How did he? Oh I told him. I was nervous about having to talk about what I could do with my own healing powers.
“Emma?” Lily's voice broke through my internal rant of nerves.
“Yes, Lily.” I tried to smile.
“Please, come and sit with me.” Lily's presence was relaxing like sitting in the garden with a cup of tea, but I was still terrified that I was a freak- I went and sat across from her.
“I feel that your question was brought on from personal experience and not just a curious mind. How about you tell me what you can do, and we'll figure out how to place you. Okay?” She smiled at me.
“Well, I know that I can bring things back from the dead- at least things that are just dead- nothing rotting.. or at least I hope not. That would be gross. I can heal others when I direct my energy to their injuries. And I can cure fatal wounds. That's about it. But I don't use anything other than my own energy. I didn't know there was another way to do it.” I stared down at the table between us.
“Mon Dieu, that is quite amazing. This class is meant to teach people to cure injuries, nothing fatal, but relatively bad ones. We use all things necessary to get the results we want. I've never met a vampire that can utilize their energy in such a manner. Do you think you could show me?” Her face was lit with excitement.
“Um, are you injured somewhere?” My nerves tripled.
“Not yet, but a small injury I could heal quickly myself, I'd like to see you heal something larger. Nothing fatal. Could you do this for me?”Lily was holding a large knife, my stomach dropped to my knees.
“Mistress Fleur, are you sure?” I was really scared. What happens if I fail?
“Yes, Emma, I'll make a gash that would take me hours to heal, but you'll heal it. D'accord?” She nodded as she asked.
“Yes, Lily.” I responded automatically.
I watched in weird terror as my new professor took the wicked looking knife in her hand and slashed a huge wound on her left forearm. The blood sprayed out, and then flowed down her arm in a steady stream. My fangs dropped into place from the scent of pure vampire blood.
“Now, heal it, if you would Emma.” She was transfixed by my every movement.
I placed a towel over the wound to stop me from becoming more distracted by the blood. I held the injury as tightly as I could and closed my eyes. I quickly went into a calm state. I sent out my energy to the wound. It was easier to handle through my mind's eye. Within a minute I had all the damage undone. I took the towel off and handed it to Lily. She looked from her arm to me with sheer amazement.
“Emma, I just don't know what to say. Are you sure you can do everything that you've said?” Lily was examining her unscathed arm as she asked me the question.
“Yes, Lily. I can.” I said point blank.
“Perhaps we can bring in another healer, and set up private lessons for you at the same time. What do you think of that? In the meantime, I would like you to try and teach some of your skill to the class, so I'll give you twenty minutes each day to try and guide the students in this form of healing. Okay?” I followed Lily's movements as she stroked the spot where she had sliced straight through to the bone.
“If you think they can learn this, then I would be honored. But, I have to go now.” I checked my watch.
“Oh, yes, of course. I'm sorry to have kept you so long. Have a good day, Emma.” She briefly looked up, but basically waved me off.
I left the room as quickly as I could. I didn't know how to react to that. Will my entire day be like this? I was already exhausted from being different. Ugh! I rushed over to the strange empty field. It took me a minute to locate the door because it was painted the same color as the rest of the beige building. I was reluctant to step into it, because the color reminded me so much of my high school and my normal life.
Leave the past behind you, Emma Hutchinson. A strong male presence entered my mind.
I knew I had let down my blocks momentarily from everything that had happened and thinking about the old days, but they were still very strong.
Who would dare to enter my thoughts? I forced my mind to follow the pattern that was left with the words. I soon realized that the professor was standing in front of me, once again I saw the look of amazement as I had traced his words back to him.
“Ah, you must be the famous Emma Hutchinson. In this room we only use our internal voices, unless there is a visitor. So if you could please lower your ever impressive shielding I would appreciate it.” A tall man with short strawberry blonde hair and light green eyes spoke to me.
Sorry, Master. I didn't know. I apologized.
Please, I'm just Daniel. After class I think we will need to talk. I have a feeling that this isn't the first time today for you though. His smile was cockeyed and full of laughter.
That would be fine, Daniel, and no, it is not the first time. I sighed.
Okay class, this is your new classmate, welcome Emma Hutchinson. His voice was booming and rich with an Irish accent.
Before my thoughts could be bombarded with all the voices from the room, I threw a shield up to filter them through one at a time. Once again Daniel looked at me in interest. I shrugged.
Thank you all for the kind welcome. I allowed my singular thought to flow to each mind in the room, the students reacted in the same manner as Daniel did- shock. I sighed.
Now to begin class. What number am I thinking of? Daniel laughed to himself.
Right, Daniel. What kind of question is that to start the class off with? Leland's voice was like a shrug.
It is to test your ability to read another's thoughts. Any ideas? He asked as he stood on his chair trying to sit in the middle of his desk cross legged.
One. A girl with fair blonde hair answered.
Nope. Daniel stretched his arms above his head.
Twenty-three. Leland guessed with a shrug.
Try again. This time he leaned forward and laid his stomach against his legs, I wasn't sure what he was doing.
The guessing went on for about fifteen minutes before I raised my hand, knowing that I was about to show off.
In this room, you don't have to raise your hand. Feel free to shout out like Leland just did. But, yes, Emma, please go on. Daniel sat up and slid over to the corner of his desk- a plain wooden table with a chair tucked under it, much like ours.
You were not thinking of a number, at least not superficially. In fact the only numbers that were present in your mind at the moment of your question were that of your birth date... but the year is missing. I tilted my head in question.
WOW! Daniel's mouth hung slightly open.
So I must ask, what was the point of asking the question? I hated questions that weren't supposed to be answered.
The purpose, my dear, was to show that they were not trying to actually read my mind. What you did went way beyond anything you'll learn here. Daniel smiled.
I sighed. I didn't understand why I was here if I knew more than my professors.
We'll talk later. If you wouldn't mind allowing some of the others to try... I know it's hard when you know the answers. Daniel sent a silent message to me, I merely nodded in response.
I sat in dull silence as I watched Daniel sit in various silly positions around the room and on various objects, trying to get the students around me to probe his mind and their classmates'. Whenever he asked them to try to find out something about someone in the class, I could feel the mental pings as they tried to get through my blocks. It was interesting to feel how hard they tried with me, versus how they acted in the class. I knew that Leland would try the hardest. The first time he tried I launched a mild shock back through the connection. I thought this would discourage him from trying me, but it seemed to do the opposite. So I spent the rest of the class sending slightly stronger surges through the link and mentally giggling as Leland jolted in his seat. By the end of the class, I was sure I had damaged our friendship, but he seemed right as rain.
“See you in Tracking, Em.”
He laughed as he left the room, I wasn't sure if I should worry or not- I knew I could defend myself if need be.
Ah, that was quite amusing to watch, Miss Emma. Daniel laughed out loud.
Sorry, sir, I thought the first time would get him to stop, but it only encouraged him. I suppose I could've ignored him. It was strange talking to my teachers so honestly.
It's good for him. I've never seen a class work so hard as a collective. You were a good addition to it, I believe. I've no intention on testing your abilities like a lab rat. I can see that you're more advanced than this class... however, this is as high as it goes. What I can suggest is that I keep you in here as a teaching assistant. I think keeping you here would help the students, especially if you continue to randomly show advanced things around them. What do you say? He was so sure, and then he got down on a yoga mat against the wall and did a headstand.
I, um, think that would be fine. I don't mind being the sideshow freak. What are you doing, if you don't mind me asking? I couldn't resist.
Yoga, my dear. It helps to keep the mind and body in balance. Something a mental training professor must do. But truth be told, I don't think I'm completely balanced. Daniel winked his sea foam green eye at me.
Interesting. Okay, well I have to get to my next class, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye. I hurried out of the room after he waved bye to me with his bare foot.
Going to my next two classes was the most normal thing did I all day. They seemed almost regular. The one was a history class about vampires. The other was like home economics or something. I never thought I would be in a class that taught you how to be a vampire. I think I should've been placed in a higher level class, but I guess it was necessary since I was a new student.
By the time I got to Tracking, I was relatively bored with the whole 'vampire' school thing. It seemed just like high school only worse because now I was stuck helping to teach stuff to other vampires. How is that even fair? I wasn't sure what Tracking would bring, but I was sure it wouldn't be more amazing than the rest of the day.
The woods were dark at this hour. The sounds of the night were echoing all around me as I walked into the tree line. I knew that the jagged branches and strange sounds that go bump in the night would scare a normal person, but as I strolled further into the woods I felt completely calm and welcomed. A tall lurking shadow emerged from the darkness- it was the hunting lodge. It seemed like I was the first here, there wasn't even a light on. In the back of the building, I found a group of other students standing together, looking a bit spooked.
“You know, in horror movies, when people cluster together in the dark woods, one is certain to die.” I couldn't resist it.
The small group broke into smaller groups of twos or threes.
“Jeeze, you guys, it shouldn't be so easy to spook vampires!” I laughed.
A low growl came directly from behind me. Everyone looked in my direction. I slowly turned toward the noise. The growl came again. It sounded feline. Once I had a lock on the sound, it didn't take long before I saw the glowing green eyes- they seemed out of place on the black panther face staring at me. I wasn't even afraid, like any normal person would've been. Instead I felt my body take a defensive stance. I was not going to back down from a panther in the back woods of Italy and leave these kids to get eaten. I sank down into a low crouch. A rough growl escaped from me. I watched as the other kids either moved toward the lodge for cover, or moved to flank me.
The panther launched itself at me. I was about to do the same when the beast slowly began to transform in mid leap. I was shocked when Leland landed on me completely nude- knocking me to the ground. He placed his fangs against my throat.
“You could be dead right now, Emma.” He purred into my ear.
“What the devil did you just do?” I demanded.
“Class, I'm your professor for Tracking. Your first lesson is to not be taken back by the unusual. Emma's initial reaction to stand and fight was natural. However, she shouldn't have stopped her attack because the threat changed. I'm Leland by the way.” His fangs glistened in the brief moonlight.
It took everything in my power not to throw the full force of my body weight at him. I didn't want to be his damned example. And why the hell is he naked? My temper was beginning to flare.
“Now, if everyone could follow me inside, we will start our class.” He shook his head and some leaves fell to the floor.
We marched inside after his nude arse. My mind was circling on the fact that no one had commented on his nudity.
“Um, excuse me, Leland? Why are you naked?” I just couldn't stop myself.
“For the same reason you'll be soon enough.” He winked at me.
“What?” There was a collective grumble.
“Calm your grundies down. Tonight we will be doing our first tries at transformation. Every vampire has the ability to change into a predatory creature. Some never learn this skill. You are among the few that have been selected for some reason or another to try and master it. I'm here to teach you. When you transform, the best way to do it's in the nuddy- or naked. Your clothes will tear off you otherwise. So we will have to learn some self esteem and not worry if someone is checking out some body part or not. Aye?” Leland was pulling out robes that looked like they were made of tissue.
“These you can wear in the beginning, but you'll only have them going into the change... coming out you'll be as nude as the day you were born.” A smile played at his lips.
He handed out the thin white tissue like cover ups.
“Now, after everyone has changed, please meet me outside.” He left the room still naked.
I looked down at the thin material, I knew it wouldn't cover much. So I decided that I might as well start getting used to it. I stripped out of my clothes- taking care not to rip my fishnets. I piled it all nicely together and laid the robe on top of it all. I walked out of the lodge skyclad with my head held high. I knew that as I left several of the males in the group stared openly at me. I will not blush or look ashamed. I would conquer this just as I had conquered everything else.
“Ah, cara mia. You've decided to try it in the buff.” Leland's words were sensual.
“Yes.” I was trying hard to concentrate on why I was standing outside at night naked, and not on the fact that I was, and why Leland's use of Italian didn't surprise me.
The rest of the class wandered out covered in their tissue sheets- like you couldn't see through them. We lined up across from Leland and waited while he made sure that the surroundings around were clear. Apparently, the first transformation could be quite painful and loud.
When Leland reappeared, his face was lit with excitement. “Tonight, you'll all begin the process of mastering the ability to change on command. Like I can”. He changed into the black panther we had encountered earlier, and just as easily switched back.
“Now, I'm going to start guiding you on your journey. No one is allowed to start laughing, as I know it sounds bloody stupid.” Leland laughed.
I tried hard to suppress the giggle that started to form. It came out as a snort. Leland looked at me, but didn't comment.
“I want you all to close your eyes. I want you to find the inner predator. You'll hear its call in the deepest, darkest parts of your very soul.” His sudden silence left us to just listen to our inner beasts.
I sat with my eyes shut. The wind blew my braids back from my bare chest. I felt as though my skin was bristling. I heard a wolf howl, low and primal. My eyes shot open. Leland was watching me with interest. I listened hard to the dark woods around me. I inhaled the deep scents of trees, and night. But I couldn't sense a wolf anywhere. I closed my eyes again. I went back to searching for the beast within. I heard the howl again, as though the creature was standing right in front of me. Instead of opening my eyes, I followed the sound deeper within my mind, and that's where I found her. Her thick black fur was as dark as midnight. Her eyes, the same shade as my own, were bright with intelligence and excitement. I walked t
oward her with my hand extended. She stepped to match my own footing. Her mouth with all its beautiful white canines was in a wolfish grin.
You're my predator. I said to her, she yipped in response.
I reached out and pet her soft pelt- that was when my body began to shake. I felt her begin to take control. I fell forward in a howl of pain. My body contorted to her response. The thick soft black fur that began to sprout all over my body was like having needles sown through your pores. My leg joints bent backwards with a loud crack. My hands shrank back into paws with razor sharp claws attached. A tail grew from my tail bone- it was as if my body was producing new bones.
My entire body got smaller with each new change to my extremities.
When I finally opened my eyes, I was panting hard and a wolf. My senses were heightened. I wanted to run. A howl that escaped from my body seemed to stretch from the tip of my tail to the points of my ears. I didn't understand the thoughts circling through my mind. I knew that the people around me were familiar, but their faces were distorted with fear. I know no one with such fear. I looked out towards the woods. Yes, freedom. I inched toward the trees that were on my right. A blonde male human stepped in front of me. His face was stuck in my thoughts like I knew him. He emitted no fear when he stood in front of me- blocking my path from what I wanted.
I growled.
“Emma?” His word was touched with a place I knew as Australia. What is Australia?
I stepped back.
“Emma, fight the beast and get control again.” The command was clear.
I'm not to be controlled. I'm Alpha in my world. I snarled.
He stepped back. Emma Hutchinson, you're a vampire not a wolf.
Images flashed through my mind, I shook to try to get them out.
The strange male sent more thoughts to me.
Instead of succumbing to the thoughts, I braced myself for my leap.
The images continued to flood towards me, so many feelings were mixed in. Weak human.
I felt each of my muscles lock into place, and then I sprung with my teeth bared.
Bella Vita Page 8
