CONVICTION OF THE DAMNED: SUPERNO ACADEMY BOOK ONE

by Tierney Storer

  There were three giant club speakers set up around the room, blasting some weird sort of EDM I didn’t particularly care for. But as it was the only thing making this scene like a party I refused to complain.

  “Ew why is nobody dancing?” Allie whined, when we walked through the door arm in arm. “I bet Venna has invited all her boring chess friends.”

  “Who’s Venna?”

  “My roommate.” Allie rolled her eyes, “she forced me to let her join in the organisation. But from the looks of things, she’s just made it dull.”

  I didn’t bother to agree out loud. Not just because I didn’t want Allie to know that I had no clue she had a roommate. Guilt overwhelmed me as I realised how badly me, and my sisters hadn’t integrated into the school. The other students were sharing rooms, and their dorms had at least thirty people in. Yet I didn’t know that, or care to even learn any of their names. It was no wonder people hated us. I would have hated us to.

  Whilst I was busy feeling guilty, Allie was rounding up all those she considered boring, and kicking their asses out the door. One look from her wild eyes was enough to send half the room running.

  “Now,” she said, as she climbed onto the top of a table with a bottle in her hand, “can we get this party started for real?!” There was a chorus of cheers.

  The music was turned up, the lights dimmed. Within the hour the vibe had changed entirely. The middle of the room was packed with dancers, the drinks were flowing, and I was actually having fun. I hadn’t been on a night out in ages, and dancing with Asher and Allie reminded me just how much I loved it.

  “Babe we need to go clubbing,” Asher said, as he spun me around and we half fell onto each other a little tipsy.

  “Yesssss, that would be so good!”

  We made plans for a night out in a couple weeks when Allie’s favourite club would be opening back up.

  “You’re going to love it,” she sniggered, “just you wait.” It was nice to think of future plans that didn’t involve scheming and fights. The entire time I had been here had been so stressful, I had almost forgotten that I could have fun too.

  Even now, something as simple as dancing with some friends, wasn’t something that I had been able to do for a long time and was thoroughly enjoying. The only downside was that even though Asher was great, he wasn’t the boy I wanted to be dancing with. No, that boy was hovering in the corner by the bar, basking in his role of designated creeper teacher.

  “Be back in a minute, just checking on my sister.” I yelled, to my friends.

  Ryder saw me coming. His eyes lit up and he moved his thumb over the corner of his mouth to hide his smile. It was rather cute how happy he was to see me.

  “Evening Professor,” I grinned, stopping a couple of inches away from him at the bar, “how are you enjoying the party?”

  “It’s only just become interesting I’m afraid.” He chuckled.

  I swept my gaze around the room, making sure that nobody was paying us much attention.

  “It does suck that you can’t join in.” I whispered, low enough that only he would hear. “I want to dance with you.”

  “So do I Princess,” Ryder muttered, offering me a small smile, “But we will have all the time in the world to party together once this year has finished.”

  I hadn’t thought about how long a year could feel, despite only being a short span of time in the general gist of things. I didn’t want to wait; I wanted to be able to see Ryder in public and do or say anything I wanted. But we would have to wait. Otherwise, he would end up in a hell of a lot of trouble, and there was no chance I would risk that.

  He may have only been a temp teacher, but the rules were still the same. He shouldn’t have been dating a student. And if even the public would forgive him if we were caught, his family sure as hell wouldn’t. I was his enemy, and that would never do.

  “What makes you think I’ll still like you in a year huh?” I teased, shifting down a little so nobody could see my expression. “Maybe I’ll get bored of you. Or you’ll decide you’d rather have a girl who you don’t have to risk things with.”

  I didn’t know how true my words where until I said them. It was a genuine concern. I was used to people not wanting me, and if there was an easier route for Ryder to take it made sense to me that he would do it.

  “Dari I’ve been obsessed with you since I was a kid.” He replied, leaning back against the bar so our arms were almost touching. “The day I thought you died was one of the worst of my life. And I was only nine…”

  My eyebrows raised, not sure how to respond.

  “I know you don’t remember, but we were friends. All of us were.” He waved across at Laina and the Heirs. “You were so headstrong and funny even that young. And there was absolutely nothing I enjoyed more than spending holidays at your Palace with you.”

  “I wished I did remember. I didn’t even know we had a palace.” I mused. “I feel like I’m missing out on something important…”

  “You will be able to go there on your breaks. It was part of the inheritance you guys got. And then we can make new memories there!”

  I was more than happy with that. I knew it may have seemed odd, to be planning so far in the future with someone I had had spent more time arguing with than being nice, but I felt like we had come to an agreement today. We both knew where we stood for the most part. And that was enough for now.

  “Well seeing as we can’t do much but talk, why don’t we actually do that.” Ryder said. “Tell me something I don’t know yet.”

  It took me a moment to figure out what we hadn’t already discussed in the bar this morning.

  “I like art. Specifically drawing and designing tattoos. I always wanted to become a tattoo artist.”

  “That’s pretty cool; did you do your own?” He had seen all three of the ones I had; the Angels kiss, the strawberry, and the waves on my ankle.

  I shook my head. I wonder if he would let me tattoo him?

  “Nah but I did Kaida’s for her.” I didn’t know if she would be okay with me talking about her body art, but I figured as long as I didn’t say why I did them, she wouldn’t complain. “I wanted to do some more of mine but never got round to it.”

  “Kaida has tattoos?” Ryder’s eyes widened. “That seems so weird to me.”

  I knew why. Nobody expected innocent looking Kai to have anything as shocking as ink. It amused me to know just how little of her skin was left bare now, and how much it would baffle Ryder if he ever found that out.

  “Kaida likes tattoos more than me. And I had no complaints because it was free practice.” Not that any of my sisters’ ink was bad, but the first one or two pieces were a little wobbly.

  But I had only been fifteen at the time, so it was hardly my fault.

  “The first one she got was on her forearm and it was a smiley face.” I giggled, remembering how drunk we had been when we had done it. “I don’t even know why she chose it, but it was hard as hell. I was quite sure it looked angry by the time I was done.”

  “What was your favourite to do?”

  I told him about the giant viper that covered half her body, and how it had taken us almost two days to complete. It didn’t like the idea itself – I wasn’t a fan of snakes – but Kaida had loved it and her face had lit up when it was done. It had been the first thing I had given her after we had left home, and the very first time I had seen her smile in almost six months.

  “You know you’re really sweet right? Like honest to the Gods, you act like you’re such a hard ass, but on the inside you’re made of marshmallow or something.” Ryder whispered.

  He gazed at me, making me blush a little with his kind words. I hadn’t ever thought of myself as sweet, but the way he said it made me think it was the best thing in the world.

  “Thanks… I am actually a nice person when people don’t irritate me.” I winked.

  “I’ll remember that Princess, though I can’t promise not to irritate you. I can be quite annoying
when I want to be.”

  Before I could reply his phone rang, and he let out an annoyed groan. I saw the picture of a stunning blonde lady flash across the screen.

  “It’s my mom, I have to take it.” Ryder stood up straight, preparing to leave. “Once I’m done, and you’ve had enough of the party. You wanna hang out? We could watch a movie or something.”

  “I would love to.” I beamed.

  “Awesome, I’ll come back for you, and we can sort something out.”

  Ryder went outside for his call, and I headed back to my friends, the smile on my face refusing to budge. I didn’t know what it was, or whether it was just a combination of things seeming to go good today, but I felt a hell of a lot happier. Let’s hope it sticks.

  “Babe I got you a shot!” Asher yelled, handing me what was my last shot of the night, before it quickly became ruined.

  “Hey Dari,” Mikel said, appearing out thin air behind me, “we need you for a game.” Oh no. This won’t be good.

  Kaida

  Allie and I kept back a little as we walked towards the Green Room for her party. The others were busy making slightly drunken conversation and far too busy to notice what we were doing. Allie whipped a small bag of blue powder out of her bra and squeezed my hand around it with a conniving wink.

  “You only need one line for the whole night; it should take the edge off and let you have fun.” She whispered, as I hurried to take the amount she specified.

  With a quick tap I had enough on the back of my hand, and I snorted up the sparkling powder, before hiding the rest away in my own bra for another day.

  “How much do I owe you for it?” I asked, as we straightened our clothes and joined the group. Allie waved her hand and refused to take payment, simply asking for a coffee in return tomorrow morning.

  Allie left, hooking arms with Dari, and heading into the party whilst I hovered outside a little. Tory and Laina had decided to come at the last minute, and they were inside too. Through the open doors I could see just how busy it was. I braced myself for the rush of fear as I was faced with a room filled with people. But there was nothing. I even stayed in the doorway for over a minute, expecting the worst when people looked my way.

  I was confused as hell when I felt nothing but the slight tinge of alcohol in my system from our pre-drinks. Asher chuckled behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist as he whispered in my ear.

  “You’re too pretty to be standing outside hiding. Go find a hot guy to fawn over you!” My demons never surfaced, even with the human contact, and I couldn’t stop my face lighting up.

  I was about to have a night of actual freedom, without being beholding to the trauma that had cursed me for most of my life. It was fucking heaven and I never wanted it to end.

  “Let’s do shots!” I called to my friends, receiving a vivacious round of applause in return. This is wonderful, I should have done this before…

  I headed to the bar and asked for ten shots of the strongest things they had, not once feeling an ounce of anxiety, even when the cute red headed bartender proceeded to flirt with me and try to hold my hand.

  “What’s your name gorgeous?” He asked, after pouring an extra shot directly into my mouth when I asked.

  I didn’t get chance to respond before Caleb did it for me.

  “Her name is Kaida Darklight, she’s one of the missing Princesses of Mirane. And my source. So, I suggest you remove your filthy hands off her before I tear them from your body.” I didn’t even see him walk up to me…

  “You’re such a stronzo.” I muttered.

  “You’re welcome for the help love. He was a Vampire and I know you hate our kind.” He laughed dryly.

  I ducked my head as the bartender snatched his hand away, apologising profusely and backing up into the far side of the bar. Caleb didn’t move away, not even when I grabbed my drinks and headed back to my friends. But I wasn’t paying too much attention to him. I was high, and not just on drugs. Even being able to talk to another male, was something I hadn’t been able to do in a long time, so there was no chance anything here could dampen my spirits. Even the leech.

  I didn’t even know he was still there until he tapped me on the shoulder, whispering about coming outside for a quick chat. Dari had already disappeared and Laina was too busy flirting with Tory, so I had nothing to keep me inside. I nodded and followed Caleb out the doors into the cool night.

  “What do you want sanguisuga?”

  Before I knew what was happening I was swept off my feet and slammed against a tree. I braced for the pain of the impact but the arms that grabbed me held me tight, so I didn’t feel a thing.

  “You look beautiful tonight sweetheart.” Caleb grinned, the smile not quite reaching his blue eyes as he roamed his gaze over my dress.

  “Thanks.” I breathed, the black of my tights helped my shaking knees blend into the night. “Are you okay?”

  Caleb raised a brow as though he couldn’t contemplate why I would ask about his feelings.

  “I'm hungry and tired and I heard a rumour I didn’t like.” He sighed, his arms that caged me sagging a little and touching the tops of my shoulders. I couldn’t help but shiver a little at his touch.

  “What rumour?” I chose to omit the rest of his answer.

  He sighed, and I could see the strange tension in his face. I didn’t know what came over me, but I lifted my hand to his arm and squeezed his bicep.

  “Was it something bad?” He shivered under my hand, his skin trembling against me.

  “Why are you being nice to me Princess?” He breathed, lowering his face right in front of my own.

  I stared back at him, not knowing how to answer his question in a way that wouldn’t expand his big head.

  “I'm not a complete bitch Caleb; I'm being nice to you because you seem stressed. Or maybe sad, I can’t decide.” I muttered. “Even if you are a massive dick, I don’t want you to feel down. I’m not heartless.” I tacked on, pleased when he chuckled at me.

  Sober Kaida of a couple hours ago would never have dreamed of allowing anybody this close to her, let alone actually touching their skin and holding their face so close that only a slight lean would close the distance.

  “I do have a massive dick, thanks for noticing Kaida.” I laughed with him, the pair of us breathlessly giggling like school kids without a care. “And the rumour was about you, so I guess you could always tell me if it was true or not.”

  I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had heard something about me. I had been the gossip of the school since I had arrived.

  “What did you hear?”

  “That you had claimed a Guard. And he was a Vampire.” I bit my lip, seemingly answering the question for him when he asked how I could do such a thing when I claimed to hate his kind.

  “I didn’t know he was a Vampire until after.” I lied, not wanting to admit the truth.

  I doubted Caleb would take too kindly to being told I didn’t hate Vampires for any reason other than he was the only one I knew. Not only that, but he would question me and ask why I hated him touching me so much. Which right now I couldn’t even remember the reasons for all of that, let alone be able to sit and discuss them.

  “You’re such an idiot.” He almost bent over laughing, accepting my lie with ease. “Surely you should have asked him first?”

  The pair of us joked around for a while. I didn’t know why I joined in. I figured it was either the blatant acceptance of my lie, or the fact the pixie dust was making me feel lighter than air.

  “Well thanks for the laugh, but I think its best I leave you to it. I’m hungry and I don’t want to ruin the rare sight of a happy Kaida just yet.” Caleb stepped back with a smile, and I grabbed hold of his arm before I knew what I was doing.

  “You can bite me,” I offered, “because you made me laugh too and that is by no means an easy task.”

  Caleb’s eyes widened despite himself, and he didn’t hesitate to grab me again, roughly pushing me against t
he tree trunk as his lips appeared by my ear.

  “Are you sure? It’s a one-time offer to avoid it.” He offered, his mouth warm against my skin.

  “I'm sure.” I replied, despite knowing there was a strong chance I would regret my decision later.

  “Hmm.” Caleb moaned in my ear, before swiftly moving to my neck and singing his fangs into my skin.

  For the first time I didn’t utter a single sound. I freely let him take what he wanted and let him take his fill. The bite didn’t feel anything like it normally did. I was numb. The pain of his fangs was non-existent, and I could barely feel the pulse of power as he drained me. There was no shouting inside my mind. It was like I had been completely switched off and was simply just existing in this world without a thought. This drug is even better than I thought it could be.

  A couple of minutes later Caleb shuddered to a halt, withdrawing his teeth from me, and breathing a little heavy.

  “You’re delicious.” He whispered to my neck, gently kissing the spot where he had made me bleed.

  “Thanks.” I giggled, staring into his eyes when he lifted his head back up.

  A shock of static went between the two of us and I forgot how to breathe. All I could see was the ever-expanding blue inside his ocean eyes. I was falling, drowning, and completely gone.

  “Kaida…” Caleb whispered my name, his hand caressing my jaw as he lifted my head up towards his own.