by A. Vers
Chapter 3
Morgan
I remained tense through the entire welcome assembly. The new students stared out over the crowd and it was easy to pick out the guy from the bus.
He remained near the rear of the group, taller than all but the two males beside him. His gaze roamed along each row of the audience, his square jaw tightening with each sweep he made.
In the stage's light, he was more attractive than before. His eyes were keen and a rich hazel. The torches pulled at the blond highlights in his disheveled hair, making them gleam like spun gold. But I had no insane enchantment about him. He was human.
I knew because as soon as I walked into the back room, his scent had hit me in the throat.
My mouth still salivated and my body burned with thirst.
He was spice and male. Strong and human. His neck was a flawless tan, and I could make out the calm thrum to his pulse from my place in the shadows.
Whatever he saw as he looked out at us all, he was unfazed by it. His expression, despite the tension in his jaw, was unruffled. Empty.
And not what I expected from a human standing in front of so many supernaturals.
Headmistress Harrington clasped her hands. “Good evening, students and faculty.” Her dark head turned, illuminating the golden cast to her eyes. “It is my honor to welcome you to another year at Lokworth.” There was some polite applause from the professors stationed all around the domed room. Headmistress Harrington seemed unswayed by the lack of enthusiasm.
“This year, we would like to welcome the first inaugural lottery group to Lokworth Academy.” Her gaze was flinty. Sharp. “I know this is quite the change for us all, but if we work together, we can create something beneficial between our peoples.”
She gestured into the dark corner off to her right. “And we would also like to welcome our new Human Relations Professor: Rex Giroux.”
A tall, bulky man climbed the stairs.
His hair was long and inky black. Not the shimmering hue of mine, but more like he had upended a whole bottle of ink over his head. His suit was ill-fitted, just as dark, and buttoned within an inch of its life over his torso.
He was almost obscenely muscular and human, it seemed. At least, there was no telltale glow or aura of power about him that I could discern. But his commanding presence was unnerving on its own.
Headmistress Harrington stepped to the side as he approached. Though she remained smiling, I could see the uncertainty in her gaze. She had not expected him to speak.
“Good eve, students and staff,” he boomed. His voice was as robust as his frame. Made for barking orders and lecturing children. “I am Professor Giroux and I will be your new Human Relations instructor.”
Somewhere in the audience, I was sure Riki was fanning herself.
Learning about humans from a human?
It was a dream come true for her.
“As such,” Giroux continued. “I have decided it would be prudent to elect several of the senior classmates here at Lokworth to act as ambassadors to our new guests.” Headmistress Harrington stood nonplussed next to him, and this, I realized, was something she knew about. “The students have already been picked and paired, and we will pull you aside throughout the day to meet your new best friend.” He tried for cheery, but the expression morphed his features into something garish.
I looked around, but everyone appeared as confused as I was.
“You will show them around, aid in any study questions, and make them feel at home. If, at the end of the term, you have done well ...” He glanced at Headmistress Harrington with a shadowed cast to his face. She nodded. “You will be permitted to integrate into Saint Philips Academy as a student and complete your graduation there. Just like a normal human would.”
***
Professor Giroux’s words echoed in my ears as I exited the auditorium and found myself in first period.
It was a vampire only class. The rest of Lokworth’s makeshift colony seemed more than preoccupied with our new guests, though no one seemed to share my concerns.
Riki was across the room when I entered, her back to me as she leaned one hip on the desk behind her. Her honey curls were down her back and held away from her face with a school tie that she had fashioned into a headband.
Roman, her twin brother, was in the seat opposite her. His blue eyes were darker than Riki’s and they snapped up as I entered. “Hey, Morgan.”
I gave a noncommittal sound of greeting in response.
His lips spread into a smile, flashing a hint of fang. “Someone is in a mood.”
My eyes narrowed as I slipped between the chairs to where they sat. “You were in the auditorium, right?” I snapped. “They were serious. You know that.”
Riki’s sky-blue irises gleamed and she practically danced between us. “They could pick us to attend a human school!”
Roman made a retching motion behind her back. He, at least, shared some of my sentiment.
Humans were great. From a distance.
I pointed at him in agreement. “Can you imagine if one of the humans got paired with Ames?” I fought to stave off a shiver.
Roman glanced past me, eyes wide. Even Riki ceased her hip gyration as silence blanketed our small corner of the room.
I went still. “Hey, Ames,” I tried mildly.
“What’s wrong with me, Morgan?”
I turned in my seat and looked up the long line of Ames’ body.
He was what people thought of when someone said vampire.
Ames towered over everyone with his head of dark luxurious locks and wide shoulders. The smooth tendrils of his hair were left long about his face and down his back, a few wayward pieces even fell over his vibrant gold eyes. If the human males were muscular, Ames was lithe and almost as pale as I.
One jet eyebrow arched as I remained quiet, pulse on my tongue. “You didn’t answer me. Am I so bad, Mor?” He rolled the word bad on his tongue, leaving no doubt in anyone’s imagination that he meant it to sound as naughty as it did.
“You’re a piranha in a school uniform.” My tone was empty, but I meant every word.
His answering smile was all fang. “True. But even I don’t bite unless I’m asked.” His bright gaze landed on my throat, and I wished I had thought to close the blasted buttons and leave my collar high.
Vampires could feed off other vampires. It was common enough. But normally only reserved for ... alone time. Behind closed doors. And Ames and I were not that close.
But his eyes had been on my neck for years. Probably because I was one of the only girls at Lokworth he hadn’t bitten by now. I snapped my fingers in his face, drawing his gaze back up to mine. “You’re a leech.”
His smile faded. He pressed both hands to my desktop before leaning toward me. “You know what we are to each other, Mor. You can’t deny it.” His breath was hot over my upturned face, and I caught a trace of metal.
Donor blood or fresh?
“I’ve been patient,” he continued. “But you will come to me. When the bloodlust gets to be too strong, you will want what I can give you.”
His words spawned images I wanted to ignore. But I knew it was too late the moment a wash of lilac light highlighted the flawless lines of his cheekbones.
He was transitioned. A full-blood vampire. His blood was stronger than mine and capable of easing my thirst better than even a human under my fangs. And we both knew it.
He stood up, his face blank. “I’m always here, Mor. Whenever you’re ready.” His gaze went not to my neck but to my lips. “I won’t even make you ask nicely.”
My teeth ground at the first stirring of heat in my cheeks. “Go away, Ames.”
He laughed then, saluted me, and found a desk at the back of the room.
Roman was watching me as I turned back around. “Your eyes are still glowing, Mor.”
I glowered. “Quite aware.”
After that, he fell silent and even Riki slipped into the desk in front of me.
Ames was right. And as much as I hated to admit it, with the humans now at Lokworth, it was only a matter of time before I needed his blood to ease my thirst.
My only hope to stave off the inevitable was to pray that they had picked the ambassador positions, and I was nowhere on the list.
Chapter 4
Ryder
Our group was buzzing by the time Harrington rounded us all up in the auditorium and herded us to the school for the grand tour. She was a no-nonsense administrator, with a neat bun of dark hair, tight skirt suit in navy blue, and button-up shirt with a high, vicar-style collar.
“As our guests at Lokworth, I wish to welcome you to the wonderful world of the arcane.” She gestured around us as we stepped through the dark courtyard. Only a handful of lamps aided in illuminating the columns of stone and old grey brick. “However, I must also warn you that your fellow students are much like yourselves. They are teenagers with hormone imbalances and a thirst to prove themselves.” Her fangs flashed briefly.
My lip curled in distaste.
“Your ambassador will help to make you feel at home while you are inside these walls. But we ask that you do not go anywhere alone,” Harrington continued. “Lokworth is quite vast. There are areas of the academy that even I have not seen.”
“Is there anywhere in particular we should stay away from?” I asked, wanting a guide to the first places I would search.
She peered at me. “And you would be?”
“Ryder Hanlon, Headmistress,” I said.
“Hanlon,” she murmured, still appraising me. Like she was imprinting the name to the face. “No, there are no areas completely off limits. But I advise you to steer free of the pack dorm. The Lokworth vampire colony lives in the West wing, and they are also rather peculiar about who enters their halls.”
“Yes, Headmistress.”
She continued walking, pointing out the library, cafeteria, and the main rec room. Each dorm had its own lounge space. Likewise, each supernatural race was given a kind of haven within Lokworth’s walls. This allowed them to remain with their kin without worrying about territory battles or stepping on proverbial toes while still integrating regularly with the other races.
Personally, I didn’t care how many of them I rubbed wrong. This whole endeavor wouldn’t last a week.
“While inside Lokworth, you will remain in your classrooms unless otherwise instructed,” Harrington said as she paraded us through a set of thick oak doors into the dim main hall.
The whole damn place was dark, but the abundance of candles gave the place a decidedly old world feel.
Most of the doors to the classes were open, and we passed professors giving lectures on proper shifting attire, and all the ways plants react to magick. There was even a class of witches being taught basic potion crafting.
My head spun.
It was insanity. But they all made it seem so normal.
Harrington allowed us a few moments in each doorway, but soon my attention was pulled elsewhere.
I counted the entrances, the fortifiable rooms, and all the windows that could be entered easily enough. Most of the professors were vampires. A handful of shifters and Fae were mixed in. But the witches seemed limited to the students.
That made things a little easier.
I would rather face a novice any day than a coven priestess.
Far from the entrance, a massive grand staircase spiraled up into the high rafters. All along the walls, portraits of previous headmasters glared down with imperious expressions. Someone had placed several cases of antique weapons as decoration here and there. But that was the extent of their defenses.
Even the doors sported only simple locks. Rudimentary to break or pick.
Maybe they thought themselves impervious to attack. With so many supernaturals under one roof, who would dare to attack them, right?
I hated to break it to them but they weren’t as safe as they thought they were inside these high walls. And it was my job to help make sure they knew that.
***
At the end of the tour, Harrington showed us to our homeroom where all the paperwork began.
Our parents signed all the necessary documents, like transcripts, to get us in. Along with good grades and a simple psych evaluation, anyway.
But Lokworth was taking things farther. Each student was given a contract—for lack of a better term—as we entered the brick room. Each one stating that we would not hold the academy liable for any squabbles or fights.
I took the time to read the entire packet before signing my name at the bottom. Regardless of my own qualms with it, Dad would have a fucking fit if I held up progress.
After that, we were allowed to mingle on our own.
Most of the others took up in familiar cliques from Saint Philips. Jocks with jocks. Cheer team with cheer team. The usual groupings that made the humans feel more comfortable.
I remained at the back of the room trying to figure out how to get out of class. I needed an unchaperoned tour of the school.
A chance to really scout out the place.
My opportunity came as Harrington took up the last signed packet and slipped through the main door.
I waited as long as I felt necessary before rising from my seat and trailing after her.
No one called out to me. Most of my classmates were too busy railing over our current location to care overmuch about where I went or why. Besides, they knew me as a loner. The new kid that remained on the outside despite my looks or athletic skill.
Harrington took the main staircase upward, and I figured it would be better to stick to the main floor for my first day.
The halls were empty while class was in session. It was almost too easy to move around, scanning the entrances and all the exits. I committed every detail to memory, knowing I would need to recite it later.
I came to another back section of stairs with no clear destination at the end; the small archway leading upward was made of cracked stone. My foot was on the first riser when a masculine cough sounded behind me.
The new human relations teacher, Giroux, was standing feet away, his arms crossed over his thick, barrel chest. “I fear you may be lost,” he said, his deep voice stern despite the emptiness of his gaze.
I turned more to face him, heartbeat perfectly calm. Humans were easy enough to handle one-on-one. “I’m going to guess this isn’t the way to the bathroom?”
He arched a brow and pointed over his shoulder to the door clearly marked behind him. “I’m afraid not.”
I grinned. “My mistake, sir.”
He continued to watch me. “Humans should not wander the school alone. I’m sure you can understand why.”
“We might get eaten?” I said, not even trying to pass the statement off as a joke.
The corner of his eye twitched. “What is your name, boy?”
“Hanlon, sir,” I said, adding the sir for appearance’s sake. “Ryder Hanlon.”
He nodded like he committed that to memory. But he remained quiet long enough that I knew he wasn’t planning on leaving me alone again.
So I brushed past him and went into the bathroom.
Making sure I made plenty of noise by washing my hands twice, I walked back out to find him still waiting.
My teeth ground. “Thanks for the directions,” I said smoothly, hoping he would walk away already.
He just inclined his head and pointed back the way I came.
Back to class.
It was a lost cause. I knew it. He wouldn’t budge now and the longer I delayed, the more suspicious he was liable to become. The fact he wanted to work for a place like Lokworth made him a sympathizer. He probably felt like supes were people, too. No doubt just vastly misunderstood people with fangs, claws, and magick. There would be no reasoning with him.
Rolling my eyes, I turned on my heel and headed back to homeroom.
God knew I could always try to snoop again later.
Chapter 5
Morgan
> I tried to put the humans from my mind. Hells, I tried to put Ames from my mind. But our first assignment of the day was partner work. And my partner was none other than Ames himself.
He perched casually in front of me, leaned back on the desk like a human model. Professor Wilcox walked around the room, showing us how to position our donor’s bodies for drinking and all the places we could take sustenance from.
Ames’ gold eyes seemed to burn as he watched me. I was supposed to be pretending to take blood from his smooth throat. But I couldn’t bring myself to get so close to his towering frame. So I perched in my seat and daintily held his wrist.
“A vampire’s first thought should always be the comfort of their donor,” Professor Wilcox said smoothly. “Maintain eye contact when drinking from the arm. This allows you to watch for signs of fear or pain. Likewise, a gentle hand on the shoulder can go a long way in soothing a donor when taking from the neck.”
I tried to stroke the hard muscular forearm in my grasp, but I imagined my palms were sweaty and gross.
“Not quite, Ms. Read,” Professor told me as he walked around us. “Donating can be as distant or as seductive as the pair deems fit for their own situation. But even your hold will allow your donor to snatch loose. That is a no-no when feeding. Our fangs can cause more damage that way.”
He motioned Ames. “Mr. Treymore, perhaps you could give us a demonstration.”
Ames’ eyes glittered, and I groaned inwardly. He tugged his arm gently from my grasp and urged me up onto my feet before him.
There would be no decorous amount of space this time.
Wilcox clapped his hands loudly, drawing the focus of everyone in the room. “Class, watch closely.”
I wanted to shut my eyes and disappear as every student turned toward the back of the room where we stood. Riki and Roman appeared to be trying not to laugh across from me. I glared at both of them.
“Because she is smaller, I will take her blood in a more reserved fashion.” Ames’ voice was deep, rumbling behind me. “If we were more intimate, she could sit in my lap or I could hold her front to front.”
