Eight

Vlad

I stopped walking when I saw Raven sprint out of the matron's house with her hoodie pulled low over her face. 

She was running so fast that she stumbled and fell to her knees, scrabbling at the stones and whimpering in frustration.

 "Raven, what's wrong?" I asked, taking her hand.

She yanked her hand away, pulling her hoodie lower, almost as though trying to disappear beneath it.

"Mind your business," she snapped, wiping away her tears with a sleeve of her hoodie.

"Whoa! Easy tiger. I'm just worried about you. Tell me what's going on."

I held on to her hand gently, but she pulled away abruptly, her whole body stiffening. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying.

"I don't need your help, Dr. Phil," Raven retorted, her voice growing snarky. "I can handle my problems, thank you very much."

A gust of wind blew, causing her to shiver and wrap her arms tightly around her body. I reached out again to touch her shoulder, but she stepped back out of my reach.

"You can't go in looking like that," I pointed out, gesturing to her tear-stained face. "Everyone's going to see you, and they're going to wonder what happened. Are you sure everything's okay?"

"Of course I'm sure," she snapped. "And even if it weren't, it's none of your damn business."

She was always unhappy and it was unsettling."Is someone bullying you?"

Her expression turned cold, and she backed away from me. "I said it's none of your business."

 A car honked loudly in the distance, causing Raven to jump and tense up even more.

"Come with me, you need to get yourself together."

Surprisingly, she agreed and I took her hand and gently led her up a stairwell to the school's rooftop 

It was a quiet afternoon; all the students were in their classrooms for evening classes. 

At the rooftop, Raven's breath caught up in her throat at the beauty of the place. She must have had no idea that such a peaceful place existed amidst the chaos of the school.

I led her to a wooden bench set against the rooftop's edge and she sat and collected herself. My eyes flickered to the deep blue sky, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across the horizon.

The sprawling cityscape stretched out before us. We sat in peaceful silence, our eyes wandering over the stunning view.

She lowered her hoodie, revealing her long, silky hair held in a ponytail. I wondered why she always wore a hoodie like a cocoon when she had such beautiful hair. 

 Everything about her was beautiful. So beautiful that despite her attempts to hide under her hoodie, it shone through.

Our eyes met. My breath caught at the sight of the tears that remained on her cheeks, dried like salt crystals. I wanted to reach out and wipe them away, to make her feel better, but instead, I remained silent.

"I want us to be friends, Raven. I promise to protect you from bullies."

She laughed. "Don't flatter yourself. You're the last person I'd ask for help."

I frowned. "Why do you say so?"

"Your world and mine are too different. The only thing that keeps us together is breathing the same air. "

"Here we go again," I groaned. "I just want to have your back, that's all."

"You don't know my dad. He'll chop off your fingers. Thanks  for your generosity but I can take care of myself "

My eyes clung to hers, analyzing her. The silver in her eyes flickered and she looked away. 

"I'm not going to give up on you that easily. You'll see.

 She smiled faintly "You're persistent, Vlad. I'll give you that. "You know, my sister has a huge crush on you."

My chest tightened at the mention of Nova and her stupid threat. "I noticed. She knows I'm not interested."

A macaw flew past us. The majestic bird had a vibrant appearance, with a range of reds, blues, greens, and yellows. 

Time to feast.

Carefully, I got on my feet, approaching it in a non-threatening gesture. It bobbed its head curiously, eyeing me up and down.

 Raven watched my movements with interest. With a sudden lunge, I scooped the macaw up in my hand. It screeched in protest, flapping its wings and trying to escape. 

Laughing, I petted the bird's head and dug my fangs into it. Raven gasped in horror and moved away from me. 

"You're so evil!" She cried. "Why are you hurting such a beautiful bird?"

 "That's funny coming from a Lycan, don't you think?"

She rolled her eyes. "At least we're not spooky or prey on humans."

"Not all vampires drink human blood. Some of us survive on animal blood and we don't lose control and turn into ferocious beasts during the full moon.

She was about to speak when we heard the bell. Her eyes widened in alarm and she took a step back.

"Damn it, you're going to put me in trouble "

With hurried movements, her feet pounded against the rooftop as she fled. 

"Come on," my voice echoed after her. "Today's Friday. The teachers are probably in their damn meeting."

She didn't slow down until she was out of sight and I smiled watching her. 

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I quickly reached for it. My face broke into a smile as I saw the caller ID. My mum seldom called me directly, preferring to text instead.

 “Mom?"

"Son, how are you?" She said in a breezy and unhurried tone.

"Good," I responded, curious as to why she was calling.

"Honey, you need to come home this weekend." 

My smile faltered. I didn't want to go home. "But Mom, we have a soccer practice this weekend, I can't leave the team hanging."

"I understand that, darling, but this is very important and I need you home for it."

"I'm sure it's one of those parties you throw. Can't I just come home on Sunday? I promise to make up for the time I missed at home."

"No. It's not negotiable, Vlad. You need to be home starting today."

I groaned. I wasn't in the mood for any social gathering. Going home would ruin my chances of wooing Raven.

I didn't get why my mum always threw those boring parties every week. 

" Is it going to be the usual crowd again?"

 "No," she chuckled. "This is going to be a more intimate gathering. Just a few close friends, I'll have Dimitri come pick you up. Don't forget to pack your books."

After packing my essentials for the weekend, a small silver pendant caught my eye and I picked it up carefully. I admired it before I slipped it into a small pouch in the front of my bag and scrolled through messages from my soccer team hoping there wasn't any serious practice. 

Thorne walked in wearing nothing but a pair of briefs and I looked up, eyebrows raised, as he flopped on the bed next to me.

"Dude put a damn shirt on. I don't know why you love wearing your ugly Speedos that show your teenie weenies."

"Puss bucket, " he chuckled and lay on my bed. "Going home?"

I shrugged, pulling out a pair of sneakers. "I'll see you on Monday. Tell Coach Francis to read his texts for once and don't you dare sleep on my bed."

On my way home, I leaned against the plush leather seat of my dad's numerous fleet of cars, fixing my eyes on the passing scenery.

 Dimitri, the castle's chief security and head of staff, drove expertly, handling the winding roads with ease. Our eyes met through the rearview mirror and he looked away immediately. 

 "Is everything alright, Vlad? You seem a little down."

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" I snapped.

He remained silent and guilt tugged at my heartstrings for speaking to him like that. My family's castle, an ultra mansion sat perched atop several acres of land, overlooking the city below. 

In the foyer, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, creating rainbows on the walls. Raula, a young pretty maid, who I knew had a massive crush on me greeted me with a friendly smile and cheeks flushed with excitement.

Walking past her, I nodded at the Alchemists who bustled to and fro in the back room, carefully measuring out powders and tinctures. My nose wrinkled with the burning smell of sulfur and herbs hanging heavy in the air.

My dad, Vladislav the Undying, was the Vampire king of the Sanginus Imperium empire and stood in the living room with his arms wrapped around my mum. His once jet black was now peppered with silver streaks.

"Son," his bass voice thundered with amazement, wiggling his thick, bushy eyebrows. I hugged him and inhaled his woodsy cologne. Mum was dressed in a flowing white dress, pearls glinting from her delicate necklace.

My dad pulled back to study me with a critical eye.

"You look thin, son. Have you been drinking enough healthy blood?" he asked, concerned.

I responded with a noncommittal shrug, not wanting to reveal the true state of the blood supply. instead, I listened to classical music playing on a hidden sound system, 

My dad gave my mother an expensive pair of crystal earrings, causing her to smile politely but without much enthusiasm. "

"You didn't have to, dear," she said softly.

My dad chuckled and pressed a kiss to her temple. "I'll never stop putting your smile on your face. "

I watched the exchange with admiration and a little embarrassment. It was horrifying to picture my parents making out.

 "Aren't you a little old to act like lovestruck teenagers?" I mused aloud.

My dad's eyes shone with delight. "Old? Never. She's the most beautiful woman on earth and beyond. I'll do anything to make your mother happy."

I imagined myself and Raven as a couple, wanting to love someone as deeply and passionately as my father loved my mother. Although my mum didn't show it, I could tell she loved my dad as well. 

The party droned on in the grand ballroom, with the sound of live music and the chatter of the elite guests. Rich nobles, aristocrats, and socialites mingled, dressed in designer gowns and tailored suits.

I felt a little out of place, as most of the guests were my parents' age, and I wished I had my friends with me.

Bored and restless, I nibbled on croissants and sipped wine. My mum was dressed elegantly in a flowing white fur coat, which complemented her pale skin and dark hair.

She smiled warmly as she greeted guests, her pearls glinting in the light. She dragged me through the crowd, nodding politely to people I knew and introducing me to new faces.

The band played smooth jazz, filling the room with their sultry melodies. I was nodding my head to the music when my mum pulled a girl dressed in a pink gown my way. 

Maya.

My chest tightened in annoyance. First of all, Maya's family were fraudstars who did everything possible to gain social status and secondly, I wasn't into their daughter. 

Maya was as insistent as Nova, the only difference was that Maya could do anything, including getting naked in public to get my attention. 

"Vlad, honey. Why not show Maya around? You're the only youngsters in the party."

I stiffly smiled at Maya while inwardly groaning at the thought of spending an evening with someone so fake.

"We can go watch the stars," she batted her eyelids and I accepted, not wanting to offend my mum. 

Outside, Maya chattered on, peppering me with questions and laughter. I nodded along politely while my mind drifted away. 

She brushed against my arm, causing me to inwardly cringe.

"So, I'm on the pill. We could fuck here if you want. Under the beautiful stars. I'll do anything you like. Vanilla, BDSM, anal, you name it."