by J. N. Colon
“Is she okay?” Laney’s stage whisper was heard by everyone.
I stanched the urge to yank her blonde ponytail out.
“Professor Holland.” I handed him the ripped book while another layer of red colored embarrassment plastered my face. “I need another…”
“No worries Rubi.” He already had one ready on his desk.
“Thanks,” I muttered. “I’ll pay for the damaged one.”
He waved a hand in the air. “It’s only a book.”
“Okay.”
He crooked a finger for me to lean forward while his hazel eyes twinkled. “Ms. Cavanaugh can be a bit—much.”
A smile melted across my lips. Finally, someone who found her as annoying at I did.
He winked. “Don’t forget, if you ever need a moment or fresh air, you’re allowed to leave my classroom.”
I nodded. “Thanks Professor Holland.”
Chapter 12
My first week at Mossgrove Academy was a success. Mostly. Nothing tried to attack me or threaten my life so that was progress. I had two more dreams with the white ghost leading me to the infamous nonexistent door. Thankfully no sleepwalking incidents though. Each time I tried to follow her down the steps I was attacked by a hunter. First it was Liz, the kitten looking yet vicious hunter. Then it was Declan. I shivered at the thought of seeing him again. I would much prefer an attack from Liz. At least she simply wants to kill me. Declan on the other hand might have other motives prior to my imminent death, which probably involve removing my clothes.
I hadn’t encountered the girl I met the other night, Lynn, which kind of sucked because she seemed really nice. At the time I hadn’t thought about it, but I never differentiated whether she was human, shifter, or vampire. Actually, I don’t remember her scent at all.
It’s so weird I can smell people like that. Thankfully I don’t have PE this year. I’d probably pass out from some guys sweaty BO.
Yuk.
The only really sour part of the week was Laney Cavanaugh. She has been an annoying thorn in my side, digging deeper each day. She’s always asking me questions or talking to me. She’s constantly hovering around Mac smiling or laughing. She hasn’t touched him—at least not that I’ve seen—but no one can be that nice without a secret agenda. Vera assures me Laney’s not the devious slut I’m making her out to be.
Whatever. She’s still irritatingly sweet. Blah.
I turned down another corridor, the chestnut wainscoting meeting glossy cream walls and shiny wood floors that was the same throughout the entire classroom building. I spun around, realizing I’d already been in this very spot, the same fire alarm with a tiny half-moon chip in the red paint hung on the wall. I tossed my hands in the air in frustration. I’m lost.
How does a vampire get so lost in one building? You’d think I’d have a good sense of direction now or at least be able to smell that I’ve already been down this way.
Worst vampire ever, I swear.
“Awe, somebody looks a little lost.”
I pivoted to find Lucius leaning against a short row of lockers, his massive arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Need some help little princess?”
I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t sure what was worse, when people called me princess and were completely serious about it or when they did it to make fun of me like Lucius.
He grinned. “Don’t pout. I’ll help you.”
I sighed and made my way toward the enormous shifter. “I’m looking for Headmaster Morgan’s office.” I held up my pass. “I was called in there.”
Lucius let out a dramatic gasp and grabbed his chest. “It’s the first week of school and you’re already in trouble?”
I grimaced. “I am not.” At least I didn’t so.
“I guess we’ll find out.” He tossed his heavy arm over my shoulders. “Come on little one. It’s this way.” Lucius led me down another hall then another to finally find the main office where the Headmaster’s office was tucked in the back.
Headmaster Morgan looked up and smiled. “Ah, Rubi, you made it. I was getting worried.”
“She got lost,” Lucius blurted, shaking his sandy blonde hair out his tanned face.
I shot him a narrowed glare before turning back to the headmaster. “Sorry sir. Am I in trouble?”
He laughed. “Of course not. I wanted to check in with you, make sure everything was going well.” He waved Lucius on. “Thank you Lucius.”
He flashed me a wicked smile before closing the door, leaving us alone.
The headmaster motioned to one of the wood and leather chairs opposite his desk. “Please have a seat.”
I nervously played with the silver and ruby ring on my right hand, remembering the last time I was in the headmaster’s office. I was overcome with an icy feeling as I shook his hand. Could I have imagined that? He doesn’t exactly seem like the fear provoking type. In fact, he seems kinda sweet. His southern accent was like maple syrup instead of Laney’s that was more like sickly sweet sugar water.
His office was smaller than Roman’s yet brighter. A blonde leather couch sat before the fireplace with an overstuffed chair adjacent. A woven carpet of navy and gold stretched along the wooden floors. There was no sign of a PlayStation or Xbox. Instead there were fishing and hunting magazines stacked neatly in the corner and a small table with a well-used chess set on top. Scents of leather, tobacco, aftershave, and some sort of beef teriyaki he’d eaten for lunch sifted through the room.
My mouth watered.
Something else also spiced the air, a slightly astringent, stinging scent lingering behind the others like an interloper. It reminded me of Chemistry last semester at Highland.
My eyes traveled to his somewhat messy desk and beyond to photos perched on a bookshelf behind him of three very strapping young males with solemn faces, maybe even grimaces, holding hunting rifles.
This is the south. People love their camo and buck heads.
He noticed my staring and glanced over his shoulder. “Ah.” He turned back around with a smile reaching his soft brown eyes, deepening the crinkles. “My grandkids. They’re a fun bunch. Such smiles they have.” His tone was sarcastic.
I laughed, relaxing a bit.
“So…” he prompted, lacing his long fingers together and setting them on his desk. “How has everything been going Rubi?”
I shrugged. “Fine.”
His lips pursed. “No problems with anything, students or even professors?”
Yes. Laney Cavanaugh. But I doubt he meant in that way. “No.”
“I only ask because I want to make sure you feel safe and secure here.”
I attempted to hide my grimace. Why doesn’t anyone think I can protect myself? I am a vampire.
Maybe it has something to do with my severe paranoia and fear of the dark unknown even though I can basically see in the dark.
Headmaster Morgan noticed my displeasure. “Oh, I know you’re a vampire now, but we can’t be too careful. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to that pretty little royal head of yours.” He straightened a stack of papers on his desk. “Plus King Davenport and Dimitri would probably lock me up and throw away the key if it did.” He paused for a moment and cocked his head in thought. “Or eat me maybe.”
I stared at him for a moment absentmindedly clutching my royal crest necklace wondering if he was serious.
Finally peals of laughter rolled out his mouth, shaking his thinning auburn hair. “Just kidding. Just kidding.”
I gave a nervous laugh.
“They wouldn’t eat me. I’m old and bitter.” He winked. “I’ve been here a long time. They might have a hard time digging me out. I think I’ve grown roots.”
My brow arched. “Were you a professor here first?”
He nodded. “Chemistry Professor.”
That must be the reason for the odd, astringent smell. Maybe he’s been reliving old days in the science lab.
My face made a grimace, thinking about my disastrous semester in Chemistry.
He frowned dramatically. “Not a Chemistry fan.”
I shook my head.
“Well, I suppose it’s not for everyone.” He leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye. “I just love watching the way formulas come off the page and into the beaker, creating something truly magnificent.”
“I feel the same way about a recipe turning into food, but from a watching view and not doing.” I blurted, my cheeks dusting with pink.
His laughter filled the room. “That is a good one Rubi.” He shook a finger at me. “I like the way you think.”
I smiled wryly.
***
Friday night the shifters were throwing a party off campus. It’s not secret like the vampire kind at Highland where humans are compelled to forget anything weird. It’s simply secret because we’re not supposed to be off campus this late at night.
I was excited until Mac divulged the locale of this shindig. The cemetery. Seriously!
My mind whirled with the figure I may or may not have seen the day before school in that very cemetery. Mac assured me it would be fine. Daedalus and Rufus would even be there keeping watch over me.
That made me feel the tiniest bit better. But it was still weird having a party in a graveyard. Demy said it would be on the outskirts beyond any tombstones. Still. It was way creepier than any party at Highland.
I stood beneath the canopy of a weeping willow, the lacy moss drifting like a ghost in the gentle breeze. People were scattered through the high, unkempt grass in the fringes of the cemetery. Ancient crumbling tombstones stood out in the distance, dull gray against the darkened night. Jasmine perfumed the air along with the burning campfire scent of shifters, a few sweet scented made vampires, salty humans, and of course beer.
“How’s your first week at Mossgrove Rubi?” Allison asked as she leaned against the trunk of the weeping willow. “Is it a lot like Highland?” The moon shone through gaps in the greenery, highlighting her delicate features and turning her skin silvery.
I bit the tip of my thumb nail, a nervous habit I can’t quit. “It’s been good. Everyone seems nice—a lot nicer to me then when I first transferred to Highland.” Of course then I was a no body. That was pre-Mac, pre-princess, and pre-vampire.
“People in the south tend to be a lot kinder.” Laney strolled up, looking perfect as usual in a miniscule jean skirt with a teal tank top and sandals. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like a honey waterfall over sun kissed hills. Not a freaking frizz or flyaway. It was like a hundred percent humidity outside and she looked cool as ice.
I glanced down at my holey jeans and black t-shirt and suddenly felt like the scrub I was. Vampire princess my ass.
Vera pulled my thumb away from my mouth. “Yeah. Some of those girls at Highland gave new levels to snobbery.”
“I’m glad my parents decided to stick with Mossgrove Academy.” Allison sipped her red solo cup. “They almost made to go to Highland when they were working with King Davenport two years ago.”
I scoffed. “You would have been fine. I’m the one who started at the bottom of the totem pole.”
“And now look at you,” Laney remarked causally. “You’re a princess.”
My gaze surveyed her hard as I tried to decipher if she was being a bitch or not. She sounded nice, but there was an edge to it. Or maybe I’m imaging it.
Allison nudged me to get my attention. “What do you think of Professor Holland?”
I grinned.
Her eyes fluttered closed. “Isn’t he so hot? I’m madly in love with him.”
Vera and Laney giggled.
“You’re madly in lust with him,” Vera said.
Allison shrugged. “Love, lust, who’s cares. Owen Holland is the sexiest shifter I’ve ever seen. Don’t you think Rubi?”
“He is pretty to look at.”
“Oooh,” Laney teased. “Better not let Mac hear you say that. He can be a jealous one.”
Again, was she taunting me or just having fun? Was there a difference?
Allison tore a rubber band from Vera’s arm, causing her to scowl. “What? You’re not using it.” She twisted her hair into a pony tail and fanned her neck. “He’s totes possessive of you with every male except Demy. What’ the deal with that?”
“Oh don’t even go there,” Vera said, adjusting her black lacy camisole. “Demy loves Rubi to death and Mac trusts him second to only himself with her.”
Laney’s brows knit. “So you only see Demy as like your brother?”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Definitely not brother. The Russian shifter could make me blush in ways a brother never could—unless you were into that sort of thing. “We’re just close.”
“So you’ve never kissed him or anything?”
“Nope.”
Someone cleared their throat. “Princess Rubi, I don’t mean to interrupt.” A vampire was standing next to us, shifting awkwardly. His brown hair was swept away from his face, showing bright hazel eyes that held no silver ring. His heart beat at a normal rate and no sweet scent lingered. He was born.
My cheeks immediately burned at the title I felt I didn’t deserve he tacked onto my name. “Oh, um, hi.”
He stepped closer and was so tall I had to crane my neck up to look into his face. “My name is Hudson. It’s an honor to have the royal vampire family at our school. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Oh man. I could only imagine what he’s heard. It was probably my awkwardness, shyness, and horrific eating manners—all things that deemed me unworthy of being a ruler. “I-uh-I…” Stellar vocabulary Rubi really. I was pretty sure I heard Laney choke on a laugh.
Get it together!
I took a deep breath, brushed the hair out of my face, and smiled. “Thanks Hudson. I hope it wasn’t all bad.”
He grinned. “No. Not at all. All good things. The rumors say you’re very sweet and could put a smile on even the king’s face when he’s having a bad day.”
I blushed and bit my lip to hide the grin fighting toward the surface. That doesn’t sound so bad. “As far as rumors go that’s pretty cool.”
“I had to come see if they were true.” He pointed to his face. “And if my huge cheesy grin is any indication I take it as yes. It’s so true.”
Hudson suddenly bowed—he actually freaking bowed—and not in the way the twins do it. This was a serious I’m his ruler kind of bow. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you or Mac while you’re here.” With one last wave he walked away.
Allison pinched me. “That was awesome. I wish I was a princess.”
I grimaced at the now dozens of eyes on me. “I’m going to go over there.” I pointed to a row of ancient headstones in the distance. “I need to make a phone call,” I lied.
“Okay.” The girls said in unison.
I weaved through timeworn headstones, the silvery moonlight turning them into ethereal beings. Ivy and moss crawled up them, determined to reclaim the stone into the ground. Some of them already had, a few sunken into the earth over time. My feet didn’t stop until I was far enough away staring eyes couldn’t penetrate my skin.
Gees. I never knew my life would be so interesting to others or that there’d be rumors about me. Of course I never imagined I would be with someone like Mac and he was worth a million rumors circulating about yours truly.
My life was definitely about give and take.
A shiver suddenly ghosted down my spine, prickling my flesh. A twig snapped behind me and I spun around expecting to find Vera or someone, maybe even my new butt buddy Laney. No one was there.
Huh.
I turned back around and nearly yelped at the guy in front of me. “Holy fish fillet. Where’d you come from?”
He shook his sandy blonde hair from his face while a crooked smile curled his lips. “So it is you. I wasn’t sure.”
I grimaced hoping I wasn’t about to get more princess praise.
He stuck his hands in his pockets with chagrin. “Lynn told me about
you.”
Relief settled over me. “Oh. You know Lynn?”
“Yeah. We go way back. I’m Thomas.”
“Rubi.” I shook myself. “I guess you already knew that.”
He chuckled. “She said you were funny.”
“Yep. That’s me. Good ole funny bones Rubi,” I said dryly. Most of the time I’m pretty sure people were laughing at me and not with me.
Thomas’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Man, I wish you came to Mossgrove Academy ages ago.”
“Where is Lynn? I haven’t seen her around. I was hoping we’d have some classes together.”
A hint of sadness darkened his brown eyes. “Oh, she’s around, but I doubt you’d have any classes with her.”
My brow arched questioningly. “What do you mean?” Before he could respond electricity tickled my nerve endings. “Hey Mac,” I said as I twirled around to face him. “I was just talking to…” I pointed a finger at Thomas or at least where he’d just been, my finger falling back to my side. “What the hell?”
Worry lines creased his forehead. “Rubi, were you on the phone or something?”
I scratched my head, trying to figure out where Thomas disappeared to so fast and why Mac hadn’t noticed him when he was walking up. “No. I was talking to this guy named Thomas.” I motioned with my hand. “He was right there like two seconds ago.”
Mac pulled me close until I was almost flush with his body and tilted my chin up with his fingers, examining my face. “Rubi, baby, have you been sleeping well?” Concern laced his voice.
“Fine. Mostly,” I lied. I wasn’t blabbing about my mysterious dreams with a ghost, a nonexistent door that led to a staircase, and scary hunters slicing and dicing me. The way Mac was looking at me now said he might be inclined to take me on a trip to Arkham Asylum. “What does that have to do with the guy I was talking to?”
“There was no guy baby. I don’t even smell anyone but you.”
I bit my lip, confusion swirling in my chest. Come to think of it, the guy didn’t have a scent. At all.
Chapter 13
A girl with tumbles of black wavy hair cascading down her back walked down a dim hall, her simple Mary Janes silent on the plush navy and gold carpet. Delicate crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, spilling faint light across the cream walls. A pleated navy skirt went passed her knees and a crisp white shirt was buttoned to her neck. A navy cardigan with a crest composed of a lion on his hind legs, roaring in front of a sword with the Latin word for valor stitched at the top laid on the left.
