Chapter 4: A Secret Uncovered

After a lunch where we learned that Isra was from Thailand and was taking seven classes because she had ambitiously decided to try to do both the Alchemist and Green Mage Tracks simultaneously, we retreated to the Library. While Miguel searched the stacks for something interesting to read, Isra and I started in on our Thread Magic homework. Isra managed to complete hers just before they had to leave for Algebra, and I finished soon after. With nothing else to do, I pulled out the book I’d borrowed the previous day and was soon lost in the fascinating world of magical physiology.

“You know babe if you want to know how the vampire body works, I’d be happy to show you mine.” I sighed in irritation, lowering my book until I could see the smirking nuisance that stood across the table from me.

“Stojakovic, why the hell are you bothering me?”

He grinned, “Eh, it’s fun. Besides, I’ve not got much else to do right now.”

“Don’t you have friends to bother, or sycophants to entertain you?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

A brief shadow flickered over his eyes before his face cranked the watts up again, “Nope! I’m all yours.”

“Well I don’t want you to be mine, so go away.” I retorted.

“Oh don’t be like that,” I froze in shock as I found myself suddenly entrapped by his arm, his speed too quick for my eye to even see. He leaned over and I tensed even more as he began to whisper in my ear, “You see cutie, you may not want me to be yours, but I’ve decided that you belong to me now. And I don’t care what you want because you aren’t strong enough to stop me,” he grazed a fang against my ear lobe, “but if you’re a good girl for me I’ll put you under my own personal protection and you won’t have to worry your pretty little head about anyone else bothering you.” He pulled away suddenly, “Why don’t I just let you think about that for a little while. For your own sake you should agree, but I do dearly hope you won’t. Hunting you promises to be so much fun.”

I sat there stunned for a full minute after he left before bolting to my dormitory room as fast as possible, not even noticing in my panic as I sped past the arguing pair of Miguel and Isra, their faces startled at my passage. I fumbled with my key trying to unlock my door and as soon as I got it open and me inside, I slammed it shut again before collapsing to the floor, my body overcome with violent shaking. My mind seemed stuck on a repetitive loop of, “Shit, shit, shit, oh shit!”

A sudden tentative knocking on the door behind me shocked me fast out of my terror and I took a few deep breaths before speaking up, “Yes?”

I recognized Isra’s voice, “Jessica dear, is everything alright?”

Miguel piped in too, “Yeah, we saw you streak by like a bat out hell was after you.”

I shakily stood up, “I’m fine guys. Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Jess, you were crying,” Miguel softly countered.

I swiped quickly at my eyes. Shit, I had been crying.

“Could we please come in?” Isra asked.

I took another breath before letting them in, watching in silence as they looked around the room before turning to me.

“So who do I get to beat up?” asked Miguel.

His question shook a quick hysteric laugh out of me causing me to dig my fingernails into my palm in an effort to forcibly calm myself down, “It was Stojakovic again.”

A long glance was shared between the two, before Isra reached out for my hand, soothing it out of the tense fist and then pulling me over to sit beside her on the bed., “Why don’t you tell me what happened.”

It didn’t take long to explain. I knew there was no chance in hell of being able to get out of this on my own. I would need their help. I just hoped I would be able to keep my secret in the process.

* * *

I slept poorly that night after they left, my emotional exhaustion causing me to skip dinner in favor of sleep, but the many nightmares throughout the night ensured that when I walked into my potions class the next day I was still exhausted, despite the extra sleep. I woke up quick enough however when I looked up and saw Peter Stojakovic leering openly at me, his hand gesturing to the empty seat beside him. Isra, seeing this glared at him and grabbed my wrist to drag me to the only other open seat. Pushing me down firmly into it as she stalked over to take the seat next to the now irritated vampire. I firmly kept my head down as I fussed with my books and equipment, sighing in relief as Prof. Biryukov strode into the room and stood at the front of the classroom, staring at us until we were all quiet and paying him attention.

“I am Professor Oleksy Biryukov and here at the Academy I teach chemistry, alchemy, and of course potions. This is why you are all here, yes? Well, this school expects each of you to already know the basics of potion making, so we will just jump right in. If you have not done any in the past, see me after class so that I can help you get caught up. Now, I hope you have chosen your seats wisely because they will be permanent for the rest of the semester. Take a moment to make the acquaintance of your neighbor as they will be your occasional partner when the potion calls for it.”

I heard Isra groan softly from across the room as she realized she had gotten stuck with my own personal vampire nuisance. Though she might now share him with me. I snorted a little in amusement before finally looking next to me to see who I would be sharing my workstation with. His height was the first thing that struck me seeing as he was only about three and a half feet in height, his feet dangling a good bit off the floor from his chair. Turning towards me I was surprised by golden eyes that took up the entire eye, his pupil an oval laid horizontally, horse’s eyes I thought.

“I’m Jessica Langden,” I said, taking the initiative and sticking my hand out for him to shake.

One of the pointed ears atop his head twitched as he replied in soft Irish lilt, “Brian Wilde,” the silver chain links attached to the manacle on his wrist clinked gently as we shook hands, “I hope our time working together will be enjoyable.”

I didn’t have a chance to reply as our professor then began to speak again forcing our attention back to the front so we could learn how to make the Sleepy Time potion.

After class was over, I took a chance and invited Brian to sit with my friends and I at lunch. Nodding an affirmative, he replied, “That would be acceptable.”

I shot him a small grin as I hefted my bag onto my shoulder, carefully not looking Peter’s way as Isra and Brian fell into step on either side of me, a barrier I was internally grateful to have against the dangerous vampire. As we walked towards the cafeteria I noticed Isra eye the small being beside me, prompting me out of my silence, “Isra I’d like you to meet Brian. Brian, this is Isra.”

“A pleasure,” Isra replied with a head bob and a cute smile, one fang carefully showing.

Brian returned the nod stoically, “I’m glad to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh?” Isra replied arching one delicately shaped eyebrow.

“Yes of course. You are Isra, the youngest child of the Thai Chao Pho Arthit, correct?”

Isra straightened, suddenly serious, “I am. Although now I am wondering how you know of me.”

“My full name is Brian Wilde, son of Ciaran Wilde, the Bailitheoir Anamacha of the Sluagh Sidhe”

“Ah,” Isra sighed in satisfaction, her suspicion instantly fading as I just gawked in bewilderment, my head turning from one to the other in confusion.

“Chao Pho what? Baili- whatever? I thought these earrings,” I tugged on the one attached to my own ear, “were supposed to translate for us, but that all sounded like gibberish to me.”

Isra sniffed in disdain, one side of her mouth quirked in a little smirk of amusement, but didn’t say anything.

Seeing that she obviously wasn’t going to deign to explain, Brian offered up the answer, “Chao Pho literally means ‘godfather,’ a title given to the head of major Thai crime families. Her father Arthit is well known as a supplier of rare and illegal goods. As for myself, a Bailitheoir Anamacha,” he carefully sounded it out, “can be translated as ‘Collector of souls.’ It is both title and job description and very important to how my people, the Sluagh Sidhe, a type of fae, bolster our numbers. I myself plan on following in my father‘s footsteps.”

I was silent, pondering the new information as we got in line for our food. Carefully taking note as the fae filled his tray with mostly raw meat and as we sat and began to eat I also analyzed the rows of shark-like teeth carefully shredding his meat. Finally reaching an internal decision, and as he’d offered no insult or threat to me, I verbally extended a welcoming hand, querying, “Is it because you wish to be a Collector of souls that you are dressed like that?” Looking at his wispy black robes and silver manacled chains.

“Yeah what’s up with that whole wraith look anyways?” Miguel suddenly asked, plopping down next to me and across from Isra and Brian, “Cause I gotta tell you man, all the chains and manacles, screams total masochist to me.”

“You know this from experience?” Isra shot the quick retort.

Miguel stammered and flushed red and though Brian’s question was soon forgotten between the ensuing battle of barbs, judging from the small smile on his face our small group had just gone up one in number.

* * *

I was excited heading towards my first Biology class of the year and even seeing Peter also in attendance didn’t deter my enthusiasm any, especially since I had Isra, Miguel, and Brian sitting all around me at our four person lab table. Our Professor Davi Pereira, at least that was who I guessed he was, judging from the name on the board, was setting out one to each person a microscope, Petri dish filled with what looked like algae or fungi, jar with insects, small potted plant, or even a small animal. Despite the long green hair that fell from his topknot, it did not get tangled or stuck to the various items he was handling, somehow remaining pristine and clean even as it brushed across the stained and dirty brown leather vest and pants that covered his tanned golden skin.

Heading to the front, he began, “Alright you meat bags, shut up and write this down!” he gave only the briefest of pauses before continuing as we scrambled for papers and pen, “Biology is the science of life, of living organisms and how they interact with each other. All living organisms consist of one or more cells that are highly ordered. All living things respond to stimuli like how plants grow toward light and your pupils dilate in response to a lack of it. All organisms are capable of growth, development, and reproduction, with each one possessing hereditary molecules that are passed on to their offspring. All organisms interact with other organisms and the environment in ways that influence survival leading to evolutionary adaptations. All organisms maintain relatively constant internal conditions, different from their environment, called homeostasis. And lastly, all living things take in energy and use it to do various tasks. This last is especially important to you walking bags of fertilizer cause besides the cyclic transfer of natural or life energy there is also the existence of that energy we use called magic. While most of the year will be spent drilling the basics of biology into your pitiful brains, from cell structure to the differences between the various kingdoms and how each basic type of individual living organism is made up, this week we’ll be doing something special. Now how many of you have accessed your second sight?”

Cautiously peeking around as I slowly raised my own hand, I saw most of the class with their hands up, leaving only a few to blink around in evident confusion.

“Well that at least gives me the slight hope that some of you might be worth more than plant food. Those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about better get with someone who does after class cause I’m not gonna bother to hold the rest of the class back for you. Alright now, in front of each of you is some form of non-magical living organism. Those of you who are able,” he sneered in obvious derision at those incapable, “should access your second sight now.

Complying, I opened my eyes, then opened them again, watching as the world exploded into a swirl of energies flowing around and through the various pools that were my classmates' cores. Looking to my left I saw a core composed of a rich reddish brown swirled with brighter red flecks and bright emerald green threads and loops pulsing through it, Isra I thought. Across from me, Brian’s core was a dark starry night dotted with silver stars and partially covered by shifting wisps of shadow. Expecting a brown or grey orb when I looked kitty-corner at Miguel, I was surprised and amused to see what appeared to be a golden hourglass filled with red and grey sand that as I watched seemed to endlessly fall with no visible change in the amount that was contained in the top or bottom. In curiosity, I looked over at Peter Stojakovic and saw a bright silvery grey shield splashed with vibrant streaks of red. I shuddered at the warlike image and was glad to turn my attention back to the front.

Prof. Pereira, whose core was a mass of green and black vines, continued, “I want you all to now concentrate on the living organism that is on the table before you,” the marigold in front of me was softly lit by a gentle green glow that came from within it, “Okay, now imagine sinking your consciousness down into the life before you, shrinking until you fit inside, twisting and flowing with every limb, pathway, and cell. If possible, try to shrink yourself smaller and smaller, take in every detail you can.”

His voice trailed off as we sought to follow his directions. I pulled in my consciousness, twisting it into a thin rope, then mentally dived towards the flower. It was easier then I had expected and soon I was lost in the myriad parts of the plant, mentally focusing on each tiny section in turn. The cells involved in photosynthesis particularly caught my attention and I watched for a good long while as they took in the neutral whitish life energy along with the carbon dioxide from the air. It was fascinating following the energy, seeing it slowly turn green as it began flowing in pathways along the plant, the tiniest of trickles entering and exiting each cell.

Finally of course, the teacher’s voice brought us up out of our trances, “Come on everyone, it’s time to head back out to reality. Up, up, up, up. Yes that’s right, good little meat bags, be one with your puny flesh again.” Seeing in us the liveliness flow back into our eyes, he continued, “Now this technique is a really handy one, and is actually the beginning stage of the healer’s trance. We won’t be using it much in this class, but it would be a good idea for all of you to practice on your own outside of it. For homework I want each of you to prepare a paper detailing not only this experience but also all you can tell me about the specific living organism in front of you. Do some research if you need to. Since you all have a different thing, none of you can cheat,” he threw a nasty grin our way, “Our next lesson will be an extra special treat before we head into cell biology. I’m going to be pairing each of you up at random and next class you’re going to perform that same deep body scan you just did, only on your partner.” A burst of whispers and sounds of surprise filled the air around me as my heart began to sink.

He picked up a list from his desk and after clearing his throat, began, “Nicando Ortega Fernandez, you will be paired with the Siamese twins Geir and Fridmar along with Vicente Mistral. Jessica Langden,” a dark glint entered his eyes, “you’re with Peter Stojakovic.” My high heart crashed as I realized he’d paired me with Peter on purpose, and I didn’t even notice as a pale blond girl shot a glare of death my way. “Amarok you’ll be partnered with Brian Wilde; Chrysander Zabat you’re with Istar Amirmoez. Alouette Lisle and Araluen you’re together. Noah Saar, you’re with Isra; Badar Al-Dabeyoun you’re with Nu Wekwon. And finally, Zefirino Anton, you’re left with Miguel Teros. And just to let you all know for the future, I have a mandatory attendance policy for my classes. So all of you,” he eyed me again with a smug expression, “had better be here unless you’re dead or dying. If either is not the case, then don’t even bother coming back at all.”

Shit! My most necessary class and the professor was trying to get me killed; blowing my secret to Stojakovic of all people? Shit. What the hell was I going to do now?

I was distracted the whole rest of the night, even through dinner, not noticing as Miguel whispered under his breath an explanation of the whole situation to Brian, and only barely responding as the three of them tried to reassure me that it would be alright, that Stojakovic couldn’t do anything serious while under the eyes of the whole class. I could see their perplexed looks at my total panic, but how could I explain that I was actually human? They barely knew me and had no real motivation to stick with me once the news got out. And there was no way I could possibly skip my next Biology class, though I’m sure that was what Prof. Pereira was hoping for. I have no doubt that he would follow through on his threat if I skipped and that would basically be tantamount to admitting failure, something that was not even an option for my situation. If I dropped from the class, there would be no one to heal my mom and in several years she would die without ever even waking up, and probably with me having preceded her into death already since dropping Biology would definitely raise undue suspicion in all the monsters around me. Even if I totally gave up and tried to run from the school, the hunters would inevitably find and kill me. No, I had already made my choice coming here, and I really only had one option, I was going to have to make a deal with Peter Stojakovic.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

* * *

Having made my decision, I figured that I might as well get it over with as soon as possible before I second guessed myself and chickened out on it. It was still a risky choice though, so I was understandably nervous heading into my self-defense class the next day where I’d decided to approach Peter. Noticing the unusual amount of whispering going on amongst the students of the halls around me, and eager to get my mind off the circular, and rather panicky, nature my thoughts had taken, I began to listen in on one pair.

“So he’s dead?”

“Yeah, they found his body in one of the blood magic chambers early this morning.”

“What was he doing there, especially at that hour?”

“Well so far the professors are saying it looks like he was doing an enhancement ritual and botched it.”

“But…”

“Yeah, there’s no way he botched a ritual, he’s too careful and knows his stuff way too well. He comes from a whole line of Blood mages for Christ’s sake!”

“So you think it was Jonathon?”

“Probably. There’s no proof of course, but we all know he never leaves any. And Seros was his only real competition for that internship slot.”

As I moved too far to hear anymore of the conversation I felt as if I’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. Suddenly the danger I was in was all too real and hearing of the death that had taken place just this morning only underscored the importance of my decision. So it was with a firm spine and grim face that I entered the gymnasium and took a beeline towards where I saw Peter leaning against the far wall talking to a small group of students. I didn’t let myself get distracted as I walked the length of the room, didn’t even spare a glance to where my new friends stood watching with startled expressions and barely paid any attention to the blond girl I had to force my way past despite her indignant exclamation.

Peter had straightened when he saw me start on my unwavering path towards him, his… Friend? Sycophant? Whatever, trailing off his words when it became evident Peter was no longer paying him any attention. When I finally stopped before him, I could feel the weight of every single pair of eyes in the gymnasium resting on us, on me, all curious to know why a relative nonentity such as myself had decided to confront one of the so-called vampire royals at the school.

Conscious of our audience, I kept my words short, “Stojakovic, I’d like to discuss the offer you made me,” I glanced around at our eager listeners and added, “Sometime later today if that’s fine.”

He somehow managed to look both smug and disappointed at the same time, “Of course. While I’d hoped you might be a bit more of a challenge,” he paused, “I knew it was only inevitable that you’d agree.”

Not reacting to his unsubtle query on my decision I replied simply, “There are some details I’d liked clarified.”

A predatory glint of excitement entered his eye at my lack of affirmation, “I’ll find you tonight then.”

I shot him a perfunctory nod, turned on my heel and once more forced my way past his circle of hangers-on.

My friends peppered me with questions of course when I reached them, but I was luckily spared from answering by the entrance of Professor Saab and used the exercises he set us as an excuse to pretend I was too out of breath to answer. I think they finally figured out I was exaggerating and they weren’t going to get anything out of me because when the professor began to pair us for sparring practice they were silent. Though the looks of worry Miguel shot me and the strong sense of disapproval radiating off Isra spoke miles of their thoughts and almost weakened my resolve not to talk. Thus, I was glad when Saab called my name and considered myself doubly lucky that he hadn’t placed me with Peter again. It didn’t take long however to wonder at my luck upon seeing the dark glower on my new sparring partner’s face.

Her tall, lithe frame was dressed in an expensive blue designer track suit and as I looked at her vaguely familiar face shadowed by straight-edged bangs hanging free from the rest of her hair pulled back into a smart ponytail, I finally recognized her as the girl I’d earlier pushed past to get to Peter. Now, judging from her expression, it looked like I’d managed to piss her off. I needed to quickly try and apologize before I found myself with yet another enemy.

The professor called for us to start and as we slowly began circling each other in search of an opening, I broached the subject, “Sorry about earlier. I really needed to talk to Stojakovic and it’s hard to get past all the people he seems to be constantly surrounded by.”

She tossed her bangs out of her eyes, one foot gracefully crossing in front of the other as she stepped to one side, “That is because he is the elite of the vampire elite. I myself, Alouette Lisle, have a bloodline that is twenty-eight generations pure of human stock and is only seven generations removed from Vlad Tepe’s line. I know why I belong in his circle, now I’m just wondering who in the world you think you are to be bothering him.” She rushed in close, putting us almost nose to nose before pausing, watching as I stumbled back before adding in a sneer, “Worm.”

Quickly recovering, I feinted a punch, turning it at the last minute into a grab for her arm, then continued the motion to throw her over my hip. She made a little ‘oomph’ noise as she fell, exposing her fangs as I caught her by surprise, “If he is so much higher in rank than you, then you should know better then to interfere in his business. This is between Stojakovic and I.”

My attempts at making amends were a clear failure as she flung herself forward from the crouching position she’d maneuvered herself into, her face a picture of fury as she began a flurry of blows all aimed clearly in an attempt to gouge out my eyeballs with her carefully manicured, painted blue, claw-like nails.

“There is nothing he could need or want from someone like you! I’m worth ten of you and you’re not even worthy of licking his boots! So I’m warning you,” her eyes were wild as she began almost shouting, “Stay away from him!”

I backtracked quickly as she began her swings, barely managing to keep just ahead, but even with rage driving her, it soon became clear that she was no Stojakovic and in a swift move I pinned her beneath me with her arm pulled tight against her back. She let out a brief squeal of mingled pain and anger, but we were both silent as I held her in position until her heavy breaths began to even out.

“Now I’m not sure just what your problem is, but I’m pretty certain Stojakovic would not be grateful for you to be getting involved in his business. I really wish I wasn’t for that matter, but since I am, I think you’d best be leaving this alone. Besides,” I added as I carefully began to let her up, “He is certainly capable of taking care of himself and probably wouldn’t appreciate the implied insult that you think he isn’t.”

Her glare hadn’t improved any as she turned to face me, one hand reaching up to gently rub her wrenched shoulder.

“Are we good?” I asked, my irritation over the whole encounter clear in my voice.

She leaned in close, hissing slowly between her fangs, “This isn’t over.” Then she pushed past, shoving me with her shoulder in a clear reminder of our earlier collision, before striding angrily away. So much for not making new enemies.

* * *

Far across the world, a different blond was dialing on her cell phone as she lounged in a large in-floor bathtub. Her face was framed by pink-hued bubbles as she began speaking into her phone, “Juanita, darling. It’s Theresa,” she paused listening to the cheerful high-pitched reply with a small wince, “Yes, yes. I’m doing well and so is Terrance. His campaign is doing very well and it looks like it’ll be a landslide victory for him come November. The party is keen to keep him as Speaker of the House if we get the majority like it looks like we will. Humans are so very easy to manipulate,” they shared a dark chuckle between them, “But, anyways Juanita, the reason I’m calling is because I’m going to be needing another shipment. Yes, already. I’ll need my usual order of course, but I’m also going to need a second larger order. Thirty-six adults and six under ten. Yes, I understand. We won’t need that second one until sometime in October though.”

She raised one hand up to gently touch the softly swaying body of a young Hispanic woman hanging upside down over her tub. Running one finger slowly along the gaping wound across her neck before popping the now bloody digit into her mouth. She sensually licked it clean as she listened to her friend’s babble.

“Mmm, yes. We have quite the special something planned for Samhain,” she smiled darkly, her eyes softly beginning to glow from within, “I won’t spoil the surprise Juanita dear, but I will tell you it’ll be the first step to building something truly… spectacular.”

* * *

Thread class had been miserable with Isra deciding to give me the silent treatment despite me sitting right next to her and lunch even more so under the combined weight of my friend’s pointed looks until I finally broke and drug them away to a secluded corner of the library.

“Look guys,” I began, “I know this seems crazy, but there’s more going on here then you know. I need you to just trust me that I know what I’m doing.”

They shared a quiet glance amongst themselves before obviously electing Isra to speak, “Jessie hun, the thing is, well, we’re not really sure you do. The Stojakovic family has,” she paused to consider her words carefully, “a reputation. One that is most definitely not kind at all to women. Now, I’m not sure why you believe you must deal with him, especially since only yesterday you seemed to want nothing to do with him, but I guarantee nothing good can come of this. Please, just tell us whatever it is that concerns you so and we’ll find some other way.”

“Yeah.” Miguel piped up, “If he tries anything we’ll smash him flat! You got us so you have no need to deal with that devil!”

Brian’s voice was more serious, “Miguel spoke more truly then he might know. In some circles, Peter’s father Dragoslav has been called the Sanguine Satan and it is rumored that his son has not fallen too far from the tree.”

“Why do you guys even care?!” I burst out in bewilderment, “You barely even know me or anything about me! Heck, only a few days ago we were total strangers!”

Isra sniffed daintily in scorn, “I protect what is mine.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Miguel chimed in before realizing just what it was Isra actually had said, “I mean, no, I mean, aw shucks Jess I don’t think I own you.”

“Because I do,” Isra interjected with a smirk.

The werefox shot her a quick glare as Brian snickered before Miguel continued, “What I’m trying to say Jess is well, why shouldn’t we help you? You’re nice and interesting and maybe we don’t really know you really well yet, but sometimes you don’t need to know someone for a really long time to know they’re good people and you’re good people Jess.”

I gaped at him trying to fight back tears in my eyes before turning to look at Brian.

“The spirits have told me that you’re loyal to your friends and worthy of trust. It would be wise to build a relationship with you,” the small fae answered straight-faced to my unasked question.

Miguel stared at him, “Seriously man, you are one creepy ass dude.”

A small spark of humor glinted out as the puca blinked his horse eyes lazily at him, “Indeed.”

“In any hand,” Isra interrupted after rolling her eyes at their interplay, “Jessica, no matter our reasons, each of us have decided that you are our friend and we want to help you, but we can’t unless we know whatever the matter is.”

I bit my lip, maybe they could actually figure a way out of this mess I’d gotten myself into, but that would mean I would have to tell them that I was human. I didn’t really think they would reject me because of it, but I knew how most supernaturals viewed my race. Could I risk it? It was inevitable that the secret would come out eventually and when it did it would definitely be better if I already had some people on my side to help control the results. My mind mentally nodded as it came to agreement and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

“Guys, I have been keeping a secret and you must understand that if it got out I would be in serious danger, as would all of you for protecting me. I would totally understand if you wish to distance yourselves after I tell you, but please, I need you to keep this quiet.”

“Hmph, it can’t be as bad as dealing with Stojakovic and we already agreed to help with that. Nothing you tell us could be worse than that overpowered, wannabe royal. I mean it’s not like you’re going to tell us that you’re a human!” Miguel ended with a burst of laughter.

Laughter that slowly died off after my solid silence did not deny the accusation.

“Wait. Shit. Really?” The were cried incredulously.

Isra’s and Brian’s identically raised eyebrows at my slow nod would have in any other situation brought out a snort of laughter from me, but I was too nervous awaiting their reactions.

It was Brian who recovered first, “You have truly surprised me Jessica Langden. You have taken quite the risk in coming here. The stories told of what happened to the last humans who dared are quite the gruesome tales. It becomes clear too why you decided you must deal with Stojakovic. With Professor Pereira obviously trying to out you to the student body and Stojakovic as your partner you must convince him to stay silent. And also, with the right deal, he could protect you from the rest of the student body when the secret does become known. Now I only wonder just what it was that drove you to this drastic course.”

Miguel banged one fist against his other hand in sudden realization, “That’s why I couldn’t figure what species you were! You must have some sort of scent neutralizer. That’d be super useful, could I get some off of you?”

I looked incredulously at the three of them, “Wait a minute. You don’t care that I’m human, any of you?” I asked looking between each of them.

“Well yeah it’s a shock Jess, but you’re like still you. So yeah, we’re cool.” Miguel grinned lopsidedly at me.

“Isra?” I asked anxiously towards the last who’d remained silent.

She tilted her head thoughtfully at me, “I do hope you’ll share a bit of your blood with me occasionally. It’s so hard to get fresh human blood here.”

A startled laugh burst out of me, “Sure Isra, after all what’s a little bit of blood between friends?”

I grinned in relief at their acceptance and gave into my urge, bursting forward to gather them all in a sudden group hug, grinning wider at their expressions. We spent the next couple of hours before they left for Algebra with me explaining the accident and the situation with my Mom and all of them brainstorming ideas to help my predicament. Some of the ideas were more entertaining than practical (I particularly enjoyed the one that involved using a trebuchet to slingshot Peter, Alouette, and Professor Pereira all out into the middle of Lake Baikal.), but ultimately we ended the session in a depressed state because no one could come up with a better plan then the one I already had. There really wasn’t a better option then to involve that bloody vamp, as distasteful as we all found it. Now the only thing I could do was wait for him to come find me, an endeavor that became increasingly nerve-racking as the hours began to creep by with no sign of him.

All throughout dinner I was on pins and needles, but he didn’t show. Nor was he waiting for me when I arrived at my room. As the hours continued to pass I tried to distract myself with homework and another medical book from the library, but finally my eyes grew too heavy to continue and I decided that for whatever reason, he definitely wasn’t going to show tonight, and went to bed.

* * *

I flew like a bird over the earth, passing from night into day and over land that slowly became more familiar until I finally stopped over what I knew was my mom’s hospital. Quickly I sank through the floors in a whirl of color until I came to her room and there she was, standing before me even as her body lay on the bed behind her, a vision of silvery-white, with curls that while only barely were starting to grow in on her physical form, on the immaterial one were still long and glorious, waving in a nonexistent wind.

She pointed out the eastern window and I saw the shadow that crept across the land, “Soon it will come. He will be the maker, the Reaper of souls, the Dire Huntsman.” she lifted one hand to my cheek, “I wish I had told you, but he’d hurt me so much. I was scared, especially for you once you came, but now he seeks to hurt so many and somehow you’ve become our best possible hope. I wish it didn’t have to be you, but there is no one I would trust more to succeed.”

She looked past me in sudden concentration, “There is danger! You must go! Jess, my baby, I love you and forgive you for everything. Be safe, my dear heart. Now go!”

I felt myself forced quickly backwards and despite how much I struggled to reach out to her, to cry out her name, my voice was silent and the world quickly faded into wispy darkness, the last visible sight, my mother’s face crying silver tears.

I came back to awareness slowly as if I was swimming through molasses or as if there were a heavy weight on top of me. My arms were awkwardly placed above my head and there was a wet roughness licking away at my cheeks, removing what some part of me knew to be my tears. Wait, it didn’t just feel like something was weighing me down, something really was! As my mind snapped suddenly awake my eyes flew open in alarm to be greeted by the sight of Peter Stojakovic’s face smirking way too up close and personal as he leaned in close with his hands pinning mine above my head and his legs straddling my waist, his arousal a very evident pressure against my belly.

“Morning cutie,” he grinned.

My magical shield forcefully snapped into place, throwing him explosively off of me to his obvious surprise, but his grip on my wrists was too strong and I was flung along after him, landing atop of him on the floor, the wind kicked out of me in the process.

“Ooh, prefer to top do we? I knew you’d be a feisty one.” he teased.

Finally getting my breath back, I cried out, “Let go of me you freaking creep!” I started struggling in earnest trying to get loose.

“But isn’t this what you wanted? To deal,” he rolled his hips suggestively against me with a sarcastically fake innocence lacing his tone.

I shuddered trying to fight my sudden unexpected arousal and forced myself still. There was no way I could escape from his grip unless he let go so I needed to get him to decide to do so himself, “Look,” I tried to infuse calm into my voice, “Peter. When I asked you to talk to me tonight, that was it, just talk. I was willing to consider making a deal with you, but I wanted to negotiate terms. This,” I glanced down between us, “is definitely not conducive to negotiations. Please, release me.”

“Ah, but see, what if I want to stay like this? I’ve got you just where I want you and that’s how I prefer to conduct,” he licked his tongue over his fangs, “negotiations. I believe the best negotiations are made when one clearly overpowers the other, best for the one at least, and in this case, that would be me,” he grinned, “I think it’s quite cute you even thought you could try to make a deal with me when it’s clear, it’s I,” he abruptly flexed his muscles and in a swift move smoothly flipped us over, slamming my head into the ground and making me see stars as he continued to speak, “who has all the power. You see, what you didn’t realize, was that this, is not a negotiation.”

As soon as he finished his words, he struck, his fangs piercing my neck with a prick of pain that quickly was washed away in a haze of arousal, each rhythmic suck seemed to pull from a direct line connected to my innermost parts. The blow to my head had dazed me and I couldn’t think clearly as a haze of heat overcame me, my body starting to writhe in place. Vaguely I became aware as he took one hand off a wrist, bringing it down to cup my womanhood through my pajama bottoms, his ministrations making me move even more wildly beneath him. I started to become lightheaded as pressure seemed to mount tighter and tighter deep inside until it suddenly burst overflowing and I screamed thrashing beneath him.

All of it was too much, I had to do something, anything, and I lunged my head forward, tearing his fangs from my throat in the process, taking my own turn and biting down hard on his neck, breaking the flesh and starting to suck the blood from his body. The tastes, the power. Shock and fear. It was like I was drinking in his every emotion. I orgasmed again from the new sensations before he ripped free of me, crouching at the far wall with eyes now wide and wary. I couldn’t help it, I laughed, dark and throaty, and again when he flinched.

“No daemon is that powerful!” he accusingly denied.

I was drunk and heady, his power filling me up made me incautious, “Daemon? No, but that was my secret of course. You see I,” I stood up and watched as he mirrored the movement cautiously, then grinned as I threw my arms wide, “am a human.”

“Impossible!” he denied.

“Born and raised,” I disagreed with a smirk.

He stopped, pausing in thought, “I’m not sure why you think you’re human, but that,” he pointed to the wall at my right, “clearly shows you’re not.”

What?! I turned my head unconsciously and stopped in complete bewilderment at seeing the glowing eyes shining out of my face from the mirror.

“I don’t know what the fuck all just happened, but clearly I’ve underestimated you.” I turned back in time to see a ghost of a smirk grace his lips, “I have a feeling our next ‘negotiations’ are going to be much more to your liking.” he stepped back into the shadow of my dresser, tendrils of darkness reaching out to engulf him until he completely disappeared from view.

I stared for a minute at the spot where he’d been, realizing that must have been how he had gotten into my room in the first place, before shrugging it off as only someone who has been subjected to an overload of emotional events really can. I turned back to the mirror, raising one hand near my still glowing eyes and thought, ‘Shit.’