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The breezy night was a painting of golden stars that twinkled and giggled in the navy blue sky, mocking the chaos unfolding underneath. Out on the school grounds, all sorts of magical folk were scattered, looking for who held the crown.
The crown was teleported somewhere else by a witch in the gathering, and now, everyone was just battling whoever provoked them. Two girls were shooting jets of water at each other for fun. Two wolves were hitting each other's chests, provoking fights. On the ground, two fauns rolled, their goat legs intertwining as they threw punches. Close by, an elf aimed her golden arrow at her target, one eye closed, her pointy ears alert for the slightest movement around her.
And then some were merely having fun, going in groups for protection.
Nearby, a wolf slashed out his claws at a girl, whose hair suddenly rose, turning into dark, angry snakes. Hayden's hand came over my eyes immediately, and the horrible sight was replaced by a black out.
He seemed tired when he spoke, "What the hell are you doing? Seriously, why did you choose to make me go through this tonight? You trying to stare at a gorgon? Really? So they can say you were with me, and then I watched you get turned into stone?"
My steps slowed as my hand stretched out blindly in front of me, "Ah, no, I wasn't trying to stare. I was just caught off guard. Her hair suddenly turned into snakes, and… Does that guy have to fight blindly now?"
"Well, it's no problem if he does well in Absensual Defence," he said, his hand slipping off my eyes.
"What's Absensual defence?" I tucked away strands of my hair thrown across my face by the cool breeze.
"A general class for the Fanged and Magical creatures."
"What do we learn there?"
"When you have your first class, you'll know," he took out his phone, and raised it to his ear. I fell silent, holding my fingers, as different couples passed by, most of them talking heatedly, possibly strategizing. I heard roars in the distance, as well as screams, and pressed close to Hayden.
"I'm on my way," He said with a sigh, then turned to me, "Go back to the hall. I'll come for you soon."
"Me?" I jabbed my chest with my index finger. Amidst all the chaos, he expected me to actually go back to the hall alone? I looked around. Arguments were everywhere. Some were running. Wicked fun was unraveling everywhere, "Why are they fighting instead of searching for the crown?"
"Of course, they have to reduce the number of competitors. It's a hunting ground," the breeze tossed his dark hair across his handsome face.
"And you want me to walk the hunting grounds on my own? Me? I'm close to being human, and you… You want me to go through thaaaaaat!" I screamed, and jumped all over Hayden as a guy suddenly breathed fire at a couple behind me.
What the heck was that??
Hayden caught me, his arm firmly around my waist as I squeezed his chest. My hair was over one eye as I looked up at him, and felt his heart pound at a speed that was faster than normal. His eyes… they were so mysteriously blue that it felt illegal to have such beauty packed into a pair of eyes.
Hayden peeled me off him, and smoothened his shirt, "Well, everybody knows not to mess with me, so you'll be fine," he said, bending so we were on face level. Then slowly, he tucked my hair away from my face, behind my ear, "If you have trouble believing me," his eyes were on my neck, as he now brushed my hair behind my shoulder, "then I can mark you… with my fangs, taste your blood… label you mine," Greed was alive in his eyes, as he stared at my neck. Red began to creep into the blue of his eyes, colors battling with each other. He was probably seeing my veins, watching my blood stream through them.
I stepped back, swallowing hard, pulling my hair over my shoulders, so they could shield my neck.
"I believe you," my voice was breathy, my eyes blinking as I tried to hide my emotions. My heart was racing, palms sweaty with the desire to crush my lips against his, tell him he could suck my blood if he granted me a kiss.
These thoughts were deadly. I never had them before, so why now? Why did all vampires have this natural appeal to them? Maybe it was because they were so shamelessly open when it came to their needs and desires from others.
He straightened, closing his eyes, and when he opened them, he stepped back, his chin up, as he looked down at me like I was a creature lower than he was.
Well, technically, I was.
Then, he walked away, hands in his pockets. I looked around me, holding my dress tight, trying to see if I could catch sight of any of my roommates, or Valen perhaps.
Gulping, my reluctant feet moved across the school grounds, avoiding places that seemed problematic. However, at the door to the great hall, there was a tough fight between two witches. They kept chanting, their magic pushing against each other, while others hollered and cheered, trying to help the sides they picked.
"No," I groaned, and veered away, hoping to find the backdoor somewhere around. The more I walked in search of a backdoor, everywhere grew quiet, as everyone's rage seemed to be reserved for the front line.
I sighed in relief as the silence comforted me. The leaves rustled with the wind, and as I walked on, beyond the grasses, was a vast river, sprawling over miles and miles. Trees surrounded its edges, leading into thick woods.
I plucked a pink flower with touches of yellow, and looked at it.
"What is your name, Miss?" I asked, then chuckled, "Miss Flower?" I laughed at my own joke, making reference to the first teacher I met at Mysia High International.
"If it's a flower, then you're a sweetheart," I suddenly heard the deepest voice I'd ever heard, and looked up. Before me was a tall young man, with silky chin-length blonde hair that he packed in a half up hairstyle with two handfuls hanging down the sides of his face.
I took a step back, even though what I felt wasn't fear. His eyes were gleaming yellow, way too bright for the night, and on his skin were dark spots just as big as a water bottle cap. Red veins were visible on his neck, and arms which were obvious through rolled-up sleeves. Not to mention, his mouth and chin were stained with blood.
He had his hands behind his back, making his half unbuttoned white shirt expose a well-chiseled chest. His shirt was also stained with blood.
What was the word for him?
Mesmerizing.
He was scary, and his aura was strong and encompassing, but despite their gleam, his eyes were soft. They pulled me in.
"It's not a flower?" I asked, holding up the flower awkwardly.
"You're not a sweetheart?" His deep voice asked, completely at odds with his face. He looked like an angel that ought to have a soft, melodic voice, but no, his voice caused deep vibrations in my belly.
It was what the girls at my previous school would describe as sexy, and magnetic.
My cheeks went hot, "I am."
He stepped closer, studying me, "What are you? I sense nothing from you," he said, coming closer.
Something deep within me told me to turn and run, but my feet were like trees rooted into the ground.
"I'm…"
"Human. Interesting," he came closer, his hands still held behind his back.
Run, Ceci!
"You're almost too beautiful to be human," he said, finally in front of me, closer than he should be.
"I… I…" I swallowed, my heart thumping in my chest, as I found myself unable to tear my gaze from his.
He was… he was doing something to me. He'd enchanted me with his eyes. My brain knew I was in trouble, but all my heart could feel were butterflies, jelly, and sweet melodies.
"Eat with me, will you? And if you can't… will you feed me?" His deep voice thrummed deep within me. His words poured out lazily, seductively, like he was trying to get me into his bed. He smelled masculine. Like limited-edition—a masculine smell that came with power and presence.
Then his hand came out from behind his back, and in it were piles of fingers, and a heart that was still beating, fizzing out dark blood.
Horror struck me, and slowly my jaw fell, my brows creasing as the blood drained from my face. My eyes were twitching, as my gaze flicked back to him, and the smirk on his face, but still… even when I knew I was doomed…
His gleaming yellow eyes held mine.
I was trapped.