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"Definitely not." I dolefully disapproved as Lani held up a strapless burgundy dress. It was the final day in October and the academy had a day off to prepare for the Annual Ball. I wasn't fond of such inconsequential functions, especially since the dress code was formal.

Everyone knew I didn't do frocks and heels. MY formal was ripped jeans,combats,tank tops and leather jackets. However,seeing that I had a 'role in society' now, there was no way of getting out of it. The Chancellor had assiduously explained that to me; with a few threats here and there. Since we weren't allowed off the compound, Lani took it upon herself to carry every dress she owned to the dorm room. I didn't possess any dresses of my own but I wasn't pleased with borrowing one either. My ego and sense of independence added to my intractable demeanor.

In the end, Lani's tenacity won and I was sitting on her bed picking out dresses. The kid had been conjured to dine and dress with Queen Khira for the day. The Queen always attended the functions. After all, that was all she was good for. The Electi didn't seem too pleased by the offer but it wasn't like she had a choice anyways. I think she would rather be in training with Aiden than to be sipping camomile tea and nibbling biscuits with the monarch.

Aiden.

The past days of training had been hectic for me. I developed new bruises everyday but that didn't deter me. I didn't give Aiden the pleasure of me backing down even though our skills weren't commensurable in the least possible ways. I was especially elated that he didn't mention the thoughts I had had about him, although I made sure to stow them away. To be honest he didn't speak to me much after that episode. He seemed to ignore me but I guess that was for the best. Atleast I could focus on my skills instead of his very, very hot body.

So in a week's time my gradings had hopped from a failing F to a B+.

It wasn't an A but I was still proud of myself. Aiden wasn't an easy person to please.

I had also trained with the Electi but she always got tired and sickly after awhile. Whenever she got worked up, that dull yellow in her aura seemed to linger more so than ever. I made a mental note to ask Aiden if she had any illnesses.

"Earth to Aeja." Lani snapped her fingers before my eyes.

"Oh sorry what were you saying?"

She frowned. "I was asking what you think of this one..."

She held up a black dress. It was sleeveless but had thick straps and a heart shaped bust. Simple, but it looked decent enough.

"Can it fit though? You're a bit thinner than I am."

"Ofcourse it will. I've never worn it before," she smiled and handed it to me, "Might be a bit tight but you have the curves to make up for that."

She winked and I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, try it."

I stripped down infront of her (yes,in front of her.) Not like she didn't have what I had. I dragged on the dress. It wasn't tight but it really hugged my body. It fell right above me knees and was soft to the touch. My breasts fitted the bust line perfectly. It looked—

"You look amaze-balls!" Lani squealed and clapped her hands.

"Ugh, Lani please... No squealing."

"Fine. Now for the shoes."

She held up a sparkly silver heals with a bow at the back. It would've looked amazing to me if I was a glitter person.

I nodded and she squealed again.

"Oh my. You're really cooperative today. What did that Aiden guy do to you?"

I shot her a look. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"The ball commences at seven and it is now—" She glanced up at her Hello Kitty clock, "—5:00. I suggest that you go and have a bath now. We have a lot of work to do."

I have known Lani for 4 years; and when she said 'alot of work to do', I knew she meant hair and makeup. That, however was a big NO for me.

                                *

"Stop blinking so much or we won't get a straight line," Lani warned as she applied eyeliner to my eyelids.

"You're sticking that shit in my eye!" I screamed. She ignored me.

"There. All done with the eyes. Look at your self."

It took me a while to figure out that the girl staring back at me was actually me. My cheeks were lightly brushed with a hint of rose pink. I tentatively touched them.

My eyes. They had this smoky look, making my green eyes pop. I noticed the way my long eyelashes were daintily curled upwards like the petals of a freshly bloomed rose. My lips. My lips seemed as if they were dipped in pink nectar.

My brown hair was styled up in a wavy bun with a few curly wisps of hair hanging loosely at the sides.

Honestly, I actually looked...nice.

"You look beautiful," Lani smiled down at me.

"Oh no."

"What is it?" I asked.

"I forgot to bring my necklace. Hey,don't you have a necklace?"

"No." I answered immediately.

"Yeah you do. You know that heart shaped-"

"I said no Lani! Christ!"

Her smile faded and she gazed down at her intertwined fingers.

I sighed. "Lani I just don't want to ok? You know why."

She nodded slowly but didn't say anything. I felt bad for shouting at her but I didn't want to hear anything about that stupid necklace.

It was given to me by my mother before she abandoned me. I never wore it. The only reason I didn't throw it away was because Cade had told me not to. The small object held a bit of my past and my past was what I wanted to get rid of. Though one can never really forget the past no matter how hard they try.

I had shit parents. One transmogrified into something evil and the other was probably dead and buried. Shit parents.

"Well I guess you will go without..." Lani sighed then her eyes lit up.

She ran to her closet and removed a small, velvet-covered box. She placed it on the bed and took up a fine,silver-looking necklace. There was nothing special about it, but I didn't mind.

"Just your luck..." She smiled and placed it around my neck. A dangling earring was also placed in my ear.

"6:20...Go get dressed."

The dress looked even better when I was all 'made-up'. Like before, it hugged my body and the swells of my breasts were exposed. The shoes however was a problem. I wobbled around in them until I managed to walk without toppling over.

"You look stunning Aeja!" Lani cried as she took in my appearance. She looked great too. Her pale skin was accentuated by a sparkly, sky- blue dress with fluff at the bottom. Her long blonde hair was deeply curled. It suited her heart-shaped face. Sparkly heels, dangling earrings like mine and a nude colored lipstick topped the look. She was radiant.

"We have fifteen minutes left," she frowned,"I have to put these things away."

I rolled my eyes. "Just leave them."

She gave me a don't-be-stupid  look. Lani was the ultimate neat-freak. I sighed and decided to help her.

The hallway was silent which meant one of two things:
One: We were late or...
Two: The girls were still getting ready.

The night was cold but thankfully Lani and I had thought to bring coats. As we neared the auditorium, we could hear the music blaring. I grinned. I was going to dance the night away. Possibly on a frightened little minor. I chuckled at the thought.

My fingers grazed the brick wall as we rounded the corners. It reminded me of how ancient the academy actually was. It was established more than 300 years ago after a set of commons,known as the Sanctus Bellators(Latin for holy warriors) or Sanctors were on a mission to wipe us out. At that time, not all wielders, especially the young ones knew how to control their power so it was easy for them to be killed by the Sanctors.

How the Sanctors could detect wielders was still unknown. It was believed that they had a form of magic themselves, which would be totally contradictory to what they fought for. To protect young wielders, the building of academies in each continent was ordained by the Queen of that era. The academies were guarded by a very powerful but ancient magic. If one of the Sanctors managed to come into the woods, the academy would not be visible to him/her.

Even though the academy was outmoded on the outside,the inside was totally different. The academy moved with time seeing that some of the greatest inventors were wielders.

It is known that Thomas Edison created the lightbulb, but did he really? One of the men on his crew was photokinetic so you decide.

The watchers who were guarding the door nodded as we walked in.

The ballroom looked stunning. There were golden candilabrums hanging from the ceiling which gave the atmosphere a golden glow.The walls were lined with gold and white silk running upwards in intricate spirals. The floor was absolutely amazing with the golden tiles. A carpeted stairway led up to where the Queen would be seated.

There were ice sculptures and waiters walking around with sparkling champagne.

As usual, the room was divided into cliques: the fire gang,water gang,plant gang,rock or earth gang,telekenetic gang etc. A platform was raised to accommodate the band that was playing. I recognized one of the guys who were setting up. Cade's band was playing?

A weird incongruity fell upon me. I felt like everyone's eyes were looking at me, both lustful and hateful. Or maybe they were looking at Lani.

The room was crowded and bodies were already swaying. Not ballroom dancing though. Ew. They were getting their jigs on. Even though it was supposedly a 'ball' everyone just saw it as a posh party.

Lani and I found a corner to stand in.

"Sparkling white wine?" A hot male waiter walked up to us and asked. Lani nodded politely and took one.

"Don't you have any coke?" I asked skeptically,"Or soda?"

The waiter gave me a queer look.
"Uhm..."

"She'll just settle for this," Lani interjected and took a glass of wine from him.

"What's wrong with you?" She laughed after the waiter left.

"I don't want any damn wine," I frowned and gulped down the wine in one drink. It was crisp and a bit tangy, but I would choose soda any day. She raised her eyebrow at me as she sipped hers.

"Gosh these heels are killing me." I groaned and rubbed my legs.

She gave me a sympathetic look.

"Kitten?"

I inclined my head towards the voice.

Cade looked even more handsome than he already was. He had finally clipped his shaggy hair but it still fell beneath his ears. A few loose strands hung before his cute brown eyes. He was wearing a fitted suit: a black jacket,dress pants,white undershirt, black bow tie and black shoes. He really looked great.

His mouth was agape when he saw me. A blush crept onto my cheeks and I was thankful that the light in the ballroom had dimmed.

"You look... You look... Wow...."

I grinned.

"You look amazing too Lani," he smiled.

"...and you look awesome." I waved my hands in front of his attire.

"I do don't I?" He grinned and spun around. His dimpled-smile was breath-taking. I was always fond of those dimples.

"Your band is playing tonight?" I asked and looked to the platform where they were setting up.

"Yeah... I'm excited."

"Me too." I lightly punched him on the arm. His body tensed under my touch but he didn't give me a second to think about it.

"Gotta go kitten," he kissed me on the forehead, his soft lips lingering longer than usual.

"I am needed. I know I said it already but you look beautiful. I mean,you always look beautiful but... You get what I'm saying right?"

I couldn't help laughing.

"Go on jackass and stop checking out my fine ass." I playfully pushed him.

He winked and zoomed away.

"Was Cade flirting?" Lani giggled.

"Definitely not!"

"Too bad. You guys would make an awesome couple."

"Lani!" I gasped and flushed.

"What? I have been saying it to you for years."

Cade and I? No way.

Plus flirting? Was that what he was doing? Cade and I knew our boundaries.

Right?

A familiar guitar wafted through the air.

"Whoo!" Lani and I screamed as Cade strummed the guitar and began to sing. I got lost in the music; dancing with Lani and dancing in the crowd. I was having a great time until the Queen made her entrance. The music immediately died down and everyone bowed.

So she chooses to come now when the party is just getting started?

She looked immaculate as ever in her long white gown. It wasn't her that everyone's eyes were on though, it was the small girl behind her.

The Electi was wearing a soft pink gown with mesh sleeves which made her markings visible. Her hair was deeply curled like Lani's and she had a small crown atop her head. I couldn't help but smile.

Then I saw Aiden. Beautiful Greek tycoon Aiden.

Gray fitted jacket.

White undershirt.

Gray dress pants.

Gray tie.

Dark, messy hair.

Intense blue eyes.

Thin lips pressed in a hard line.

My insides did a flip as our eyes met. His eyes swept over my body and my cheeks heated up. I quickly averted my eyes.

"Please rise." Queen Khira instructed softly as she sat on the high chair. The kid sat on a smaller chair with Aiden standing beside her.

The Chancellor took the platform in a beautiful golden dress.

"Welcome to the Annual October Ball! "

Everyone clapped, except me that is. I just didn't feel like it.

"You all look stunning! Am I the only one awed by the beautiful Electi?"

Cheers erupted.

I could see the discomfort and shyness on Cassia's face. She didn't like the attention. Aiden leaned down to say something to her.

"Enough of my old jokes," the chancellor's voice interrupted my thoughts.

She was still yapping?

"Well let's get on with the-"

A commotion was heard outside and everyone's eyes turned to the door. A watcher ran into the ballroom and fell to the ground. I gasped. Half of his face was badly burnt. Blood and pus were oozing from it. There were also deep gashes on his arms and neck.

Guards ran to his side.

"They..." Every breath seemed painful.

"They're...coming."

My body went numb. I could hear my heart clawing its way up to my mouth in anxiety.

"The Dark Clan is coming." He finished.

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