Practicum

Chief Yuta Elrod took a sip from his tea and glanced up from his notepad at the largely empty auditorium on a Tuesday afternoon. Four years ago, eager cadet faces had filled it. Twenty-six years ago, his face would have been amongst them. Neither leg had been shattered back then, and early retirement from the force to teach and run the Academy hadn’t been in his plans. Yuta sighed and struggled to stand in order to address the handful of cadets about to begin the last step towards their goal.

“Four years ago, you were told 25% of your classmates would be with you at time of graduation. We’re now down to 35% and I have to say I’m impressed and surprised at some of the faces that made it through,” the Chief said. “Over the next couple of months, that final 10%, or more, will be culled through the practicum.”

He fiddled with the computer for a few moments, cursing under his breath as he struggled with the foreign technology. But learning human technology was the reason why the Magical & Human Regulatory Academy had relocated from the shifter realm of Exury to Andosea. If they were to be efficient in every realm, they had to learn the way all races functioned.

“Aha!” he yelled triumphantly once he managed to get the computer to display on the monitor, making a few of the students chuckle. “The last four years have been all about general theory and historical cases from Fae, Human, Shifter and Angelic history. The fifth and last year is the practicum. Over the next six months, you will be doing a series of circuits in different branches of the legal systems in Andosea.”

He pointed to the screen where a list of all the legal departments were listed.

“Over the next few days, you are expected to provide us with a list of your top five departments. Depending on your scores and evaluations over the last four years, you will be signed up for one to three of those choices, along with some branches that we, as instructors, believe you to be suited for. I hope you have all sucked up to your professors enough over the last four years.”

Matilda, one of the students sitting in the auditorium, shifted her eyes to all the other instructors at the front of the stage and internally groaned. She had antagonized each of them at one point or another over the last four years. Miles, another student sitting to her left, snickered. She met his gaze and he gave her a knowing smirk. He’d been her best friend for the last twelve years and could guess what she was thinking.

“We will be posting your first circuit schedule at the start of next week and you will begin your practicums the week after. Have a good rest of your week and enjoy your week off. You’re in for a long year. Dismissed,” Professor Yuta said, and everyone started filing out of the auditorium.

Matilda remained in place for a few minutes longer, looking at her professors and trying to determine if any of them would give her the one practicum she wanted. She caught sight of Professor Akridge, who made eye contact and gave her a smug condescending smirk before he left the room.

“Fuck,” she moaned to Miles. “I have a feeling I won’t get any fun practicums.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have been such a bitch to your professors,” he laughed at her.

“Fuck off! I can’t help it that they’re old coots. Let’s go get a drink. I don’t think the next few months are going to be much fun for me.”

“It’s only ten in the morning and you’re a lightweight. Let’s go get lunch instead.”

“You’re always thinking about food.”

“I’m a werewolf, we need to replenish all the calories we burn.”

“Fine, let’s go get lunch, but you’re paying.” Matilda replied, rolling her eyes.

“You know this would be a lot easier if they would just send out a damn email,” Matilda complained as they sat down at a table in their favorite restaurant.

That was always her complaint. Why couldn’t these professors get with the 21st century, as the humans called it? Magic and technology didn’t mix well, but Andosea was the neutral zone. Magic was muted so why not send a damn email every once in a while. Especially considering the Academy gave every student free wifi.

“Not everyone has a computer or phone. You pretty much prostituted yourself to get one,” Miles reminded her.

“Someone is going to believe you one day, and I will kick you in the nuts when they do,” Matilda hissed, seeing a few heads turn to look at her with curious eyes.

“Can’t teach an old wolf new tricks” Miles countered, and then giggled at his own joke.

Matilda rolled her eyes at her best friend again. It was one of her favorite teasing expressions, which had never helped when dealing with her professors, the majority of whom were shifters.

“Aren’t you like thirty?” she teased.

“Twenty-nine!” he answered indignantly. “And you’re one to talk. You may look fifteen, but you’re like sixty-nine.”

“Har-har. I’m only sixty-one, thank you. Practically a baby for a fae so you can’t touch me with your old woman shit.”

“Fuck your genetics, woman,” Miles sighed.

Shifters lived long, but not as long as fae; a measly two hundred years compared to a fae’s five-hundred plus.

They ate and talked about the best options to provide Chief Yuta for their practicum, but both of them knew Matilda was only interested in one career. There was no backup in her mind. If they didn’t give her the practicum she wanted, it was almost guaranteed that she could kiss her dream career goodbye. If the Academy didn’t endorse you, there was no other ‘in’ with the Andosea Police Department.

She pulled out her phone and checked her email. Andosea was one of five realms. Or rather, Andosea was the connection between the four realms. It was considered a neutral zone. Technology from the human realm was spotty at times here, and the magic from the other realms was prohibited, so the police department was important to keep the peace. They only accepted the best, and Matilda wanted to be one of the best.

Any of the magical creatures that came here for work, layover, visit or to request refuge, was fitted with a magic dampening bracelet. Shifters couldn’t shift or access their shifter strength, fae and angels couldn’t access their wings. And no one, human, shifter, fae, angel or creature could access their magic. Humans also had to wear the bracelets, because while most didn’t possess any qualities that had to be dampened, some were able to see, access and wield the wild magic found around them. There was no surefire way to know which human had this access, so a law was passed that there would be no exceptions. Keeping Andosea neutral was the only way to keep the fragile balance of peace between the realms and the ruling council of magic took that responsibility seriously. The police department was an extension of said council.

Matilda was determined; had been since before she’d gotten her wings, when the police came knocking down her door, arresting her abusive father and saving her and her mother from the hell only that type of man could plunge a young family into. She had looked upon the rough, yet kind detectives like only a child finding their favorite superhero could. That view hadn’t lessened as the years passed, until her mother caved and allowed Matilda to pursue the career she wanted.

Being the daughter of a fae seamstress, Matilda struggled to get accepted into the academy. She argued the first time she was declined, that her mother’s profession, race and skill was an advantage. It allowed both of them to travel through the realms to those seeking her services and afforded Matilda with knowledge that many applicants from more prominent families didn’t have. Matilda knew more about the lower classes of the realms than most people applying, yet she was rejected from the program three times before she was finally allowed in. Whether someone changed their minds, or she had simply worn them down until they accepted, Matilda didn’t know. She didn’t care, either. She was just determined to do her best.

Except, just like she struggled to get in, Matilda struggled to stay in the academy. Her passion and enthusiasm had backfired and was misinterpreted as insubordination by most of her teachers. The zealous, impassionate way she asked questions came out as antagonistic and callous, occasionally humiliating the older teachers when they couldn’t answer a question to her satisfaction.

Over the last four years, most had secretly looked for a reason to expel her and were annoyed to find her sitting among the group going into the practicum. Despite her flaws, Matilda was bright and studious. She had given them no reason to kick her out, and some of the professors were disappointed to find out that asking too many questions was not a valid reason for expulsion.

The week went by fast. Matilda tried to suck up to her teachers as much as possible, but could see that they were not buying her sudden approval of their teaching techniques.

Very soon, it was Friday. In three more days, Matilda and Miles would make their way to the main building and wait anxiously along with the rest of the remaining fifth years for their practicum.

Miles and Matilda went to a cafe after their last class to take their minds off their upcoming, life-changing decision that was out of their hands. Or at least they tried to take their minds off. They kept wondering if the decisions had been made and if they’d gotten their number one pick.

“Are we going to your brother’s Alpha ceremony tomorrow?” Matilda asked as they waited to get their coffee.

Miles was the sixth son of an Alpha, and his oldest brother just found his fated mate and was about to take over for his father. At the mention of the ceremony, Miles grimaced.

“If you’re still willing to go. There’s a lot of shit going on in Exury with the dragons over the last month. It might get a little dicey.”

“Still? I thought they finally found some replacement queen until the next mark bearer was born.”

The dragon shifters needed to be ruled by a woman chosen by the gods, recognized by a mark on her shoulder. However, about fifteen years ago, the queen died after an uprising, and they’d yet to find the next mark bearer. Their entire kingdom had been in chaos since. Even the Andosea government tried to keep out of the conflict, knowing true peace wouldn’t come until the next queen took power.

“Yes, well the replacement queen is dead... again.”

“What’s that like the fifth?”

“Eighth, but who’s counting?”

“Well, I’m up for it if you still need a date.”

“Goddess! Yes, please. I’m tired of bringing dates to these things, and them thinking we’re getting serious or my mother asking if I’m taking a chosen mate.”

Matilda rolled her eyes at her manwhore of a friend. The man fucked anything willing, though Matilda knew deep down that he longed for his mate.

Werewolves could find their mates at eighteen, but over the last three generations, it was taking them longer and longer to be able to find them. In their twenties and thirties, Miles and most of his siblings should have already found their mates and popped out a few pups, but only one other of his siblings and now his eldest, had found their mates.

Meanwhile, Matilda had no interest in looking for a mate. Faes had them, but it required a few steps to find them. It wasn’t your one-look-and-bam method like the shifters, unless you were mated to a shifter. Matilda was more than happy to wait a while longer before she decided to start on that journey.

First comes work, then comes love was her theme song. It wasn’t like she didn’t date. She just wasn’t thinking long-term when she did.

The following day, Matilda and Miles finally managed to stop worrying about the practicum as they made their way toward Miles’ pack. There were recent scorch marks scattered throughout the lush vegetation and forests of Exury, making them aware there might be a fight happening above their heads.

They made it to the pack safe and early, so Miles could be properly groomed for the ceremony. Meanwhile, Matilda roamed the pack house freely, making small talk with the wolves she’d known for years.

“Matilda. Great to see you, dear!” Miles’ father, Gordon Vilkas, walked down the flight of stairs toward her.

Like most alpha wolves, Gordon was tall, broad-shouldered, and incredibly handsome, even in his mid-sixties. His light salt and pepper hair and beard only added to the man’s allure. His wolf genes made his body appear more like a fit, mid-thirties fitness model than an old man. Matilda had gone through a daddy phase ten years ago thanks to this man. One that had ended in disaster, and for Matilda, that was saying something.

“Alpha Gordon,” Matilda acknowledged the man respectfully with a bow of her head.

“I heard you made it to the practicum round of your training.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, I’m glad. Miles needed someone to lead him through the whole damn thing, or he would have crashed and burned long ago,” Gordon chuckled.

Irritation swept through Matilda, and she was glad she’d kept her wings tucked inside her body because they would have belayed her annoyance at the man’s comment. Being one of eight, it would take saving the world for Gordon to be impressed with his sixth son.

“Actually, I probably wouldn’t have made it without Miles. He keeps me from putting my foot in my mouth.”

“He does know how to smooth things over, that’s for sure. I’m still hoping he comes home and helps his brother with his alliances. Matthias is still a bit of a hot head.”

“I’m sure wherever he ends up, Miles will climb the ladder quickly,” Matilda stated diplomatically.

Unlike here, where all he’ll ever be is his brother’s bitch, is what she thought.

“Yes, well, he is my son,” Alpha Gordon puffed out his chest, as if he had much to do with Miles’ upbringing.

This wasn’t the first alpha ceremony Matilda had witnessed. Though fae were hardly ever invited, Matilda’s mother had been commissioned for several luna dresses through the years, and as part of the contracted staff, they’d been allowed to stay for the celebration.

I have to give it to the wolves. They certainly know how to party. That was the last coherent thought Matilda had before she drank another glass of werewine. Miles had already ditched her long ago to go after a pair of twin tails and she’d lost track of how much she drank.

It was eight.

Matilda drank eight glasses of the highest alcohol content drink known to the realms that night. That would have been enough alcohol to drop three fae of Matilda’s size to the floor.