Imaris was located in Little Foot, Oklahoma where tornados frequented quite a lot during the summer, and it was there that my six brothers before me trained to become the Leaders of Imaris. Each rule lasted thirty years before the next brother took the Coven’s Throne. My mother made sure of it.
It would be the first time in two-hundred and ten years that a female Songbird would be competing for the Coven Crown. It would be the first time in that frame that a female Songbird would be staying in the House of Night. It would be there that I would waste four years of my life proving to the world that the Songbirds rule has ended.
All six of my brothers warned me that this school would do more harm than good. I didn’t want to imagine the Imaris press gathering outside the castle doors to capture every mess up, every tear, and every embarrassment that would happen once I began. It was my absolute nightmare.
An annoying voice crept into my mind echoing in my ears and telling me it would be best to turn back, but it was too late. There was no back anymore. My mother adjusted her compact mirror. I saw myself—small and scrawny with brittle auburn hair and gaunt cheekbones. My eyes—too big for my face. My lips too small to even consider themselves lips.
I sunk deeper into my seat. I prayed to my brother AL-ly that he would watch over me while I continued on with this charade. At least, with him, I’ll be able to find a home once I prove to my mother that I’m just another disappointment. As we arrived in Imaris, my eyes focused on the large black castle that stood on top of the mountain.
The House of Night was more frightening than it was depicted in the pamphlets. Gargoyles dusted the tops, and towers reached high in the sky disappearing behind the black clouds. The gates were spiked and black-barred while the trees surrounding the House of Night were rotting.
My father pulled up towards the stairs. My hand hovered over the handle, but I forced myself to exit. The crisp autumn air hit my nose with scents of cinnamon wafting from the castle. My mother climbed out after me. Her Prada heels clicking against the stone all the way to the back of the car. I stepped forward—a squelch followed by freezing water alerted me to my shoes. Brand new now ruined by a muddy puddle.
I took my suitcase from my mother and grimaced when she dug her nails into my shoulders. “The Songbirds are well known here at the House of Night.” She said—her voice was laced with venom. It didn’t frighten me. I was used to it. “If you do anything that will embarrass us, you’ll be spending the remaining years in reformatory school.”
“Yes, Mother.” Mother, never mom always Mother. Her nails pierced my chin forcing me to look at her. She gave her best smile then pressed her lips on my forehead. It barely touched.
“The Songbirds have been ruling Imaris for centuries. If you fail to prove yourself worthy of the crown, then I’ll have to resort to restarting your life.” The threat was clear, but for once it didn’t faze me. Her heels clicked again as she walked back to the car. I didn’t dare to look at the car as it drove off.
Inside the House of Night was neatly decorated with portraits of former Coven Leaders lining the walls. Red walls complemented the golden frames and brown furniture that looked as if no one had ever used them. I glanced around. There was no one in sight, but I could feel presences all around me. With a yank, I walked down the left hallway. My eyes captured one portrait that stood out from the others.
She sat on her throne. Her auburn hair twisted down her shoulders in tight curls, and her bright golden eyes stared into my soul as she manipulated silver strings with her fingers. My mother. “She’s beautiful,” A voice next to me said. I glanced over to see a boy taller than me with square-framed glasses concealing his emerald eyes. His curly blonde hair was slicked back with a prominent cowlick. He wore a brown V-Neck sweater with jeans that hid beneath shin-high cowboy boots. When his eyes captured mine, they lit up. He held his hand out, a blush dusted his cheeks. “Hey, I’m Simon.” He said with a smooth velvet voice.
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I grabbed his hand, shaking it awkwardly. “I’m Bree,” I replied. “Just Bree.” I should’ve told him my last name, but I wanted to keep that a secret for as long as I could. He was the first potential friend in this school. Telling him my last name would make him treat me differently whether good or bad.
“Well, Just Bree, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Simon said. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Silence filled the air. “You must be hungry, here let me take this.” Simon grabbed the bags from my hands. He dragged the suitcase towards a platform where he sat it on top. It was a strange platform. Brown with thorns engraved on the sides with an evil eye behind it.
The eye opened once the suitcase touched the platform. The eye focused on me then the suitcase disappeared in bright light. I’ve been surrounded with magic for fifteen years, but nothing was as strange as this—something I’ll probably never get used to. “The cafeteria will be open for another two hours, so let’s go down and get something to eat.” Simon’s voice was soft as he guided me towards the cafeteria.
The space between us was small. It was the first time that I was ever close to a boy, besides my older brothers, and despite almost touching his hand it felt almost natural. The cafeteria was crowded with students but spaced out to make it seem sparser than it was. Banners with the evil eye hung from the walls, and the large open windows captured the heavy rain that drowned out the greenery.
We gathered some food. Simon, a double cheeseburger with loaded fries, and me a salad with ranch on the side. I didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of him. I couldn’t. So, fast food was out of the question. We sat at a round table that overlooked the windows. I poured the ranch over my salad while Simon took a giant bite from his hamburger. He didn’t speak. He closed his eyes as he savored the greasy food. I looked around the cafeteria, but my eyes landed on a man.
He sat behind us, in the corner of the cafeteria, with another man. The other man was average sized—with muscles bulging from his t-shirt. His dark pin-straight hair was slicked back. He eyed the boy—who was quite handsome. He was tall—slim with coiled brown hair. His skin was a beautiful shade of brown with little to no blemishes.
His face was morphed into a frown. The man's brown eyes captured mine—for a moment it was as if I could see him. His true self—for a flicker. Our eyes remained on each other. As we continued to stare it was as if I couldn’t breathe, but with a sharp dart of his eyes, it lessened.
I let out a deep breath earning Simon full attention. “Who—who is he?” I said still watching him. Simon looked behind him. He let out an odd groan.
“Tessen Avery,” Simon said as he turned back to me. His lips were twisted into a frown, though, at that moment, I didn’t care. “He’s a sophomore, transfer as well, fair warning you shouldn’t involve yourself with him.”
“Why?” I said turning my eyes back to Simon who picked at his fries.
“There isn’t a day that goes by where he isn’t in trouble—fights, threats, and more fights.” Simon glanced behind him. “See that guy over there, that’s Jace Neal. They bunch together as though they were a pack of wolves. I have never once seen them act nice to each other. It’s impossible. They detest each other, but they’re always seen together. It’s strange." Simon turned back to me. “And then there’s Vanessa. God, she is a bitch. I’m surprised she’s not there with them.”
"Where did he transfer from?" I said. The moment of passion dissipating the more Simon talked about them. Simon waved his fry around with a scrunched face.
"No one knows, not even the teachers. Jace has been here since Freshman year, but it was only recently that Tessen showed up. I suspect that the headmaster is keeping it shut for some reason. He could be the son of someone famous, maybe his life is in danger? You never know." Simon muttered. I decided to drop the conversation for his sake, but I couldn't stop sending glances towards Tessen. He was outwardly placed, a diamond in the rough here in the House of Night, but I couldn't place why.