• Ryder stood in front of the Council, all six of them staring intently at her. Two guards were on each side of her, standing as still as stone. The quiet in the enormous room was deafening. She would have broke the silence, but that could cause her more trouble than she was already in. She remembered just how her life took a sharp left turn.

    After receiving her letter, the two guards now beside her, showed up and escorted her quickly to Thane Hall, and now here she was. Their "escort" had felt more like a kidnapping. She glared to the guard on her right. He didn't turn, or even move a muscle.

    "Wisteria Z. Vale," Council Member Antares began " You-"

    "My name is Ryder.", Ryder said.
    As if he hadn't heard her, Antares continued.

    "You have been brought forth to the Council Of Shadows for unruly behavior amongst your own kind. Distress of this kind is not permitted, especially when unmerciful murders have been committed numerous times..." As he stated that last part, he threw Ryder an annoyed glance. She rolled her eyes. She should have known that they would never let go of the past.

    "You know, those were accidents. Not my fault." Ryder calmly informed him. Antares just glanced up at her, and gave her a "yeah right" kind of look.
    "Because of your recklessness and inability to control your powers, you will be enrolled at Eventide Academy." Ryder felt her face fall at the council member's declaration.

    "What?!", she screamed. She couldn't believe it. After all of those years of cautiously avoiding anything that would send her to that prison, and she was being sent there anyway. What wasted time!

    "A test is required to enter the school, but-" Antares started, but Ryder cut him off.

    "Ha! If I need to take a test, I'll just fail it on purpose! You're plan has failed and I'm not going there!" Ryder laughed at how her luck was changing for the better. They wouldn't let her in to the academy if she didn't pass the test and proved herself unworthy to go there.
    She smirked up at the whole Council.

    "Is that so? Well, Miss Vale, let me finish what I have to say before another one of your little outburts", Antares told her. She waved her hand at him to continue.

    "Alright then. A test is required to enter the school, but you will not need to take it. We have informed the staff that you have experience, if not good, with your powers. You shall attend the academy." Ryder just stared at him. This couldn't be happening! She was so close in getting out of going, but no, a loophole was found. Who knew what would happen there. The thought of attending the academy with snotty vampires, fleabag werewolves, and not to mention the other demon scum, made her skin crawl.

    Sure, the royals and aristocrats went there, so the school was elite, but still, going there was a big mistake.

    "So, since we have an agreement, you will leave at once. Do not worry about your belongings, they have already been taken care of. Eventide awaits, Miss Vale." he smiled at her coldly. She glared back. With a wave of his hand, she felt the all too familiar suffocating feel as she was transported through space.

    When she opened her eyes, there she was, standing right in front of her new "home". Folding her arms over her chest, Ryder scowled. Why?! Why?! Why?!

    The worst part was that she would have to see him again. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought. This couldn't be happening. It was all just a bad dream....But, no matter how many times she pinched herself, the school loomed in front of her. Sighing, she walked ahead, ready to meet her doom.

    Or not. As soon as she opened the doors, she was met by a very cheery girl, who was apparently her new escort to her rooms, where all the information about her classes and the rules were. Each of the dorms had rules, and she was going to have a roommate. Great.

    Looking around, Ryder glared at the clean academy, almost sparkling with all the divine power put into it to make it look as elite as it sounded. The walls were draped in the most extravagent draperies, in the colors of gold, silver and white. All pure shades. Chandeliers hung from the enormous ceilings, glittering brightly and lighting up the place in a sickening happiness.....

    She watched all the happy, and not so happy students walk by. Some looking at her as if she were inferior.....

    "Wisteria! Oh, my darling, how I've missed you!"

    Ryder flinched, wishing the voice away.