CONVICTION OF THE DAMNED: SUPERNO ACADEMY BOOK ONE

by Tierney Storer

  The smug little Vampire barred her fangs at Kaida, and the flicker of her red hair was the only warning we had, as she sped towards my sister with every intent of having her for lunch. Kaida braced her hands against the table, refusing to budge an inch in fear.

  Poppy barely made it a foot from her before a lightning-fast statue blocked her assault and sent her flying over the other side of the room.

  “Kaida is my source, Poppy. I suggest you keep your filthy hands off her.” Caleb said calmly, his hulking body blocking any more chances of attack.

  “I’m your what?” Kaida balked, refusing to accept belonging to Caleb in anyway as I knew she would.

  “Tell you later sweetheart.” He whispered; his voice low enough that I was the only one apart from her who could hear.

  Poppy scrambled to her feet with a look of vengeance but didn’t make her way towards Kaida again.

  “Fine, my apologise your highness, I guess I’ll have the sister instead.” Poppy didn’t even take a step towards me before Ryder was in her face, his stony features showing no trace of emotion except for the tiniest spark of anger in the firm set of his eyes.

  Poppy halted in her tracks as I tried not to get giddy over Ryder defending me like a damn white knight. I didn’t need his help, but damn sure appreciated it

  “Dari is my source too Miss Middleton, so I suggest you sit back down in your seat and stop behaving like an insolent child.” He grinned wickedly when he turned round to see my aghast face.

  Poppy said nothing, but the vein in her head was pulsing and her eyes were narrowed into slits. I had half a mind to jump over the table and rip her hair out, but I restrained myself like the super mature adult I was.

  “Of course professor.” She muttered, stomping back to her seat without looking my way once more for the rest of the lesson.

  The same couldn’t be said for Ryder, who decided I had to stay behind after he dismissed everyone else. As I waited for everyone to walk out I figured why not rile him up more, and sneakily rolled the edge of my skirt higher until it was barely covering my bum. I jumped up onto his desk, perching on the edge as I reapplied my tinted lip balm and fluffed up my hair.

  I don’t care what he thinks of me, this is just a game.

  “Princess I-” I cut him off with a wave of my hand, flexing my coffin shaped nails out as I inspected the new bubble-gum pink varnish coating them.

  “Ryder I really don’t care. I have things to do so if you could hurry up and moan at me with whatever it is you have to say, then let me go.”

  With a growl he ran at me, smacking my hands from in front of my face and planting his arms either side of my legs. I had chosen not to wear tights today so the goosebumps that formed along my thighs were definitely to do with the cold, and not the proximity of his skin to mine.

  “Don’t talk over me you little brat. I’ve had enough of your attitude; you’ve ignored me for ages and every time I manage to speak to you, you’re behaving as though we don’t know each other.”

  I raised my palms to his chest, with every intention of shoving him away from me and cussing him out; I was no brat, and I wouldn’t be accused of being one.

  “Screw you Kyan. You’re the one who was a bitch to me! It’s not my fault you get a hard on for shitty human girls like me. I’m sure if you tried hard enough you would feel the same way about a girl more fitting of your standards.”

  Ryder sighed, rolling his emerald eyes back inside his empty head. I hadn’t pushed him back yet, but that was purely because I was biding my time.

  “You think I said that because I thought you weren’t good enough for me?” I shuffled uncomfortable at the intense heat of his gaze.

  “Well yeah, why else would you say it? Your brother says it all the time. I’m basically human and me and my sisters aren’t ever going to be good enough to stay in Mirane for more than a couple months.”

  Add in the fact everybody now calls me a dirty criminal it’s rather obvious stronzo. Ryder slowly lifted his hands from the desk, wrapping them around my own on his chest and bringing them to his lips. Quick as a flash he kissed the back of my hand, before letting my hands drop to my lap.

  “Dari I never thought you weren’t good enough. I meant because you are a Princess and I’m just a royal tag along. Plus, for the rest of this year I’m also your teacher. So, despite wanting to kiss you since the second I laid eyes on you in that nasty alleyway, I can’t do a thing…”

  I could feel Ryder looking at me, waiting for my reaction, but my mouth didn’t seem to want to work. I sat there, silent and in thought, debating how to word the things I had been thinking all along.

  “Come on; you can talk to me. I swear I won’t bite.” I snorted a laugh at him, the irony of his statement not lost on me.

  “I think you mean you will bite; you just claimed me as your source remember. And I haven’t forgotten the incident in the woods.”

  I had been reading all the information I could since Ryder had shown me where to find books about this world, and I knew exactly what it meant to be claimed as someone’s source. Ryder would only be drinking from me, and no other Vampire could touch me without fighting him for that right first. Vampires were forbidden from hurting their sources, and the pair would be linked until the Vampire in question severed their contract or the source died.

  All in all, it was not something I wanted to be, but I knew Kaida would be freaking the fuck out over Caleb claiming her, so I could only be grateful I at least was stuck with a Vampiro that I liked sometimes.

  “I’m sorry about doing that, but I knew Poppy would have claimed you and I didn’t want that. I know its selfish of me, but if you’re going to belong to a Vampire then I want it to be me.”

  “But why?” I replied, genuinely curious.

  Ryder tried to spout some spiel about wanting to keep me from harm and having the desire to make sure I wasn’t completely screwed over by my lack of knowledge in this world. But pretty quickly he ran out of things to lie about and settled for the truth.

  “I want you to be mine Princess. Just mine. I’ve not stopped thinking about you since that night I walked you home in the mortal world.”

  I remembered the night in full detail. There was no doubt if he hadn’t stolen my memory I would have spent the weeks before he met me properly thinking about him non-stop. It wasn’t just that he had saved me from a scumbag, but because he had been truly kind for no reason. He had not known me yet walked me for miles up to the door to my home. Only to make sure I was safe. And that was when he had still thought I was just human, so it meant a lot more than if he knew I were fae.

  “Take me then.” I whispered, “Make me yours.”

  Even if I hadn’t drunkenly kissed him, I still would have liked him. Ryder had been funny and kind, his company the first I had enjoyed in a long time. He had been an unexpected thing in the night that had made my painful life happier for those few short hours. It was the only reason I couldn’t make myself get over the idea of him completely; I had seen how he truly behaved when he was free.

  I had never been a girl to look for romance. Gentle caresses and lingering kisses were not the sort of thing I had ever desired or had. Anyone I had hooked up with had meant nothing to me, and our interactions had been quick and rough. But when Ryder slid his hand up my neck and wound his long fingers in the back of my hair, I leant into the simpleness of his embrace with abundant enthusiasm.

  The lemon bodywash he used was strong and perfect, the faint scent of tobacco lingering to his clothes the same as it had when we had first met again in that alleyway. The only difference between now and then, was that when he leant towards me, I did not run away. I moved closer still, allowing his lips to claim mine with a reckless abandon.

  Ryder pulled me into his body, the rock-hard abs under his thin shirt pressing up against my chest. His free hand roamed along my bare thighs, dancing at the edges of my skirt. My own fingers were wound in his hair, marvelling at the lightness of his tresses
in comparison to my tanned skin. We were kissing like we needed that touch to breathe, and neither of us seemed inclined to stop.

  I widened my legs, allowing him space to stand between me as I wrapped my thighs around his waist. The too short skirt fluttered higher, showing a flash of my pale blue thong. Ryder moaned into my lips and yanked me up, holding my weight entirely as I clung to him like a spider monkey.

  “You’re fucking perfect.” He whispered, breaking our lips to trail kisses down my neck that sent shivers down my spine. “If anyone isn’t worthy, it’s me for you.”

  He backed up with his Vampire speed, almost slamming me against a wall, as he continued to caress my neck and thigh. My eyes shut and I moaned as his fingers roamed under my skirt, sliding over the bones of my hip, and tickling over my underwear. Oh Gods. This is not going to end well for me is it?

  It had been ridiculously long since I got laid last, so it was safe to say I was embarrassingly ready for this to go even further. I had barely given Ryder consent to touch me more before he was already doing it, sliding two fingers under the lace of my thong.

  “Oh fuck.” He groaned, as his long fingers found me ready and begging just for him.

  I forced myself to pay attention, and pulled his lips back to my own, devouring his kisses like I was starved. Ryder took to my mouth once more and his fingers claimed me. He started slow and tender, as though unsure what the hell he was actually doing with me right now. But pretty soon as my silence turned to moans, he began to up the pace to something far more suitable considering our location.

  It was hard to stay quiet, even when I bit down onto his neck and used him to absorb the rough noises coming from my throat. I had no intention of hooking up with Ryder today, but now that I was, I knew without doubt it was going to stick in my mind for eternity and come to the forefront of my thoughts when I was alone at night. The only thing I did know for sure was that he would be leaving this encounter with absolutely nothing in return; and maybe next time he won’t call me a little brat just for being mad at him. I don’t respond well to childish insults.

  A bell signalled in the distance, signifying the end of a lesson. Ryder upped his pace, using his Vampire speed to hit the perfect spot inside me with such speed, I was practically falling apart in his arms. All too soon I could feel the tightening of my core, and knew I was about to have the best orgasm of my life.

  “Bite me.” I whispered, desperate for him to feel just how badly I was enjoying myself even if a part of me wanted to be spiteful.

  Ryder didn’t hesitate as he sunk his fangs into my neck with a savage groan. The combination of his fingers and teeth on my neck was heaven, and I all but screamed as I rid the final wave of pleasure coursing through my body over and over as I came apart in his steel grip.

  I really didn’t know what the hell Kaida complained about; a Vampire’s bite was hot as hell. Ryder continued sucking my blood whilst my heartrate returned to normal and by the time I was steady enough to stand on my own two feet he was full and withdrew his teeth from me with a wicked grin.

  “Well that was unexpected Princess; you taste divine.”

  Ryder wiped the drop of blood from his mouth and sucked on his fingers with a wink, almost making me curse and want to jump his bones here and now. But I wasn’t stupid, we were in a classroom and students were already filling the halls just outside the door.

  “I guess we will have to continue this at a later date, if you want. And if you don’t piss me off.” I replied, trying not to grin at him too much as I straightened my uniform and unrolled my skirt.

  Ryder fixed my hair and wiped the smudge of colour from around my lips and his own.

  “I’m looking forward to it Princess,” he sighed, gently placing a kiss upon my forehead, “now run along before I decided to lock you here with me forever.”

  “Bye Kyan.” I giggled, removing myself from his embrace and heading for the door.

  “Goodbye Dari.” He replied, not once taking his eyes off me as I turned my back and left, with a smile upon my face that no doubt showcased to the world how happy I was right now.

  Kaida

  After a stressful double Potions, that culminated in me accidentally setting fire to my desk, I needed a break. So now I was drunk and bored and that was the only reason in the entire world I had even bothered to pick my Portal up and check my messages. It had absolutely nothing to do with the Vampire I hated messing around and sending me a constant stream of memes and jokes for the last couple of hours. I swear I didn’t laugh once, nor did I crack a smile. I was not allowing Caleb to affect me; he was nothing.

  Kaida

  I swear on the Gods if you send another stabbing meme I will actually come find you and finish what I started #deadman

  Caleb

  Do it but use your hands and not a knife

  Kaida

  That fits. You seem the sort to have a choking kink

  Yeah there was not really any excuse for replying other than because I wanted to. Drunken Kaida lacked the same barriers as sober Kaida, and I couldn’t quite remember why it was a bad idea to respond. I didn’t like Caleb, I knew that.

  I hated the way he bit me and ruined my routines, and constantly teased me and tried to rile me up. But at the same time, he made me laugh and he was hot, so drunk Kaida seemed to think that made up for it even though the entire world knew it did not.

  Caleb

  I do like choking but I prefer being on the giving end

  I had no idea why that made me laugh. It was barely even funny. But for whatever unknown reason I spent an entire five minutes sat on my floor chuckling as I searched for the perfect GIF of someone being choked, only stopping once to answer a quick call with Allie, who was inviting me to a party in her dorm the following weekend.

  “I would love to, but I can’t handle crowds that big. My anxiety goes through the roof.” I sighed, cursing the rejection of another thing my damaged mind wouldn’t let me do.

  Allie wasn’t fazed though and asked if I had any objections curing my so-called anxiety with help of a more medicinal kind.

  “What do you have? I’ve tried weed a couple times and one summer I tried to get into pills.” But like usual those attempts at numbing myself were only temporary, and the pain after them was a hell of a lot worse.

  “It’s actually Pixie Dust; think of it as a cross between MDMA and cocaine. I can bring it over tomorrow and show you how much to take to stay safe still. If you want.”

  I would have loved to say I declined her offer and thought about the negatives of drug taking for more than two seconds. But if I were being honest I had no objections taking whatever Allie wanted to offer me if it meant I could experience normal life for an evening.

  “I’ve done coke a bunch of times and had no issues,” lie; big fat lie, “So sounds good to me; I’m in!” Allie squealed in delight and promised to find me tomorrow.

  With promises of making my sisters come to, we said our goodbyes, and I decided I was moderately happy enough to reply to Caleb. I searched for the perfect GIF once more. Finally settling on a blonde man with his hands wrapped around the neck of a faceless brunette and sent it off before I realised how that could be mistaken for me and him.

  Kaida

  The fact the people look like us is purely coincidence, don’t read into it stronzo; I’m not into your weird habits

  Caleb

  Are you kink shaming me sweetheart? P.s that guy is wearing a green shirt so it could never be me, I hate the colour green!!!

  Kaida

  No, and I am not your sweetheart & not surprised you hate green, you’re dead inside & it’s the colour of life x

  Caleb sent a barrage of crying GIFs that I made myself ignore. Messing around with him was not a good idea and I had to set some boundaries even if I didn’t want to. With a resigned sigh I chucked my Portal under my pillow and ignored it as I proceeded to go on a hunt for food to help absorb the alcohol inside me.

  Missing dinner wasn�
�t a good thing; I was definitely a cranky bitch when hungry. But I had been too stressed to tolerate that crowd. Without food in my stomach the vodka was hitting me more than normal and I was dizzy on my feet. By the time I made it to the common room the world around me was swaying and I bumped into the side table that was right by the lounge, cracking my knee against the solid wood and making myself fall.

  I swore as I stumbled towards the ground, only to be caught by a pair of strong arms before I damaged anymore of my body. I was placed back on my feet and found myself face to face with the other Heir I wanted to murder.

  “Are you okay kitty kat?” Xavier chuckled, his fierce gaze taking in my drunken form.

  “I’m fucking wonderful big bird, how’re you?” I purred, refusing to think about the fact I liked him holding me.

  His answer wasn’t something I cared about though, so I barged past, ignoring the blonde Vampiro smirking at me from the couch, and proceeded to remove half the contents of the fridge.

  “I think she’s drunk.” I heard Xavier say, and rolled my eyes at his pathetic interest in me; he claimed to hate me, why was he bothered so much with what I did?

  “I’m always half-drunk stronzo. I can’t tolerate breathing the same air as you without a good dose of vodka.”