by J. N. Colon
“Next time I see him Rubi, vampire or not, he’s going to get introduced my fist.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Dad…”
That’s when my mother snatched the phone back. “Oh, my little baby is growing up.” I had a feeling Miranda spilled her guts about what happened between Mac and me that may or may not have had anything to do with my sudden change.
Oh man this was embarrassing. The only thing worse would be my grandmother knowing I now had a use for her lingerie. Too bad I left it at home. She’d get my mother to ship it to me if she knew.
“Now that you’re a vampire I better not wake up in the middle of the night with your fangs in my neck.” Vera pointed a gold fingernail at me. “I know I smell tasty, but I don’t do the whole feeding thing.”
I shot her a narrowed glare. “Don’t worry. If I get thirsty I’ll go next door and snack on Maddy and Shana, the two humans.”
She snorted on a laugh.
I was now an official student at Mossgrove Academy and living at Radcliff Hall. Demy and Mac were rooming together in the boy’s wing while I was rooming with Vera. I was sooo thankful she gave up sharing a room with her best friend Allison Hennigan. I would have hated to share with a stranger, especially a human. I’m a new vampire and even though I still feel like me, I doubt it would be wise to stick me in close quarters with a human for so long. I’d probably slip up and use super speed. Or I might accidently bite her.
I collapsed on my bed across from Vera’s that was completely mismatched and, unlike Aspen, she didn’t care. Hers composed of crimson and black bedding with matching throw pillows, a few leather. Mine was jewel tones of green, blue, and purple, reminding me of the ocean.
The room was a little smaller than mine at Highland Academy. Maple colored hardwood floors met cream walls with elaborate crown molding. The tray ceiling sported an antique chandelier in the middle. Delicate lace curtains framed the bay window with a bench beneath it. There were two closets, two desks, and two dressers on either side of the room. A small bathroom was in the corner.
The dorm was full of opulence and old money, but southern charm colored each aspect. And just like Highland a creepy edge was woven into nearly every space. The floors creaked too much and the windows were drafty. The atmosphere pulsed with rich memories and history fighting to be remembered in the present. I half expected a ghostly figure of a civil war soldier to glide out my closet.
The whole building—the whole school—looked like something dug out of the antebellum past.
At least there wasn’t any fog. Not yet anyways, I thought glibly.
Vera began unpacking picture frames to fill her bookshelf instead of books. One of her parents and siblings was first. She squeezed one of her and Jackson next to one of her sister Shelly and her three boys. She was currently about to pop with a fourth kid.
“How is Shelly?” I asked, absentmindedly picking at my nails.
“Big as a house.” She laughed and plopped on her bed. “I can’t wait until that cute little bitty girl comes. I’m going to dress her up like a rock star.”
I snorted on a laugh. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the first pictures of the little shifter dressed in a leather headband and booties.
Vera hefted a bag off the floor and dumped its contents on her bed. Out tumbled several bottles of hair products, hairbands, rubber bands, ribbons, burettes, and other hair accessories I didn’t know the name for. “Sometimes I wish I was more organized, but don’t ever let my mother know that.”
“Wow. That’s a lot of hair stuff for someone who has a pixie cut.” She was sporting purple streaks in her hair now.
She grinned, flashing her perfectly white teeth. “You never know what you might need.” She motioned toward me with a tanned, well-defined leg. “Imagine if I had your hair.” Her hand lifted over her head. “I’d be buried in this crap.”
I shook my head and leaned back on the bed again, staring up at my ceiling. My nerves were already wriggling around in my stomach, anxious for what tomorrow had in store. It was going to be my first day at a new school. Again. I was going to meet more vampires and shifters. I had a feeling they already knew about me and wouldn’t let me pass by without whispers or curious stares.
More of that spotlight I love so much.
I was being sarcastic.
What if I don’t live up to their vampire standards? What if I suck at being a vampire?—pardon the pun. What if they see right through me and know how terrified I am of being a ruler?
This morning I stared at my reflection for an hour, trying to find the differences in my appearance now that I’m a vampire. I practically looked the same with only a few subtle changes. My hair was the same crazy mane with a split personality disorder unable to decide if it was black or brown, wavy or straight. My locks—more like tangles—simply poured around my shoulders to my mid back, doing whatever the hell it wanted to, which was mostly frizz in this climate. My giant honey eyes were slightly brighter and of course melted silver when I vamped out. My lips were still like bee stings sporting one lonesome dimple on the side.
A star shaped scar sat on the left side of my chest where Madison’s mother, a hunter, tried to stake me when I was five. My skin still held its summer glow from the sun, but now there was something a little extra brightening it.
Mostly I still looked like me.
A sudden tickle caught my ear, tearing me away from my pending panic attack. I glanced at Vera who was sitting cross-legged on her bed, sorting through different headbands. “Did you say something?”
Her dark brow lifted. “No. Not that I know of.”
I shook my head and turned back to the ceiling. Louder this time, a definite whisper caught my attention. I sat up. “There it was again. You didn’t hear that.”
She tilted her head to the side, perking up her ears with shifter senses. “I don’t hear anything Rubi.”
My brows knit and I stalked toward the window, thinking maybe it was open and I was I picking up on a conversation outside. I pulled the curtains aside to see it closed. I peered out the pane of the three story window, the sun low in the clouds, painting the sky with pinks and purples before twilight. A small sitting area with a bubbling fountain and benches was below in the lush grass, but no one occupied it.
The whispers intensified, overlapping with each voice as if several people were talking at once, making a symphony of sss that sent goose bumps across my flesh. My head swam with the sound, my eyes searching unsuccessfully for the source. My breathing elevated along with my heart.
“Rubi?” Vera’s voice broke through the discord, her dark eyes shadowed with worry. “Are you okay?”
I swallowed hard and shook myself, the whispering gone. “Yeah.” I rubbed my temples. “I think I’m still getting used to my full vampire senses.”
That had to be it. I was probably hearing conversations in other rooms.
She nodded. “That makes sense. You haven’t even been a vampire for a full day.”
I just need to control it better, I thought, slumping back to my bed.
The man behind the cluttered desk took a pair of gold wire-rimmed glasses from his vest pocket, gliding them up his beak nose. His gaze searched over the mess. “I know they were here somewhere…” His brown eyes lit up when he spotted something, crinkles deepening around the edges. “Ah. Here we go.”
Headmaster Daniel Morgan was what one would expect the principal of a prestigious school to look like. He appeared to be in his late fifties, early sixties. His wavy auburn hair was graying around his temples and thinning at the top. Deep wrinkles lined his forehead and tiny laugh lines appeared around his eyes and mouth. He was tall and thin, reminding me of a delicate bird.
I was missing the hotness of Headmaster Roman Norrington just a little.
He handed us each a class schedule. “I’m sure Mr. Dragoniv or Ms. Luciano can help direct you to your classes tomorrow.” His voice was sweetened by a lilting southern accent.
Mac no
dded. “Yes. Thank you sir.”
Headmaster Morgan wasn’t a supernatural creature, but he’s a very respected and trusted human who’s run Mossgrove Academy for the last twenty years. He’s also well aware of our situation. Even though I’m a vampire now Whitmore still has the guards keeping a close eye on me.
He smiled, creating more crinkles around his mouth. “Please let me know if there’s anything else you two need.” He motioned toward me. “Especially you Ms. McHale. We want you to feel safe as possible.”
My cheeks dusted with red from the special attention.
“It isn’t every day we have supernatural royalty at our humble little school.”
My brows knit. “What about Demy? He’s kind of a prince.” Dimitri was their leader, but they didn’t refer to him as King like in the vampire world. They usually called him Alpha. I think it’s an animal thing.
The headmaster waved a delicate, wrinkled hand in the air. “Ah, Mr. Dragoniv is old news. You two are all the rage this year,” he said in a high-pitched girly voice.
I laughed, some of the awkwardness disappearing.
He winked. “See, I knew I could get you to smile. Don’t worry Ms. McHale. Mossgrove Academy will be very fun and welcoming for you.”
“Thanks.”
We stood and Mac leaned forward to shake the Headmaster’s hand. “Thank you again sir. I really appreciate you taking us in.”
“Sure. Just keep the mischief between you and Mr. Dragoniv to a minimum. I’ve heard about some of your past transgressions together.”
Mac’s only response was a grin.
He’s such a naughty little boy sometimes.
Headmaster Morgan extended his hand toward me. The moment I gripped it, ice spread down my arm, forcing a small shiver through my body. I yanked my hand back as if he bit me.
“You okay?” Mac asked, worry lacing his voice.
I shook the weird sensation off and nodded. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I don’t know what that was.”
Sympathy tinted the headmaster’s warm brown eyes. “You’re probably nervous about tomorrow. I’m sure a goodnight’s sleep will do wonders.”
“Yeah.” I forced a smile.
Mac took my hand as he led me out the office, familiar electricity replacing the cold.
A good night sleep is not what I got. I tossed and turned all night, fretting over the following day. Will people stare? Will they think I’m weird? Will they think I’m not good enough for Mac Davenport?
Will I fall on my ass like I did my first day at Highland?
I’ve got vamp reflexes now and I doubt I’ll spot a guy who makes me drool like Mac, but it could still happen.
A light knock resonated on the door. I glanced over at Vera who was sound asleep, her black and purple hair sticking up. Thankfully she didn’t snore like Aspen.
The light tapping echoed again.
I smiled. Maybe it’s Mac.
I silently walked toward the door and when I say silently I mean it. With my full vampire skills I was as stealthy as Mac—if I concentrated.
A mixture of disappointment and confusion filled my chest when I opened the door. Mac wasn’t there. No one was.
The dark corridor stretched deep into the building, a few dim chandeliers hanging from the ceiling casting an eerie glow.
Of course I can see in the murky shadows, but it didn’t make the hall any less creepy.
I was about to shut the door when a white figure appeared around the corner, beckoning me with a wave of a gossamer hand.
My heart lodged in my throat, blocking my airways as my eyes bugged out my head. Was I seriously seeing a ghost? If I was why wasn’t I trembling with fear? When I merely thought I saw one in the cemetery I was sweating cold bullets and shivering like a newborn .05 seconds old.
Has becoming a vampire doused my fear of ghosts in half?
Doubt it. I’m probably just in shock.
Yeah, that sounds more like me.
An inner light glowed within the white mass, obscuring the details of her face. Thick locks of dark hair floated out as if she was underwater.
My feet carried me down the length of the navy, gold, and green carpet, my hands trailing along the gold and cream wall as if I might become lost in this odd reality if I wasn’t holding onto something solid. I spotted her ethereal form turning another corner, her long black hair drifting behind her.
I ran now to catch up, but she remained out of my reach until she finally halted in front of a door. My mouth turned desert dry as I slowly approached her. In movies ghosts always radiate cold air even when benign. Not her. There was only the inner light washing out her facial features except two dark spots for eyes that were currently locked on that door in a death stare—yeah I said it—willing it to open.
I gripped the brass knob and turned, opening the door to reveal a set of stone stairs. She began to descend and motioned with her hand for me to follow.
I took one step and the scent of sweat and blood rushed up my nose, making me wince. A heartbeat other than mine slammed against my ears, loud, frantic, and shaking with adrenaline. I glanced over my shoulder and was met with a pair of dark eyes filled with a chilling shade of hate.
A gasp tumbled out my mouth as William, the hunter from my dream the morning of my birthday, slammed the same silver knife into my chest he used to slit the girl’s throat. Pain exploded through my body as my scream was garbled by blood leaking up my throat.
Chapter 9
I gasped awake tangled in sheets while sweat clung to my skin. I frantically clutched at my chest to make sure the knife wound was gone.
“Shit Rubi.”
A squeak tumbled out my mouth expecting to see another hunter. Instead Vera was standing over me, her black and purple hair a mess.
She rubbed her face and yawned. “Aspen warned me about your little night terrors, but man I thought she was exaggerating. You sounded like you were dying.”
“I was,” I choked out and slumped back on my pillow, breathing hard.
Her dark eyes surveyed me with concern. She bit her lip and hitched a thumb over her shoulder toward the door. “Want me to get Mac?”
I glanced at the clock and saw it was only 2am. I didn’t want to him to worry. It was only a silly dream.
Yeah, because that’s what they were last time.
I shook my sarcastic conscience from my head. “No. I’m fine.” I rolled over on my side so I didn’t have to look at her skeptical expression.
A dream could simply be a dream. I am in a new place and my nerves are totally frayed.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to see if I could find that door. If I couldn’t it would mean it really was my screwed up mind. If I did find it then…I don’t know yet.
***
I tried stretching my non-stretchy skirt for the millionth time. “Are you sure it’s not too short?” I hissed at Vera.
She rolled her dark eyes as she mussed her black and purple strands up on purpose. “Gees Rubi, you look hot. Quit complaining.”
I huffed and crossed my arms against my chest. I had the same experience at Highland my first day—I felt like my ass was hanging out my skirt and my boobs were strained beneath the sweater vest.
Maybe if I went on a diet my clothes wouldn’t be so tight.
As if. The only thing I’ve ever dieted was healthy food.
We were standing outside in a small courtyard with a bubbling fountain and benches leaning against a massive oak, the canopy of branches shading us. The air smelled of fresh grass, flowers, humidity, and excitement. Oh and nerves, but that was just me.
Mossgrove Academy’s uniforms were fashioned for the current hot southern weather, but now that I’m a vampire the temperature doesn’t affect me as much. Like all the girls I was wearing a short navy and green tartan skirt with white knee socks and black Mary Janes. On top was a short sleeved white button up shirt with a thin navy sweater vest sporting the school’s crest on the left. The crest was a roaring lion on his hind legs with
a massive ornate sword in the background and a Latin word inscribed on the top meaning valor. Lines of green, gold, and navy outlined the shield and crossed in the middle.
Vera already introduced me to a few people from the dorm, including three shifters and a vampire. But now I’m out in the open under mass scrutiny from humans, vampires, and shifters—oh my.
I absentmindedly twisted the ruby ring around my right ring finger, silently pleading for Mac to get his delicious self here. A pinch suddenly stung my butt and I spun around with a gasp. Demy was standing behind me, fighting a grin while his violet eyes shined with humor.
“Demy!” I hissed and smacked his arm.
He winced. “Ah Rubi. Not so hard.”
I bit my lip forgetting how strong I was now. “Oops. Sorry.”
“No worries.”
The boys were dressed similar to the girls except they wore ties beneath the vests and navy pants.
I glanced around, still no sign of the midnight haired Adonis. “Where’s Mac?” I tried to sound annoyed, but my voice was strained with anxiety instead.
Demy could sense my impeding panic and tossed his arm over my shoulders, tucking me into his body. His scent of earthy amber surrounded me like a cocoon. “He’s with Whitmore and my father making sure security is to their liking.”
I sucked my teeth and pouted. “He should have let me go with him.”
He peered down and ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “Yes, but then I’d miss my chance to ogle you in your tight new uniform.”
I grimaced and tried to push him away unsuccessfully. I didn’t really want him to let go. Feigning defeat, I slumped against him and pushed my face in his chest, breathing him in. As a vampire I could now detect shifters by their scent alone—something like a burning campfire laced his and every shifter I’ve met so far.
A satisfied growl resonated through Demy I never would have heard if I was human. I peeked at his face, a grin splitting my lips. “Did you just purr?”