“What does it mean, exactly, to be disowned?” asked Natalie who was already up, no doubt waiting for me to return. She pulled her golden hair into a loose ponytail and came and sat on the bed with her hands in her lap.
“Forsaken,” I corrected, feeling the bitterness of abandonment all over again.
“Sorry, forsaken, then,” said Natalie softly, with a sympathetic glance.
“It means, that although I’ll retain my magic, there’s not a chance in hell that a Crystal Witch will ever help me to develop it.”
“Okay, well it seems to me, you’ve done that all by yourself,” said Natalie, her eyes lighting up.
“That’s not the worst part,” I lamented, “the real kicker is that I can’t keep ties with them at all. As in, I can’t be friends with or even see Safi ever again,” I slumped down next to Natalie who put a hand on my shoulder.
“Would they really know?” she asked.
“It’s not worth taking a chance. For either of us. If the S.L.A. found out and they probably will after what happened with us last time, they’ll throw me in supernatural prison.”
“So, there is somewhere worse than here, then?” Natalie smirked.
“It’s not funny.”
“Sorry, I was just trying to help,” said Natalie, putting on her best, straight face, which wasn’t at all convincing.
“Supe prison isn’t in the mortal realm. And once you go there, you don’t come back here. Each prison sentence is uniquely tailored to the prisoner’s worst nightmare.”
“It would be nice if they threw some of our profs in there. Though, I can’t imagine that Duquette is afraid of anything enough for it to be called her worst nightmare,” said Natalie pensively.
“Teaching us for all eternity? Not having access to a designer wardrobe and perfectly pink make-up?” I said, almost cracking a smile. Vampires were rarely if ever successfully imprisoned by the S.L.A. Of course, in my case, being half-witch was a great loophole for them.
“I’m really sorry, about everything,” said Natalie. She got up and went into the living area, returning with two, big bottles of blood. “Cheers?” she said tentatively.
“What the hell,” I said, clinking my bottle with hers and chugging mine down. “When they made me do that stupid Revelation, at least they didn’t notice that this is what seems to be the source of my power,” I said, quickly becoming highly buzzed by the blood.
“What did they think the blood did?”
“I guess they’re so prejudiced – those witches and warlocks – that they assumed I was only drinking because I’d acquired an unquenchable thirst. You should have seen their faces, Nat, they were repulsed.”
“You used to be as well,” smiled Natalie.
“Yep, no more! I’ve fallen from grace,” I replied beginning to drown in self-pity. The only thing that made me feel good was what I too had been repelled by a short time ago. It was blood.
***
“Welcome back, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it?” said Devin looking around. Unlike the other day at the hearing, he looked more put together again. We sat in his class as he handed out our new history books. He set mine down on the table, and as he passed me, his eyes flickered an almost discernible red. Whatever it was had flashed across his face so quickly that had I not been staring at him, trying to read him, I would’ve missed it. Natalie looked at the book and flipped through the pages looking disinterested.
“I still don’t see why this is one of our main classes,” she said, “it’s so boring.”
“Actually, it’s truly fascinating,” Moldark Whitlock cut in, “some of those we study about, are still around and shaping our world.” His smoky eyes lingered on me and I looked away. He’d taken to sitting in Valenthia’s spot. Our threesome had been brief, but since it had been just Natalie and I, there was definitely a hole left by her absence.
Valenthia had been a great friend throughout the first semester and I still couldn’t figure out how Riskel, one of the vamps who’d been involved in the Lorna incident, had managed to convince someone like Valenthia, to attack a defenceless being and drink from them. Despite being Sanguine, Valenthia had always come across as someone who stood firmly in the camp where partaking in such things was below her. I surveyed the room and just as I noticed she was absent from class, she walked in.
“Sorry I’m late professor,” she murmured, finding a seat at the front of the class, near Darius. Devin nodded, quite unbothered to make a show of her the way Duquette would have done. I could only see the back of her head with her lilac-toned hair, which she was wearing in waves. But for a second as she’d walked in, she’d caught me eye and instantly looked away.
“Last semester, you’ll recall that I mentioned how the Dark Legion was founded by Countess Erzsebet Bathory at the turn of the sixteenth century. The Dark Legion began in Hungary, as that’s where the countess held her seat of power.
“For most of you, all this should be common knowledge. But did you know how this very academy has a direct link back to the Blood Countess?” asked Devin, as he paced at the front of the class.
“Obviously, the academy is named St. Erzsebet’s,” said Moldark, his haughtiness ever intact. He brushed back his dark chocolate hair, glancing over at me.
“Correct but that’s a fact that even non-vampires know if they’ve discovered the gift of literacy,” replied Devin, enjoying his rebuttal.
“I know it’s something to do with our principal,” Moldark tried again.
“Getting warmer, do you know exactly what?” asked Devin. Moldark shrugged his shoulders but continued to stare at our prof like he was the one who lacked the facts.
“Principal Nadasdy is a descendant of the Blood Countess,” said a voice from the front of the room. It was Valenthia.
“Bravo! And how do you know that?” asked Devin, lighting up.
“I – I don’t know. I just knew it…” Valenthia trailed off, falling silent.
“What else do you know?”
“Nothing I just – it just kind of came to me. That’s all,” said Valenthia, looking self-conscious.
“You’re right. Our principal founded this school because after all the rumours surrounding the Blood Countess, it made sense to make a fresh start. A new continent. A blank canvas. Different people, already immersed in the unique challenges of the New World. It was all rather beautiful in its own way.”
“Then why name the place after her?” said Moldark, on a mission to show up Devin.
“If you know our history, you’ll know that until recently, in fact until supernatural creatures became human knowledge, St. Erzsebet’s went by the name of the Ursuline Convent. It’s been a gradual transition until the shock-factor waned away. And, of course there were two whole centuries between when Countess Bathory ruled and when the convent was built. A great lesson from history, is that knowledge becomes displaced rather easily, with the grace of time,” Devin smiled. “I’ve seen it and used it when helping principal Nadasdy bring the Sanguine population over to New Orleans as well as when secretly creating a proud Novus one.”
“So, what happened to the Countess? Her children?” asked a girl who was sitting across from me. I hadn’t seen before so she must have been one of the three new students who’d joined us after the departure of Lilith and her crew.
“Miss. Rhain, isn’t it?” said Devin, drifting back over to his desk and reading through his papers.
“Clara’s good,” replied the new girl, tossing back thick, blonde curls. Definitely a Sanguine the way she carried herself.
“There are many myths,” said Devin, “these days, most are made up by mortals. Of course, in her time, the Blood Countess was a constant victim of the Supernatural Light Alliance who spun her reputation into the notorious serial killer she’s known as.”
“Wasn’t she?” asked Darius. I had to admit, that was bold by his standards.
“She was a Sanguine Queen being who she was destined to be. The whole torturing and killing
peasants, was fabricated by the Supernatural Light Alliance’s Vampire Hunting Division of the time. It was the quickest way to stop the countess from advancing vampire rule in the supernatural and mortal world by turning an already scared and judgemental human kingdom against her.
“To answer your question about what happened to the countess, Clara, not even I am privy to that information. I suspect the Sanguine Guild of Europe guards that information very closely – if at all, it is known.”
“The Sanguine Guild of Europe?” repeated Moldark, skeptically.
“It’s the body that presides over all vampire matters,” said Devin, “and don’t be fooled by the name, the organization is very mush concerned with both, Sanguine and Novus culture.”
“How come you’re not a member?” asked Moldark, presumptuously.
“Why do you think?” smiled Devin through gritted teeth, trying hard to control his vampire state from taking over and lashing out.
“Because he’s not a Sanguine,” said Clara, angelically, looking from Devin to Moldark.
“Thank you,” said Devin, “and going back to you question, of course the Countess bore Sanguine children, who bore other Sanguines and so forth. Many were murdered through the ages by so-called light magic practitioners. They were hunted down for being who they were,” said Devin, meeting my gaze.
We spilled out of the class and headed for the food hall. I was hungry and from Natalie’s keenness to get there, so was she. “And you said history was dull,” smirked Moldark, walking out with us. I didn’t know what had given him the impression that we had a spot open to hang out.
“As a Novus, I guess there’s just so much I don’t know. Although I’m still not convinced how any of it matters,” said Natalie honestly.
“Devin’s one of your bunch, he seems pretty invested,” Moldark persisted.
“But professor Devin’s not an ordinary vampire. He’s more like a supernatural celebrity with all the stuff he’s been up to for the past few hundred years. I’m just a teenager trying to live my afterlife,” said Natalie coolly.
“I guess,” said Moldark backing down. Completely out of character for him. We loaded up our trays in the fast-moving line-up.
I had been craving something spicy and got a big bowl of jambalaya with some crusty bread. Ironic, considering that it was one of my favourite dishes that my adoptive mother Babette used to make. My other High Priestess, whom I would never get to see again. Along with Safi. Since the Grand High Witch’s ruling, I hadn’t tried to communicate with her. I didn’t want to risk it and it was what had gotten us into to trouble in the first place. I hoped that was Safi’s logic too. In a way, it didn’t matter.
We found a table in the crowded hall and sat down. The food, as always, was decadent. The aromas, which were heightened to my senses anyway, almost made me drool as I stuck my spoon in and blew on the steaming food.
There was something apart from being forcefully separated from all Crystal Witches for all time that was bugging me. Ulric had also been severely missing in action since classes had resumed. And the worst thing was, I couldn’t even read his mind to check he was okay. The night of the kidnapping, when he’d been hurt, he’d rescinded my permission to do so and had never put it back in place since we’d been growing closer. Not that I blamed him. I couldn’t think of one person who’d want someone they were romantically involved with to dip into their thoughts. I certainly wouldn’t.
I looked around the dinner hall and saw Kane, Ulric’s fiery-haired alpha wolf, deep in conversation with another werewolf. He wasn’t difficult to spot in a crowd as he was taller than most and built like he’d been raised on a diet of pure protein.
“Are you okay?” asked Natalie, following my gaze.
“Yeah, I have to talk to him,” I said.
“Still no news from Ulric?”
“No,” I replied, rising from the table.
“I’m sure he’ll turn up,” coaxed Natalie.
“Maybe he doesn’t want to be found,” said Moldark, taking a bite of his beef wellington.
“Thanks.” I sat back down, my confidence which was already low in this area, ebbed away further.
“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about a few things,” he said. His smile for a nanosecond, wasn’t his usual, soaked in smugness.
“Like what?” I asked still keeping my eyes focussed on Kane.
“Like we have Supernatural Combat with Duquette next.”
“And?”
“We have to choose partners for this semester,” said Moldark with his eyes wide, “and I was wondering if we could pair up?”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” I said. Being shut out as a witch for all eternity and literally losing track of the guy I thought I had chemistry with – who was probably in grave danger for his part in helping me – I’d had a lot to deal with. Classes had been the last thing on my mind.
“Maybe you should. I mean, we’re the strongest students in that class. Might as well demonstrate our skills together,” Moldark smirked. Cheekiness seemed a common element with all male vamps.
“Fine, sure,” I said, getting back my courage and standing up again. I walked across the hall to Kane and as I approached, he instinctively turned around.
“What can I do for you?” he asked coldly.
“I’m looking for Ulric. I haven’t seen him since everyone came back.”
“You know who I haven’t seen? Winnie. My pack member and mate-to-be,” Kane said accusingly. Like it was my fault that she’d chosen to go down the path of darkness against his will.
“Have you seen him?” I persisted.
“If I have, it’s not my job to be a go-between for you.”
“Look, I just want to make sure he’s okay,” I said, starting to get annoyed. How was it that all of this was my fault? Like Winnie hadn’t had free will. “Can vampires compel werewolves?” I blurted, running with my thought.
“So now you need vamping lessons from me? No, they can’t,” said Kane.
“Then I’m sorry but Winnie’s actions cannot be blamed on me. Or anyone else she got involved with.” I absolutely hated that I had just stood up for Lilith but the truth was the truth. “Now if you’re not going to tell me, then I’ll leave you alone. I’m sorry for disturbing you,” I said and began to walk back to my table where Moldark and Natalie were staring at us.
“Wait,” said Kane, calling me back. “He’s here, on campus.”
“Is he okay? I just need to get a message to him.”
“He’s how you’d expect with his sister still missing. What is it?” asked Kane in a softened tone.
“Can you bend down, I don’t think anyone else should listen,” I said awkwardly. I needed to warn Ulric.
“Hmph,” Kane exhaled in frustration. “Come with me.”
He took me to the wing of the academy where the werewolves’ roomed. It may not have been as regal as our dorm rooms but it was much airier as it was on the main floor at ground level. “You’ve got a visitor,” Kane called. From between the mess of bags and clothes, Ulric looked up. He was in his magnificent and huge, shifted form with his glossy dark coat and shiny amber eyes that looked back at me. And he was moping on the floor. He sauntered over to my side.
“Alright, you’re on your own,” said Kane.
“No. Actually as his alpha, you need to hear this too,” I said reiterating the hearing at the Witches’ Council to both of them.
“And you haven’t had any fall-out with the academy yet?” asked Kane, narrowing his eyes. Ulric just watched me.
“No. If anything they couldn’t wait to bring me back here again,” I replied, “But you’re not a vampire so I wanted to warn you.” I spoke directly to Ulric. Kane walked off with a nod. Ulric continued to sit there and watch me. “Can you…would you mind changing so we can talk properly?” I asked.
Ulric lowered his gaze like he’d been scolded. He paused, then his entire form began to quiver. Within a few seconds, he was full-on vibrating. J
ust like last time, the change came upon him very quickly and he became his human self. He was wearing his signature black jeans and t-shirt and his dark hair was glossy as always but messy.
“Hey,” he said. His deep amber eyes were full of pain.
“What’s going on with you?” I asked, “Things haven’t felt the same since…since that night.” I was conscious of how desperate I sounded.
“It’s nothing, I promise. We haven’t been able to find her which can only mean two things,” Ulric turned to me, “she either doesn’t want to be found because she’s runaway. That’s very unlikely considering how in love she was with Kane.”
“Or?” I asked.
“Or she’s been taken against her will. And whoever has her – for all we know it could be Lilith – doesn’t want her to be found.”
“Did your pack find any trace of her? Like how far she’d been or where?” I asked.
“We didn’t find anything. Which leads me to believe that it wasn’t just some whim that took her after what happened. It was a well-formed plan.”
I wanted to calm him down, to tell him that his sister would come back. But I didn’t want to tell him something I didn’t know to be true.
“You’re a witch. Can’t you see into her? Like call out to her and see if you get anything back?”
As much as I knew that Winnie hated me, I saw Ulric’s face, his grief-stricken eyes that lacked all their usual passion and agreed. I closed my eyes and focussed on how Winnie had looked when I’d last seen her. I tried to block out the part when she was tussling Ulric to the ground and willed myself to ignore what I already knew, which was that whatever she felt for Kane, she didn’t give a shit about her brother.
My arm began to tingle and I concentrated as my magic came to the surface, letting myself feel out information that had to be known by someone out there – her whereabouts. Winnie or someone else. I held my position, sending out feelers, like ripples into a stagnant swamp. If they lapped up against something surely, I’d get something back? After a while I opened my eyes and saw Ulric staring at me, leaning forward, his body tensed with anticipation. It was the most interest he’d taken in me since the first semester had ended.
Dark Spark: A Young Adult Urban Fantasy Novel (Bloodline Academy Book 2) Page 3
