Here's chapter 3! A bit short but still okay.

You know I never liked it when someone claimes someone. It sounds too, uh, what's the word, oh right yes primitive.

 It sounds like you've staked your claim on a fresh bit of meat. 

The innocent animal dead at what cost, for you to only eat a little bit and because you've staked your claim no one can ever eat it. And now I am the innocent meat stepping into the lion's den waiting to be claimed than half eaten. 

I gulped down my saliva and calmed my nerves before stepping in. 

One word to describe this place so far is predictable. 

I mean outside: sparkly, lobby: sparkly, hallway: sparkly and now of course claiming room: sparkly. 

Everything seemed to gleam and shimmer in the sunlight. 

I would describe myself as a supreme supporter of sparkles. Some say I have an obsession but this room even for me it was overly sparkly. (You know as a side note my friend back at home called me a sparkle fangirl) 

The room was large, probably the size of a school gym.

 In the front there was a stage of some sort. It was made of dark mahogany wood, it was waxed to perfection. These janitors must work over time to keep this place so shimmery. 

On the stage there was a silver chair with engravings carved into it. It was probably the least sparkly things here. 

Sitting in the chair sat a man. He was holding a clipboard and his face was set in a deep frown. He was staring at a boy with light brown hair who looked close to crying as he walked out. 

I stepped into the room and was suprised when my foot sunk a centimetre. I look down to find dark violet carpeting. This room really has a theme.

 Mom bumped into me when I stopped to feel the carpet. 

"I see you like the carpet" A deep voice chuckled. It echoed off the empty walls. 

My eyes widened in startledment. Probably not a word but who cares. 

Then I realized it was the man in the silver chair. He had slicked back black hair with little grey streaks running through it. He had grey eyes that looked a bit ashen right now. Around his eyes were distant smile lines that looked like they hadn't been used in a long time but were still there. All in all he looked tired, like he had just pulled an all-nighter for the last week. 

This mysterious guy had on a black suit that was totally ordinary and unremarkable which was a first at this place. The one thing that I notice that was just a tiny crest that was tamped on the top left corner of his chest. It was a crown with little embellishments all over it. 

He spoke again. "For privacy reasons will you please step out" I was about to step out when I realized he was talking to my mom. 

She looked at me with pride in her eyes. As she hugged me she whispered in my ear. "Look at my baby, all mature" I gave her a playful shove to the shoulder. "Mom, come on" I said a bit peeved. 

She just stood up and walked out of the room. 

"Well I guess we should get to it" I said to the man as soon as Mom left. He gave me a sad grin. 

"Wouldn't you like to know what my name is?" He said relatively quieter than last time he spoke. I just shrug. 

"My name is Thaddeus"

 I give him the silent treatment just to be more annoying. Thaddeus rubs his temples. 

"Just stand in the middle of the room after you take this" he motioned to a gem, sitting on a pedestal made of stone. 

It looked to be a bit smaller than my fist and was the deepest blue imaginable. 

I grunted then opened up in resignation as I told him my name. 

I kept glancing back at Thaddeus to see if I was doing anything wrong as I went up and grabbed the jewel. As I was walking back to the middle of the room I took a little peek at the gem. I was instantly mesmerized. 

It shone like the sun yet at the same time was as dark as the depths of the sea. It was oval and round and had a little sharp point at the top. I cupped it in my hands carefully, I could not break this. For the love of Veers, please don't drop this! 

A cough interrupted my thoughts. I look up to see Thaddeus staring at me. 

Right, right! I am supposed to get to the middle of the room. I finished my walk over there with a couple of fast paced steps. 

"So as I was saying, just hold it in your hands and stare at the centre of the claiming stone. (This is so giving me Harry Potter vibes) Oooookaaaay. A bit strange but I mean what can you expect with dealing with the gods. 

I nod my head. I adjust the stone so its in the centre of my palm. Then I stare. 

For what seems to be hours but was probably just few seconds nothing happened but then something did happen. 

In my head a memory seemed to replay. It was of me getting born. 

The thing was, I never remembered this before now. The second thing was, that I was looking at me through someone else's eyes. I was staring at myself being born. 

Then the memory changed as quickly as it had appeared and I was suddenly looking at myself saying my first word and again through someone else's point of view.

 Memories flashed through my head. Some I remembered and some I didn't. My entire life being replayed. Looked through, judged. 

The memories kept on going for what felt like ages of swirling and shuffling. 

Finally the tornado of emotions and memories faded into one last one, me standing in the middle of the claiming room at the Academy, staring at the gem that rested itself in my hand. 

Then a bright light erupted in my head, flooding every inch inside of me with its blazing light. It imprinted itself in my mind before leaving my mind. 

An eerie calm settled over my as the last of the light left my body. I opened my eyes slowly. 

I look up and see Thaddeus staring at my a small smile on his face. He noticed my looking at him and said 

"Welcome to the Academy, Alina, claimed by Veers!"

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