The guy beside me bobbed on his heels with a keen energy; he glanced my way and gave me one of the friendliest smiles I’d received so far. My shoulders relaxed as I smiled back, glad to have the prospect of a friend in my new House.
“Now.” Seth smiled and for a moment he looked like a hungry wolf who hadn’t eaten for a few days. “Let's get on with it.” His eyes whipped to me and he curled a finger to beckon me over.
My mouth dried up and it took a second for me to make my legs move as I stepped forward. He turned me to face the group of freshmen, slinging an arm around my shoulders. His fingers stroked my bare skin and I stiffened in surprise at his tactile behaviour. I tried to duck away, but he plucked the back of my shirt and tugged me against his hip again, his hand suddenly in my hair.
Was he petting me?
“Initiation!” Seth called and the swarm of older students behind the freshmen descended on them, shoving black linen bags over their heads.
Seth kept his attention on me and my heart crashed against my ribcage as he moved his nose to my hair and inhaled deeply. A shudder ran through me and I tried to push him back, but he was frighteningly strong. The hot, wet, pad of his tongue suddenly dragged up my right cheek and revulsion slammed into me.
“Ergh!” I brought a hand up to slap him, but he caught it with ease, his eyes glittering as if we were playing some game.
He laughed heartily. “Chill out, babe. This is how I say hello.”
My heart slowed a fraction as I gazed at him. He cocked his head and gave me an innocent expression, making the remainder of my anger melt away. Maybe in Solaria this was normal. And I didn't want to be accused of culture shaming…
“Right,” I said uneasily. “I'm just still trying to figure this all out.”
He laughed as if I'd said something funny then turned back to the crowd, his arm still locked tightly around me.
My gut fluttered with nerves as I took in the hooded group of freshmen, but I noticed Kylie was standing to the side of them, her hand on her hip. Evidently the House Captain's girlfriend got a free pass.
“What's your Order, babe?” Seth nuzzled into my ear and my body seized up at the intimacy of his gestures.
“Err what?”
“You know…Siren, Vampire…Werewolf?” he asked with a note of curiosity.
Someone behind me started touching my hair and I was pretty sure they were braiding it.
What the crap is happening right now?
“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, trying to keep my thoughts in line as Seth moved his face to my neck and breathed in deeply again.
He chuckled, pulling away. “You really are from the mortal world. Don't worry babe, those powers will surface soon.” He nodded to someone behind me and a linen bag was yanked over my head, blinding me in an instant. I steadied myself against Seth as my breath quickly heated the air surrounding my face.
Seth released me and I tried to hold my nerve as I was left alone all of a sudden. My pulse raced as I waited for something to happen.
“If you don't pass my initiation you don't stay in Aer, got it?” Seth barked and his voice was so forceful I couldn't fight a flinch.
A murmur of ascent went up from the freshmen.
“You will reply with 'yes Alpha'. Let's try again,” Seth commanded. “Have you got that?”
“Yes Alpha!” the freshmen called but I couldn't bring myself to do it. It was just too degrading.
I was suddenly yanked against a hard body and I felt sure it was Seth. “Answer me, pledge.”
Gah.
“Yes Alpha,” I forced out through my teeth.
He released me and I stumbled forward as he stepped away.
“MOVE!” Seth bellowed like a drill sergeant and hands snared my arms, pulling me along at a fast pace. A cold breeze gusted over me and the thumping of hundreds of footfalls filled my ears.
The air became noticeably warmer and I guessed I was inside the tower as I was guided across a hard stone floor. The toe of my Converses hit a step and I staggered, but the hands holding me kept me upright.
We started climbing a winding staircase, round and round and round. I was dizzy and hot and fear was making a good effort at making me freak out. But this was just a game. Even mortal colleges did crap like this. I just had to get through tonight. Pass their stupid initiation. Then hopefully I'd get a warm bed and a moment alone to process this whole day. It must have been well past midnight already and exhaustion was starting to seep into my bones.
Someone jabbed me in the back and I grumbled as I was forced higher and higher.
Finally, we stepped onto flat ground. My leg muscles burned and I panted heavily. Whoever was holding me didn't seem to be out of breath at all. In fact, I couldn't hear many people around me who sounded as exhausted as I was.
I'm not that unfit am I?
“Forward,” Seth commanded and I was guided across hard flooring, twisting left and right.
A cold wind hit me and a shiver ran through my body as I realised I must have been outside again.
“You're now at the top of Aer Tower,” Seth announced and murmurs of fear escaped the other freshmen.
My heart doubled its pace as the icy wind increased, pressing against my back.
“Line them up on the edge,” Seth growled.
The edge!?
My heart thundered as the two people holding my arms dragged me forward. I dug my heels in as some of the freshmen called out, “Wait!” and “I'm not ready!”
I was pushed forward then released and I felt myself teetering on a precipice, my toes hanging over the edge.
I lurched backwards in fear, but strong hands shoved me into place again.
“You are air born, pledges!” Seth shouted at us from behind. “The wind is your ally. If you can't harness it, you don't deserve to live here. Or at all for that matter.”
Terror clutched my heart and I shook my head as I realised what was about to happen. The wind gusted at my back again and a murmur of fear escaped me.
Someone sniggered and I was fairly sure it was Kylie. I gritted my teeth, hating feeling so vulnerable in front of everyone. But at least the other freshmen were beside me. I tried to reach out for the closest one, but my hand just flailed and I quickly pulled it back to my side.
Movement sounded around me, the shuffle of feet and the odd giggle.
How was this funny? I didn't know how to use my powers! Did the rest of the freshmen have some training? Maybe I was the only one who didn't. And if that was true I had to let them know.
“Wait,” I choked out. “I don't know what I'm doing.”
“You'll figure it out, girl,” Kylie called in encouragement.
I started to tremble, picturing the huge drop stretching out far below me.
“On the count of three you'll jump and if you don't stop yourself from hitting the ground, then you're gonna go splat. And if you don't jump, you'll be pushed,” Seth explained in a bright tone.
“What the fuck?” I snapped, suddenly losing it.
“One!” Seth called, ignoring me.
I shook my head, panic dashing my heart to pieces. I didn't know what I was doing. How could I catch myself with a power I'd just found out I had a few hours ago!? I rubbed my fingers together, trying to draw that rippling sensation to them again but it wouldn't obey.
“Two!”