Blood Haven: Year One: A Mayhem of Magic World Story

by Nicole Zoltack

  Tyra and I say farewell to Sandra, and we walk lazily to our castle. Once we arrive, I yawn and stretch.

  “You’re really going to sleep?” Tyra asks skeptically.

  “Aren’t you tired?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Then why didn’t you stay with Sandra and catch up on the latest gossip more?”

  She just eyes me.

  Not even a little bit annoyed, I sigh. Tyra's just looking out for me, and I can't blame her for that. If I were in her position, I would think she's crazy and not smart at all.

  “You don’t trust me,” I murmur.

  “The guards? The professors? Which one caught you?”

  I scowl. “I… Professor Marius.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Are you punished?”

  “For what? We talked about the history of vampires. Did you know about Ambrogio and Selene? What do you think happened to her? Do you think she became a vampire?”

  “Of course she did. No one can turn into the moon. That’s ridiculous.”

  “Witches can do some incredibly powerful things. Demons and angels too.”

  “What’s next? You’re going to fall in love with a witch?”

  I stiffen and march up to my room.

  Tyra follows. “I’m sorry.”

  “I know you’re just worried about me. I understand, although I do wish you would trust me.”

  “You don’t plan on sleeping, though, do you?”

  I hesitate and then shake my head and reach for my tablet. “I need to start studying and working on some projects. I’m so far behind.”

  Tyra grimaces. “Do you have to be such a conscientious student all the time? You’re making me look bad.”

  Giggling, I cross over and plop onto my bed. “If you want, you can get some work done in here.”

  “You’re serious.”

  “Yes.”

  She blinks a few times and huffs a sigh. “Fine.”

  In a single blink, she’s sitting at the foot of my bed, her tablet now in her hand. “Are you going to mind if I try to generate fog in here?”

  “No.”

  “You sure? Because lately, I’ve been able to a little. It’s not easy,” she warns. “If you have it next year, you’ll see what I mean.”

  I shrug. “Go for it.”

  While Tyra attempts to generate fog, I'm not actually studying, not really. Instead, I log into supes.com, the supernatural internet the humans don't know exists. I'm on the hunt for Julian's phone number. I might not be able to call him, but I could text him. Or even email if I can find that.

  So far, though, I’m having as much luck as Tyra’s having with her fog.

  Meaning we’re both failing miserably.

  Tyra throws up her hand. “Do you know that some of the most powerful vampires ever alive were able to turn themselves into fog? They didn’t just generate it. They became it.”

  “Those vampires were alive?” I murmur distractedly. Hmm. Maybe I can see if Moonstone Academy has a student directory available online.

  “Oh. I’m not sure actually,” Tyra says. “My guess is not because they would have the blood of whatever their non-vampire parent is. Do you think other paranormal beings can generate fog?”

  "Witches maybe," I murmur as I go to the main website of Moonstone Academy. The picture of humans and wolves all over the place is a bit jarring. The realization bothers me. I shouldn't react to the sight of werewolves like that. Maybe the hatred is ingrained partially, but that doesn't mean we can't rise above it. Both vampires and werewolves have overcome and can now control so much of our curses that there's no reason why we have to give in to violent tendencies toward each other.

  “I suppose. Maybe fairies. Fog is water and nature and all of that.” She waves her hand airily.

  “Vampires and nature,” I say with a grin.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “I just like the idea of nature and vampires.”

  “Why?”

  I clench my jaw. “My father said that vampires are inhuman and inhumane, and that just makes me think we aren’t compatible with nature.”

  “That’s not true at all. If that was the case, nature would rise up against us, and we would all die. It’s not as if nature created werewolves specifically to hunt and kill us all.”

  I shudder.

  "A terrible thought, I know." She leans forward to pat my knee. "When will you see Constantine so you can make good on your promise to your mother and me?"

  Shocked by the sudden change in topic, I blow out a breath. “Maybe tomorrow?”

  “Why is that a question?”

  “Maybe because I really do need to study and get caught up on my work.”

  “I’m sure your grades are just fine.” She rolls her eyes dramatically.

  Quickly, I open a new window and pull up my grades. With a scowl, I skim them before motioning for Tyra to come over.

  “Oh…” she murmurs. She breathes out a low whistle.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, if it’s any consolation…” She clicks on her tablet a few times and then shows me her grades.

  Hers are worse but only just barely. I’m on the verge of failing Blood Magic and Wallcrawling, which is actually a lot harder than it sounds because it’s not a matter of speed so much as a matter of forcing gravity to ignore you. It’s one step away from floating, levitating, and then flying.

  Conversion isn't that high either, but that's mostly because I need to turn in a project I still haven't finished yet. As for Weapon Training… A lot of vampires hate that class because we aren't allowed to use our fangs, claws, or out super speed. It's ridiculous. We would use all of those in a real fight, so shouldn't we train with them? But in case magic is used against us or we're poisoned, we need to be prepared just in case we might become as weak as a human even though any poison shouldn't affect us long. As for magic, well, even spells don't necessarily work well on us or last that long.

  “I’ll leave you to get work done,” Tyra says. “I know… Yeah.”

  My cousin leaves without a word, and my heart hangs heavy. She knows as well as I do that my parents will not be pleased by these marks, not at all. They’ll try to use my poor grades as an excuse to force me to quit the academy, and I won’t stand for that. I’ll just have to bring up my grades before they realize how much I’ve been slacking.

  Which means that I should be a good little student and actually get to work. I’ll find Julian’s number or his email later. The student directory on Moonstone Academy’s website isn’t helpful anyhow. All it does is list the student and their year.

  Not even five minutes into working, and I do mean serious work, my phone chimes with a text.

  I pick up my phone. An unrecognized number flashes. Curious, I unlock my phone.

  Julian here. I didn’t realize vampires were thieves.

  Chapter 17

  Julian

  It’s been far too long since I last spoke to Romelia, and I have been slowly going out of my mind. Bermon and Mercy hover by my side constantly, and the rumors about vampires coming to attack the academy and then instead attacking humans, slaughtering them… Well, let’s just say that every werewolf is on high alert. Our hackles have been collectively raised.

  Mercy, of course, tries to paint a picture that the vampires are all evil, vile abomination against nature itself, and I just let her talk. Maybe it's wrong to allow her to think that she's changing my mind, but she's failing. Nothing she can say will get me to believe that Romelia is capable of such devastation. Are some vampires evil? Yes, but numerous werewolves are locked away in Magical Prison, and many more have to be executed for crimes against either supernaturals or the humans.

  Neither side is blameless, so why should I condemn either?

  The fact that Romelia hasn’t contacted me in any way does not alarm me, but I do not think I can take another day of this distance. It’s reckless and dangerous, maybe even stu
pid, but I slip off campus of Moonstone Academy and head toward Blood Haven.

  The sight of a guard patrolling makes me pause, and I inhale deeply. There are multiple guards all along the perimeter, and I slowly make my way back to my room.

  I’m not sure why I inhale as deeply as I had outside in my room, but her faint scent—incense and flowers—captures me entirely. My nose leads me to the clothes I wore to the ball, and that’s when I realize something is missing.

  One of the cufflinks my father gave me.

  “Julian, when you meet the woman of your dreams, you will want to look sharp. You need to dress to impress,” he said.

  “Because we’re peacocks and need to have colorful plumage,” I joked.

  "You jest, but there's truth in it. First impressions can make or break a relationship. Trust matters so much, and I'm trusting you with these."

  He placed the gold cufflinks in my hands.

  “I wore them when I met your mother,” he said, a softness lightening the darkness of his eyes. His are brown, almost black, but mine are like Mom’s, a light green color.

  “And they’re valuable.”

  Dad made a scoffing sound. "Because they're made of gold? No. That doesn't matter. What matters is their sentimental value. What lies in the heart is what matters most, and the right woman will help you believe that. The right woman will change you."

  “Shouldn’t she love me for who I am?”

  “Of course, but love, true love, will change both parties. That is the nature of love. Together, you’re stronger. Your love will reshape you. Oh, and be certain to learn how to say, ‘Yes, Dear,’ without a hint of sarcasm.”

  We both laughed, and I smile at the memory. My parents might yell at us at times, scold us, even nip or swat at us, but they do so out of love. I feel terrible that Romelia doesn’t have the same close relationship with her parents.

  My fingers brush along my clothes, running along down the sleeve and catching against the cufflink. I left them in, but whereas there should be two, one is gone.

  Missing.

  Taken not stolen.

  My smile widens as I cross over to my phone. It doesn't take me long to do some digging, and I locate her number. As much as I long to hear her voice, I know that chances are she's not alone, so I opt to text her.

  Julian here. I didn’t realize vampires were thieves.

  Almost immediately, she sends back a reply. It’s not thievery if there’s intent to return said item.

  Then why haven’t you? I ask.

  I’ve been…

  Delayed.

  I hate that she sends two texts for that. It highlights that her will isn’t her own, that she can’t do what she wants.

  I tried to, but there’s a complication.

  The guards? I ask.

  How do you know about them?

  I wanted to see you, but I didn’t risk going past them.

  Don’t!

  I know. Trouble in vamp land.

  For the first time, there’s a slight delay before she sends her next text. Yes.

  Then she sends another one. Can’t you come and save me, Mr. Hero?

  A chuckle bursts forth. Can’t you save yourself?

  Under normal circumstances, yes.

  But all of this is not normal. I hesitate and then add, In a good way.

  For us at least.

  I like the sound of “us.”

  I do too. No one else will.

  Oh, I know. I can't stop smiling, though.

  My parents… My father especially…

  They don’t need to know yet.

  Yet?

  My heart skips a beat. I want Romelia to always be a part of my life. I don't want to sneak around in the shadows and cling to vines for the chance to talk to her. Shadows aren't where she should be hiding. The entire world will one day know about us.

  Don’t you want to be I start to text and then erase it. We belong to— I erase that too. Finally, I settle on, Yet.

  You’re a brave man, Mr. Hero. Or is that foolish?

  You tell me, Vampire Champion.

  I don’t think I like that name for me.

  No? I’ll think of a better one, but I might need some time.

  That’s what I need.

  All I send her is a question mark because I’m not certain what she means.

  Time. It’s what we both need. Then we can let the world know.

  I’m going to hold you to that, I warn her.

  I am a lady of my word.

  Going to make a blood oath?

  She doesn’t respond.

  It was a joke, I add, feeling foolish. I didn’t mean to upset you.

  Vampires don’t make blood oaths.

  No?

  We can’t.

  But you can make vows.

  Obviously. My mother’s married.

  I stare and stare and stare at that word. Married.

  Do you know about King Lycaon? she texts.

  Of course.

  What about Ambrogio and Selene?

  Yes.

  You know about the first vampires?

  Yes. I grin. Somehow, even her text sounds indignant. What do they teach you at your academy?

  Not history, not the first year anyway. Do you think Selene became a vampire or the moon?

  I consider and then type, I’ve never really thought about it before.

  Well, think about it now.

  So I do think, and it’s easy enough to come up with an answer if you want to be logical, but that’s the fun in that?

  The moon.

  Why the moon? she asks.

  If she's the moon, she can look down on all of her children, all of the other vampires. And if she's the moon, she holds a measure of control over the werewolves too.

  You just want a connection, she accuses.

  Is that so wrong?

  No, not at all.

  You think she became a vampire, I guess.

  I wanted them to be together.

  Of course, and they were. Despite everything, they were. Just like we will be.

  You really are going to have cavities in your canines, she teases.

  There are worst things in life.

  We end up texting until the sun is starting to rise. I'm not exhausted one bit, but I also don't pay much attention during my classes. Whenever I get a spare moment, I text her, sharing stories about my past or a tale about my siblings. I wish we could talk, and maybe one day, she'll be willing to risk a phone call, but I won't push for it. I'll take what I can get.

  So we talk via text, and we wait for things to start to settle. It’s hard, so very hard. I’m desperate to see her again. Not to acquire my missing cufflink. I just want to see her, to be in the same room as her, or to go for a walk. To dance. Maybe I would even sing to her. I've never sung much before, but something about her makes my heart so very light that I'm willing to do almost anything to make her smile.

  Days turn into weeks into two months. Have things settled at all? Not nearly. The werewolves snap and bite at each other. The moon is almost full, and that is when we’re at our most powerful. If they’re going to strike, the time would be then, but I don’t know if there are any such plans. I hope not.

  “You’re always on that phone,” Bermon muses as he knocks on my bedroom door.

  “I have a lot of work to do.”

  “Work you aren’t doing,” Bermon says with a snort.

  I open my mouth, reconsider lying, and shrug. “What can I say? I have a lot to do outside of schoolwork.”

  “You mean you’re talking to that girl you met.”

  I blink a few times.

  “You talk in your sleep sometimes,” Bermon grumbles. “Besides, Mercy isn’t exactly someone to keep secrets. Were you ever going to tell me about her?”

  I gape at him.

  “You met a girl at the ball, didn’t you? That’s why you don’t care about Bellanore anymore. You don’t care about anyone anymore except for her.”

 
“That’s not true,” I protest. “And I’ve been talking in my sleep? Since when?”

  “Mercy didn’t tell me her name,” Bermon says a bit grimly, “but it’s Romelia, isn’t it?”

  Dumbfounded, I nod.

  “You know what she is, don’t you?”

  “I know who she is,” I shoot back, lifting my chin and narrowing my eyes. “I know.”

  “She’s a—”

  “Yes, and that doesn’t matter to me.”

  Bermon slowly shuts the door behind him. “Just how serious are you two?”

  “Very.”

  “And she knows what you are?”

  “I’m more than just a werewolf. Of course she knows who I am. She found out that night.”

  "You stayed around on their campus after the potion wore off?" Bermon mumbles a curse. "I knew we shouldn't have left until we found you, but the smell of all the vampires, the blood they were drinking… It made Mercy and me queasy. How can you stand it?"

  “The oldest werewolves used to drink blood and eat human flesh, or did you forget that?” I ask dryly.

  “We’ve evolved since then.”

  “Vampires aren’t the bloodthirsty monsters—”

  “No?” he asks, lifting his eyebrows.

  “Not all of them,” I mumble as I look away.

  Bermon just stares down at me as I sit on my bed. He remains standing as he crosses his arms.

  “Go on. You have advice for me.”

  “Unwanted, I’m sure.” Bermon shakes his head, smiling slightly even as he sighs. “You’re happy. I want you to be happy. That’s why I haven’t approached you until now. I’m just… We’re worried. Even your parents are. You haven’t been calling them as often as you used to.”