CHAPTER 8

Waking up the morning after Vegas put my will on test. There are no words to describe how much I didn't want to leave my bed.

But of course I knew I had to get up and get dressed for the Tuesday.

Just as I got ready I heard the knock on my door.

I opened them and my heart immediately started beating faster.

"Hey," Naomi said kind of quiet, "I left some stuff here yesterday."

I tried to calm my heart a bit as I said: "Yeah, sure come in."

I don't know what was going on and how she managed to get my body to react like this just to the sight of her.

The entire situation was very cringe. I think we both wanted to start talking but just didn't know about what. So I decided that my next best option is to stand awkwardly next to the wall and watch her collect her things.

"Where's the top?" She asked.

"Wh-what?"

"The crop top I lend you yesterday?"

"Oh, just a second." I said, trying to remember how the fuck I got back home yesterday and where did I leave my clothes.

"Here it is!" I yelled after a few minutes, finding the clothes in the bathroom. Thank god no one stole them.

"I could wash it and get it to you tomorrow," I offered, slightly embarrassed.

"No, it's fine really." She said reluctantly. "Is that men' cologne?"

Damn Jamal and the over use of his cologne.

"Yeah, it might be." I said shyly.

"So, a successful night then." Her voice was unreadable. What was she getting at.

"I guess you could say so."

She just nodded her head, said a quick good-bye and left.

What was that all about?

I tried not to think about the awkward moment with Naomi as I was gathering things for school, but the look in her eyes just couldn't leave my brain.

I was so deep in thought, I didn't even know how I got to school, when Sanem asked me teasingly: "So, Rina. How was your night?"

I checked around, looking if Naomi was anywhere near, but I saw her talking to some girl far away enough.

"Oh, my god. Sanem it was amazing." I put a hand on my chest and mimicked a moan.

"That man knows what's he doing."

"Where did you go, though?" She asked, "I was looking for you later and some people said they saw you went to the attic with the boy, but you weren't there."

I was about to tell her what happened when Elisaveth and Kassiopeia entered the room, today looking more serious.

"Sit, girls. We have something important to discuss." Elisaveth said strictly.

"Yesterday, at the party, a certain Gynaka did something she shouldn't." Kassiopeia continued.

Her words took me back to the party and I couldn't remember anything scandalous. I guess it happened after I left.

"Look, you are very welcome to use magic at this island, but not unsupervised, without any lessons."

Oh, shit.

"Yesterday a girl in this class casted a spell to unlock the passageway in the mirror and used it to get to Las Vegas." Elisaveth clarified.

"And that was extremely dangerous and irresponsible of her." Kassiopeia continued. "Something could've gone very wrong, she and the boy could get stuck in the mirror, got transported to god-knows-where and could've been seen!"

The serious look in Elisaveth's eyes got furious as the words left Kassiopeia's mouth and I knew her anger was directed at me. It became especially clear when her angry eyes met mine.

I couldn't handle the pressure of her stare and looked down. Sanem, of course, noticed that.

"You went to Vegas?" She whispered, slightly impressed.

"Shut up." I said quietly, fighting a smile.

"Girl, I knew I liked you for a reason."

I glanced at her, smile visible on my face and she approvingly patted my thigh.

However, as my eyes left Sanem's and travelled a bit higher I noticed angry Naomi looking at me.

I quickly wiped the smile of my face and looked down again.

I was kind of irritated, because I didn't get what she wanted from me, but I also felt somewhat ashamed of my actions.

I kept overthinking her behavior and completely forgot to focus on the headmaster's voice: "…that's why I'm kindly asking you not to use the spells, we haven't learned about yet. Anywho, I'll let Elisaveth take the lead and continue with classes."

The class bit her good-bye and Elisaveth started: "Ok, so this was not the best way to start the morning, I just hope something this careless won't happen again." As she said this, her eyes locked with mine once again.

"For today's lesson I planned telling the myth of the creation of the world and Old religion." Elisaveth continued more warmly.

"Some of you may be familiar with the Christian or Muslim story of the creation of the world. Now, I would just like to remind you that this is not science and cannot be proven, therefore I am also not trying to undermine other religions. I am just presenting our faith and trying to compare it with others, for easier understanding."

"It all started at some distant point in time, when Nothing was all that existed." She continued with a deeper and more sing-a-like voice.

"Nothing then became filled with a force so powerful that it was capable of self-creation, this force is today known as Universe and is the supreme in our religion. Like God and Allah in Christianity and Islam or Zeus in Ancient Greek mythology, if you'd like."

She explained everything to us, the creation of Earth, life and Human race. I was truly bewitched with the story of Athanasia and Hera, whatever they das was just so pure and natural, even though they were supernatural beings.

"…The Universe stopped Hera and reminded her of Athanasia's last wish. With a broken heart and a little help from the Universe, Hera became one with the garden once more. It took the form of the most magnificent tree imaginable and secured the tree with just as breathtaking forest and river. The Universe mourned after them as well and had decided to create more creatures like them." Elisaveth finished.

"Damn, here I was being taught by religion that homosexuality is a sin, when in fact is what started the human race" Sanem whispered loud enough for Elisaveth to hear.

"Miss Ozdeyem, let me remind you that Athanasia and Hera weren't really women, they just took their form. That's why their relationship wasn't homosexual, but divine. If it weren't what they created wouldn't be possible." Elisaveth explained. "However homosexuality is not a sin, it is known that first humans mated with all, no matter the sex. Humans gave homosexuality some twisted meaning later in history."

Sanem blushed, it was clear on her face that she didn't mean her comment to get such attention.

"Now let me continue." Said Elisaveth.

She started talking about Hera and how she gave humans the protectors, goddesses. "Demeter is goddess of earth, she gives us power to control the four basic earthly elements."

"Water, air, fire and earth." Some girl said.

"That's correct miss Goeler." Elisaveth complimented her.

"Next, she created Nyk, goddess of the night. She is the keeper of black magic."

The atmosphere in the classroom suddenly shifted and became more tense.

"Based on your reaction, I should probably tell you that black magic is not something evil." Elisaveth laughed a little, "it's just a term for more complex spells, like summoning the creatures of the night or goddesses, shifting and performing difficult protection spells."

The mood became more light again, although some of us tensed at the mention of the term 'creature of the night'.

Don't tell me vampires exist, too?

"Selene, the goddess of moon, gives us powers to manipulate someone's mind and actions. With her help Gynakas should also be able to create the creatures of the night, but today only one which is known to possess such powers." Elisaveth said the last sentence a bit more seriously.

"Who?" Someone asked and by the look on Elisaveth's face, it was obvious she hopen no one would ask that.

"Enyo." She replied, much more quietly.

"The queen's evil twin?" Sanem just couldn't help herself.

"Yes, miss Ozdeyan, that's the one." Elisaveth said unenthusiastically.

"But let us continue with the class, next goddess Hera created was Roxanne, goddess of dawn. With her help Gynakas can communicate with animals, control the weather and have amazing healing powers." She was trying desperately to make us forget about the whole Enyo thing, that was still whispered about in the classroom.

"And the last goddess," she specifically emphasized the word 'last', "is Ourania, goddess of heavens. She gave us the ability to read minds, see the future and gift other beings with temporarily strength and speed."

I was so impressed by all of this, it's just amazing. Imagine reading someone's mind, or creating your own vampire.

Wait…

"Miss Elisaveth, what exactly do you mean with creatures of the night?" I asked.

"Creatures that get most powerful during nightfall. I think it's quite self-explanatory."

The sass. But I guess I deserved it based on what I did yesterday.

"Yes, I understand that, but what kind of beings are that. Vampires? Werewolves?"

"Technically, yes. Although Gynakas cannot create werewolves, vampires and sirens. Like us, they have long and rich history themselves."

Sirens?

She means mermaids?

Oh, my god. Mermaids exist?!

"Gynakas can create creatures like minotaurs, chimeras, dybbuks, hydras, satyrs, aqrabuamelus, goblins, cyclops and golems." She said, "unfortunately, most of us can't create anything more complex than a goblin."

As she was saying this I tried to write down all the words, so I could google them later. Although I can't say for certain that I have guessed the spelling of them all.

After some more questions the class ended and as I was about to leave the classroom, Elisaveth called my name.

I went to her desk and waited for her to start speaking.

As soon as the last person left the room she started: "I wanted to talk to you about last night."

Oh, god.

I hoped this won't happen.

"The shenanigans you pulled? Are you crazy?" the more she was talking, the more her temper started slipping. "Are you aware of how dangerous that was? How irresponsible? Using a spell you only ever saw me use once? And drunk on top of that? With a boy? You endangered his life!"

I just stood there, embarrassed.

I was deeply aware of how irresponsible I acted. Now, at least.

"When I first met your mother I thought she was being paranoid. Now, I think she may have been on to something. I know the thought of going to Las Vegas is amusing and the trip was probably really exciting, but come on Kathrine!"

"I'm sorry. I'm aware how stupid my actions were, I just couldn't think straight."

"Look, I understand. I was young and stupid once, too. But you were really careless." Her tone got a bit more kind now.

"I'm sorry." I repeated, meaning it.

"The good thing is that now we can be certain of your talent." She laughed. "Casting your first spell successfully, while being heavily intoxicated. Impressive."

I was so confused, but I couldn't help the smile.

"You'll do good here, I know." She paused for a second. "You will stay here, right?"

"It would be impossible to leave now." I joked.

"Ok, good. Pack your bags then. We will move you to the school's campus with others. Sanem requested to have you as a roommate, is that ok?"

"Yeah, that would be perfect." I replied.

We then said our good-byes and I went home, ready to fully commit to this magic world I found myself in.