Academy of Vampires (Fireblood Academy Book 1)

by Nexus Jones

  There was this nudging feeling I had that he was just toying with me, that I was just another part of his game that he was playing.

  But it felt so good, and so right.

  I anted him to touch me forever. And for us to stay in this moment for all eternity.

  "I can feel the power In you. You're lke a weapon, girl." He said

  "Be careful, or else I'll fire." I said, smiling back.

  "I want to see if I can acces your mind, to see inside your head."

  "How could you do that?"

  "It would take a ritural. A ritual that would allow me to see inside you. But it would require to blood of someone you loved and the blood of someone you trusted."

  Someone I loved? I love no one. I mean, it's not like there were many people out there for me to love. I was definitely alone in this world.

  I trusted Izzy. And no one else, really.

  So, I'm not sure if this ritual would even work.

  "There's no one that I love."

  He looked disappointed and skeptical.

  "Really? Not even a parent? A sibling?"

  I shook my head.

  "No."

  He frowned.

  "Not even me?"

  "Absolutely not." I said, not totally sure if I was being honest.

  "There's no need to lie. I see the way you look at me. I see the way you look at Paul and George, too. The way you blush. I'm not sure if you're in love with us. But I can tell that you're interested, at least."

  A lump formed in my throat, and my heart skipped a few beats. It was hard for me to fight the natural feelings that I had towards them.

  "George....just a month ago you had me pushed to the ground and was on top of me, pummeling me." I said, "I can never love you."

  He took a deep exhale, and ran his hand down my shoulder.

  "That moment was the most regrettable of my life. Please give me a chance A chance to make it right."

  It would be completley stupid for me to ever completely trust him. But he certainly did play a major role in saving me from expulsion and banishment to a parallel dimension.

  Not to mention, he's certainly fun to look at.

  "What do you want from me?" I said, my voice trembling.

  "Is it not obvious by now? I ant you to be mine."

  He leaned in and planted a firm kiss on my lips. His tongue flicked inside my mouth, exploring every orifice it could. His hand rand down my back, sending a chill down my spine until it settled on my round hind. I took full advantage of my opportunity to run my fingers through his hair. It felt amazing, like the finest material one could imagine.

  I wonder what conditioner he uses?

  He pulled away from what felt like the world's shortest kiss. I wish it could've lasted forever.

  My chest inhales deeply and my heart beats through my chest. I start to feel light-headed. Like I could pass out.

  I was feeling a release. Like I had done something that I wanted to for a while. And it felt good.

  "Are you sure about that comment that you didn't love me?" he asked

  I gave a slick smile.

  I was making a mistake by letting it progess this far. He certainly is sexy. But he's dangerous. Just like the rest of his friends.

  There's no way I can let my bully tempt me into his bed.

  But damn that bed certainly looks comfortable. And I wouldn't mind laying in it for a while. And being under him while doing it.

  "Certainly sure." I said, "I'm going to go back to my room. I have homework to get started on."

  He gave me that smug, insufferable face that I was beginning to like again.

  "You'll be back." He said

  "Ha, you wish." I said, opening his door and walking out.

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Eight

  "You slept with Austin?"

  "No, Izzy. We just kissed. That's all."

  "But he wanted it to go further?"

  I nodded my head, leaning up against my dresser.

  "So why didn't you do it?"

  I cocked my eyebrows.

  "Uhh.... He’s like one of my biggest enemies in the school." I said, perplexed.

  "He helped save you from being banished."

  "Probably because he wanted me here for more torture for his enjoyment." I said, mumbling, "Besides, aren't you supposed to be the voice of reason? And here you are, encouraging me to slept with my enemy."

  "It's not smart, you're right. But I've heard rumors that Austin is amazing in bed. All the girls always talk about it."

  I mean, she's right. Girls would always gossip about the trio and their voracious sexual appetite and amazing sexual abilities. I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't wondered what it would be like to be in their bed as they had their way with me.

  But there's no way that I'm bending over for someone who I consider a sworn enemy at worst, a foil at best.

  "So, how is everything coming along with you?" I asked

  "Oh, you know. Not much has changed. But, I was hanging out with Wilhemena the other day and you were the source of gossip."

  I rolled my eyes. Wilhemena is one of those girls that you hate. The ones that always gossips about others and minds everyone else's business but her own. She had so much information on everyone, that you'd think she works for the FBI or something.

  And so, I certainly was not happy to be on the receiving end of one of her rumors. But I'm not going to lie and say that she's full of shit.

  If there's one positive thing I can say about her, it's that her rumors are usually pretty accurate. And that's far more than what you can say for the vast majority of this school's instigators.

  "What did she say about me?"

  Normally, I wouldn't even entertain such nonsesne, but I genuninely was curious. I'm sure that it had something to do with my recent interactions with the royal vampire families.

  "She was talking about you hanging out with Paul, George, and Austin. Everyone is talking about how you are all growing kind of close together."

  "Oh." I said

  I mean, she wasn't wrong. And there are worse things to be associated with than a trio of sexy vampires.

  "But Melinda was there, and she was not happy to hear it at all."

  I smirked. "Good."

  There's nothing that Melinda hates more than losing. And especially losing to someon eshe regards as her inferior. I relished in the fact that I was talking something away from her that she held very dear: her control over others.

  I grabbed my school bags and gestured for Izzy to follow me as I exited the dorm and walked across the campus to the cafeteria to begin the day.

  I was feeling pretty good today, for the first time in quite a while. Things were finally starting to look up for me.

  The breakfast tasted especially good this morning. Pop Tarts smothered in blood with raw beef.

  I know it sounds disgusting to you humans, but trust me it is delicious for a vampire. Think of the most tempting gourmet meal you can possibly fathom and that's what I'm eating the equivalent of right now.

  But everything just had to change when Andrea stopped at our table.

  Ugh. How, I detest her.

  She was thin with green eyes and brown hair. She had a baby face that made guys go wild and always wore a black bonett. Her fangs were incredibly sharp and large. So large that they protruded from her mouth even when it was closed.

  She stopped at our table with a mean look on her face.

  "Andrea, what do you want?" I asked

  "Well...I was sent here by Melinda." She said in her insufferable valley girl tone, "We al know that you've been seen around with her friends. She wants you to stop."

  "I know this might be shocking to you, but I don't take orders from her." I said, rolling my eyes.

  "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you." She said, walking away.

  I turned to Izzy, scoffing. "Can you believe the nerve she has?"

  "I mean, you might want to be careful. Melinda could defin
itely exact revenge. I'm sure she has a few tricks up her sleeve."

  "She might, but I have a few of my own." I said, remembering my potion-making friend. Maybe I could create a potion to make her hair fall out?

  While I was making diabolical plans in my head, it was time to get to class.

  While walking down the hallway, I passed Melinda. She shot me an icy glare. I gave her the middle finger.

  She whispered to one of her friends next to her, undoubtably gossiping about me. But I really didn't give a shit.

  The day went pretty smoothly, and I was growing much more confident.

  I mean, at the very least, I wasn't necessarily enemies with the trio of regal vampires. Even if I wouldn't feel comfortable calling them my friends either.

  Isadora's club meeting was canceled for today, so we decided to walk home together.

  "Who are you thinking of taking to the dance?" she asked. ' "Oh, I haven't even thought about that thing."

  To be fair, I have had much more pressing issues. And given how tumultuous my start to the semester was, I wasn't even confident that I would be on this campus this long.

  The Winter Ball is the biggest event of the entire semester. The entire school gets decorated in white and blue with winter-themed stuff. Vampires don't celebrate Christmas of course. But we do celebrate the turning of the equinoxes. And winter ball is supposed to be a great time for everyone. At least, that's what it's supposed to be.

  Pretty much every girl looks forward to it. They like to dress up in their prettiest dresses and get their hair done.

  Every guy looks forward to it, because it's their chance to get laid. I would overhear them talking in class about which girls to ask based on which ones were easiest to get in bed.

  I've never been asked to a dance. Don't feel sorry for me, because I don't really care.

  I've never been interested in dances or balls, wearing frilly dresses with makeup and being groped by some guy that I'm barely interested in.

  I would much rather sit in my room and watch funny cat videos on Youtube or catch up on my sleep.

  "You're coming this year, aren't you?" she asked, prodding.

  "You know I'm not into that sort of thing." I said

  "Ugh...you never like to do anything social. I'm tired of being like your only real friend. Don't you want to have more people to hang out with than just me."

  My heart dropped and I frowned. I hated being reminded of my unpopularity.

  It's not that I'm shallow enough to be invested in that sort of thing, but it's no fun being reminded how much of a loser you are all the time, especially by people you're supposed to be close to.

  I fought back a tear and looked away. She could sense that she struck a nerve with me.

  "Wait, I didn't mean it in a bad way."

  "It's fine." I said, suppressing my feelings.

  I trust her. And I believe that she didn't mean to hurt my feelings. But damn, it still did hurt.

  Izzy has always been a great support for me, but she's also not the greatest at subtlety. Although I value her directness and candor, there are certainly times where she can afford to tone it down a notch.

  "You don't have to go if you don't want to." She said

  "Thanks, I know."

  I did, however begin to start thinking more of the winter ball. As fall progressed, my mind started to drift away and wonder what it would be like to actually attend this time. I've never been inside of the Great Hall while it was totally decorated and blasting with pop music.

  But my mind was more focused on being on a guy's arm. And feeling wanted. Feeling the warmth of his body pressed up against mine. Being able to smell him and have his strong arms wrapped around me as we slow danced.

  It would be something like out of a Disney movie, I suppose. Something that I've always yearned for....to be accepted and wanted like all the other girls. But something that I never would have, because I guess I'm not worthy.

  I never had pretty dresses growing up or had the access to shopping at such high end stores.

  Usually the girls shop at really expensive magical clothes stores that I could never be able to afford. I would have to shop at a discount store if I did.

  But again, I've never had a great eye for fashion.

  The Winter Ball could be a chance to finally prove myself. To prove that I have arrived and can be accepted in the vampire world as one of their own.

  Even though I don't come from nobility or a long line of vampires.

  "So what about you and Austin?" she asked me

  "What about us?" I said

  "Are you going to see him today?"

  "I'm not sure." I responded

  "Why are you so hesitant? It seems like they actually care about you."

  "Oh, I don't know. I have a hard time trusting them."

  "Because of the fight? I know that was really bad. But they've been much nicer to you lately. Maybe Austin has turned a leaf."

  Maybe he has. And I wouldn't be honest if I said I wasn't tempted to spend more time with them. Even if I believed that they were dangerous.

  The danger could honestly be a turn-on for me. Being around a bunch of sexy, unpredictable vampires should be the thing that every girl's fantasies are made out of. Wouldn't we all want to be right under them?

  I guess what keeps me from giving into their advances would be the fear of getting hurt. I have been hurt many times throughout my entire life. And that shit is no fun. It really does suck.

  I remember the time where I dated a guy who I thought was into me. But he only wanted me for sex. We dated for only a week before he pressured me into having sex. And I really felt strongly about him, so of course I agreed. But then he broke up with me right after and started bragging to his friends about all the sex we had. He got hi-fives, but I got slut shamed.

  Oh, and don't get me started on the nude pictures. He pressured me into sending him nude photos. Being the dumb little girl I was, I did that as well. He promised me that he would never share them with everyone, and that we would be together forever. Why on Earth did I believe him?

  Of course he shared those photos after we broke up. I cried for weeks and pretended to be sick so I didn't have to go back to school. I didn't tell my guardian, but she eventually found out when rumors spread around the school like wildfire and eventually the parents started gossiping about it, too.

  She called me a "slut" and smacked me. I had embarrased her and made her ashamed. She never allowed me to date another boy again or leave my room to hang out with my friends.

  To her, I had to be controlled. I had to be locked up in a box to being kept from taken advantage of by boys that did not have good intentions.

  My ex-boyfriend's name is Nate. I wish I were a vampire back then, because I would've sucked his neck dry and left him to die on the ground if I could. I'd probably be in supernatural jail for committing an unapproved act of killing against a human, but it would be totally worth it.

  And that was only when I was 15. I was such a young girl back then, even though it was a few years ago. I've grown so much and learned so much over the course of the past few years. But though I learned a lot, one thing that I haven't been able to get past is my innate distrust of men.

  Any time a guy starts to show interest in me, my guard immediately goes up. I start thinking: "What do they want from me?" and "How are they planning to take advantage of me?"

  But it's not a problem I've had to worry about too much. Because since then, I've stopped wearing make up or even competing for the attention of boys. And at a place like Roseblood, so many of the girls are extremely attractive, so I would have to work extra hard to keep up. I've completely opted-out of the rat-race for male attention.

  Good, because they'd probably just end up hurting me anyways.

  Maybe, I'm just too cynical. The short times that I've spent with the regal vampires have made me feel things towards men that I haven't in forever. Feelings that I thought would be gone for the rest of my li
fe.

  I want to explore them more. My heart yearns for it. I feel a magnetic attraction to them.

  But, no. I can't allow myself to get hurt again. I must never put myself in a position where a man can betray me and crush my spirit.

  Walking up to our room, I notice an envelope attached to the door. It's made of a thick-textured paper that feels very high quality. And my name was written on the front in a very fancy black font.

  "What could this be?" I asked, turning to Izzy.

  "Open it." She said, equally as interested.

  I tear open the envelope and pull out a paper card with shiny golden font. It was plain white, but the parchment felt very high quality. There was a family seal of a bat holding a sword at the center of it.

  A family seal that undoubtedly belongs to George Longfang.

  The card said:

  Dear Mira Parker,

  I, George Longfang, coordially invite you to my room. Tonight. 5:30 p.m.

  Please dress to impress.

  Best,

  George Longfang

  An invitation? For dinner? With these guys?

  My heart says yes, and I can feel it start to beat faster through my chest. Wouldn't it be amazing to sit down with them for hours and hours, eating their rich people food that they probably have catered?

  A lump forms in my throat just thinking about it. I start to internally swoon, thinking about how sexy George would look dressed in a tuxedo.

  Calm down, girl.

  Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I promised myself that I wouldn't allow myself to get too deep into a relationship or anything with these guys. They are not to be trusted. They are to be kept at a distance.

  "So?" Izzy said, prodding me.

  "I guess I'll give it a shot." I said, betraying my better senses.

  Izzy squealed in happiness and gave me a hug. Her enthusiasm was appreciated but kind of annoying. She grabbed me tightly, a hug that I was not used to ever getting. It kind of startled me, if I'm being honest.

  "I'm so excited for you." She said, pulling back.

  "It's not that big of a deal." I said, trying to play down my own excitement.

  "Of course it is!" she said, "I bet he's going to ask you to the Winter Ball!"