Free A Shadow's Tale by Jennifer Hanlon

people like you?’
    I didn’t have to think about my answer. It was staring me in the face.
    It didn’t take me long to pack. Professor Heath was going to take me to the Academy right away. I hadn’t gathered much in the way of possessions other than what I had to start with. My spell book, Armen’s letter, the toy wolf Arellan had made for me and my clothes. It all fitted in one bag. I got into the car, looking out of the window to take in the home one last time. I felt no regret at leaving it, and the sorry beginnings of my life on Earth, far behind.
    The drive to the Academy was long and uneventful. Professor Heath wasn’t the most talkative of companions, but it didn’t bother me. I was still trying to get over the shock that the Academy was actually a school for mythical creatures. As we neared the Academy, I perked up, wondering what the school would look like. How would the people there accept me? Would it be just like the haven I imagined when I needed to escape, a place of acceptance and joy, or would they shun me and keep me hidden like the Synari had done, scared of what I could do?
    The gates were black iron and imposing, the walls high and thick, but the grounds inside were a boarding school director’s wet dream. Ancient trees lined the long driveway, giving way to extensive grassland. On one side, the grass had been separated into paddocks where horses and ponies grazed. The other side was dotted with students in uniform. All the boys in their smart black trousers and blazers, the girls in perfect skirts and ties. Isank a little lower in my seat. Nerves were starting to kick in. What if the others rejected me? The driveway opened out into a circle with a huge pine tree in the centre. A sprawling mansion filled my vision as we pulled up. The main building itself was impressive, even without being flanked by two wings that were longer, but not as high as the house. I grabbed my bag, slipping out of the car and looking around nervously. The other kids were staring. They looked normal, until you looked a little closer. A hint of scale, strangely coloured eyes, and a woman with
wings
walking towards me. I bit my lip. Walking behind the woman was a sight I was delighted to see. Head bobbing as she walked, wings visible and tucked into her sides, Merlas paused long enough to whinny loudly.
    â€˜Merlas!’ I yelled, running forwards to throw my arms around her neck. I had grown since I last saw her, now reaching halfway up her shoulder. Standing at one metre eighty, I wasn’t likely to grow any more. She still bested me for height though, standing at an even two metres. I didn’t mind. It meant I’d never outgrow her. The winged woman coughed politely. I felt my face turn red, turning to look at her, realising that I hadn’t even acknowledged her presence. So much for trying to be polite.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ I said apologetically, ‘I haven’t seen her for years.’
    She waved off my apology with a lazy flick of her hand. ‘My name is Meredith Featherstone. I’m the headmistress of the school. Now, the tradition here is that you are assigned a student similar to your own age to explain the rules. We found that it gives the new students a better insight into how we work, so I’ll let him give you the introductory speech. Follow me, let’s go and save your guide from class. I’m sure he won’t complain.’
    I followed Miss Featherstone into the main building, into a place that looked as if it had been furnished from a couple of centuries before. I was surprised that they managed to keep so many antiques here and in impeccable condition with scores of teenage mythical creatures learning to control themselves. MissFeatherstone swept up the central staircase up to the third floor, along corridors I was sure rivalled those in Aspheri. I would never learn my way around here! She knocked on a door, pushing it open. A classroom,