The thought hadn't crossed Nate's mind, but now it had, he was also relieved.
That only lasted a few moments; right until he saw Clara Winterbourne
Almost as tall as he was, the dark haired woman sneered at him.
"What are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes at him and looked as though he was something she'd scraped off the bottom of her patent leather boots.
He shrugged. "I heard you went away last year." Her family had been close to his until the downturn in the economy. When money got tight, so did tempers. While the Bentleys had worked hard to get by, the Winterbournes had gotten into increasingly shady dealings with increasingly shady people. The community in the borough took care of their own, but they didn't take kindly to criminals, especially conmen and women.
"Yes, well, just some bad luck," she replied indifferently.
Something in her eyes made him wonder if she hadn't got caught on purpose too. He knew there wouldn't be many people willing to take such a risk. Most of the inmates probably hadn't even known about Clockwork until they found themselves here. He and Clara probably should have been sent to a regular prison just for being presumptuous.
"Did you—" He stopped when he saw another familiar face, walking with an older inmate. "I guess that's a yes."
Angus Winterbourne looked even more sullen than his older sister. Maybe because, judging by the inmate beside him who looked to be a guide, it had taken a year for him to get in here. His family had founded the facility. They wouldn't have even needed to pull strings. The fact he was here and not at the borough university just showed how far they had fallen.
Clara grimaced. Apparently her brother's presence wasn't particularly welcome. She muttered something which sounded like, "dumbass."
Nate assumed it wasn't directed at him.
He thought twice a moment later when Angus sneered at him.
"Don't think we'll be friends here, Bentley. I'll be doing my best to be top of all my classes."
Nate rolled his eyes. "This isn't high school."
""No," Clara snapped, "this is much worse. Everything is at stake now; our freedoms and our futures." She gave him a look which suggested she wouldn't let anyone stand in their way.
Was this another kind of crime, stealing an education? No, they would all have to work for it. At least he was determined to make the best of it. He wasn't sure the Winterbournes weren't just felons. Time would tell.
Felix cleared his throat. "Here," he said. "This is the head teacher's office. She'll answer any questions you might have."
A chirp greeted his words.
"What the fuck?" The words slipped out before Nate could stop them. "Um, sorry, but…" He pointed to a small, metallic hummingbird which hovered above Felix's shoulder.
"Oh, this is just Millicent. She likes to greet new people."
"But she's a machine." Nate gaped.
Millicent made a rude noise.
For some inexplicable reason, Clara scowled at him.
"I'm sorry," Nate said again, his words deliberately directed at the hummingbird. "I didn't mean to be rude." He shook his head.
"That would be a first," Clara said.
Nate ignored her.
Felix chuckled. "It's okay. Millicent has that effect on all new inmates. Personally, I think she finds it funny." He knocked on the door beside them. "She doesn't bite. Professor March on the other hand. He gave Nate a wink, then cast a sidelong look at Clara.
She sniffed and stalked away, leaving her brother in the corridor with his guide.
The side of Angus' mouth drew up. Evidently he'd expected his sister to stick around to welcome him. Clara was colder than she'd been when Nate had seen her last. Prison would do that to a person, even this one. That or it was just her personality. Maybe both.
Nate sighed. In all honesty he couldn't regret stealing the chronographs. Clockwork Correctional Academy seemed as though it would never be dull. And Felix offered a world of possibilities.
The end
Enjoyed this story? Be sure to leave a review! You can also preorder The Toymaker, which is a steamy, reverse harem set in Clockwork Academy. https://books2read.com/TheToymaker.
About the Author
Maggie Alabaster is the pen name of Mirren Hogan. She lives in NSW Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cat, and countless birds. She has a Bachelor of Arts (English/ history), a Graduate Diploma of Arts (writing) and a couple of degrees in education. She writes paranormal romance.
Join Maggie online.
Maggie's Magical Readers on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Maggiesreaders/?ref=share
Blood Cursed
Prequel to Bloodlust: House of Vampires (Wicked Reform School #5)
Tabitha Barret
About Blood Cursed
Steamy Vampire RH - Paranormal Romance - Reform School
Alone, Ceyla, heir to the fallen Sabourin Coven, has no family, no allies and no way of escaping Dark Forest Academy. Broken and beaten by the Mielcarek Coven, Ceyla has no choice but to embrace her anger and her madness to fight for her freedom.
Surrounded by enemies, Ceyla must win the support of powerful vampires, who will help her reclaim what was taken from her. Can she look past her biases to see the inner beauty of a betrayer, trust the loyalties of an enemy and entice a warrior who has given up the fight?
Can Ceyla bring the leaders of the school to their knees, while striking a blow at the Mielcarek Coven before they finally crush her spirit and destroy the men she loves?
Chapter One
Holding my breath, I braced for the torrent of water to hit my body again. I wouldn’t regret the actions that led me here. I wouldn’t regret…shit! The freezing water bit into my skin and knocked me back so hard I thought my bound wrists would break off.
Though I couldn’t see Adriel’s smug face, I knew the exact expression he wore as he sprayed me with the hose. The bastard was smiling with glee.
When the water stopped, I quickly spat and tried to breathe but the spray hit me again before I could catch my breath.
“I’d ask if you were sorry, but I know better than to waste my time. You’re a stubborn little vampire, Ceyla.” Adriel’s sinister laugh echoed inside my unclogged ear.
Sorry. He expected me to feel sorry for attempting to maintain my dignity despite everything that had been taken from me. Was he crazy? I wouldn’t allow him or anyone in this place take anything else from me.
Relief came a second time, and I was ready. I took three fast breaths and held the last one. I refused to submit…at least for the next few minutes while I could still feel my body.
The water smacked into me again, pelting me so hard I swore that coin sized hail was hitting me. Regret permeated my brain bit by bit, but I held firm.
Sure, I started the fight, but I was justified. Professor Quint had called me a loser. Well, technically, he had referred to my former coven as weak and pathetic, which was why it had been stamped out of existence, but he had said it directly to me. Hearing him besmirch the Sabourin Coven dredged up all the sorrow and grief over the deaths of my parents. My pain wasn’t his to mock, so I jumped on his back at the end of History Class and choked him into unconsciousness.
My teeth chattered as I willed the bruises forming from the pressure of the water to heal faster in the hopes that I might hang on a little longer. Adriel’s main purpose in life was to make the weak submit, which was why he had been an excellent torturer for the Mielcarek Coven, until he somehow pissed them off and was reassigned to the Dark Forest Academy, aka Vampire Reform School. Holding out against him would not only earn me a better status among the other students, but it had the added bonus of making my day.
My mind bounced around, trying to find something to focus on until it found the luscious pale skin of a certain immortal and the light blue eyes that made me shiver in the way I preferred. I’d spent hours dreaming about those eyes, trying to find the exact name for their shade of blue. Kayden was one of the best
distractions I had to get me through history, ethics, citizenship for the covenless, meditation lessons and solitary confinement. If only he was worthy of my obsession.
The hose abruptly pulled away for a second and I swore that I saw Kayden talking to Adriel, though the floodlights in the courtyard gave everything a shimmery glow, so it could have been anyone.
Blinking a few times, my eyes focused and found Kayden’s beautiful face.
Adriel sneered and threw down the heavy hose. “You got lucky, Ceyla. Headmistress Wesling wants you.”
Coughing up water, I waited for him to cut me down from the rope strung across the bloodstained brick courtyard where my punishment was on display for half of the school to see. I looked around at the tinted classroom windows surrounding the small courtyard and gave the thumbs up, which meant that I hadn’t submitted.
Annoyed, Adriel smacked my arm. “Next time.” He pushed me towards Kayden and stomped over to the wall to reel in the hose.
I held my head up high and straightened my black blazer and tie. Flashing Adriel a broad smile, I gave the impression that I had enjoyed my punishment though every part of my body protested in agony as I walked.
Making my way across the courtyard, Kayden gave a quick nod and escorted me back into the school through the blood room.
He walked ahead of me, which was normal. The whipping boy of the headmistress was reviled by the other vamps and not just because he was Wesling’s spy, but because he was a bitten vampire.
“I’m sure the school enjoyed your wet shirt, or rather, those who like small tits enjoyed it.” He snickered as he walked faster across the dingy black and white tiles.
“Says the virgin. I know damned well that no one here has ever let a filthy Night Slave touch them.” Regardless of how much I daydreamed about him, I would never sleep with a bitten vampire.
He lurched to a stop and pivoted on his heel to glare at me. “Sorry, Princess, I would never lower myself to sleep with a Covenless.”
I balled up my fist and punched him in his perfect teeth. “Your coven is the reason I’m alone. The Mielcarek not only destroyed my coven, they perverted our race by creating the Bitten. It kills me that you have more respect as a blood slave to the Mielcarek than I do as the heir of the Sabourin Coven.”
He stumbled backwards and laughed. “You’re heir to nothing, which is why you’re here.” He licked the blood pooling in the corner of his lip and continued towards the Headmistress’ office.
I wanted to strangle him even though he was right. I was heir to nothing and had no home to speak of, which was why I was biding my time in this place. Despite my unending desire to escape, I had no coven to return to and no one waiting for me. I would go back to struggling on the streets for my next meal. At least here, I had blood, a bed and classes to pass the hours.
Kayden stopped in the doorway and waited for me to pass him. I threw my elbow into his ribs and walked straight into Wesling’s office.
Limping behind me, Kayden entered the absurdly cheery office with homey lace curtains and frilly table runners. “Ceyla is here as you requested, Miss Wesling.”
Wesling looked up from her crocheting and smiled at him. “Thank you, Kayden. You will receive your ten minutes in the moonlight during its peak.” Her smile faded as her eyes shifted to me while Kayden bowed his head and left. “Ceyla, you will sit.”
“Hello, Miss Wesling.” I bit my lip to keep from saying something snide and dropped into the chair.
“Very good, dear. You earned three minutes of hot water in the shower for the proper greeting.” She put the green and blue pile of whatever she was crocheting on the desk and stood. “How long have you been here?”
“Two years, Miss Wesling.” I would know the exact day, minute, hour and second since I arrived in this hole, even if I wasn’t expected to repeat it constantly.
“Yes, it’s your anniversary. I would say congratulations, but this certainly isn’t a celebration. Most students leave here in six months to a year fully reformed, ready to enter back into their covens as productive members. You, however, have only regressed into the monster I see before me. Choking a teacher, breaking the necks and arms of over a dozen students and setting fire to the meditation room during class are not the actions of a well-bred vampire. Let’s not forget the reason you’re here. You started a riot that led to the deaths of three vampires. I once had hope for you, as did your previous school, but now I’m at a loss.” She circled my chair, staring at me with indignation as if I cared what she thought.
“The riot wasn’t my fault. I’ve explained that before.” I shouldn’t have corrected her, but I couldn’t stand listening to that lie one more time. It was bad enough that she blamed me for all the other incidents listed in the thick file sitting on her afghan-covered desk, but I couldn’t remain silent when it came to the supposed black stain that had put me on this path.
The back of her hand cracked across my cheek, sending a blinding flash of pain through my face. I gritted my teeth. “My apologies, Miss Wesling.”
Her scowl immediately disappeared and she turned to take a teacup and saucer from the shelf next to me and poured herself some tea.
“I had hoped that today would bring good news, but sadly, you have shown no remorse for your crimes. I am sorry to say that you will continue your stay with us.” Her voice should have conveyed some kind of sadness or disappointment if she was truly sorry, but it didn’t. Instead, she sounded gleeful.
Digging my nails into the chair arms, I thought about all the things I wanted to do to her, but I held my temper at a simmer. I had waited this long to be absolved of my supposed crimes, what was another few months?
“How much longer, Miss Wesling?”
She cleared her throat and sat back down. “Well, since you have shown no advancement in two years, I fear that you will have to stay indefinitely.”
Indefinitely. My hope seeped into the floor until I felt hollow and brittle as if I might. With one word, she had sentenced me to this place, or places like it, for the rest of my immortal life. I’d heard of vampires receiving ridiculously long punishments but I’d never heard of anyone being detained by the Mielcarek Coven forever.
Seeing her cheery smile broke something inside of me, something I had long believed was beyond the reach of my enemies. The world had taught me that I was worthless and doomed to the life of a peasant all because my coven had been overthrown, but I had never allowed myself to believe those lies. Now, this pretentious bitch believed that she could keep me imprisoned for something I didn’t do.
My entire body shook as I strived to control myself so that I didn’t reach across the desk and kill her. “I see. I guess I will have to do better, Miss Wesling.”
Taking a sip of tea, she nodded and smiled.
I stormed out of the office in a daze. I needed to hit something or bite someone, anything that would release the sorrow building in my chest. Unfortunately, it was feeding time and the hallway was filled with vamps rushing back to their dorm rooms or heading for the blood room. There were too many targets and I couldn’t decide who to pounce on, so I gave up my search for the perfect victim and decided to eat away my sadness.
I walked through the corridors, not paying attention to anyone or anything, which was my first mistake.
Taking a step, I suddenly found myself stumbling forwards, headed for the grungy tile floor. My chin took the brunt of my fall, sending a fresh shockwave of pain through me. Thankfully, my bruises from the hose had already healed, so I only had to deal with the humiliation of my fall. I pushed myself up, but froze when I heard a long, continuous hiss.
Shit. My chin was bleeding and it was feeding time.
I quickly popped to my feet and dropped into a defensive stance. While all vamps craved blood, the purebred vamps with a pulse had more control and less desire to feed from another vamp. The Bitten, however, were less civilized and didn’t care who was bleeding. Scanning the hallway, I found multiple sets of fangs extended as thei
r black eyes watched my blood drip to the floor.
Behind me, I heard movement. Throwing my fist to connect with my attacker, I felt someone grab my hand and squeeze it until I went to my knees.
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that, Ceyla.” Silas’ tall body stepped into view.
“Hey, Silas. I didn’t see you there.” I prayed that he wasn’t the one who had tripped me, but I knew better.
Crouching down in front of me, his black curly hair fell across one of his dark eyes. His snide smile revealed his fangs as he ran his tongue over the points of his teeth.
“Don’t you look tasty?” He leaned forward to lick my chin, but a hand came down on his shoulder.
I had no idea who was stupid enough to challenge the craziest vamp in the school, the one who had thrown a Night Slave off the roof at sunrise to watch him burn just because the vamp had disrespected his coven, but I was grateful to him.
My eyes rose up, up, up to the face of my savior until I saw the one person more despised than both Silas and Kayden combined. Landon. Fuck.
“Silas, why don’t you let Pixie here get to lunch? We’re all a little hungry and cranky. What do you say?” Landon squeezed Silas’ shoulder so hard I could see Silas’ eyes narrow in pain.
Silas growled and reared back to shake off Landon’s hand, giving me the distraction I needed. I got to my feet and sprinted down the hallway to let the two assholes of the school battle it out.
Ducking into the blood room, I caught my breath and wiped the dried blood from my chin. I was grateful for Landon’s help, but it would cost me later.
Walking through the blood room, I grabbed my blood bag from the counter and sat in the corner to drown my pain. What a miserable day.
Hexes and Handcuffs: A Limited Edition Collection of Supernatural Prison Stories Page 2
