by Mia James
‘April, could I have a word?’
April groaned inwardly. She had been the first out of her seat at the end of her philosophy lesson, hoping to make it to the door without having to speak to Mr Sheldon.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not a lecture,’ said the teacher, beckoning to her. ‘I just wanted to have a quiet chat when everyone’s gone.’
She watched as he ushered the rest of the students out of the room and closed the door.
‘So how are you feeling?’ he asked, gesturing that she should sit. ‘First day back, it must be a little strange.’
April knew what he was getting at. Mr Sheldon wasn’t just April’s philosophy teacher, he was Ravenwood’s headmaster. And no headmaster wanted his school to attract the sort of headlines April made. Highgate schoolgirl attacked in cemetery. Maniac tries to eat student. The press had lapped it up of course, especially with her dad’s death. They had camped outside the house, desperate to make some connection between the two attacks. Had Marcus killed her father too? Had they been victims of the same serial killer? And then there was the juicy addition of it all happening in Nicholas Osbourne’s grounds, one of the most prominent and controversial businessmen in the country.
‘I’m okay,’ said April, ‘I’m feeling much better, anyway.’
‘That’s good. Your wounds all healed and so forth?’
He looked at her with those strangely piercing eyes which had earned him the nickname ‘Hawk’.
‘Yes, well, I still have pain in my arm,’ she said, ‘and I have to go for physio for my neck, but …’
‘Good, splendid. I want you to know everyone here feels terrible that you were attacked by Marcus Brent, even if it wasn’t on school property. He was a Ravenwood student after all, and we feel a certain responsibility.’ He paused to cough.
‘And I feel some responsibility personally. You will remember I was there when the boy attacked you in the lavatories …?’
How could April forget? Hawk had walked in just as April had been cornered by Marcus. If he hadn’t …
‘I disciplined the boy of course, but I can’t help feeling that I should have taken greater steps to ensure your safety.’
Just then a light went on above April’s head: Mr Sheldon was worried she might sue the school – or even worse, him personally – for negligence. He had clearly known Marcus was unhinged and a lawyer could have argued that the school should have protected her. She almost laughed out loud. Here she was, planning to expose Ravenwood as a nest of vampires, and all the headmaster was worried about was a lawsuit.
‘Well, I hope we both understand each other?’ said Mr Sheldon.
Oh yes, I understand you perfectly, thought April.
‘You do know that my door is always open, don’t you, April?’
April nodded, although she was thinking: There’s no way I’m going into your lair. She had no idea if Mr Sheldon was a vampire, but these days she found herself assuming the worst. In actual fact, April had spent most of the lesson looking at her fellow students, wondering which of them were Suckers and which of them were being recruited. Gabriel had told her to look out for sleek hair and flawless skin, but that covered almost everyone at Ravenwood. And you could hardly go around staking people because they’d had a shower that morning.
She looked up at Mr Sheldon’s white hair. It would certainly make sense for the man in charge of a school recruiting vampires to be a vampire. But she and Caro had thought that about Nicholas Osbourne and they had been wrong. And anyway, would a high-ranking vampire really be worried about bad PR?
‘We’re always here, whatever you need,’ said Mr Sheldon.
Yeah, right, thought April. As long as what I need serves the vampire cause.
‘Of course,’ said April, gathering up her bag and heading for the door. ‘And thank you.’
‘Cheeky buggers,’ said Caro as they sat at their usual table in the refectory at break. ‘I can’t believe they were trying to manipulate a poor injured teenager into dropping a civil suit against the school. It’s immoral!’
‘I think manipulation is what they do here,’ said April, lowering her voice. ‘And assuming we’re right about Ravenwood being full of Suckers, immoral is sort of the point, isn’t it?’
‘Assuming we’re right?’ hissed Caro, ‘A bloody great vampire tried to rip your arm off and beat you to death with it! Isn’t that proof enough?’
April had to smile. Caro was the odd one out at Ravenwood, a rare individual at a school where you were either a straight-A geek or a super-rich Barbie doll. Caro was clever, but she dyed her hair, painted her nails and wore too much eye make-up.
‘Sorry,’ said April, ‘I’m just a bit out of it. I’ve got so much on my mind: my father, Gabriel and this whole Fury thing, the school … I don’t know which way’s up any more.’
Caro’s expression softened and she touched April’s hand.
‘I’m sorry. I know it’s hard. You’ve just got to focus on one thing at a time.’
April sighed.
‘Okay, so which “thing” do we start with?’
‘I think we use the opportunity we have: everyone will want to talk to you about your ordeal; I think it’s a perfect opportunity to get in with the Faces.’
The Faces were the super-groomed, over-styled girls who ruled Ravenwood with their icy stares and withering put-downs. Davina Osbourne was their leader and April was pretty sure they were at the centre of Ravenwood’s vampire recruitment, thus April needed to get their confidence if she was ever going to find out what was going on.
‘So what do you think I should do? Show them my scars and hope they look hungry?’
Caro laughed. ‘No, but they’re going to want to be best mates with you now you’re a school celebrity, so I say make the most of it. And I’ve got a plan to help you get in with Davina.’
‘What plan?’ said April suspiciously.
Caro tapped the side of her nose. ‘Ask me no questions … Anyway, speak of the devil,’ she said, nodding towards a girl approaching them. She was beautiful with high cheekbones and long glossy blonde hair complemented by a purple Chanel shift dress and patent pumps way higher than the school dress code allowed. Davina Osbourne, Queen of the Ravenwood Faces – and more than likely, head of the vampire nest.
‘Darling, how are you?’ said Davina, dipping in to air-kiss April. ‘I’ve been sick with worry.’
‘I’m okay,’ said April. She knew everyone in the refectory was watching them and could feel her cheeks flush. Davina stepped back and gazed sincerely into April’s eyes.
‘Are you sure you’re fit enough to come back so soon? I mean, given what Marcus Brent did to you. Personally, I’d have taken the whole term off.’
‘Thanks, but I’m fine. I’ve been out of hospital for a week now and there’s no reason to stay off school. Anyway, it’s not much fun staying at home with my mum.’
‘God, I know what you mean. I’d rather jump off a bridge than be cooped up with my family. Christmas was bad enough.’
Davina looked at April again, her hand over her mouth.
‘I’ve put my foot in it again, haven’t I? It can’t have been very festive for you this year, can it?’
‘Funnily enough, it wasn’t too bad.’
In fact, April had found Christmas easier to cope with than she had expected. The hospital had let her go home for the night and for once her mother and grandfather had put some effort in, decorating the house with a tree and presents. It looked like a picture-perfect Hollywood set of a family Christmas. April had made it as far as the Christmas meal – called in from a caterers, naturally. Silvia was never the most domestic of women – before she finally broke down and cried. The sight of the turkey had set her off: it had always been her dad’s job to carve.
At that point her grandfather had laid down his knife and fork. ‘Come on,’ he’d said and, wrapped up in scarves and hats, they had walked down to the cemetery and laid a bough of holly on the steps of the tomb.
Sadly, as most Christmas Days she could remember had descended into screaming rows, it had turned out to be one of April’s favourite Christmases.
‘Well, it’s a new year now,’ said Davina. ‘We must be positive and put all that behind us.’
‘Hark at Gandhi,’ muttered Caro, before April elbowed her in the ribs to silence her.
‘Anyway, it’s Valentine’s Day!’ she said, clapping her hands with excitement. ‘You should see all the cards Chessy got. Come on over,’ said Davina, beckoning April across to the other side of the refectory where the Faces and the rugby boys were lounging. ‘Besides, there’s someone who wants to see you.’
April glanced at Caro who pulled a face. ‘Don’t mind me,’ she said, holding up a trashy gossip magazine, ‘I’ve got some homework to be getting on with.’
April followed Davina to the far side of the hall and her heart jumped as she spotted Gabriel sitting on the edge of a table, his dark hair flopping over his face. God, he’s beautiful, thought April, before reminding herself that she was supposed to hate him. It’s only pretend, remember?
April made a point of turning away from him, her chin raised, a gesture Davina picked up on.
‘Not speaking to Boy Wonder?’ She smiled. ‘I thought you might be all hot and heavy after his big hero act.’
April pulled a face. ‘I’m grateful to him for helping and everything, but that doesn’t change the fact he’s a self-obsessed idiot.’
Davina nodded, clearly loving the drama.
‘Couldn’t agree more,’ she whispered. ‘You can do much better. And on that subject, I said someone wanted to see you.’
‘Who?’
‘Hi, April,’ said Benjamin, stepping forward and pushing his hair out of his eyes. If Gabriel was beautiful, Benjamin Osbourne wasn’t far behind. His shaggy blond hair and blue eyes looked like they came straight off a catwalk. ‘You’re looking great.’
‘Oh, thanks,’ said April, slightly embarrassed. It felt weird being complimented by another boy within earshot of Gabriel, but she knew she had to keep up the pretence.
‘You’re, erm, not too bad yourself,’ she said, wincing at how lame she sounded, but Benjamin didn’t seem to notice. He took her by the elbow and led her to one side.
‘Listen, April, I just wanted to say how sorry I was about Marcus,’ he said.
‘What? Don’t be silly, it wasn’t your fault.’
‘Well, I feel bad about it. I should have seen the signs. He always had something against you for some reason, but I thought he was just jealous.’
‘Jealous?’ she asked. ‘Jealous of what?’
Benjamin smiled, but not his usual confident smile. This was timid, he was unsure of himself. ‘You must know,’ he said quietly.
April was amazed. She had guessed that Benjamin liked her a bit, but she assumed he was just flirting with her because that’s what he did with all the girls. Maybe he really liked her. Then again, maybe it was this damn Fury thing. April had good reason to suspect Benjamin Osbourne was a vampire – why wouldn’t he be? He was gorgeous and his sister was pure evil – and the Fury was designed to attract vampires to her, like some twisted Venus fly-trap.
Ben looked as if he was about to speak, then glanced away.
‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. You and Gabe have a thing going on.’
‘Had. Past tense,’ said April, resisting the urge to look back at Gabriel. ‘I mean I’m grateful for what he did, but we’re not married or anything.’
Play the game, she said to herself. You’ve got to distance yourself from Gabriel. She turned to Ben and touched his hand.
‘Thanks for checking on me though, that was sweet,’ she said, ‘I know this must have been hard for you too, Ben. Marcus was your friend, wasn’t he?’
Ben shrugged.
‘Only because I clearly misjudged him.’
‘He hasn’t been in touch?’
‘I don’t think I’d be the first person he’d call, not when he went crazy at my Christmas party and almost killed someone I … someone … well, he knew I thought highly of you.’
April raised her eyebrows.
‘I didn’t think boys talked about girls like that. I thought you spent all your time talking about football and cars.’
Ben smiled.
‘We make an exception every now and then.’
She touched his arm again and flashed him a small smile, wondering if Gabriel would see.
‘Thank you for your concern, Ben. It’s sweet.’
She walked back to her table, head held high, deliberately ignoring Gabriel as she passed him.
‘You’ll never believe what just happened,’ she whispered to Caro. ‘Benjamin Osbourne just …’ but April could see her friend wasn’t listening. She was staring at the other side of the room, her face like thunder.
‘What’s the matter?’
‘Look at the new king and queen of the Faces.’
Across the room a dark, handsome boy and a Chinese girl with long hair were holding court, surrounded by amused onlookers. The girl was Ling Po, who had been the archetypal nerd just a few months ago, with thick glasses and clumpy shoes. Then she’d been adopted by Davina and her friends, and now she was one of them: shiny hair, perfect make-up and designer clothes. She was talking to Simon, one of Caro’s oldest friends. All through school, Simon had been a rebel and an outsider just like Caro, but in the past few weeks he had started hanging out with the Faces and rugby boys and now he dressed and spoke just like them.
‘Look at Little Miss Hilarious. You wouldn’t know she had been the geekiest girl in school before she got all vamped up.’
‘Shhh!’ said April. She pulled Caro up and dragged her outside, banging through a fire door and out into the playground where they wouldn’t be overheard.
‘Caro, you’ve got to be more careful! You can’t go around saying things like that.’
‘Well,’ said Caro sulkily, ‘it annoys me, her swanking around showing off like she’s some sort of diva.’
‘Look, I know Simon was your friend, but you have to remember the vamps have seduced both of them. Don’t underestimate the Suckers’ power.’
‘What power?’ snapped Caro. ‘I mean, it’s not like those old Dracula movies where the evil vampire hypnotises the virgin and bites her against her will, is it? We’re always talking about how the Suckers have this terrible supernatural power, but it’s not supernatural at all, is it? They’re just giving them makeovers. Come and join our gang, be as cool as us. Dress like us and talk like us and you too can have what we have. It’s pathetic.’
‘But you can’t blame them for that, they just want to fit in.’
‘Who cares about fitting in?’ snapped Caro. ‘Simon was cool without those scum-suckers. He was cool because he was Simon. That’s what upsets me. He’s decided that being The Same is better than being Him.’
April gave a rueful smile and stroked Caro’s arm.
‘Sorry, honey. You really love him, don’t you?’
Caro’s cheeks immediately flamed red. ‘Shut up, April, that’s not what this is about! It’s a matter of principle. I’m asking you if these people are worth saving.’
‘Yes!’ shouted April, surprised by how passionate she felt. ‘Yes they are. I know you’re angry with Simon, but everyone’s worth saving. It’s one thing to be angry with someone, but it’s another to abandon them to some horrible fate. No, we don’t know exactly what the Suckers are up to, but we can be fairly sure they’re not arranging a tea party. Simon could have his throat torn out – do you want that?’
Caro glanced at her, then looked down at her hands.
‘No … I suppose not.’
‘So don’t be so hard on him. It’s not all fun for him either – remember when I found poor geeky Ling crying in the toilets after they sucked the blood out of her? You can’t blame her for wanting to be one of them rather than being prey. It’s those kids we have to save.’
‘Okay. Sorry. But sometime
s I wish we didn’t have to do this.’
April smiled.
‘Who else is going to save the universe?’
Caro shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. ‘Well neither of us, if we freeze to death out here talking about it.’
‘Come on, let’s go back in,’ said April, linking her arm through Caro’s.
Just before the doors, Caro stopped.
‘Listen, don’t be mad,’ she began.
‘What is it?’
‘You know how I said I had a plan … how to get in with the Suckers a bit more?’
‘Yessss …?’ April said suspiciously.
‘Well, um, I’ve arranged something. A party. A sort of coming-out party for you to celebrate your recovery. And your birthday.’
April gaped at her. She had no idea anyone knew it was her birthday.
‘Where? When?’
‘It’s tonight. At Davina’s. She was going to have some sort of Valentine’s Ball anyway and she loved the idea of turning it into a surprise birthday party for you.’
April’s heart sank. The last thing she felt like doing was having a party, especially at the place she had almost been killed.
‘I’m so sorry A, I know you won’t want to go back there so soon,’ Caro said in a rush, ‘but we need to get closer to the Suckers, to infiltrate and play them at their own game. I even thought we might be able to find the Albus Libre there, seeing as they have a big library and everything …’ She trailed off.
‘It seemed like a good idea a few days ago, but now you’re here, I wish I’d never suggested it.’