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Jaynell Marley looked at the tall lions flanking the doors and let out the breath he'd been holding. Students ran up and down the stairs, rushing off to class or wherever busy students went. This was where his father had wanted him to be, the last request of a dead man who had given Jay everything, including his very life, in order for Jay to continue living. Despite not wanting to be here, Jay wouldn't deny his father's wishes. He couldn't, even if the thought of attending school with a bunch of strangers sent shivers of apprehension down his spine.
Watching the ebb and flow of people, Jay closed his eyes for a moment to push back the slight panic attack threatening to overtake him. It had been only him and his father for so long he didn't know if he was equipped to deal with so many people at once. The sheer volume of bodies rushing back and forth had him on edge, and the magic just beneath his skin was crackling, ready to strike out at the first sign of danger.
His nerves ricocheted like bullets around his body as he realized soon he would be one of these busy students running busily about. At twenty-five years old, Jay was older than a lot of the freshmen at the Mayell Wizard Academy, but life had kept him too busy to start formal training until this point. Maybe he could test out of some classes and graduate earlier than anticipated. He clung to that dream even as he searched for some sort of school directory to help him find the administration building.
"Are you lost?"
"Hmmm." Stuck in his own thoughts, he'd missed the girl walking up to him. She had bright green eyes, blonde hair and a perky air about her. He wondered if wizard academies had cheerleaders.
"Are you lost?" she asked again. "You look like you're not sure where to go."
Jay didn't know why she cared, but maybe she liked to help total strangers. "I'm looking for the headmaster's office."
"I can help you. I'm one of the freshman coordinators." She pointed to a bright pink badge on her shirt that Jay hadn't noticed, mostly because he hadn't tried to stare at her breasts. "The school appointed some of us to help out incoming students who might not know where to go or what to do on their first day. I'm Lira—nice to meet you. Are you a transfer?"
ay gave her proffered hand a quick shake. "I'm Jay. No, I didn't transfer. I'm just starting late. Family illness."
That was the story he would tell everyone. They didn't need to know his family's tragic past. Soon enough word would get around.
"Oh." Her face reflected pity, but thankfully she didn't comment further or ask any probing questions. "Come with me. I'll take you to Headmaster Vreel. He's really amazing. You'll like him. He's the most powerful wizard of his generation."
Jay didn't comment on Vreel's power. Instead, he nodded and hoped he looked suitably impressed. He definitely didn't want to get into a debate over magical power. Not when he had the energy of three wizards rushing through his veins.
He hoped Vreel was as nice as he'd always been told. His past tutors had spoken highly of Vreel, but Jay's father had never met him so hadn't been able to offer any opinion.
Listening to Lira chatter soothed some of his anxiety. He'd never had to deal with his peers before. He hoped more of them were like Lira—friendly and incurious.
Jay followed Lira up the long trail of stone steps to an enormous building. The tall structure stood at least three stories and had an assortment of stone creatures decorating the front. Gargoyles squatted at each of the peaks, dragons twisted along the columns and a pair of marble lions guarded the entryway. About to go through the front door, Jay stopped to admire the lions. The big cats' eyes glowed blue, an eerie light casting shadows on their marble faces.
"Why do they glow?" Jay asked, pointing at the lions. The light faded before Lira turned to look.
Lira frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Their eyes. They lit up." Jay pointed at the beasts. No signs of illumination remained.
"I think you're imagining things." Lira dismissed Jay's statement with a shake of her head.
Perhaps it was just one of those things only Jay saw. Wouldn't be the first time.
"Maybe. Never mind." Jay brushed it off even though he knew that wasn't the case. He didn't need to draw attention to his differences too early. Everyone would find out soon enough that he had little in common with the usual student.
Lira seemed happy enough with that explanation since she picked up her chatter again. She led him through the marble halls to a gleaming wooden door. The words 'Headmaster's Office' were embossed on a brass plaque in big important letters.
"Here you go!" she announced unnecessarily, waving at the sign.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Jay didn't want to think about how long he would've been wandering around campus before he'd found this place. His sense of direction was one skill his father could never seem to find a way to improve.
"You're welcome! See ya." With a quick wave, Lira ran off, probably to rescue some other lost idiot.
Jay shook his head at the perky girl as he opened the door. Entering the office brought him to an elaborate reception area with more marbled floors. It smelled a bit musty, like a good library, although Jay didn't see any books.
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