Corbin Read online

  “How?”

  “Are you daft? Lord, I didn’t think Al’s grandson could possibly be so dense.”

  “Very brave words from someone I could throw like a baseball.”

  Florin shook his head. “Look, Corbin. You need to do whatever you can to keep that girl close to you and away from problems. You're not a bad-looking chap. I mean…do whatever you have to.”

  “Not like that.”

  “You want her dead?”

  “No. But I’m not going to manipulate her either.”

  “Oh, yes you are. You will lie to her until you are told otherwise. You know nothing about that girl, remember? You’re just as new here as she is. Two strangers in this strange world. Now, put me down.”

  I stopped and set Florin on the ground.

  “Go on,” he said, motioning to the building. “We’ll contact you soon,” he said, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

  “This way, students. This way,” called a woman wearing an orange-and-purple uniform standing on stilts just outside the entrance to the building. “In you go. Orientation is about to begin. Enter, please.”

  I scanned the crowd. No sign of Lacey.

  “This way. New students, this way to court. Existing students, please proceed to the galleries and sit with your chambers. Guests, in the balconies behind the chambers,” the university attendant called.

  Sighing, I turned and headed into the building.

  Time for orientation.

  13

  Welcome to the Academy

  Once inside, the crowd dispersed. I moved with the other new students to the center of the rotunda. Before us, on a high platform, was a podium. Everyone was talking, looking around the room. In the seats in the galleries, the students chatted and eyed over the crowd.

  I hated being new, feeling like I was on display. I felt eyes on me. I’d been so caught up in trying to understand what was happening and worrying about Lacey, that I hadn’t even thought about the fact that I was here to attend college. Magic school. What. The. Hell. Hank didn’t actually expect me to study, did he? I mean, what in the hell kind of degree did you get from a place like this? I wasn’t stupid, but I had never really found my calling. I could do the schoolwork the nuns wanted me to do, but I just didn’t want to. Things came naturally to me. I frustrated the sisters to no end by falling asleep in class and never taking a note. It was all just so dull. All you had to do was read and listen. Not hard.

  I quickly eyed the others around me. A group of girls not far away was looking me over. They were already in their academy uniforms. Granted, the uniforms were not hard to look at, but that wasn’t why I was there. I caught the words tattoos and hot from their low chatter. I met one of the girl’s eyes. She was pretty enough with auburn brown hair and big, brown eyes. She beamed a smile at me.

  I inclined my head then turned away.

  Not today, Satan. I already had enough trouble.

  I scanned the room once more, trying to avoid looking at the flirty girl again. But then, through the crowd, I spotted strands of gold.

  My heart leaped to my throat.

  She was standing not far from the girl with auburn-colored hair.

  Lacey.

  She had a confused and frustrated expression on her face. It looked like they’d simply yanked her from Overthere. She was dressed in jeans that were ripped at the knees and a Batman T-shirt. A suitcase sat by her feet. Was she was wearing fluffy unicorn slippers? Oh, good lord. Really, Natter?

  She was here.

  She was fine.

  But she looked paled and tired. Why did she look pale and tired?

  Lacey.

  She turned then and looked back at me, her eyes meeting mine.

  Quieting the squirming sensation in my stomach, I forced myself to play it cool. I gave her a warm half-smile, inclined my chin, then looked back toward the front.

  Nothing worse than getting caught staring at someone.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her turn back. I glanced her way again, only to see her trip and fall into another student. I moved toward her, but then the boy she bumped into helped her right herself. The auburn-haired girl said something to Lacey that made her frown, but the boy who’d helped her—why was he still holding on to her, she was fine—retorted back to the flirty girl.

  Relax, Corbin. She’s fine.

  I frowned at the scene. Why was he still holding on to her? Who in the hell was he, anyway?

  I turned to the guy beside me. He was already in uniform, a Spade pin on his lapel. “Hey, mate, who’s that guy?” I asked.

  The other student eyed me over. “You from Overthere?”

  I nodded.

  He followed my gaze. “Him? In the red and black?”

  I nodded.

  “Oh, yeah. He draws a crowd everywhere he goes. That’s Aden Cerise,” the boy replied. “Future King of Wonderland, son of Hearts. That’s his sister, Amber, beside him. Twins.”

  “What chamber did you get?” the guy asked me.

  I gestured to his lapel. “Spades. Like you.”

  He nodded, then stuck out his hand. “Lucas.”

  “Corbin.”

  “Welcome to Wonderland, Corbin. Just a small piece of advice. Stay away from Hearts if you want to keep your head.”

  “Thanks.”

  He nodded.

  A moment later, a woman climbed the steps to the podium. She wore orange and purple like the other academy attendants, but her hair was rainbow-colored. She smiled at the crowd.

  “Good afternoon, Wonderland Academy. May I have silence in the chamber?”

  In the seats above us, the audience gabbed on. The rest of the students around me, however, grew silent.

  “I said mute,” the woman at the podium said. She pulled out a TV remote and waved it at the crowd, who fell silent. That was a neat trick.

  “Welcome, new students. I am Vice President Whistle. We at Wonderland Academy are delighted to have you join our esteemed ranks. When you arrived at the Academy today, the Hall of Doors selected your school chamber. For those of you from Overthere who are making your first visit to Wonderland today, please be aware that any confusion you might be feeling will soon pass. Once all students are seated with their chambers, we will commence with orientation. Students, please take out your keys and lift them over your heads.

  I pulled out the key Florin had given me. A nervous feeling rocked my stomach. This was not the key I was supposed to be using. That other key was hidden away in my backpack. This was the moment when things could go terribly wrong. Regardless, I raised the counterfeit key above my head.

  “Very good,” Vice President Whistle called. She scanned the room, nodding as she made sure we had all complied. “Students, please raise your keys. Raise them high. Let’s get everyone seated. On the count of three. One, two, three,” she said, then twirled her remote once more. A moment later, a weird shimmer passed over the room.

  Then, I felt it. A draft of air whooshed across the floor. Suddenly, thousands of small bubbles appeared from below our feet and lifted us into the air.

  Around me, the other students were laughing as the bubbles picked us up and began maneuvering us toward the benches at the front of the room.

  I felt instantly irritated. What was the point of all this? Couldn’t we just be directed to our seats? This wasn’t logical.

  Around me, some of the students tumbled toward their seats, the bubbles dropping them indecorously onto the benches. The whole thing was ludicrous and humiliating. I floated along, landing with a thud as the magical bubbles dropped me onto the benches seated near the banner for Spades Chambers.

  As the bubbles cleared, I looked for around for Lacey. I thought for sure she’d be in Spades too. But she wasn’t there. Looking around the room, I spotted her seated with four other students, including a girl with very pink hair, under the banner for Rose Chambers.

  She’d come through that little door.

  How in the hell had she come th
rough the little door?

  She must have felt me looking at her then, because she turned and looked my way.

  Feeling like a creeper, I looked back before I met her glance.

  Staring at her was only going to scare her. I needed to find another way.

  Everyone settled in, the students whispering to one another. Lucas had been dropped to my left, a girl with very black hair with blue highlights and even blacker eyeliner on my right. I glanced at her. She was wearing jeans and a ripped and faded The Pixies T-shirt. She had a nose ring and was wearing about a thousand silver rings. Definitely not from Wonderland.

  “Nice ink,” she said, motioning to the tattoos on my arm. “Is that Mario?” the girl asked with a half-laugh. “I love that game. Nice.”

  I looked down at my forearm. On my left arm, I’d had the artist ink in the game character. While Hank thought he’d had to convince me that I had a job to do, I’d never forgotten Granny Al’s story. Like Mario, I had a princess to keep safe. Hidden under my sleeve on my upper arm was Princess Peach in her tower.

  “Thanks,” I told the girl.

  “I’m Nova,” the girl told me.

  “Corbin.”

  “Corbin…where you from?”

  “Ireland.”

  “I am from nowhere, Montana. But, apparently, I’ve been recruited to magic school. Somebody get me a butterbeer.”

  I huffed a laugh.

  “What’s butterbeer?” Lucas asked.

  “This is Lucas,” I told Nova.

  “Hey,” Lucas said, giving her a nod.

  At that moment, I felt like something had yanked hard on my heart. Without thinking, I turned and looked back toward Lacey in time to see her look away. She had been looking at me.

  “What happens now?” Nova asked Lucas.

  “The orientation will start,” Lucas said then pointed to the academy vice president once more.

  “Students,” the vice president called. Was her hair purple? Hadn’t it been rainbow-colored a minute ago? “You are all very welcome at Wonderland Academy. I’m sure I will get to know all of you in no time. Today, however, we will begin with a brief orientation. Afterward, you will meet with your academic advisors and begin your educational journey. Wonderland Academy is the home of the elite. Only the best students are offered admission to this academy. Through our rigorous selection process, we have determined that you possess the most talent, intellect, creativity, magical aptitude, and moxie to be a student at this institution. Those of you from Overthere have joined a world like none other. As you acclimate to Wonderland—and Wonderland Academy—you will come to see how truly blessed you are to walk our hallowed halls. But for now, we shall begin the orientation. Students, please place your bags between your feet and stow any loose items you might be holding.”

  I looked at Nova, who shrugged, and then set my backpack between my feet.

  “Very good. Now, arms up. Attendants, please give them a check,” the vice president called.

  “What the bloody hell is this?” I asked.

  “The orientation carousel,” Lucas explained.

  Nova laughed. “It’s like a ride. Look,” she said, pointing.

  I watched as the other students’ seats started shifting. The platform underneath us shuddered, and row by row, the bars in front of us lowered. Doors under the platforms slid up, boxing the students in. What had looked like a row of benches suddenly became a car in what appeared to be a carnival ride.

  On the far left wall, a curtain swung back to reveal a track for the carts.

  “You will now begin the orientation process,” Vice President Whistle called. “Good luck.”

  I watched as Lacey’s cart turned toward the opening that had been hidden behind the drape.

  “Students, please stay seated until your orientation is complete. For your safety, once the orientation begins, do not extend your arms, hands, or legs beyond your seat. No flash photography permitted. Enjoy your orientation,” the vice president called.

  “In other words, buckle up your seatbelt, Dorothy, ’cause Kansas is going bye-bye,” Nova said with a laugh.

  A moment later, the platform under our seats shuddered.

  I held onto the bar in front of me.

  What the hell was happening now?

  14

  A History Lesson, Wonderland Style

  As our cart left the main orientation room and turned to follow the track, I looked back into the hall. The parents and other students were already departing. As they went, I spotted a familiar face. Seated at the very top of the galley was Hank. He was talking to some others who were dressed in robes that looked like graduation gowns—apparently, they were other teachers or Academy officials.

  He must have felt my eyes on him because he looked my way.

  Giving me the briefest of nods, he turned back to his colleagues.

  The cart shuddered then pulled us forward on the track. Ahead of Spades, I spotted the cart for Diamonds. They stopped down the track not far from us. They were watching something. I could hear the sound of a recorded voice, but I couldn’t make out the words.

  A trumpet sounded, and our cart turned to face a screen. Music played, and the Wonderland Academy crest appeared on the screen. A moment later, the image faded to reveal a man wearing a plum-colored suit and black-rimmed glasses sitting at a desk.

  He cleared his throat, then began. “Welcome to Wonderland Academy. I am Bartholomew Snark, President of Wonderland Academy. We are delighted to have you begin your education at our esteemed institution. At Wonderland Academy, you will learn skills to help you become leaders in the Wonderland community. Achieving entrance into Wonderland Academy is an honor bestowed on the select few, both from Wonderland and from our sister realm, Overthere. Those of you from Overthere might be feeling a little confused right now,” the man said.

  He got up then and went and sat on the corner of this desk.

  “Let me assure you, Wonderland is very real. In the 1800s, a man named Charles Dodgson—you will know him better as Lewis Carroll—our world and returned to Overthere with tales of Wonderland. But he was not the first visitor here. People from Overthere have lived in Wonderland since the beginning of memory. In Wonderland, magic is a part of our daily lives. Students from both Overthere and Wonderland are here to refine their skills in magic, learn, and become experts in their chosen vocations. Now, let’s get started,” he said, and with the snap of his fingers, he disappeared.

  Our cart shook again, and we turned and rolled toward the next station.

  “Maybe if all my education took place on a carnival ride, I would have paid more attention in school,” Nova whispered.

  The cart halted before a scene that depicted a meeting table. The lights grew bright, and the president appeared once more.

  “As new students, you might be wondering about the history of our fine institution. More than three hundred years ago, the Kingdoms of Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades, Roses, and Stars joined together in a cooperative spirit to form a singular, elite academy of magic,” the founder said then waved his hand toward the table.

  Holograms of the Kings and Queens of Wonderland appeared at the table.

  “Only the finest students are admitted to Wonderland Academy. That includes you,” President Snark said then went and stood behind the King of Stars. “But the construction of the Academy, a common endeavor, was the last time the kingdoms were truly at peace.” The lights turned off.

  The cart moved to the next scene. This time, the president was in a hot air balloon.

  “Come with me, students,” he said.

  The ride lurched forward.

  “Ugh,” Lucas groaned.

  I felt a strange sensation. A wave of magic rolled over me. Our cart and the president’s balloon soared into the air, giving the effect we were flying.

  “Wonderland. A peaceful realm until the Kingdom of Stars rebelled. War ensued. Many perished in the Kingdom of Star’s pursuit of power. Even Wonderland Academy fail
ed to remain unscathed.”

  I looked over the edge of the cart. Either a hologram or some kind of magical recreation of a battle was taking place below. It took me a moment to realize that we were flying over the grounds of the Academy—which were under siege. The armies of Hearts and Stars battled one another.

  “Seeking dominance over the other kingdoms, the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Stars consulted the Caterpillar, searching for the perfect weapon to use in their war. They found it. An unmatched magic user from Overthere, Alice the Merciless, led the Kingdom of Stars in a war against the other kingdoms of Wonderland.”

  I felt the heat as fire blasted around me.

  “Whoa,” Nova whispered.

  A moment later, there she was. Flying on the back of a dragon, her wild tangle of blonde hair floating around her, was Granny Al.

  Alice the Merciless.

  My grandmother, the dragon-riding badass, flew by, an army behind her. While her words were muted, I watched as the young version of my grandmother shouted to the others. The dragon riders turned, their beasts blasting fire on the armies of the Kingdom of Hearts.

  “It looked like the end of everything we knew. But the Kingdom of Hearts rallied. The Queen of Hearts led her armies into battle,” the president said.

  Frowning, I looked over the edge once more. A woman in red riding a chariot advanced, siege machines made of clockwork, steel, and magic shooting bolts toward the sky. Magic users cast spells at one another below. And all around the Red Queen, automatons, nearly five times the size of a man, swung massive mallets, smashing their way through the White Army.

  “And at last, the Kingdom of Stars was defeated. Wonderland Academy, and Wonderland herself, was saved,” the president said.

  “Yeah, that’s not quite how my grandpa remembers it,” Lucas whispered under his breath.

  “It sure as hell isn’t what Carroll wrote,” Nova said.

  I stared at the image in front of me. On the back of a dragon, the young version of my grandmother studied the ground. She watched as the Queen of Heart’s army smashed that of the Kingdom of Stars. Many would look at Al and see the fierceness in her expression, the anger and determination on her face. But I knew my gran. I saw the lines around her mouth and the flex of her brow. She was worried. Sad, even. A hint of panic lit up her eyes.