly. If he wasn't so terrifying he'd be somewhat good-looking. He had a long scar on his strong jawline and his eyes were a forest green color. The man was also as built as he was hairy.

"Am I interrupting something or would you like to continue to be late to my class?" he stood with his arms crossed. I quickly corrected myself and refused to lose eye contact with my ratty shoes. He grunted before grabbing a hold of my arm and pulled me into what transformed into the gym. At least that's what I think.

The gym wasn't like it was the other day; instead it was replaced with what looked like a boxing arena with singular mats laid around. A track outlining the gym was in place of the bleachers there before, the class was living up to its reputation, that's for sure.

"Go change. I'm starting class in five minutes and if you're not out here then you're running a lap for every minute you annoy me," He barked before shoving me towards what I assumed was the locker rooms. I resisted the urge to say "I'd be running for eternity" and instead rubbed my arm where his hold was and I walked inside where he pointed was the locker room.

Someone should teach him some manners and while they're at it, some people skills.

There were already a handful of girls changing or fixing their hair once I walked in, which meant in a single second all their eyes were on me and for some that meant multiple. I tried not to look as flustered as I felt so I quickly went to a corner away from most prying eyes and shimmed out of my blazer. It didn't take long to realize I coincidentally hadn't brought anything that resembled gym clothes with me.

Fantastic.

I had exactly three minutes before Draven went G.I Joe Jackass on me.

I surveyed around me and was satisfied to find that a majority of girls had left already. I sucked in a hard breath and closed my eyes. Imagining a simple black leggings and workout shirt, I waited for a harsh wave of electricity to rush over me. So far so good. I felt a pile of soft fabric fall in my hands and for a millisecond, I allowed myself to feel overjoyed.

The hopefulness died the moment I opened my eyes and the ugliest oversized jumpsuit had been laid out in front me. Just as I was about to bite the bullet and wear it, a hand tapped my shoulder.

A girl a little taller than me with gorgeous auburn hair held out a pair of leggings and a workout shirt with the arms cut out of it. "Here. I always carry a spare and we look about the same size," she said with a recognizable irish accent.

I eyed the clothes. There's no telling what could've been done to these clothes, especially around here. The girl tilted her head with a laugh. "Don't think of it as a favor. If you're late then Draven will be in a horrendous mood for the rest of class. I'm essentially saving myself here," she pushed the clothes into my hands before walking out of the room without another thought to it.

I didn't have time to think much on it before I slipped into the outfit and made a mad dash out. Everyone was huddled by the mats laid out on the floor and Draven made a point to look at his watch as I arrived. He was the walking, talking version of sunshine, if sunshine was dread and contemptment.

"Congrats on those for not pissing me off on day one," he announced before going into a drawn-out speech. I let out a sigh of relief that seemed unjust since everyone was eyeing me like the imposter that I felt.

A familiar voice whispered in my ear. "I knew we were the same size," the girl from the locker room said before giving me a small smile.

"Thanks. I owe you one."

I finally took in the rest of her. She had a sleek face with ridiculous cheekbones, not to mention her skin being an enticing deep brown.

Why is it that everyone here is too gorgeous for their own good? I thought Marlene did a good job of making me feel like the ugly duckling but being here was like a league of its own.

"Be careful with saying that. That's a binding contract with some of the Fae," She warned. I watched her motion with her eyes to a few of the students around us.

"No worries. I'm a fox and can only trick you into buying me a drink," she winked.

She seemed harmless enough for a fox.

"Soren," I reached my hand out. "Lancaster."

She put her hand in mine for a firm handshake. "Babe, everyone knows who you are," she laughed. "However, my name's Nessa Wright"

I nodded, coming to peace with the fact that everyone from here on out is going to know me before I know them and a hell of a lot better too. Draven's speech finished before I realized what he was talking about. Everyone split into two groups and I was left looking like a fish out of water. Nessa quickly waved for me to go to her but it was too late because Draven had noticed me.

"Aren't you courageous? Ms. Lancaster has decided to be our volunteer for the evening," Draven grinned with a chilling excitement, showcasing his canines. He must be a shapeshifter or a Lycan, but my money was on the latter since they tend to be more masochistic in nature. At least that's what I've learned from the very little I've heard from Orabella.

"Actually I-"

"Who would like to be Lancaster's first ever sparring partner?" Draven asked as he examined the crowd. A concerning amount of hands shot up, most of them coming from guys easily twice my size, they'd probably use my bones to pick their teeth once they were done with me.

A short pause occurred before a girl a little smaller than me walked out of her group. "Don't worry, I'll be easy on her," the girl sneered, who I might add looked like an angry ass chihuahua. For some reason, I figured I'd be safer stranded in the Sahara Desert with no water than in that sparring ring.

I flashed a concerned expression in Draven's direction but he just nodded and led us to the nearest boxing ring. I was stumbling trying to climb in whereas the girl looked to be bouncing off her feet with giddiness. Perhaps if I trusted my magic more, I would've transported myself to the nearest bus station and never looked back, but alas I was stuck.

"Alright girls, let's make this a clean spar, no dirty shots and don't even think of using your abilities," Draven clasped his hands together before he leaned into the ring. I had a feeling he was adding that last part for the girl because I looked as defenseless as a leaf.

The girl was laser focused on me, her dark eyes tracing my every step. I couldn't even tell what I was going up against, much less who. I tried to find Nessa in the crowd to gain a little confidence but she was being drowned out by a jeering crowd.

What exactly did I get myself into?

A whistle blew and the next thing I knew I was being laid out on my back. The girl who barely looked heavier than a stick was currently kicking my ass. I wasn't sure how many punches of mine landed, since I could barely see a foot in front of me. I probably looked like I was trying to swat a fly away more than anything. A repeated sharp jab in my ribs sucked all the air out me to the point where specs of white started to come into view.

"You're as useless as any human, you even smell like one of them too," She growled on top of me as I felt my head slam against the ground once more. I could barely breathe, much less comment on her obviously biased insult.

I heard a faint ring going off causing the pummeling to stop, at least momentarily. Just as I thought I was going to pick myself up off the ground, I felt a harsh breath against my ear.

"Say hello to Mommy for me."

A sudden pain shot across my face.

Then I blacked out.