The rage in Madison’s eyes could have set ablaze the room when I mentioned he’d threatened to find me when I wasn’t so protected and drink my blood. Papa threw his arms out angrily. “Why didn’t you tell us this sooner, Visteal? Someone like that in this academy—someone like that wanting to hurt you!”
There really was not a good reason but I had my reasons. “I didn’t want you to send me away. I’m just getting comfortable here, and I don’t want to run at the first sign of trouble. I wanted to take care of this problem myself.” I looked at Madison. “I know you’d do the same.”
Eyes dancing with amusement, Madison brought her glass to her lips. “Perhaps you’re more like me than I thought.”
Papa huffed angrily. “Do not condone this, Madison. She is a fifth year student, not a graduate ready for this sort of task.”
“I already cut one of those bastard’s heads off and I can do it again,” I said, evenly, keeping the edge out of my voice.
“We will take care of this Senica. You are here to train, to learn,” Papa said pointing a stern finger my way. “Not kill unless you are attacked. You will not seek this boy—thing out and get yourself hurt or worse.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “But you don’t know what he looks like. I do.”
Papa gave me a rigid stare. “Then point him out in the dining hall tomorrow morning. Now,” he looked to my friends, “no gossiping about what happened. You can talk to each other about it privately but no one else. Go get some sleep. It’s been a long day for you all.”
Chapter 22
As instructed, while sitting at my table at breakfast, I peeked around the room searching for Senica. Not seeing him from my seat I got up and roamed; Zyacus watched me as did Aric. I hadn’t told them what happened yesterday yet, but they probably both wondered why I was moving toward the Collweyan tables. Aric sat next to Legacy, they were back together so I had to come up with a reason to be venturing over here. I spotted Kyan’s silvery-blond braid.
Papa stood against the wall, watching for my signal. I didn’t want him to confuse Kyan with Senica so I had to be careful. The stares from the students across from Kyan made him turn around before I even tapped his shoulder. He immediately stood.
“Hi,” he said warmly. My eyes flicked to the table around him but Senica wasn’t here.
“Hi. Come talk with me for a minute.” I didn’t want it to sound like a request but not demanding or rude either. Bindy had said I needed to earn the revered respect a princess needed from Collweya, and it started with how I spoke to people.
With my hand slightly behind my back, I put my thumb down, hoping Papa would see and understand.
Kyan grabbed a muffin from his plate and asked, “Where to?”
I figured now was as good a time as any to ask him discreetly if he was human, and my new ring would glow if he lied. “It’s a nice day, how about outside?”
When he opened the glass doors, the smell of flowers wafted to my nose. They would be the last fall florals until the white and blue winter blooms started in a couple weeks. It wouldn’t snow here but a frost would end the bright colored flowers until spring.
Once the doors clicked shut and no one appeared to be nearby, Kyan said, “I apologize about what happened the other night. Senica is a jerk.”
Keeping my eyes forward, I placed my hands behind my back. “You shouldn’t apologize for him.”
Kyan lightly grabbed my shoulder, stopping our walk and drew my gaze. “I’m not apologizing for him, I am sorry I left you alone at that party. I shouldn’t have.”
With a slight raise of my chin, I said, “I don’t need you guarding me. I’m perfectly capable.” We stared at one another for a few heartbeats. “Is Senica a vampire?” The words blurted out almost on their own accord. I brought my ringed hand up slowly, brushing hair away from my face so I could see if it glowed.
He finally released his hold on my arm and blinked a few times. “How do you know that? You should have—” he stopped himself.
“So he is… And I should have what?”
“Never mind. Yes, Senica is a vampire. He’s dangerous and cruel.” Kyan’s lips formed a hard line. “And he is set on hurting you but I’m not going to let that happen.”
The question was there on the tip of my tongue, are you one of them too? And for whatever reason I felt like I’d already asked him that once before… felt it in my soul and yet, my memory wouldn’t bring it to the surface. Closing my eyes, I rubbed my temples as a headache reared. “I feel like I’m missing something. Have we had this conversation before?” I peeked at my hand waiting for him to answer.
“What makes you think that?”
Ugh, answering a question with a question. “This seems vaguely familiar.” I locked eyes with him. “Kyan, are you a vampire?”
My blood roared in my ears waiting for his answer. His black eyes never left mine, his mouth twitched and his throat bobbed. “No.”
My ring glowed and my heart sputtered. I slowly backed away from him which drew a confused expression from him. “Why are you—”
I held up my hand, “This ring glows when someone lies.”
His eyes averted, and he was the one to take a step back now. I think he grew more nervous than me. Did he think I would try to kill him? Perhaps I should, but I didn’t have the urge to hurt him even if I was slightly afraid.
Lifting his gaze, he stood a little taller. “It’s not a simple answer, Princess Visteal.”
His response floored me. “Either you’re one of them or you’re not. And since that was a lie, you are.”
“What if I am but it wasn’t by choice?” His voice wavered and a glimmering line filled his eyes. “What if I was turned against my will? What if I’ve never killed anyone for blood? Will you condemn me? End me?”
In that moment, I couldn’t find words. My mouth went dry and my heart sank, not because he admitted he was one of them but because he didn’t have a choice. If I were turned against my will, would I be killed?
“Is this him?” my Papa asked, suddenly appearing. I turned and stepped in front of Kyan. Papa had his sword drawn, ready to strike.
“He’s not Senica,” I said hastily. “This is Kyan.”
“I know who he is,” Papa said, narrowing his eyes. “He trains with Madison and me after classes. I’m asking if he threatened you.”
“He protected me,” I answered.
Face softening, Papa put his sword away. “Thank you for doing that, Kyan.”
“Of course, Sir,” Kyan said. “And Senica is no longer here. He went home.”
Surprised, I turned to Kyan. In my mind I questioned if by going home, he meant he’d killed him but I didn’t ask aloud.
“That’s a relief,” Papa said. We all three stood in silence for a moment. “Well, I’ll go back inside. I’m going to pay my respects to God.” I’d forgotten it was Sunday. There was a worship room here at the academy that Papa faithfully prayed at every week. Sometimes I went with him.
When he’d gone, Kyan and I resumed walking. I knew his secret and he likely wondered what I would do with it. “So you’re not all blood-crazed monsters then?” I turned to him. “I’m not trying to be offensive, we fought and killed three of them yesterday outside the wall and they were intent on hurting us. They almost killed my friend Freya.”