His eyes shot wide. “You were attacked yesterday?” He then muttered more to himself, “Outside the wall.”
“Yes, on our way back from Henalae.”
“No, not all of us are like that but many are ruled by their inner demons. The blood lust.” The muscles in his jaw tensed. “Especially if they are newly created or those like Senica who weren’t good people before they turned.” He paused for a few breaths. “Are you going to tell the professors what I am?”
“No,” I didn’t even hesitate. “As long as you don’t attack anyone.”
“I won’t,” he said. “At least not to drink their blood. I attack plenty in sparring matches.” His first smile appeared since we left breakfast but I didn’t think this was a time to joke.
“Don’t you have to drink blood to survive?”
His features drew grave once again. “Yes, usually I drink the blood of animals. There are some humans in Collweya who offer their blood freely.”
“Anyone here?” I asked, trying not to sound as ill as I felt.
“Yes,” was his only reply.
I didn’t inquire further. I didn’t want to know. “Is Senica… dead?”
“No, but he’s no longer a problem.”
This felt like an interrogation but I had so many questions that no one else knew. “How many of you are there here?”
He pursed his lips. “Not many but we have a code not to tell on each other. We keep each other in check and no humans die.”
“What about Finnick?” I snapped, unable to keep the anger out of my voice. “He died.”
Kyan seemed genuinely surprised. “I thought he fell out his window... but if he was killed by one of us, it was likely Senica and he’s gone now. Don’t worry.”
“Good.” But I was still worried and would still keep my guard up. The only time my ring glowed was when he said no to being a blood drinker. Everything else he said so far must have been true, at least to his knowledge.
We started back inside. My memory drifted back to the vampire man who tackled me into the mud and how his strength so closely overcame my own. If my magic wasn’t burning his skin, he’d have bitten me, perhaps ripped out my throat. “Given that there are less than friendly vampires outside the wall, we need more protection enchantments so they can’t get in here.”
Kyan shook his head. “It would seem the ones existing have kept them at bay or they likely would be in here already.”
“If that’s the case, how did you and Senica get in if our wards protect against your kind?”
He tugged on the hem of his neckline and revealed a sun-shaped tattoo and surrounding it were seven symbols I didn’t recognize. “My daylight mark, and the symbols allow me to pass through wards that would otherwise keep me out.”
I studied his tattoos until he pulled his shirt back up. “Let’s hope that none of them figure out this magic.”
“Few know it and those that do are careful who they give these protections to.” He pulled open the door for me, and most of the breakfast hall had cleared out. All of my friends had left to either worship or play since there were no classes. “Senica didn’t start out a killer but he wasn’t the best human. I think the power, the strength of being what we are, got to his head.”
I didn’t have a chance to eat and I groaned at my usual table being cleared. My stomach rumbled quietly and if I didn’t hurry I’d have to sneak into the kitchen. A nearby door clicked shut and we both turned toward the noise. Zyacus stood off to the side with a plate of food in hand. He stared at me, a silent invitation to go to him.
“Since we’re being honest, I need to tell you something.” Kyan touched his hair nervously. “I took part of your memory so you wouldn’t know what I was. I am sorry.”
My cheeks flushed with anger. “How dare you.” I clenched my hands. “What memory?”
He recounted what happened with Senica and a young girl in the bathroom and I felt sick. He put me in more danger by doing that. “Is this magic or a vampire ability?”
“The ability to mess with memories is unique to me only. My gift.”
Raging inside and I wanted to strike him but I kept my hands at my sides. “Don’t ever do that again. I should have you thrown out for that. I can’t believe you did that to me.”
“I won’t, I promise. I’m sorry. Please don’t send me away or tell what I am.” His eyes fell to the floor.
I took in a deep breath. I wanted to send him away. I wanted him to be punished but a part of me knew he only did it because he was afraid. “I won’t this time.” Only because I didn’t want him to die. If the professors or Headmaster knew he was a vampire they’d probably kill him.
He lifted his gaze and smiled. “Thank you.” His attention went to Zyacus who was still waiting. “Not that it’s any of my business but is there something between you two? He always seems to be interrupting.” His onyx eyes slid to mine. “He’s protective of you. Which initially surprised me given that he’s your rival.”
At this point, I didn’t know what was between Zyacus and I or if I wanted to continue a friendship with Kyan. I enjoyed our time at the tournaments together but after he took my memories, and learning he was a vampire… to say I was wary was an understatement. Sure, he was fun and there was something about him that drew me, like a moth to a flame but I had a feeling it was the allure of what he was. And that scared me. Something a natural predator had to lure its victims.
Then there was Zyacus, years of bad blood between us that was becoming something else, not exactly romance but that line was becoming hazy and my mother warned me to be careful with him. With anyone. I was a princess, every move I made would be judged. Every potential courtship would be subject to scrutiny and could send a message that would be received well or a potential disaster. People would expect me to marry someone from Delhoon, a magic-born warrior who’d proved himself worthy. And a princess wasn’t ever courted by someone who didn’t seek potential marriage even at my age, at least to the public eye.
In answer to his question about Zyacus, I shook my head. “We’ve known each other for a long time but there is nothing between us.”
Kyan’s eyes lowered to my hand. “It would seem your ring disagrees.”
Eyebrows drawing closer together, I brought my hand up and stared at the glow of the red jewel. I blushed furiously. “The prince of Hesstia and I are not romantically involved.” The glowing dimmed. Traitorous ring. “Anyway, I’m going to see what he wants. And I won’t tell the professors what you are or what you did to me but I’m not happy about it.”
I didn’t miss the subtle glare that formed on his face when he beheld the Hesstian Prince. “I don’t blame you. And thank you for keeping my secret. I hope you have a good rest of your day. Maybe we’ll see each other around.”
“Maybe. Goodbye, Kyan.” It felt like a final goodbye of our friendship.
∞∞∞
Zyacus motioned toward a table in the now empty dining hall and we sat across from one another. Pushing the plate he’d had in hand in front of me, he drawled, “You’re ever popular with the males at this academy, Princess but I thought we discussed you staying away from that one.”