Strange School

After breathing nervously into my palms, I shoved open the classroom door and was met with a sight that left me speechless. Two human students, clearly athletes judging by their builds were towering over Nadia.

The look on their faces was like guys who weren't able to attend their favorite concert. Nadia who was huddled on the floor looked small and vulnerable.

What in hell’s name was going on here?

“Seems they are bullying her,” Luna replied to me.

Umbra grumbled and took the words out of my mouth. “Don't be a dummy, Luna. How can humans bully a vampire? They don't measure…”

"That's not enough!" one of the humans snarled, shoving Nadia with his foot as if to prove Luna right. "We told you, double the usual amount, or you'll regret it!"

Trust Luna to revel in her win. “Aha! Told ya! She's being bullied.”

My eyes bulged from their sockets. What the heck was going on? Was Nadia, not the vampire who had just given me the creeps in a funny way?

H-how…?

The other students in the class seemed unfazed by the scene. Some watched with keen curiosity, others continued their conversations as if nothing was happening. My blood ran cold. Humans bullying a vampire? It was unheard of.

Before I could even think, I was crossing the room. Yanking Nadia to her feet, I glared at the two humans. "What do you think you're doing?"

They turned to me and I could see their anger morphing into surprise. "Who the hell are you?" the first one sneered. "This doesn't concern you. So get lost."

"Why don't you come make me?" I challenged, leveling my gaze with his in a challenge.

Humans? Hell, I need not use both of my hands before I can deal with them as I deem fit. A finger was all alright

A murmur reverberated through the class at my challenge. They were all probably used to having these bullies have their way. Bet this was new. Well, Nimue La Key was here. It was time for a change if this was the norm.

Some students cheered and others booed but I could care less about those. The human closest to me pounced at me, aiming for a shove. I sidestepped him easily, returning the shove with enough force to send him stumbling back.

Nadia, who had been trying to pull me back, gasped. "Nimue, don't!" she cried.

Yeah, right.

“Let's have it, boys.” I rolled up my sleeve and licked my bottom lip.

It's been a while since I did this.

With a charged vitality this time, the other two humans charged at me. Moving on instinct, I kicked out, connecting with both their shins with a satisfying crack. They yelped in pain, clutching their legs and hopping on one foot.

“Go work for your own money, you lazy asses!” I hissed, bouncing on my two legs with my hands stretched out, ready to pounce.

Just then, the classroom door flew open, revealing a stern-looking woman in a tweed suit. "What is all this commotion about?" she demanded, her voice booming.

The students scrambled back to their seats with the two bullies practically falling into theirs. Nadia scurried to a desk in the corner, clutching her arm. The empty seat next to her stood out like a beacon.

“No one wants it, so you can take it,” Nadia said to me, gesturing toward the empty seat with meekness.

So no one wanted to sit close to her, huh? Tch.

The woman who came in was clearly the lecturer. She scanned the room with her hands on her hips. "Nobody wants to answer? Very well then." She sighed, then brightened. "Speaking of new faces, I heard Mr. Viktor Silverstein's daughter was resuming her studies here. Are you here, Ms. Silverstein?"

What the heck? Even the professor knew of my arrival? And hell, I was no ‘Silverstein’. My name was La Key!

But then again, I hadn't expected to be summoned like this. I gulped down multiple times, muttering curses under my breath.

Standing up slowly, I mumbled, "Y-yes, that's me."

A smile broke out on the lecturer's face. "Wonderful! You're beautiful, dear. We hope you'll bring as much shine to this college as your brother, Kieran."

M-my brother, Keiran?! What in tarnation –? I could throw up right in the middle of this class if anyone called Kieran my brother. Big eew.

Still, I needed to play along. This was all Mom’a fault! “Thank you, Professor," I mumbled, forcing a smile as I sat back down.

The bullies were sending hostile glances my way, but would I ignore them? Hell no!

I made a slashing gesture across my throat, meeting their hostile gaze with a stern one while mouthing; ‘You’re dead if you try’.

The shock on their faces by my defiance was so big, I had no idea which was more pronounced: their surprise or their disbelief.

Professor Whatever-her-name was launched into the day's lecture. Now I knew why the Alpha’s son attended this school. The first lecture and I already was enjoying it. It was a great development from my college back in Ravenwood if I’d be honest, really.

Maybe I’d come to like the lessons, at least. However, it seemed the things I wouldn't like surmounted the former. Again… it's all Mom’a fault!

After the class and during lunch break, Nadia approached me hesitantly.

"Thank you for… everything, earlier," she mumbled, fiddling with a loose button on her sweater.

"You didn't deserve that," I replied, still a little shaken. "But why were they bullying you?"

Nadia bit her lip, her gaze darting around the room nervously as if she wanted to tell me top-tier secret information that shouldn't leak out. Well, with us supernaturals in the midst of humans, everything was confidential.

"Can we… can we talk somewhere else?" she whispered, extending a hand towards the door.

“Don't go, Nimue. She looks boring. No one will hang out with you if you make friends with such a girl!” Luna scolded, groaning at the sight of Nadia.

I knew Umbra’s reply would come swiftly and it did. “Always calling intellectual boring. Being dumb is such an affliction.”

“Hey–” Luna was about to protest when I took Nadia’s hand.

I nodded and followed her out of the classroom even though a part of me felt chilly about it all, mostly because of Luna’s disapproval. Where was she taking me, and what exactly was going on at this strange school?