I quickly forget about Alexandra, as we enter the foyer. It’s just as grand as its exterior. The heels of my shoes click on the marble floor as I catch my reflection in the large gilded mirror. The walls are covered in wood from floor to ceiling. I sniff the air and determine its walnut. The width of the foyer is larger than my dormitory room. There are several tables with antique vases and other knickknacks lining the hall.
“Do you have a dungeon? You must have a dungeon.” I had too many questions about this historic house to keep my cool. History was one of my favorite subjects, even though human textbooks had it all wrong.
“If I said we did, I’d have to tie you up.” Ivor tilts his head closer to me, and flashes a flirty smile.
“Gross.” Alexandra said, as she drags her feet into a room off to the left of us.
“Don’t let her ruin what could be a fun night.” Ivor extends his hand in the direction of the room that Alexandra had just entered.
“... I have better things to do tonight.” I catch the last half of Alexandra’s speech as I step into the room.
Arthur, Finley, and Hunter all sit around the large fireplace. They’re dressed as if we were going to attend a formal dinner party. I pull at my stretched-out T-shirt and sit in the seat closest to the door.
“Please, have a seat.” Alexandra narrows her eyes at me, and I wonder if there is a trap door under one of the chairs.
At this point, I’m fully aware that nothing I do could please her, and there’s no point in trying. Arthur and Hunter throw a quick nod my way. I’m not sure if they are scared to speak to me because Alexandra is there, or if they are really not pleased that I’m in their parlor room.
“Thank you for coming,” Finley said, approaching me with a drink. The water in the glass shakes from his awkward hand. His hair is slick back, and his complexion pales against his black suit.
“You guys really take visitors seriously,” I said, taking the glass from Finley, thankful it didn’t end up all over Una’s clothes.
“We like to dress up before a good meal,” Alexandra licked her fangs while pouring herself another drink. She avoids the glare from Ivor and Hunter.
“We’d like to discuss something vital with you,” Finley said, taking his seat next to Hunter.
It’s hard not to notice that something was wrong. These were not the boys I met earlier. They were tense, awkward, and I was afraid of what they would be asking of me. I glance toward the door. Ivor steps in front of it, blocking my only way out.
“It’s okay,” Finley said, as if he was reading my mind this time.
“So, why did you invite me here?” I look at each of them, square in the face, trying to guess what brought me here. I’m not a vampire, so it wasn’t an invitation to join their den. I’m a hunter, a detriment to their kind.
“We believe that we can work together to solve the murders on campus,” Ivor said, as he took the seat closest to me, “you’re hunting skills could be useful to us.”
I shake my head, processing what Ivor just asked of me. I think for the first time in my life, I was speechless. Full blood vampires had no use for me. Their powers were much stronger than mine ever could be.
“Think about it. You have a level head, and we’ve heard about your hunting reputation.” Finley said, standing up and walking over to my chair.
“She kills vampires. I’m over this.” Alexandra hops up from her chair and does as many eye rolls and sighs as she can fit in, walking across the large room.
“Never mind her.” Ivor took a drink from his glass, finishes it then puts it on the table next to him. “We need you.”
“Not really,” Arthur replies, his head slowly turning to our direction. “Alexandra is right. How can we trust her?”
“Can you think of a better idea? The council is doing shit.” Hunter pipes in, his foot doing a tap dance on the floor.
“What can I do that you guys can’t?” Finally, words are forming in my head in complete sentences. The images of them all drinking my blood in some sex party, finally at rest.
“We think the fae have something to do with it, or at least know more than they are sharing,” Finley said.
“Based on who’s been attacked or killed,” Ivor adds, shifting his body to face mine, in his chair.
“Why would they want to talk to me?” Their plan still wasn’t adding up.
“We want to search Professor Scoll’s office,” Ivor said, glancing toward his brothers for backup. “And we need your help.”
“He’d smell our scent, being full bloods. You don’t leave a scent behind being...” Finley pauses, and his cheeks flush. He didn’t want to say it.
“Being a mutt.” I finish for him.
“It’s true. Not that it downgrades your abilities. I know there’s snobbery around campus amongst the full bloods. But they underestimate you.” Ivor’s voice was firm and confident. Like he would hurt anyone that challenged me.
“Please, think about it.” Finley steps in front of my eye line to Ivor. “If we don’t solve this, there’ll be more murders.”
I stood up and nod my head that I understand. I run my sweaty palms, down Una’s jeans and make my way to the door. I’ve had enough vampire time. I want to be snug in my bed with my own thoughts. I still had my own mission to complete, whatever it was. Maybe having an in with the vampires would help me when the time comes. “I’ll think about it.”
Chapter 9
“I don’t want to have to tell you again. You stay with Una or me. I set up your classes so either of us will be with you all day.” Clark sighs, annoyed that once again, he had to remind me what was right for me.
“I get it. You or Una.” I roll my eyes while looking in the opposite direction of him. I’ve never been one for rules, and I wasn’t about to start now. I’m getting tired of just being a student. I want my mission, so I can get it over with. I miss my house and I never thought I would say this but - even Nelly.
“Forensic science. We have it together, but I’m not sitting with you.” Clark hurries ahead, and I try my best to keep up with him. I still don’t know where I’m going on campus.
“Why won’t you sit with me?” A kid rushes past me but not before he body slams me into some lockers. I strike them hard, knocking the wind out of me as I fall to the ground. After some time on the floor, without anyone stopping to help, I stand up in a panic. I’ve lost Clark, or rather he lost me.
I run down the hall, with a jump here and there, trying to look for his moppy head of hair somewhere in front of me. I hated relying on other people. I should have studied the campus map instead of hanging out at a vampire den last night.
“Looking for me?” Ivor casually steps out of no where, blocking my view.
“I need to get to class.” I bop to his left, then under his arm.
“I’ll take you.” He calls out to me.
I come to a full stop. That was a better plan than running around like a chicken with my head cut off screaming Clark’s name. “Forensic Science.” I turn back to him on my heels, “as quickly as possible.”
“This way.” He grabs my hand, and we turn left onto another corridor. There are fewer students, so it’s easier to get around.
“Are you sure this is the way?” My forehead scrunches as I see that the students in this wing are much younger than we are.
“Did you really want to go to that class?” Ivor laughs as he pulls my hand through the hall. He picks up momentum, and it would be difficult to try to stop him, perhaps part of me didn’t want too.
“Kinda.” I don’t pull back on his hand, letting him know my real answer.
Ivor turns a corner again and pulls me into a classroom. It’s empty, and he closes the door behind me. “You followed.”
“Maybe,” I said as I lean back against the chalkboard. I had no idea what was about to happen, but I could use my imagination.
Ivor grabs my face, and his lips pounce on mine, his tongue forcing its way into my mouth. I give in to his temptation and let hi
m have his way. My hands roam freely over his clothes. I slip my hand between his belt and shirt and tug him forward on me. His body moans and is compliant with my commands.
I can’t deny kissing him hasn’t been on my mind since we first met. The anticipation of when it would happen, not if.
He pulls back from me and tilts his head a little to the side, his eyebrows scrunch up as if he has something important to say to me.
“I’m fine with this.” I grab his shirt and nudge him back to me and stand on my tippy toes, lifting my lips up to meet his.
“We want you.” He says the words fast and harsh, then closes his eyes.
“I said I would think about it.”
“No, not in that way. In a mate kind of way...” His hand slides down my back and draws me close, “all of my brothers...in a fated way.”
My mouth drops open, but words evade me. What the heck was he asking me?
“Don’t you have class somewhere?” A voice interrupts our playtime. We break apart just as a teacher enters the room.
My instinct is to hide my face, while Ivor straightens out his jacket.
“Get to class, or I’ll report you.” The teacher scolds us as we make our way out of the room.
Back in the hallway, I hide my face in shame for giving in. It’s a line we can’t cross again, and one I knew he’d be waiting to revisit. I jog back to the hallway where Clark had been, maybe he was looking for me.
“Penelope! Wait.” Ivor calls after me. His footsteps echo in the empty hallway as he runs behind me.
“I really have to get to class.” I hide my red face from him, as I search each classroom door for any signs of anything forensic.
“It’s this way.” I hear Ivor’s footsteps stop. “For real. I’ll take you.”
I halt my frantic running and go back to him. “I have to get to class,” I repeat wishing I had come up with something different to say. My mind still on the sweetness of his taste and the seconds away I was from exploring him further – not to mention his request for a harem.
“It’s two doors down.” Ivor nods his head in that direction, and I follow behind him.
As we get to the door, Ivor grabs my hand just before I enter. “I’m sorry if you didn’t...”
“I did,” I interrupt him, “It’s just the timing. I really need to get in there.”
Ivor opens the door for me, and I immediately see Clark, who also sees Ivor. Clark’s eyes meet mine, and I know I’m in trouble. It’s almost like he knew what had just happened between us. I scan the classroom and grab a seat at the far back. I don’t notice Ivor follow me until he makes the student in front of me, give him his chair.
“You didn’t mention being in this class.” I lean forward on my desk and whisper behind his ear all while keeping an eye on Clark.
“I’m not.” He calls over his shoulder in a low voice.
I sit back in my seat and take a deep breath. Surely, it’s not my fault if Ivor follows me. I unpack my book bag and arrange my desk for note taking. I secretly can’t wait for this class, but I’ll hide my enthusiasm.
“Sorry, I’m late.” The teacher calls as he walks into the room. Another point on my side this morning. “Let’s get started.”
I grab my already sharpened pencil and settle in. I scan the classroom to see if anyone else I know is here and my eyes settle on the back of a familiar blond mess of curly hair. “No,” I say louder than I had anticipated and grab the edges of my desk.
Everyone’s heads flip my way, except for Clark who is still pissed I disobeyed him. But could he really be surprised?
“What’s wrong?” Ivor whispers to me, his hand reaching for mine.
“It’s him. I know it.” With my butt still planted in my seat, I bob my body back and forth, trying to get a good view of him. If only he would turn his head...
“Who?” Ivor follows to where my attention is. “That guy?”
“He’s not a guy...well, he is. What he really is, is an ass.” I fumble with my words, ready to pounce on him the moment I had confirmation.
“What did he do?” Ivor’s mouth was in a firm line now, and his chest is puffed out.
His readiness to fight for me caught me off guard. But soon my attention was back on the blond. I couldn’t tell Ivor what he had done, because then I would have to explain how I ended up in the jail of the secret council and then at this school. “He’s an ex.”
“We can rough him up a bit. Keep him away from you.” Ivor’s attention turns to me, and his anger calms down. He covers my hand with his, in an endearing way.
As much as I want to give Ivor my full attention, I can’t stop looking at the back of that head. For the next sixty minutes, I can barely focus on the teacher. Every movement of blond hair steals my brain space. Was it really him? He’s a mutt just like me. There’s no way it could be him.
I didn’t hear the school bell ring. The blond standing up alerted me that class was over. I left my books at my desk and push my way to the front of the class, barely able to grab his arm between students. I had a tight grip on his arm and yank him back to face me. “Hazen?” I stood face to face with him. Something I thought would never happen.
“Penelope. Good to see you.” The jackass smiles ear to ear and acts like he hadn’t ruined my life.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I raise my voice. I don’t care who listens as I’m about to rip him a new one.
“Chill. I just enrolled.” Hazen still has that stupid smile on his face.
I catch his arm again and whisper, so no one else can hear, “Why did you turn me in to them?” My hands shake as the blood in my veins swells in anger. I feel dizzy but ignore it to get answers.
Hazen laughs with his goofy grin I used to adore and shrugs like I just asked him if he took out the garbage. “I don’t know. Seemed right I guess.”
“Do you know what they did to me?” I stand up on my tiptoes, so we are eye to eye. I can’t control the tears as they fall down my cheeks. I see a stranger looking back at me. Someone who couldn't care less what happens to me.
“I knew you wouldn’t die.” Hazen steps back from me and shrugs. “You can take care of yourself.”
My body vibrates with anger, he risked my life, and I need to know what for. All these months of wanting to get my hands on him. Screaming at him in my sleep. Thinking of every angle possible as to how he could deceive me. Everything we had planned for the future. “What did you get out of it? You had to get something. You can’t be that evil.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, P.” Hazen said, backing away from me, eyeing the door.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a blur of black. Ivor has Hazen up against the blackboard with his fist at his throat.
“Don’t even fucking look at her.” Ivor’s voice is dark, and his fangs are out. He’s about to rip him apart.
“Penelope! Are you alright?” Clark pushes through the crowd to get to me. “What’s going on?”
“Get this moron off of me,” Hazen says as his feet dangles above the ground. He wiggles his body to get free, but nothing will stop Ivor.
“You’re going to answer all of her questions. Or we will have a little sit down together, with no one else around.” Ivor hisses at Hazen and tightens his grip around his neck.
“Did you cheat on me with a vampire?” Hazen calls out to me. For a moment I see it, the part of him I miss. It was easy for him to turn it on and then off again.
“Cheat on you?” I hold onto a desk, once the blackness sets in. I could barely see through it, my body shaking. “We were over the moment you betrayed me.”
Ivor’s focus remains on Hazen, but I caught the slight eye movement my way. There would be questions for me later. I should have held back my anger, but I couldn’t in that moment. I had waited months to question him, and just when I think it doesn’t matter - he’s in front of me, acting like nothing happened.
“Let him down, Ivor.” The teacher was standing among us
now. He steps carefully into the circle with his hands up, scared of the hyped-up vampire.
Ivor’s response is to lift him higher, almost to the point of causing him to black out. His hands tight around his neck. “I’ll let him down when he answers, Penelope’s, questions.”
“Penelope,” Clark breaks into the circle. His eyes meet mine first. His heart begins to visually beat faster as he takes in what is happening.
“Step back, wolf.” Ivor threatens him, all while keeping Hazen off the ground.
“Hazen? What are you doing here?” Clark said, taking a step backward. Clearly shocked to see him here.
“You know him?” I scream at Clark, who is supposed to protect me. What the hell is going on?
Chapter 10
“How could you not tell me you know him?” I pace back and forth in my dorm room. Clark is sitting at my desk, not answering any of my rants.
I wasn’t prepared to see him. He was packaged perfectly at the back of my mind, not inhibiting any primary brain space. Then he just shows up out of nowhere. In a full blood academy. How the hell did he get in?
“I didn’t know he was coming. I swear, Penelope.” Clark speaks. It’s clear from the expression on his face that he didn’t. I can’t be mad at him as much as I want to be.
“How did he get in here?” I demand to know but knew I was asking the wrong person. “And more importantly, how do you know him?”
“I can’t tell you that,” Clark said, as he walks over to the door. He opens it and looks out into the hallway, then closes the door. “I want to tell you more, but I can’t.”
I take a deep breath in and try to settle my mind. I wish the teacher had not walked in on Ivor and me. I wish I never stepped foot in that class and that I was happily oblivious, even for a few more hours. After several deep inhales, my body felt lighter. My mood better. But I still crave answers.
“What can you tell me?” I asked, Clark, in the most civil tone I could find within myself. Sure, I hadn’t known Clark very long, but he seems to hate Hazen as much as I did. And really, who else did I have to trust? Everyone I knew had been ripped away from me. I was starting over from scratch.
Millwood Academy - First Term Page 6
