by J. N. Colon
Demy arched his studded brow. “When you say spells you mean mediation and your type of potions are health drinks.”
“So.” Celestia shrugged. “Don’t make me hex you.” She turned back to me. “Wicca is my religion, but I’m also psychic.” She pointed to her head. “I can see more than the average person.” She motioned her finger around the table at all the supernaturals surrounding her. “That’s why these guys don’t pretend they’re human with me.” She winked and tapped her forehead. “I’ve seen what they are.”
My dream about that girl’s murder flashed through my brain. The hunter had said something about unnatural sight. Could he have meant she was psychic?
I shook my head, scattering my thoughts. I’m probably reaching. “Can you see my future?” I asked Celestia.
“Yes. And you’re about to get really annoyed.”
Laney Cavanaugh suddenly appeared and sat right next to Celestia, which meant she was directly across from Mac. “Hey y’all.” She waved and flicked her flaxen mane.
I fought not to roll my eyes.
“See.” Celestia stabbed her salad and pointed at me with her fork, a piece of lettuce hanging from the end. “I told you.”
“Yep,” I remarked sarcastically.
“Told Rubi what?” Laney flashed a smile I’m sure was fake.
“Nothing,” she sang in her musical voice, batting her lashes innocently.
Laney’s gray eyes landed on me. “How’s your first day at Mossgrove Academy?”
“Fine.”
“You seem to be fitting in real nice.” She took a dainty bite of her chicken. “Professor Holland says you’re real sweet.”
“Thanks.”
“I hope we have a class together. We’ll be able to work on stuff together, and share notes, and help each other with homework. It would be so much fun. Don’t you think?”
Does she ever shut up?
I nodded and shoved a huge bite of food in my mouth so I couldn’t talk.
Her eyes widened. “Gosh, you sure are hungry.”
Demy snorted on a laugh.
While still chewing I pantomimed to Mac I was going to get more steak.
My life is stressful enough. I did not need Mac’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend trying to be my bestie. Ugh. And why did she have to be so freaking sweet? I think I preferred Paisley’s ‘I will get my revenge on you’ attitude instead.
I stomped toward the line as a new attendant clocked in. The woman was in her mid-thirties with chin length dark brown hair and choppy bangs surrounding a severe face. She wore gray slacks and a white collared shirt both ironed to perfection with a stark white apron on top. Her dark eyes were glaring at me and lips pursed as if she recently sucked a lemon.
I grabbed a plate. “Can I get some more steak?”
Her stare was so cold chills ran the length of my spine. “Don’t you have some already?” Her harsh voice held a lingering Russian accent that wasn’t nearly as appealing as Demy’s.
I was taken aback. “Can I have some more?”
Her gaze shifted accusingly on my mid-section, a very awkward, pregnant pause loitering while a cold sweat beaded my nape. Finally she grabbed a heaping spoonful of pepper steak and slopped it on my plate. If my reflexes weren’t supernatural sauce would have splattered all over my white shirt and navy vest.
A gasp of shock slipped out my mouth.
She unexpectedly gripped my hand, sending ice across my body. “You should watch what you eat. You don’t want to get fat.”
My mouth hit the floor.
“Melody.” Celestia was beside me, putting her hand on my shoulder. “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.”
Melody grimaced before releasing my hand and busying herself with organizing her station.
“What the hell is her problem?” I asked as Celestia followed me back to the table.
“She’s moody.” Her tight smile didn’t reach her Disney eyes. “Just don’t be caught in a dark alley with her. She’s not all there.” She pointed to her head.
I nodded. “Good to know. Thanks.”
When we returned to the table everyone was in a debate over ghosts.
“Mossgrove Academy is so haunted,” Allison said with a sincere expression crisscrossing her face. “I’ve seen a ghost before.”
Demy scoffed. “All of Savannah is haunted. It’s like a million years old.”
Lucius pointed the end of his meatball sub toward Allison. “No she’s right. I saw a shadow last night in my room. It moved.”
“You guys are ridiculous.” Vera sipped her pink lemonade with slurping sound. “There are no ghosts here and if there were they wouldn’t be interested in watching you sleep Lucius.”
A wicked grin spread over his wide mouth. “Yeah, they wouldn’t be watching me. They’d be too busy trying touch this gorgeous body.” He ran his hand down his muscular chest suggestively.
Laughter exploded around the table.
My thoughts turned to the nightmare I had last night where I was beckoned by an ethereal apparition then stabbed by William, the evil hunter from my dream. Could Mossgrove Academy really be haunted?
Goose bumps popped across my skin and I fought to hold back my shiver. Maybe I should try looking for this mysterious door before my mind jumps to fifty million conclusions all leading me to the loony bin.
Chapter 11
I stomped my foot in frustration again. I’ve been up and down the halls in Radcliff a million times with no sign of the door from my dream. Given my past record with crazy dreams I was sure it was real. I was sure it was going to be some ridiculous premonition about impending doom, the next chapter of terror in my life.
Except there was no door.
I’m glad I didn’t tell Mac about it. He’d be worried for no reason.
Afterwards I left the dorm to meet Vera and Allison in the rec room. Of course I forgot where it was so I ended up walking around campus in circles.
The sun had set, dowsing the velvet green grounds in darkness save for the antique lamp posts. The smell of jasmine wafted through the thick, humid air. Moisture clung to my skin and unfortunately my hair, frizzing the tendrils.
I thought once I was a vampire I’d have perfect hair like Emmaline. I guess there’s no fighting my unruly mane, human or not.
A sigh slipped out my mouth at the unfairness and I tilted my head back to peer up into the sky between the gaps in the green canopy. A vast array of multicolored stars dotted the pitch sky like jewels in a velvet jewelry box. Vampire vision was freaking awesome!
At night Mossgrove seemed a lot more unnerving, a creep factor slathering over it like gravy on mash potatoes. In place of fog and gargoyles, there’s misty steam, curtains of Spanish moss, and remnants of the civil war. And let’s face it, more than half the students themselves aren’t even human.
A chill suddenly descended through the towering trees, dowsing my skin with goose bumps. Eyes were on me, watching, waiting. I halted and glanced back, expecting to see someone with a tub of ice behind me. Forest stretched in the distance, nothing shattering the display of velvet green.
Oh you’ve got to be kidding me! I’m a freaking vampire and I’m getting the willies walking around at night—and I can see in the dark!
I shivered and rubbed my hands on my arms still in my school uniform. I shouldn’t be actually shivering from the cold. It’s like 90 degrees and again I’m a vampire.
Now that it’s dark and I wasn’t with Mac, Demy, or Vera Daedalus and Rufus will probably be slithering through campus, looking for me. They didn’t trust I could take care of myself in regards to the hunters.
A grimace split my lips. Maybe they’re right. I’m freaking out because I’m walking alone at night.
I cast my gaze around again, searching for the source of my discomfort. Branches creaked in the light breeze, shaking leaves in a rhythmic dance. Crickets sounded and fuzzy brown moths collected around the golden light from lamp posts. Nothing out of the or
dinary was visible.
Then why do I feel so creeped out?
I shook myself—literally—to shatter the unmerited paranoia.
Get it together Rubi, I thought, letting out a deep breath.
I stepped forward and suddenly grabbed my chest with a loud gasp. “Freaking fish sticks! Where’d you come from?” My breath was coming out in quick pants while my heart ran a marathon. “You scared the crap out of me.”
A petite girl no taller than me with wide dark eyes, corn silk hair, and alabaster skin stood a foot away. A startled expression morphed her delicate face, her mouth hanging open in an ‘O’. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice like bells. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I rubbed my chest in an attempt to slow my hammering pulse. “It’s okay. I’m jumpy sometimes.” Massive understatement.
A sad smile spread her pale, rosebud lips. “It’s probably me. I have a way of sneaking up on people. I’m… quiet.” She clasped her hands in front of her and rocked on her feet as she surveyed me. “You must be new here.”
“That obvious?”
She laughed. “No. I’ve been here for a while and I’m pretty sure I’d remember you.”
I paused for a moment wondering if that was some kind of dig at my hair or face.
“I’m Lynn by the way.”
I shook the thoughts from my head. “I’m Rubi. Are you a senior too?” I asked, absentmindedly playing with the royal vampire crest necklace Whitmore gave me. I wear it every day.
She bit her lip to stifle a giggle and nodded.
My brows knit as I examined her uniform, noticing it was different, maybe a choice during colder weather. She wore a navy blazer over a long sleeved white shirt and green tie. Her skirt was also longer and solid navy.
I motioned with a finger. “Aren’t you hot in that?”
Lynn giggled again, her dark eyes glinting with amusement. “You look kind of cold in that.”
I glanced down to realize I was still rubbing my arms, trying to chase away the goose bumps. “Well, uh…” I really didn’t have an explanation.
Familiar electricity sparked my spine and I glanced over my shoulder to see Mac approaching. His midnight hair blew in the wind, wild around his handsome, flawless face.
A smile melted my lips. “Hi.”
His brows were knit as he surveyed me. “Who were you talking to?”
“Oh, this is…” My words were cut off when I realized Lynn was no longer standing there. “Huh. She’s gone.”
“Who?”
“A girl named Lynn. She’s a senior here.” A thin layer of sweat beaded my forehead. I reached up and wiped it away, no longer shivering from the inexplicable cold moments ago.
Mac’s jade eyes scrutinized me. “When’s the last time you had blood.”
“This morning I guess.”
He grunted. “You’re new Rubi. You need to be drinking more than that during the day.”
I shrugged. “I wasn’t really thirsty.” Until now when I thought about it. My throat burned with it.
Mac threw his arm over my shoulders and tucked me against his side. “Let’s go get some blood baby.”
How did he make something that should be gross sound so sexy?
“Demy’s out for a while. We’ll have it in my room and then we can make out—I mean hang out.” He cleared his throat.
My cheeks heated and I poked his chest. “I think you had it right the first time.”
***
I was sound asleep when a knock reverberated on my dorm room door. A heavy arm lay across my torso and I shifted to find Mac curled behind me, breathing evenly. He snuck into my room last night. Well, he pretty much just walked here after hours. The rules were a little lax especially with us, the royal couple.
The quiet knock resonated again. Mac was oddly still dead asleep and Vera hadn’t budged. I slipped out from under his arm, hating the loss of his heat and tiptoed toward the door, assuming it was Demy.
The white, ethereal female spirit was undulating in the hallway, facing me. She motioned with a watery hand to follow.
I should probably be scared considering I’m staring at a ghost. I hope I don’t end up regretting it—like in case she plans on possessing me.
Or maybe I’m dreaming.
I glanced over my shoulder to make certain Mac was still asleep before heading out the door.
I followed her down the hall, the thick navy, green, and gold rug soft beneath my bare feet. The deep honey colored wainscoting met stripped gold and cream walls that stretched deeply into the dimly lit corridor. We passed several turns, heading for the same spot she showed me the other night in my dream. Sure enough we halted in front of that mysterious door, my reflection catching in the gleaming wood.
Huh, I thought in confusion, gazing around to establish where exactly we were. I guess the door is real.
“What are you trying to show me?” I asked, squinting at her shimmering form to make out details to no avail.
She motioned for me to open it.
I jiggled the brass handle, anticipation burning my blood. A wave of stale air hit me as I opened it, revealing stone stairs. My foot hesitated at the entrance, afraid to walk blindly down there. Who know what’s at the bottom. “I don’t understand…” I glanced back and she was gone.
What the hell?
With a wave of panic I realized I was staring at a bookcase instead of stairs… and I was in a tank top and lacy underwear.
Shit!
I was sleepwalking. Why the hell am I sleepwalking? And what happened to the door? Was it all just a weird dream?
A strangled gasp echoed down the hall. My head snapped in the direction to see a gangly human boy staring at me with wide, glazed eyes tracing my underwear.
Embarrassment crashed over me, simultaneously burning my skin and freezing my muscles.
Oh man. How did I end up in the boys’ wing?
The guy was practically drooling in his flannel pants and t-shirt.
I flashed a tight smile that probably looked more like a manic grimace and pointed to the bookshelf. “I was just looking for a book.” I ran my finger across and pulled out a random one. “Oh, I found it.” I let out a breathy giggle. “I’ll be on my way now.” I walked as fast as humanly possible by him while his glassy stare followed me all the way around the corner.
I used vampire speed once I was out of his vision, going in circles for five minutes until I finally found a hall that led to my wing. It wasn’t until I was safely back in my room—Mac and Vera still sound asleep—that I realized I could have compelled the boy to forget.
Damn! I’m the worst vampire ever.
***
It was quiet in English while we individually read To Kill a Mockingbird—well relatively quiet. A few indecipherable whispers floated through the room while I continued to dwell on my sleepwalking incident last night. How embarrassing?
I was not about to share the humiliating experience with Mac. He’d probably get all worried and overprotective. He might even have Rufus or Daedalus post up in the hall to make sure it didn’t happen again.
No thanks.
A knock resonated on the door and a blonde head popped in.
“Hi Professor Holland.” Laney Cavanaugh sashayed toward his desk with her books, shaking her ass in her navy and green tartan skirt. She handed him a note.
“Ah. It looks like you had a schedule change.” He smiled politely and motioned toward the rows of desks. “Welcome to my morning class and please find a seat.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She turned and headed toward us, flicking her perfect blonde ponytail. Once her gray eyes fell on me she waved enthusiastically—or more like a psycho about to murder me with her clown smile.
What the hell?
And then she took the empty seat next to Mac.
I bit my tongue hard enough to draw blood to keep the growl from escaping my lips.
Laney flashed a wry smile. “I wanted to sit next to you Rubi, but you’re alrea
dy surrounded by an entourage.” She giggled.
My head instinctually drew back. What was that supposed to me? I don’t have an entourage. I have friends.
Sensing the tension in me Mac rubbed my back. “Don’t let her get to you,” he whispered for my ears only. “I don’t think she means anything by it.”
Yeah right. I glared at her out the corner of my eye, looking past that pretty smile and shining gray eyes where a slutty little she-devil dwelled.
As class progressed I had a hard time paying attention to Boo Radley and co. Besides those pesky, inexplicable whispers floating through the air again, Laney was twirling her blonde hair, shooting Mac surreptitious glances, and asking him stupid questions.
“Can I borrow your pen?” Giggles. “Mine ran out of ink.”
“Oh goodness. Mac what does this word mean? Is that how you pronounce it?”
About the fourth time she asked for a definition my fangs were tearing through my gums and my eyes were filling with silver flecks.
Why doesn’t he tell her to get a damn dictionary!
“Oh Mac, what’s this…”
My fingers were gripping the novel so tight I accidently tore it completely in half right down the spine.
Crap.
Several gasps resonated through the quiet room, all eyes staring widely at yours truly. I slumped in my seat, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Mac leaned over my shoulder to see what I’d done, his lips pursing in confusion. “What happened?”
“I guess I was holding it too tight,” I lied. It wasn’t my grip that had really done it. It was my anger. “I’m still getting used to my strength, you know…”
Demy was looking at me, his face blank but violet eyes suspicious. I ignored him.
“I’ll get you…” Mac started to stand, but I cut him off.
“It’s fine.” I stood. “I’ll get another one.”
The class watched me walk toward Professor Holland’s desk.
