Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 9

Food Hall.

The food hall was a beast in itself. Vaulted ceilings hung with floating lanterns, banners dripping with colour, the air thick with chatter, clatter, and the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat and sweetbread. But it wasn’t the size that stopped me. It was the sheer number of them. I’d never seen so many magicals in one place. Not even close. Tessa tugged me inside, weaving through the stream of bodies, and my eyes couldn’t keep still. A long table to the right practically vibrated with wolves, rowdy, loud, half–shifted claws and ears on display as they tore into steaks bloody enough to drip onto the floor. Laughter shook the rafters as one shoved another clear off the bench. Across from them, sleek, cat–shifters lounged with feline grace, their golden eyes narrowing at the wolves‘ noise. A snow leopard boy licked sauce from his fingers with deliberate slowness, his tail flicking behind him. A group of fae glimmered near the centre, their hair catching every shard of sunlight like living gemstones. They ate slowly, perfectly, their voices soft and lilting. At the far end, the vampires had claimed their corner, pale and aloof, sipping thick crimson from glass goblets. A boy with silver eyes glanced at me, lips curving around a fang, before turning back to his brood. On the left, witches and warlocks sprawled across two tables, parchment and quills scattered between bowls of stew. Sparks fizzed from fingers, ink bottles levitated lazily, and cauldrons steamed even though this was lunch. Cage sat among them, golden eyes flashing when he caught sight of me. His smirk was sharp enough to slice bread. Elementals clustered near the windows, the air shimmering faintly around them. One girl absentmindedly twirled water into tiny spirals above her cup, while a boy sparked flames across his knuckles like he didn’t even notice. Beyond them, smaller tables buzzed with more kinds than I could count. I swore I even saw a troll hunched over a mountain of food that could’ve fed three

people.

I stopped dead, heart thudding. This wasn’t just a school. It was a bloody zoo. Tessa nudged me toward a quieter table in the middle, where the “in- between” types gathered. Outcasts. Strays. People who didn’t fit neatly anywhere else.

I slid onto the bench, trying to look like I belonged there. The truth was obvious, though. I didn’t belong anywhere. The hairs on my neck prickled with stares. Some curious. Some hostile. Some… hungry. I ducked my head, letting my hair fall forward, eyes glued to the glowing map folded on the table as

though it was the most fascinating thing in the room.

“Don’t let them bother you,” Tessa whispered, her freckles dancing as she smiled. “Everyone stares at the new kid. You’re just the freshest meat in the hall.”

Great. Exactly what I wanted to be.

I glanced down at the long table in front of me. The polished wood gleamed, set perfectly with a plate, bowl, and cup at each spot. Silver cutlery gleamed beside them, so spotless I could see my reflection in the spoon. But there was one problem. There was no food. No line. No trays. Not even a server. Just

rows of kids eating like kings and queens while my stomach gnawed at itself.

I nudged my plate with a fingertip, scowling. “So… how does this work? Or am I supposed to steal a steak off a wolf shifter’s plate and hope I don’t lose my

arm?”

Tessa giggled, leaning closer. “No, no. It’s enchanted. All you have to do is run your finger around the edge of the plate, bowl, or cup you want to use, and it

fills with whatever your heart desires.”

I blinked at her, then at my empty plate. “Of course,” I muttered, rolling my eyes. “How useful.”

“Go on,” she urged, her grin wide. “Try it.”

With a sigh, I dragged my fingertip slowly around the rim of the plate. A soft shimmer rippled across the surface, and then suddenly, it was heaping with

precisely what I’d been craving: roast chicken, golden potatoes dripping with butter, and a slice of fresh bread so soft it still steamed.

My stomach growled loudly enough that Tessa laughed again. “See? Told you.”

I shook my head, tearing a piece of bread in half. “Magic plates. What’s next, beds that tuck me in at night?”

“Actually…” Tessa started, eyes sparkling.

MON

29

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1/2

12:14 Mon, Dec 29

Food Hall.

I cut her off with a groan. “Don’t answer that.”

I’d just torn off another piece of bread, the butter melting across my fingers, when a sudden whizz cut through the noise of the hall. I jerked my head to the side just in time to see an apple whistling past my ear and smacking into the wall with a dull thunk. The hall went quiet. Laughter bubbled up from the

warlock tables, sharp and mocking. I didn’t need to look to know who was responsible. Cage sat slouched in the middle of them, golden eyes glinting with

satisfaction as he lazily twirled his fingers. A pear hovered above his hand, glowing faintly with enchantment.

“Not impressed, Rivers?” he called across the room, his voice carrying easily. “Thought you liked useful tricks.”

More snickers broke out around him, a few students turning to watch me, waiting for a reaction. I stared at him, the warlock’s smug grin widening, his pear

spinning slow circles in the air like he had all the time in the world. Then I slowly raised my bread, tore off another bite, and chewed deliberately, never

breaking eye contact.

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