Cassian Legacy: The Vampire Prince

The next morning I found her sitting up and staring around at my new home, bewildered and confused. She looked so tired from last night, but she still hadn’t any clue as to what actually happened judging from her expression. Once I appeared on the stairs she relaxed, realizing whose house she slept in. We exchanged greetings followed by questions and explanations. After everything that happened last night, all she could remember was a dance she had with a boy at the club, but she forgot his name and what he looked like.

I left my answers vague and didn’t bother telling her about the compulsion - she wouldn’t believe me anyway. I offered her a glass of water and took one for myself, but nearly choked on the fluid when she asked for something to eat. I had forgotten to get any food yesterday while I was at the grocery store. I usually didn’t keep human food in my home, for I didn’t need sustenance of that type. But because I surrounded myself with humans I would need something in the house for future endeavors. It seemed natural that I should keep food around for my friends. Besides, if the matron found out or had any inkling of what I was, she was sure to throw me out in an instant, which I wouldn’t blame her. Sometimes I even disgusted myself.

I retreated back upstairs and dressed for the day, dodging the question. Once we were out on the sidewalk and on the way to the bus top, I told her we’d stop for breakfast. I made sure I forged a note before we left so that I could explain my unexcused absence yesterday. Krista met us on the bus, as promised. She handed a huge backpack to Mallory which probably stored her books besides her uniform. We stopped at the avenue where the boutique shops were so that she could dress and grab a cup of coffee and maybe a biscuit. Krista purchased a breakfast sandwich, and while they ate I sipped on hot cocoa.

“You’re mom didn’t ask twenty questions when I came over to grab your clothes, so they might be waiting to ambush you later,” Krista announced to Mallory once she was done with her egg and cheese biscuit. “I told them you spent the night at my house and accidentally vomited from too much candy and soda. It ruined your clothes and you needed some more, but didn’t want to leave my house because you felt icky. While you took a hot shower, I retrieved your clothes. Hopefully it won’t be too bad.”

Her lie was so elaborate that I knew she had done this before. It shocked me that the two of them were a part of the partying crowd, when I had guessed otherwise. But it seemed like most of the student population drank and smoke, just in different parts of town and at varying times during the week, exactly like the cliques in other schools. This was the reason why I avoided teenagers to begin with. Their sense of fun ended up not being much fun.

Once we got to school, my conclusion regarding drunkenness and hangovers was confirmed the second we walked up the sidewalk because, other boys and girls sluggishly made their way indoors. They all struggled down the cement paths, carrying their baggage and books, completely dazed and confused, and hardly paid any attention to their surroundings. It was a gross display of the walk of shame.

Upon entering the building, Seth bounded toward us merrily, looking oddly out of place among the other students. “I’m so glad it was only a virus. Thank goodness I can return today, but my streak of zero absences has been broken.” He pouted.

I blinked at him, not quite understanding that statement. He obviously had no idea what occurred two days ago.

Krista snickered. “I told you before, no one has perfect attendance.”

He shrugged. “I tried. But it was a sickness, an illness, and not something I could control.”

Nate came up behind us and slapped Seth on the shoulders, causing Krista and Mallory to jump. “You should’ve been there last night. Abel looked amazingly awesome in that blue shirt she wore. She looked like a runway model.”

Seth gawked at us, while I kept my head down, not wanting to acknowledge I heard his compliment. “You went without me?” He sounded so hurt.

My eyes swiveled to his and I stopped walking in the middle of the hall. They all continued on ahead without me, and didn’t bother noticing that I had left their company in order to shield my own thoughts.

Of course it all made sense now. Seth had been there at that club too. Someone had used compulsion on him. His mind was at a breaking point. When I accidentally revealed my true nature and was forced into using my compulsion, I nearly pushed his mind over the edge. No wonder he was so sick. I grabbed Seth by the arm and steered him away from the others for confirmation. We ended up in an alcove, away from the other students. I gently pushed his head to the side, revealing the left carotid, and while I did this, I watched his reaction.

He didn’t stop me, but he didn’t quite yield either. Before he could completely turn me away I spotted multiple healing scars dotting the skin right above the artery and vein. “What are you doing?” he whispered to me, more curious than angry about my behavior.

I backed away from him quickly and fluttered my eyes to the ground like I was confused and up to no good. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I left it hanging and fled from him.

When I walked into chemistry, there were no students present yet. The bell wouldn’t ring for another five minutes. Ms. Ingram dropped the book she was reading onto her desk. The noise it made when it slammed onto the surface nearly made me jump twenty feet into the air. I don’t think I was ever this shaken for something that noisy to bother me.

“Welcome back Miss Harper.” Her sharp eyes greeted me.

I sighed heavily and took a seat near the window. “I’m sorry I missed yesterday. I took a sick day.”

She nodded to herself, “That’s what Helen said. She was sure the boy got a touch of mono and thought that you two were an item. I caught the kiss in the alcove. You shouldn’t be kissing in the hallways anyhow, especially if you don’t wish to get caught.”

I stared at her. How dare she suggest something like that! But then again, I made it seem like we had a relationship from the start, when our friendship was far from her conclusion. “You misunderstand…” I began.

She walked over to my desk. “I know more than you think I do, Abelia.” She plastered an orange sticky post-it note on the black surface, directly in front of me. Only one word was written there which sent chills down my spine…