"Um… is there something on my face or something?" I stammered nervously."No…" Dan trailed off with a somewhat breathy voice. "It's just, it was a little unexpected.""What was?" I frowned, not understanding what he was talking about."Your smile." Drew said, surprise still gleaming in his eyes."What about it? I've smiled before." I commented a little defensively to hide my own embarrassment."But not like that." Dan shook his head. "And if you have, we've definitely never seen it.""Even if I haven't, was there really a need to stare like that?""I wish we had a camera. Jackson and Quinn are going to be so jealous.""A camera? Really? Is that necessary." I grimaced at the suggestion. It wasn't like I held an immense hatred of having my picture taken, after all, I've had to deal with it over the past year or so as a singer, but during my everyday life, I wasn't particularly fond of cameras. "Anyway, you guys forgot to answer my question. Is Trace going to the dinner as well?""I'm no
Throughout the rest of the time until my extra lesson ended, we discussed how we were going to help the twins change their relationship with little Trace and guide it towards a more friendly direction. I noticed how ever now and then, Drew would sneak a look at me and it was that same strange gleam of recognition. I did my best not to let it get to me and just pretended that I didn't notice. There was no way that I was going to confront him about it because chances were, he would manage to force the truth from my mouth and I definitely did not was him finding out any time soon.Once the two hours were up, which passed a lot faster than usual since it wasn't actually a lesson, the others suggested that the sooner we got started on the work the better. Knowing us, we would take forever since we were all rather easily distracted. I agreed with the idea and left my books with the twins while I headed off back to the dorms to find the three dhampir girls. It didn't really matter if they ha
Damn Drew and his versatility.He wasn't kidding when he said that he could multitask. One minute we'd be going through our assigned work, the next he'd so casually drop in another personal question when none of the others were listening. He could definitely multitask better than I could. I was no good at focusing on two completely unrelated things at the same time but he made it seem easy the way he skipped from one thing to another. Thankfully, I wasn't so engrossed in my work that I accidentally answered any questions I shouldn't have.As the other girls became more relaxed around the quartet, we didn't manage to finish our work by the time dinner came up. We were still only just over halfway through since we still had today's assignments to deal with. Not to mention the dozens of distractions we had by going completely off topic and joking around.While we all headed to the dining hall together, leaving our books neatly in the library on our reserved table, I couldn't help observe
I blinked in surprise and saw the stern expression on his face. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment and I looked away. "Crispin spoke to you about that, didn't he?""He mentioned that things looked a little weird between you two. So, what's going on?""Nothing's going on. It's just a little weird, that's all.""Weird how?""I haven't worked it out yet." I told him honestly. "But I do know that I need to break it off with him soon."Joe watched me for a lengthy moment and took my hands in his. "Kai, the guy is decent and has a huge reputation. He's the most popular guy in school but…""But?""I might not have known you for the past six years, but I wouldn't have thought that he was your type. To be honest, we're all rather surprised about you and Cooper being a pair.""We're not a pair." I explained to him. "We have a strange compromise going on.""A strange compromise?""I'm not a saint, Joey. I'm just a girl who found it flattering that an attractive guy like Eric was interested. He as
Christian shifted again. "You don't come across as someone who cares much about what outsiders think.""You're not really an outsider though, unless you'd prefer to keep it that way." I told him pointedly.He stared at me for a good long moment before he smiled. "No, you're a very interesting person, Kylie. Life with you would never be boring.""Pfft, anyone can tell you that." I snorted."You're someone who doesn't take any bullshit. Evidently, you don't take insults about people you like and would sooner beat the shit out of them than take a moment to control your temper.""Hey, they deserve the beating.""I didn't say they didn't. You are very strange, Kylie, and you're very different. I can't place it but from the times I have seen you around, you seem strangely at home here even though it's only been a week. It's almost as if you were always meant to belong here.""Well, you sure do know how to make someone feel like they've really settled in.""You don't need words to tell you t
I watched as realisation and understanding became horror and disgust and then to concern for me. "No wonder you make him sound like a monster. He is being a monster.""Precisely." I whispered."You're scared.""Why shouldn't I be? I'd never had to fend off a vampire I couldn't stake before. The very idea of it terrifies me, Christian. It's so primal and not in a good way. It's almost like he wants to tie me to him.""A vampire's bite can do that. That's why Moroi usually change their humans after a while and they almost never take from the same human on two consecutive days. They'd always alternate so that the bond would never become strong enough for the human to become attached and vice versa. Of course, there are some humans who are more vulnerable than that but it's rare.""That must be one heck of a difficult system to try and manage. I'd hate to be in the department that administrates all that.""It must be so boring as well and if something goes wrong, you'd end up in serious t
"Hm…" I hummed and fell back onto the mats so that I could gaze at the ceiling as I reminisced about when I broke out six years ago. "I wanted to keep the name Kai no matter what. I wanted to keep something of me rather than changing completely so I thought about a bunch of names which would logically have the shortened name of Kai and eventually settled for Kylie. As for Valentine… I don't really know. I think it just sounded cool."I turned my head so that I could see what Crispin's reaction would be. A pensive look settled on his face, and then confusion. "Why is your name Kai?" he asked, a confused frown occupying his face. "From your name, I would've thought that the right nickname would be Kal.""Kai are my initials." I explained to him. "The 'a' stands for Adriana.""Well, that definitely makes more sense," he chuckled in understanding. "There was one other name that I didn't quite understand. Why did Maria call you Skylar?""You're on first name basis with Maria?" I blinked in
Both Crispin and I turned when we heard the bubbly voice echo in the training room. I jumped down just in time to catch Trace launching into me and I wrapped my arms around him securely to support him on my hip."Hey, Trace. You aren't causing the guardians trouble, are you?" I teased with a light tone.Trace shook his head fervently. "No. Al is here with me.""He insisted on finding you as soon as possible." Ali sighed, running a hand through his hair.As he moved, I watched as the muscle in his arm flexed and couldn't help but be somewhat startled. He was wearing a black t-shirt so his arms were relatively bare and for some reason, I couldn't tear my eyes away. He wasn't too muscular, but his muscles were evident nonetheless. This wasn't the Ali I remembered. He hadn't been lanky back then, but he hadn't really developed any noticeable muscles back then either. He didn't attract girls with his muscle power. It had been through his charm, winning smile and natural playboy-like charac
To say I was shocked when I walked through the kitchen doors would be one heck of an understatement. The chefs were all gone and on the centre counter there was a mouth-watering spread. A burgundy candlestick was centre stage along with a bright red rose."Welcome to our first date, little knight." Axel declared flamboyantly, his arms spreading wide, gesturing at the food.I was so moved I couldn't find the words to refute that this was not a date. Since he made such an effort, it stole the breath from my lungs and the words out of my mouth."Oh Axel, honestly you really don't know how to meet someone halfway, do you? I joked somewhat breathlessly."It all depends on the person in question and whether or not they really want me to meeting them halfway or whether I could take my chances," he chuckled.He stepped around the counted and tugged me towards the food."I don't really know what you like so I thought why not give you multiple options and I can find out this way?""So, it's bas
Five in the space of just over half a month.That was a disastrous statistic. If I didn't pull myself together I probably wouldn't even make it past the middle of the next academic year without the truth being exposed to the entire community. That would mean a year and a half of being known as the Ivashkov princess at the Academy.I shuddered at the thought. That was not a scenario I wanted to become a reality."I got it.""Do you?""I really do, Joey." I sighed and finished off the last bite. "I'll try my best to keep a lower profile. I can't promise anything if threatening stuff gets thrown my way though.""At least be more aware, Kai, that's all we're asking.""I got it." I nodded. "So, what's the plan for us students now?""You have free time to relax in the designated areas until after lunch. For now, most students are either in the dining hall finishing off their breakfast or in their rooms, I suspect.""Alright, I'll just finished the food and go get another coffee before headi
"Excuse me?" I spluttered.I'd expected a dozen other questions to come out of his mouth but definitely not that. I tried to lean back as his hand reached out towards my waist but soon realised my mistake. He'd set himself up perfectly so that I couldn't run away. He basically had me against the wall."Please?"I was startled by the sincerity in his voice. He really wanted my permission for some reason and soon enough I realised the true meaning behind his words. He wasn't really asking if he could touch me. Not in a sensual way. No. He wanted a confirmation of his suspicions the same way that Drew had that time he burst into Martin's office.Our eyes connected when I stared at his face. There was no judgement and no sense of menace. He simply wanted to know. But more than that, he wanted my permission to know. In our current position, he didn't have to ask for my permission. He could've easily pulled my shirt up and seen the Ivashkov mark. His earnest respect for my privacy in turn s
The phone hardly got through the second ring when the line went through."Before you go into some kind of a rant, I need you to take a deep breath, Ali."There was a pause. Then I heard him take the breath. Then he released it. I could almost see the tension leaving his body just a little bit."Better?""A little," he told me. "How are you, little sky? You have no idea how much I wanted to come straight to where you are when I heard about what happened.""Oh? What kept you away?" I asked teasingly, purposefully adding a lilt to my voice. Not that I would have ever expected to wake up to see Ali, but the thought of him being the first face I saw after the situation I'd just faced calmed my anxiousness a lot."Jules threatened to cut an entire year's wage if I took off.""A whole year? That sounds a bit much, even for Aunty Jules.""Well... she started with a week and continued to keep adding until I stopped walking towards the vans."I whistled. "Gosh, it took them a lot to keep you aw
My parents formed a perfect team. Almost anyone who knew them was aware of that.The fact that they were a shadow-kissed pair probably helped with that. But it wasn't just that. I could remember Aunty Jules telling me stories of back when they were in school together and how even back then there seemed to be something that bound the two of them together. Call it fate. Call it chemistry. Whatever it was, it made my parents a fluid fighting duo, never getting in each other's way.I could remember Maria sharing her stories of how the two of them were always just so in synch with one another.They were also amazing parents.They never spoiled me too much. But they weren't unfairly strict with me either. They always seemed to maintain the perfect balance in life.They did what they had to do to protect family.No matter the cost."Raymond, the others need to know. We have to tell them.""Amelie, what are we supposed to say? That the Strigoi who killed you all those years ago wasn't just fr
Once we reached deeper and deeper into the woods, Sarah seemed to be more aware of her surroundings and stopped stumbling around everywhere. Travis and Sarah appeared to work quite well as a pair. Perhaps the fact that they've probably known each other for a few years already helped with their cooperation. Either way, I was glad that she wasn't being difficult. From the way that she had spoken earlier about how it would be a given that I protect her, I was scared that she might be someone really tough to handle, but so far things seemed to be going rather well and we had already managed to obtain three stamps within half an hour. Judging by how difficult everyone made this exercise sound, I would say that getting three stamps within that time slot was normal.We had until dinner time to try and collect all ten.That meant we had another three hours to try and collect the other seven. But it would only get harder as the afternoon wore on. We would grow wearier from each fight against t
The guardians on duty informed us to start calming down about two hours after the dancing began. That gave us enough time to wind down before heading back to our rooms and get an early night in preparation for the task the guardians had prepared for us. If I remembered rightly, the task was a shorter version of the Senior year 'protect-your-charge' task where we would have to protect the charge assigned to us for a certain amount of time. It was a practical test to allow the students to know what the job entailed and what the task of protecting a charge would mean.Before the night was over and as some students went back to their rooms first, Quinn took over the piano completely and Axel took the lead for a dance. I could tell after having danced with various other students tonight, that the way Axel held me occasionally had a much more mature feel to it. It was in the way he touched, the subtle teasing strokes of his fingers, the way his eyes could do crazy things to the body, and th
I was a little late in getting to the music room. Trying to find my way around was harder than anticipated. I'd tried to memorise my way around last night during our tour using the pictures and various details on the walls to help my navigation of the place but it wasn't so easy after all. By the time I reached the music room my head was hurting from trying to find my way around."I was beginning to think that you'd reconsidered spending a full hour with me, chick.""It is an absolute nightmare navigating this place." I complained as I closed the door behind me. "I do have a name you know. Chick isn't going to cut it.""I rather like that term until I find a more suitable nickname for you.""Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like whatever name you come up with." I sighed in exasperation, throwing my hands up. "We're going to set some rules for the next hour. No unnecessary invasion of my personal space, you get five strikes before I walk out on your ridiculously flirtatio
I woke up feeling tired and hungry. I had hardly slept, waking every two hours almost. It was exhausting. I didn't know what was wrong. I shouldn't have been that on edge. After all, this place was a resort where royals frequented which meant that there was plenty of security here. And yet for some reason I was still feeling high strung. I couldn't shake the feeling that something really bad was going to happen at some point on this trip.There was something or someone dangerous here.I was sure of it.But was it a danger to everyone here. Or was it a danger to a select few people here. That I didn't know."Oh wow… you look worse than when Els first wakes up." Roxy commented in surprise. "Are you alright, Kai?""I'll be fine after some food and coffee." I told her reassuringly. "I just didn't get much sleep last night.""You have about ten minutes before we're supposed to be at breakfast." Ingrid informed me as she gently tugged me out of bed and shoved me into the bathroom.I got rea