ONE

The last thing I expected to do fresh off the train from the farthest province in the Kingdom of Gedonelune was to head straight to the dorms and find my new roommate still lying in bed there. Her name was Amelia Nile, and she was sick as a dog.

"What's the trouble, Amelia?" I asked with concern. "You seem to be very upset."

"Oh, I am!" she agreed, blowing her nose for about the tenth time since I arrived. "I was given an assignment to interview the school Prefect, Klaus Goldstein, for the school paper, but I'm too sick to go. You have no idea how much effort I went to just to convince him to see me at all, and now he'll probably never consent to an interview again."

"Klaus Goldstein?" I asked curiously.

I knew nothing about this school or the paper for it, really. I had been applying to attend at the Gedonelune Royal Magic Academy for a very long time, sending in endless requests to attend, but until just two days ago my efforts were not paying off. Now, I was excited just to be here at all, and I was realizing with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I'd been trying so hard to get in that I hadn't learned anything about the school itself. Silly me!

"Yes, he's a member of the elite Goldstein family," she sighed. "His father is Walter Goldstein, the magical tools inventor. But more than that, he's also got a job just waiting for him at the Ministry of Magical Justice if he wants it, or his pick of several other jobs as well. He'll be graduating at the end of this school year, and he's sure to be giving the speech for his class. So I've got a whole list of questions all written up for him, and I can't even go to ask them. I wish you could see it in your heart to go ask them for me, otherwise I'm going to get a really bad grade."

"Of course I'll help," I said. "You're such a clever, pretty girl. I would hate to see you fail if I can help prevent it. I'm glad to have gotten a roommate as nice as you."

"Really? I feel the same way!" she exclaimed. "Here, take these notes and I'll make you a beacon to lead the way. Thank you so much, Liz Hart. I think you and I are going to become the best of friends!"

After the two of us shook hands vigorously, Amelia said, "This is so great! You don't have to attend any classes until tomorrow, so you should be able to speak with him right away. Just follow the light and it will lead you straight to the Prefect's office. I'm so happy that you're willing to help!"

Amelia conjured up a little ball of light and it immediately began to race away. I chased after it through the gorgeous garden, the lofty stone hallways, and some weird looking chapel room. Along the way, I took in just how big Gedonelune Royal Magic Academie actually was, and grew quite tired of running by the time I'd reached the bottom of a tall set of stairs.

"This place could really use an elevator," I complained breathlessly as I finally reached the top. I found a long, well-lit hallway. The brilliant sunlight made it difficult to see my little guide any longer, but fortunately I also saw a sign that said "Prefect's Office" on one of the nearby doors. I considered this a valuable clue that I'd arrived.

I knocked twice on the door, and heard a deep, decidedly masculine voice called out from the other side, "You may enter."

"Excuse me, I'm coming in," I called as I opened the door. Then I fell right into the room. I was so embarrassed I wanted to just stay there and never look up at the man who must surely be laughing at me.

But apparently he wasn't. When I finally looked, I saw a tall young man with golden hair and violet eyes spring from the chair at his desk and walk quickly to my side. He held out his hand, offering his assistance to get me on my feet again.

"Are you all right, miss?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you," I replied, and took his hand. The moment our two hands touched, I felt a strange sort of electricity pass between us and settle in the pit of my stomach. Afraid he would notice that my pulse sped up, I quickly let go of the Prefect's hand.

I dared to look at Prefect Klaus again, and he was watching me coldly. I could see that he was annoyed by my inability to remain on my own two feet.

"Thank you, sir," I said, feeling unaccountably shy now that I was standing and he was still towering above me. I got butterflies in my belly just being near him. Magic, perhaps? He did seem to have an unusually strong aura.

"It's not a problem, Bunnyhead," he said then, his lips quirking upwards into a somewhat sinister-looking smile.

"B-Bunnyhead?" I gasped.

"Your hair makes you look like a rabbit," he replied as he returned to his desk and sat again. "However, that gives you no cause to behave like a bunny and jump into my office on all fours."

"Oh!" I gasped indignantly. "They're not ears, they're pigtails!"

"What do you want, anyway?" he inquired. "I don't remember seeing you at this academy before."

"My name is Liz Hart. I'm a new student here, sir," I explained. "I've only just arrived today."

"Miss Hart? I see. Please, sit on a chair before you fall over again," Prefect Klaus offered. "A new student, you say? And what would a new student want with me?"

"My new roommate, Amelia Nile, was scheduled to interview you for the school newspaper this afternoon," I said. "However, she's too sick to do it, and she'd like me to ask you her questions instead."

"I knew it," Klaus scoffed. "That girl is such a scaredy cat that she sent in someone else. Very well, as I told Miss Nile, I'll give you ten minutes, and no more. I have a lot of work to attend to here."

"Yes, of course," I said, clearing my throat as I took a seat and opened the small folder that Amelia had placed into my hands as I'd left her. Once I'd spread it open, I looked up at Klaus, realizing I had nothing to write with. Seeing my look, he glanced at row of three feather quills he had ranged on the edge of his desk and smirked. He picked up his wand and flicked it, and one of them floated over to me. "Thank you. Are you ready?"

"Ready when you are, Miss Hart," he replied as he stood up and came around to sit on the edge of his desk, looking down at me with those intense, violet eyes of his. Another wave of hot energy hit me in my gut as I quickly forced myself to stop looking into them. I was sure he was trying to mesmerize me or something.

This man was much too handsome, I thought. It hardly seemed fair for any man to look that good. Nervously I cleared my throat and read the first question. "You are the top student in this academy all by yourself this year, and you're also expected to give your graduation speech in just a few months' time. Also, the Ministry of Magical Justice has already offered you a position should you want it. Can you tell me what you owe all this success to?"

"Seriously?" Klaus smirked.

"Yep," I said, and started to tickle the bottom of my nose with the feathery part of his quill. I saw him move slightly forward, and his grip on the edge of the table seemed to tighten a bit as he watched the soft white fluff glide across my bottom lip. My heart sped up as he shifted uncomfortably, and heat pooled down between my thighs.

"I believe the secret to my success comes from my ability to identify and harness the powers of everyone around me," he said as he began to pace around the room. "I owe much of my status to recognizing talented people and shaping them, teaching them and showing them the proper path so that they in turn can become productive members of our kingdom."

"So you're a control freak?" I blurted out, then bit my lip in surprise. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"Oh yes, Miss Hart," he smirked. "I exercise control in all things. Do you mean to say you didn't even find out that much about me before you came in here? I don't see how you expect to pass the Judgment in thirteen days if you don't even know how to prepare for a simple interview."

"Judgment?" I asked, confused.

"Don't tell me you don't even know that much?" he scoffed. "You're here only as a provisional student, Miss Hart. After thirteen days, the Scales of Judgment will decide your fate. Although you're such a mess, I don't hold out much hope for your chances."

"Aw!" I groaned. "If I'd known I was about to interview you, naturally I would have been more prepared. I'm not a complete idiot."

"That remains to be seen," Klaus replied. "Please continue, Miss Hart."

Blushing, I read the next question. "You are always alone and never seem to socialize. Some people think you have no friends at all, but there are others who want to know if you're-" my eyes widened.

"If I'm what?" he inquired.

"If you're gay," I answered, blushing furiously now.

Klaus returned to his perch on the edge of the desk. His handsome face took on a much different look, and his eyes bored into mine. I felt my loins give a little shiver of intense interest, and my breathing sped up just enough for him to notice. His eyes, which had been merely assessing until that moment, suddenly took on a more predatory light.

"No, Elizabeth, I am not gay. Any more questions?"

"It's just Liz," I whispered as tension built up inside me. "Um…You know, I really think Amelia's got enough answers already. I've taken up enough of your time."

I sprang to my feet and headed quickly for the door.

"Wait, let me walk with you back to the dorm," Klaus said. "You're too new here, and certain to get lost along the way. Besides, if you were to fall again, you might need help getting to your feet."

"I'm perfectly fine, Prefect Klaus," I snapped irritably. "I can find the way on my own."

"I insist," he replied sternly. "In fact, you are obviously unaware that I was supposed to meet you at the train station earlier. I would like to fulfill the duty I was unable to accomplish when you were nowhere to be found."

"Forgive me, I had no idea," I blushed. "The Acceptance Letter took me straight to the dorm and poofed back into a piece of paper without telling me anything at all."

"Come," he said, holding out a hand. When I took it, that same electricity charged through me again. We walked together in silence, and the tension between us mounted along the way. Prefect Klaus made me so hot I thought I would burst, and I couldn't wait to get back to the dorm so I'd probably never have to see him again. He was way too intimidating!

At the gate, Prefect Klaus stopped and leaned casually against the fence while I stepped through the wrought iron entrance. His eyes darkened as they followed my movements, and I felt a hot blush creep all up my body as I turned to look at him once more.

"I hope you got everything that Miss Nile needed, Miss Hart," he said.

"Oh. I don't think you answered very many of the questions," I stammered nervously. He leaned over and snatched the list off the top of the folder, and I was so flustered I let him.

"Well, good luck then, Bunnyhead," he smirked. "Be sure to get some rest as soon as you can, since you've got classes starting tomorrow."

"Y-yes, I will," I said softly. "Thanks for walking me back."

The gate swung shut, so that I was watching him through the slats, as he bowed slightly and gazed into my eyes. "Elizabeth," he said huskily.

"Klaus!" I replied on a breathless whisper, and then I quickly turned to go.

Klaus walked away with a little smirk edging its way onto his face. I hurried back to the dorm, glad that I didn't have to deal with him again after this.