Born In Light I

My eyes gazed at the trappings that covered the walls of the Headmaster’s office. Paintings depicting dragons and warriors fighting together purposefully placed, the frames elegant and golden with silver filigree. A plush chocolate-colored couch dominated the wall to the left of the door with one of the paintings overlooking it.

On the right side was a large sliding glass door that led out onto a covered patio with more comfortable seating. My eyes landed on the large mahogany desk with a leather chair sitting behind it. The chair spun around, revealing a man who couldn’t have been older than twenty-five at most. He was handsome; his face chiseled with dark hair that fell around his face and tied back behind his neck. Upon closer inspection, I realized the color of his hair was, in fact, a deep royal purple. His eyes matched his hair, and they peered at me with a deep intensity. He stood suddenly, and I froze, but the smile that graced his features eased my tension.

“Ellie, so good to finally meet you. I do apologize for keeping you in the dark, but I needed to speak with the council about your arrival and enrollment. Whether or not you do indeed belong here.”

I nodded slowly and watched him round the desk. He moved with a grace I have never seen before. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut any longer. “So…have you decided what to do with me then?”

“Yes, you’ll be fully instated here, and I will reveal to you the true purpose of this school.”

I sighed and crossed my arms, “Good, because I honestly don’t understand why all the secrecy. It’s just a school.”

He smirked and leaned back on the desk. “Ah, but that is where you are wrong little one.”

I mouthed little one and narrowed my eyes as he continued.

“You see, this place was established to teach and train an exceptional breed of humans.” He walked over to one of the many paintings with the warriors and dragons. He sighed and clasped his hands behind his back before turning to look at me. “Do you believe in Dragons, Ellie?”

I blinked at him for a moment, sure I had misheard him. When he continued waiting for my answer, I quickly stammered and nodded. “Um…I mean, there’s a possibility. We’re discovering new species all the time, so I suppose Dragons could exist.”

He smiled, “Good answer. Well, I’m here to tell you that they do, in fact, exist.”

I stared at him and laughed without warning, surprising myself even. “I’m sorry, but I’m sure you can see how I’ll need proof of that.”

He nodded again and took my hand. “Please, follow me.”

I found myself headed towards the inner courtyards, a place I had been forbidden to go to until now. “Why are we going out here?”

“You wanted proof, did you not?”

“Well, yes…but I don’t see…” I was cut off by a roar that reverberated off the walls and made me jump a foot in the air.

“Here’s your proof.”

He opened a door, and I stepped outside. I blinked a few times before my vision cleared, and I stood frozen in my spot.

A large shadow passed over me, stirring the plants and taking my breath as it winged past me.

“Dragons…”