Ex Nihilo Academy Read Online Free

my eyes to look at. It is imposing and seems to stretch upward into oblivion and is so unlike my
     old school with its open air courtyards, potted palm trees and floor to ceiling glass windows that I am at a loss for words. Another thing strikes me at the same time; there is no one outside. No students on the grass or strolling in
     through the doors.
    “Am I late?” I say out loud to myself. I never wear a watch but I would assume the boatman has instructions to deliver me on time. I push through the heavy wooden doors into the main hall where I find someone waiting
     for me.
    “You must be Lily.” He raises his eyebrows and I nod. “Welcome to Ex Nihilo Academy. I’m Tristan Powers, your tour guide for the day.” He winks and I notice that his eyes are a startling shade of emerald. He
     is only a head taller than me but he’s built like a football player - stocky and thick.
    “You don’t have an accent.” I say.
    “Is that a question?” He runs a hand through his closely-cropped sandy blond hair. “I’m from Ohio so no, I don’t have an accent.
     I do however have strict orders to take you straight to the headmaster so she can introduce herself. Though if it were up to me I’d turn you around and take you into town for pizza to save you from all of this craziness.” His dimples
     cave in when he smiles and I instantly feel a kinship with him. Maybe it’s the American thing but more than that it seems like he’s going out of his way to make me feel comfortable.
    “Then lead on tour guide.” I smile back. He takes me down a
     long wide hall, pointing out rooms to the left and the right. I doubt I’ll remember much of what he is saying because all I am thinking about is the headmaster. The letter mentioned that she would be the one with all of the answers.
    She is seated behind a massive desk that’s been carved out of a solid piece of wood. The rest of the office is totally bare; the stark white walls in sharp contrast to the polished concrete floor. The only decoration in the room is a strange-looking picture of a bunch of stone bodies
     that look like they are trapped under water.
    “It’s a rendition of Fredrick Hart’s Ex Nihilo sculpture. Ex Nihilo is the Latin for ‘out of nothing’. Do you know what the motto of Ex
     Nihilo Academy is?” She asks, raising her severe-looking eyebrows at me. Her black hair is wound into a tight bun that pulls back her eyes and stretches out the deep lines etched into her face. She is pale, with watery eyes that scrutinize me as I take the seat in front of her desk.
    “Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t even know that this academy existed.” I answer honestly.
    “Nosce Te Ipsum. Do you speak any Latin?” She asks and I shake my head no. I’m quickly getting frustrated because it feels like she’s
     baiting me. “Then I suggest you learn it quickly.” I suddenly wish Tristan was with me but he was told to wait in the hall. “It means ‘know thyself’ which could not be a truer statement for the gifted students of this school. And by
     ‘gifted’ I don’t mean skilled at tennis or excellent at calculus, though those may be accurate as well. This is an academy for the supernatural races.” Her eyes bore into mine, daring me to speak.
    “Supernaturals.” I say flatly and she gives me a patronizing
     smile.
    “There are five supernatural races that have existed since the dawn of time and who live undetected among humans. They are fairies, witches, vampires, werewolves and trolls. This school has existed for hundreds
     of years with the goal of helping our young supernatural’s understand themselves. We teach students how to harness their powers and how to wield them in a mature and responsible way. In addition to standard curriculum like
     sciences and humanities we teach supernatural curriculum. We have a stellar reputation internationally and many of our students continue on to Ivy League universities.” I grip the arms of my chair to keep