Academy of Vampire Heirs: Dhampirs 101

by Ginna Moran

  “Damn,” Aspen says, coming into the room dressed and ready in his perfectly tailored uniform. “We can still ditch, Fiona. I’ll submit the form that we’re taking the day for some home-studies.”

  Hudson waves his arms. “Wait a minute. This is between me and Fiona. She was going to reward me for good behavior.”

  I crinkle my nose, bobbing my head. “He is kind of right. Even if it wasn’t good behavior, Rylie did stab him on my behalf.”

  “Don’t take too much pity on him,” Torrance says, grabbing Hudson by the tie to pull him into a choke hold. “He gets stabbed on a regular basis and was just being dramatic because he wanted you to kiss his wounds.”

  “I nearly died,” Hudson says.

  Berkeley laughs. “The knife was inches from your heart.”

  The soft sound of the alarm rings through the air, alerting us to start getting a move on it. I wonder if they’re always up early or if it’s because of me. Pounding on Rylie’s door forces me to acknowledge the fact that she’s still locked in her room, probably furious because she knows I’m out here, using the Kings to distract me from a moment that will change our friendship forever.

  “You guys can’t leave me in here all day,” Rylie says, hitting something to the door in an attempt to break it open.

  “Uh, I’m pretty fucking sure we can, you backstabber,” Hudson says, releasing a growl.

  I whack him on the arm and finally gather my nerve to face her. Holding up my finger, I motion for the four of them to wait where they are. The last thing I need is for her to think that they’re the ones coaxing me to tell her what my plan is.

  Padding to her room, I take a breath and touch my palm to the lock to open the door. It swings inward, and Rylie stands off to the side with a chair in her hands, ready to swing it to hit whoever enters.

  “Rylie, it’s just me,” I say. “I know you’re scared and angry, but please don’t do anything that could get yourself killed. You know the risk you face if you threaten me in front of a whole coven of vampires.”

  Her eyes widen and glass over. “Hurt you? I’d never hurt you, Fiona. I’m scared for you.”

  Glancing over my shoulder, I peek at the guys one more time before entering the room and closing the door behind me. “You don’t need to be scared. I’m fine. We’re fine. The Kings aren’t going to hurt us.”

  Taking my hand, she tugs me farther from the door and across the room to the corner. She leans in close to press her lips to my ear, trying to stay quiet so that no one but me can hear her whisper.

  “What you’re doing...Fiona, you’re going to get yourself killed,” she says, her voice hitching, struggling to whisper. “You can’t trust them with your secret. They’re manipulating you.”

  I pull back and frown at her. “They’re not in my head.”

  She purses her lips. “That’s not what I’m talking about. There is no way that they’re okay with this. You drink their blood. It not only gives them a disadvantage in controlling you, but they know what you’re capable of.”

  “They promised they wouldn’t hurt me,” I say, trying not to get angry.

  I understand where her thoughts are coming from. I get why she’s scared. She can’t see them like I do. She doesn’t know them for the protective, incredibly sexy, and totally bonded to me vampires they are.

  It was something I had been warned about—the elders never wanted me near the blood sources because of a vampire’s nature to be possessive. The longer I’m around the Kings, the more I realize that the reason might not exactly be possessiveness and more of a bond based on our deep-seated nature to survive on each other. It’s hard to explain it to even myself, so I know Rylie could never grasp it. It was like the universe knew if I was going to survive outside the colony that I’d need a coven, and not just one that claimed me. One that allowed me to claim them as well.

  “You can’t honestly believe them, Fiona.” Rylie waves her hand around the room. “Look at this place. Look at how things are run here. They are training these bastards how to properly keep the human population placated. They refer to all of us as donors—even the Kings. You’d have never just accepted being called a donor back home. You’d have requested the asshole be thrown in the cages.”

  I blink at her words, trying not to react. I’d never, and I mean never, ask the elders to put a vampire into one of the sun cages. The one time I saw them put a former blood source into the cage to burn all day in the sun as punishment for a consensual bite, I let the guy go. I nearly asked him to take me with him. I was starved for over two weeks at the time as punishment, which is how I knew my previous breaking point.

  “I don’t know what changed with you, Fiona, but you’re different now. I was hoping you’d see how bad things were outside the city and then willingly come home with the city soldiers, but—I don’t know you anymore. And now you’ve doomed me.” Tears pool in Rylie’s eyes, and she turns away to stare at the wall. Her words poke at me, sending a flurry of questions through my mind.

  “What exactly do you mean about me willingly coming home with the city soldiers?” I ask, hugging my arms over my chest.

  “Don’t be so naïve. Do you really think it would have been so easy for us to leave home? That I could steal a car from a soldier and drive you away without anyone trying to stop us?” She swings her gaze to me.

  Her admission tightens my chest, and I step away from her. “You told the elders that I was planning to run away.”

  She clenches her fingers into fists. “I had to! You were going to get yourself killed, Fiona. You’re my best friend and like a sister to me. I didn’t want to lose you all because you couldn’t see what was best. I knew you’d eventually change your mind about everything.”

  “How could you do this to me, Rylie? This wasn’t your decision to make. You’re not a dhampir. You don’t understand what it’s like. You think I was going to get myself killed out here, but they were assuring I was going to die regardless.” Grief and betrayal run through me. I can barely see straight.

  “Oh, stop acting like you were sentenced to death. You were going to get a fulfilling life. But none of that matters now. It’s over. Everything is ruined. You’re going to make sure I die in this miserable place.”

  I cross the room, needing to put as much space between us before I blow up at her. “I’m not. I’m getting you out of here. The Kings will help me. They promised.”

  She releases a strangled laugh. “For what in return?”

  “Nothing,” I say.

  “Yeah-fucking-right. I don’t believe you.”

  I dig my nails into my palms. “It’s true. We’re getting you out of here.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I’m staying.”

  “So getting me out of here is pointless. The elders will never allow me to go home without you.” She shakes her head, drooping her shoulders. “You’re their concern. Not me.”

  “Rylie...”

  “Just leave me alone, Fiona. I’ve heard enough from you. You’re too selfish to care about anyone other than yourself. Maybe you deserve whatever fate awaits you here. Just don’t ask for my help. I’m done trying to help you.”

  And like that, I feel our friendship smash to pieces.

  I feel a part of me die, the part that kept me connected to humanity. I feel as if my past is gone forever. If only I could see the future in front of me.

  Rylie’s words get to me.

  What if I don’t have a future at all?

  Chapter 19

  Dhampir Needs

  I SIT IN THE DONOR dining hall at a corner table with the King brothers. Aspen holds my hand, sitting so close that it’s like he’s resisting the urge to pull me onto his lap while Torrance practices his skills in feeding me with a fork. I didn’t even protest to them treating me like I can’t take care of myself only because I know it isn’t about that. It’s more about the idea of showing that they can take care of me. It’s a bit silly, but I could use the distraction from t
he soft gossip swirling through the room.

  Berkeley nudges my foot with his, drawing my attention from Torrance cutting off a small piece of chicken like he’s afraid I’ll choke. “This is a good time to practice your selective hearing, Fi.”

  I peek up at him, my eyes flitting past to stare at Rylie sitting at a table across the room with Patrick and Ivo. The three of them glare in our direction but only the other tables speak about us. After a short argument between Hudson and the rest of his brothers, they agreed that the best thing to do was pretend nothing happened. I doubt Rylie would open her mouth to anyone, and she most definitely won’t try to murder the Kings in front of a room full of people, but I’m still on edge.

  I don’t like that she’s hanging with Ivo or that Berkeley had to offer him a formal work contract to join the Kings’ staff upon completion of his daylight security training program.

  “Are you sure we can’t just go eat in our suite?” I ask for the third time. “I think I’d even prefer to sit with you in the vampire dining hall. Anything is better than this.”

  Hudson waves his glass of gen. pop. blood at me. It sloshes around because I’m nearly certain he’s waiting for me to turn my back to drink it. He’s taking the possibility of me becoming jealous seriously. It’s almost silly. “We’re required to mingle for meals with very few exceptions, and right now, I prefer to hear a bunch of people complain about us being here than deal with a bunch of covens trying to get your attention. The Powers are completely obsessed with you since Berkeley announced our claim.”

  “They can’t comprehend how we willingly chose to share you,” Torrance adds.

  I sigh. “So, they also think I’m a unicorn.” The more attention I get, the harder my secret will be to keep.

  Hudson smirks at me. “No, they just imagine you being fucking delicious.”

  “Which is absolutely true.” Aspen pulls my hand out from under the table to kiss the back. “Then we also have the Saints betting that we’ll annihilate each other before the end of the term.”

  Hudson bares his fangs and waves his hand. “Don’t even get me started on the Regals.”

  “I can deal with all that,” I say, turning to them. A bunch of intrigued vampires is the least of my worries. At least they would whisper low enough to talk behind my back.

  “Yeah, sure. You will unintentionally stab the beasts. We were instructed not to rub you in anyone’s faces.” Hudson thunks his head on the table. “Which is impossible. I want everyone to die of jealousy.”

  “We also want to keep an eye on Rylie,” Berkeley admits, shifting in his chair to purposely stare at her. She and Patrick drop their gazes to their plates, but Ivo braves staring right back, even daring to turn his focus to me.

  Lifting his hand, Ivo waves. Rylie grabs his fingers and yanks his arm down. I can hear her hiss his name all the way over here. The action reminds me how the elders promote fearlessness instead of common sense. They find it important to show vampires that they can try to make them submit with fear but they’re far from cowardly.

  “That guy is obnoxious as fuck,” Hudson mutters, the silver flash in his eyes turning the green color turquoise. “He might show great potential as the head of daylight security, but I’m going to lose my shit if I have to work with him. I don’t like how he looks at our girl.”

  “I’m sitting right here,” I remind him, reaching out to push his shoulder.

  Hudson twists his lips, crinkling his nose. “I don’t like how he looks at you,” he repeats. “And sorry, love. I’m not ignoring you. Since I can’t whisper to my brothers things I don’t necessarily want you to hear, you’re just going to have to pretend you don’t.”

  I grin at him. “Never. But you should know that I like how unfiltered you are. I’m still learning to read you, so you make it easy to know what’s on your mind.”

  “You’ll probably change your mind soon,” Aspen whispers.

  Hudson growls. “Look at him. He is testing us, knowing he has the contract. I’m going to go over there and—”

  Aspen chucks a carrot at Hudson, getting it right in his mouth to shut him up. Hudson spits it out into his hand and puts it into a napkin. Scooting closer, Hudson searches the table for something to retaliate with, but I smack his hand as he tries to grab a grape from my plate.

  Torrance stabs at Hudson’s hand when he tries again, missing his finger. “I think you’ve misplaced your annoyance, brother.” He offers me another bite of broccoli while talking to Hudson. “Mr. Nowak went over and beyond to protect Fiona. I think you’re mad that Mr. Jimenez put you both in a bad position in the first place.”

  “And that the board gave the region to the damn Knightly brothers,” Aspen adds.

  “Don’t fucking remind me.” Hudson stands from his seat and gulps his cup of blood so quickly that I don’t realize it until he sets the empty glass on the table. Strolling around, he bends over my shoulder and silently asks for a kiss with his eyes.

  I tilt my head without giving in. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like Ivo either. Maybe you can stick him in an outpost or some shit. That’s what the elders used to do with the soldiers they found...inadequate to be around the females.”

  He groans. “You did not just make me think that the elders did something right.”

  I smile and kiss him. “Pretend it was all my idea.”

  “My brilliant love,” he murmurs, kissing me again. “I can’t wait to be done with the training program so that we can enjoy you without the bullshit of everything else here.”

  “How much longer do we have, anyway?” I ask, staring into his green eyes.

  “Eternity.”

  I raise my eyebrows.

  He sighs. “Well, it feels like it, especially now that we had to swap our training focus from regional head to city head. There’s an adjustment from knowing you’re running it all to having to answer to some other asshole.”

  Aspen pats his back. “Could be worse, brother. They could’ve removed us from the program completely.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Kissing me once more, Hudson straightens up. “I expect you to take good care of our girl the rest of the day, Aspen.” He rests his hands on my shoulders. “See you later, Fiona.”

  Torrance kisses my cheek and gets to his feet next. “Try not to get into any trouble. I look forward to getting the day with you.”

  Berkeley fills Torrance’s suddenly empty seat and drapes his arm over my shoulder. “Don’t forget. I’ve requested some private time in the lab after your Personal Donors Support Group. We can run some tests on you then.”

  “You sure that’s a good idea?” Aspen asks.

  Berkeley tightens his jaw. “I will not leave evidence anywhere. I need to see a few things to make sure Fiona’s okay and compare her bloodwork from when she was enrolled until now.”

  Aspen releases a small growl. “As long as you know she’s not a fun, new subject to experiment on.”

  I squeeze his hand. “Aspen, relax. I asked Berkeley to do this for me. I want to see if things have changed since the you-know-what.” Now that the guys know about my dhampir mutation, they can help me out. I don’t enjoy feeling like I have no control. I need to know exactly what changed and if things are permanent.

  “Okay,” Aspen says quietly. “If it’s what you want.”

  “I do. It’s important in helping me fit in. I get out of control in certain situations worse than ever.” I say the words like I do just in case. They both know what I’m talking about. “During our time—”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. I’m okay. You’re fine. It was quite the experience I’d like to happen again.” Aspen rubs the spot on his neck where I bit him, which is now completely healed.

  His words trigger my blood hunger, and I shiver. Berkeley leans in close and touches my chin until I look at him. He kisses me sweetly, letting me enjoy the softness of his lips. Aspen sandwiches me between his brother, also giving me attention by kissing my neck.
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br />   I blush at the utter silence falling through the dining hall. “Everyone’s watching.”

  “Let me get you out of here,” Aspen says. “I know somewhere we can sneak to before your next class.”

  I bob my head and smile. “You sure you can handle it again?”

  “I’ll gladly assist,” Berkeley says with a grin.

  “Actually, that might be a good idea. You’re quite insatiable.” Aspen’s whispered breath gets to me in a good way.

  The two of them stand at the same time and pull me to my feet. Everyone’s gazes follow us as we stroll together through the dining hall hand-in-hand. Rylie’s face turns from annoyance to full-blown disgust. I try to remain expressionless. The other donors stare at us in more awe and fascination, some with a look of what I can only describe as jealousy. One guy near the door frowns in pity.

  “Good time to practice selective vision, Fi,” Berkeley says, sliding his arm around my back. “It’ll come in handy.”

  I focus on the floor, watching how our steps remain in perfect sync. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be good at any of that.”

  “Start by looking at something you like,” Aspen says.

  I sweep my head to look at each of them a few times. “I’m going to get a neck ache keeping this up.”

  Berkeley chuckles. “But you managed.”

  He’s right. I got right past Rylie and Ivo without wanting to scream. I probably looked ridiculous doing it, but I’d rather feel lame than out of control with my anger. Every time I think about Rylie and what she had planned with the elders makes me so upset. I thought she was my best friend. I never imagined she’d do that.

  “Quick, Berkeley,” Aspen says, speeding ahead of us to open a door at the end of the hall.

  Berkeley lifts me off my feet, kissing me to steal any possible noise from escaping my mouth. My back hits a wall, and he continues to kiss me, slipping his tongue into my mouth, turning my hunger into lust in the process.

  “Don’t bite him,” Aspen whispers, standing ultra-close. “Let him bite himself.”