Page 13 of Shadow Seer (Scythe Grove Academy 1)

"But don't worry yourself about it. Why don't you rest and one of us will come to get you before dinner. But if you're not ready to go, then just tell us." She flashes me a wide and genuine smile.

"Thank you," I respond.

She gets to her feet and makes her way out of the room with a quick wave.

I sit on the bed in silence, trying not to feel too overwhelmed by everything around me. Nothing about the room feels like a home yet, but it's still better than what I've had before. Maybe over time it'll become more.

But before I think about any of that, I'm going to shower and get some sleep before dinner. To say I'm exhausted is an understatement. At least here at the academy, I can do something about it.

Chapter Seven

A small part of me still doesn't believe everything that's happening. How can I be at an academy for reapers with a room of my own and a potential future when a few days ago I was stuck in a house where my only chances at privacy were a bathroom stall and pulling the curtains around my bed and ignoring the world.

It's so different and I can't get my head around it.

A knock sounds on my door, pulling me out of my thoughts. I get to my feet and grab my bag, knowing it's going to be Mathias or Juliet on the other side and they're probably going to want to take me somewhere. I appreciate how much both of them are doing for me, especially as I still have so much to learn about the academy and being a reaper.

I pull the door open, slightly surprised to find both of them on the other side.

"Is there something special today?" I ask, flicking my gaze between them.

"Yes," Juliet answers instantly.

I wait for more of an explanation, but she doesn't seem ready to give me one.

"You'll find out soon enough," she promises instead.

"Okay..." Neither of them has done anything to make me feel uncomfortable, so it seems fairly safe to trust them on this.

I shut the door and slide my key into the lock, twisting it until I hear the satisfying click that means my space remains just that.

Mine.

Something I'm definitely not used to. Other than housekeeping if I choose to use their services, no one can go into my room without my say so. Something I appreciate more than anyone can properly understand.

"Have you had your timetable sent to you yet?" Juliet asks as the three of us set off down the corridor.

I shake my head. "Should I be expecting it?" I have wondered when classes would start, apparently I'm about to find out.

"Yes, you should be joining classes in a day or two. There's just your scythe to sort out first," Mathias responds.

Worry enters my gut. How am I going to afford a scythe?

"That's where we're going now," Juliet says before I can ask about it.

"I didn'

t bring any money with me," I whisper.

"What would you need it for?" Confusion enters her voice.

"For the scythe. Don't I need to buy it?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, we should have started with that part," she says. "We're going to the grove so you can make your scythe."

"Make it?" That has a whole host of other problems. I don't know the first thing about being a reaper, especially not when it comes to making a scythe that has to be used.

"You'll be fine," Mathias assures me. "It'll come naturally to you. And we'll both be there to answer any question you have about it."