Half Blood Rising

Chapter 6

I was a little surprised that I managed to drift off while we were driving. It was probably the warlock’s

magic. He kept staring at me from the rear-view mirror, and my lids began closing. The vampire who’d

waited for me inside the chapel had never told me his name, but I remembered it from that unfortunate

meeting in the basement. He must have been born and raised in Scotland. I was curious about him,

more than I should have been.

I quickly became bored when Lachlan began talking to the warlock about some sort of paperwork,

completely dismissing my presence. However, my inner voice kept telling me that I needed to be

careful around him. He was obviously connected to some extremely dark individuals, and he most likely

had more of a chance than anyone to get into the Elite.

Besides, I really didn’t know why Oldman had trusted him in the first place. I didn’t want to think about it

too much.

Later when I woke up, my stomach growled with hunger. We were driving through the motorway,

passing mostly fields and small villages.

I must have slept for a good few hours because my neck was stiff as hell. It was already brighter

outside, and I hoped we wouldn’t have to be stuck in the car for much longer. I rubbed my eyes and

yawned loudly, thinking about Melody once again. Lachlan was fast asleep, and, luckily, he was leaning

on the other side.

Surely the warlock was undoubtedly exhausted by now, driving six hours straight without a break. He

was still silent and focused as we entered the capital of Ukraine. I’d never been to Kiev, only read about

the city in a few guidebooks, but I knew it was definitely much larger and more developed than Lviv.

Who knew, maybe it was one of the places I’d lived before I became a vampire?

“Did you stop, or have you been driving continuously?” I asked the warlock, finally breaking the silence.

His wide dark eyes found mine in the mirror, and he smiled. “Mistress, I don’t need rest, trust me.

Would you like something to eat? There is a small compartment by your feet, and I stocked it up with

some snacks for our journey.”

“Sweet,” I said, glad someone had thought about my half-human needs. After a click, the compartment

opened up, and I picked out a tuna sandwich with some crisps. I was starving again.

The warlock appeared content with my appetite, and once I reached out for a packet of jelly babies,

Lachlan woke up. Vampires really didn’t need to sleep, but he probably didn’t want to interact with me,

so he closed his eyes again, most likely thinking I hadn’t noticed, and pretended to be asleep.

“Taking advantage of our good nature already, huh? Good thing I don’t need any food in order to

survive,” he said, looking at me as I took a huge bite of another sandwich. Food had always been a

luxury for me, but I really needed to try and act like a normal person, not someone who had to survive

on the street day by day. I was trying to eat it slowly.

“Just ignore Master Lachlan, Mistress. He fed well before the journey.” The voice of the warlock

reached me, and I started choking on my food. Blood, he must have had a donor, or even better—a

lover. I’d only ever tasted the tainted blood of a convict, so I had nothing to compare it to.

I’d heard vampire’s mated with blood, and they drank from humans because it gave them pleasure.

Seconds later, I instantly shuddered with repulsion. This wasn’t something I wanted to hear while I was

eating, and that idiot started to laugh at me.

“Sensitive, aren’t we?” he teased, and I showed him my middle finger.

God damn it, why did he have to be so good looking? My hair was sticky and greasy, and his was

perfectly styled, shining nicely, as well. I probably stunk, too, and that made me even more self-

conscious. He was so pale, but he still looked good.

Stupid, stupid girl, don’t even go there, I told myself. Pure breeds didn’t get involved with half-vampire

freaks like me. Besides, I still wasn’t even sure of what I was exactly. Half-vampire, yes. But something

else—I had no idea … It truly bothered me, the unknown, and the possible ramifications of what it could

mean.

“Shut up, Pretty Boy,” I snapped at him again and tried to enjoy the rest of my second sandwich. He

kept staring and I was nervous, apprehensive about meeting other students at this fancy school.

“So, are you going to tell us—what are you? Jeremy is curious, and normally nothing and no one fazes

him,” the vampire continued as I stared out the window. At least my stomach wasn’t growling, but I

needed to remember that I couldn’t get used to it. What if things didn’t work out? I needed to be

realistic about my situation.

That faery, Oldman, had mentioned that some students took part in missions—that sounded

interesting. I read that the national council had founded Moonlight Academy, and I wasn’t planning to

take anything for free.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you, anyway, because it’s none of your damn business. Around four years ago,

I awoke as a half-vampire on the street with no memories,” I answered, thinking about the past. “And

that’s the end of it. That’s all I know, so you can stop with your inquiries.” Sometimes I tried to

remember. I’d found that note inside my pocket with the name, Jaymin, so I presumed that’s what I’d

been called in my previous life—and that was all the information I had to go on, if the name was mine

at all. It was a pathetic story, and the vampire who’d turned me must have done it for a reason. I

suspected that sooner rather than later, he would turn up in my life again.

I still wanted to find him—there were too many unanswered questions about my past. They were my

memories, and I had every right to get them back. Besides, I believed I had family, people who cared

about me.

The grave silence continued in the car for a little while after my revelation. Lachlan appeared shocked,

stripping me down with his gaze. The warlock, too, seemed baffled, still driving the same speed as

before. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything; now I was sure they both labelled me as a freak of

nature.

“Someone turned you and then left you on the street?” Lachlan repeated, and I rolled my eyes. I didn’t

want to make a big deal out of it.

“Yes, I just said that, numpty,” I told him, trying not to focus too much on his incredible eyes. That was

the main reason I’d become a rogue and did everything that I could on the streets. The bloodlust—it

was the only thing that put me off becoming a full-blooded vampire. Someone once said that such a

transformation was possible. I didn’t like the act of drinking blood from a human or a donor.

“Your maker must have been an ancient vampire or another creature. I sense magic in you, but I

cannot detect where it is from. You mustn’t fear, Mistress. Madame Oldman could run certain tests to

determined what you are,” the warlock, Jerry said, but that didn’t make me feel any more confident

about my decision. I didn’t want anyone running tests on me.

“That’s interesting, very interesting,” Lachlan muttered, more to himself.

Luckily, that was the end of the discussion about my origin, because a minute later, the warlock parked

the car in front of an old large two-story house. The area seemed to be pretty decent. I still couldn’t

believe that Jeremy had driven for six straight hours without a break.

It looked like we were on the outskirts of the city. Jerry opened the door and climbed out of the car. He

let the vampire out first.

It was already extremely humid, and it was only around seven in the morning. The streets seemed

empty, but a few humans were staring out the window at us. Well, this wasn’t at all what I’d expected.

“Right now, I am taking you to class to meet a few other students,” Lachlan said, showing me towards

the door. “At Moonlight, you will work and study in a group. I believe Madame Oldman has already

decided on the numbers.”

I hoped they were going to give me a chance to change, or at least make myself look a bit more

presentable. Well, I really didn’t have any other clothes with me but silently hoped they might supply

some.

“Mistress needs to be shown to her room first, Master Lachlan,” Jerry interrupted.

“Fine, just take her then. I need to sort something out, anyway,” the vampire responded, sounding

irritated and then crossed the road.

“Lachlan, I damn missed you!” someone screamed, and when I glanced back, I saw a very tall and

skinny girl jumping on the Scot.

There was no doubt she was a vampire, and she was beautiful with long black hair, and even longer

legs.

My stomach made a funny jolt when she kissed him hard. He embraced her, and they were snogging

each other passionately. I felt uncomfortable staring.

“This is Mistress Ramona, Master Lachlan’s partner,” Jerry explained. I quickly turned around, not

wanting to look like I was spying on them from the distance.

A wave of discomfort ran down my spine. Of course a pure breed like him had a girlfriend. What else

did I expect?

Nothing, I told myself. I wasn’t supposed to expect anything at all. He was an arrogant prick and I hated

his guts, and that was that.

Deep down, I hoped I wouldn’t have to see him often. Jeremy cleared his throat, and we walked inside

the building that seemed completely empty. I still felt a little apprehensive being here.

Moments later, I found myself in a long dark corridor filled with magic. Yeah, I could sense it, but it was

too early to tell if this was positive or negative energy.

“This way, Mistress, this house was converted into an academy around twenty years ago. Most of the

students are from all different parts of the world, so that’s why they stay in dorms,” Jerry explained.

The atmosphere was enigmatic, silence filled the halls. I thought that if we were going to the dorms,

this place would be thriving with young students.

“Where is everyone? I mean, it’s a bit strange that it’s so quiet in here,” I pointed out, sensing magic

everywhere. It was strong, and I figured that all sorts of creatures must be staying in the academy.

“Classes don’t start until around nine a.m. Most students are still sleeping. It’s still pretty early, and we

have been driving all night,” Jerry answered, giving me a warm smile. He was the first supernatural

who’d ever made me feel safe. Most of the time I avoided others, in case they sensed I was different. A

lot of them had, and that was the main reason I never asked anyone for help.

We began climbing the stairs, heading to the top floor. Several minutes later, Jeremy stopped by an old

wooden door. I suspected that this was going to be my dorm. He took a key out of his pocket and

opened it. My excitement was at its peak. I didn’t expect anything fancy, but for the first time in four

years, I felt that I finally had a place to go. It was then that I began to realise I’d made the right decision.

“Come on in, this will be your room at the academy.”

The space was small, to say the least, but the room was equipped with two beds, desks, and there was

also a sofa in the middle. Overall, I didn’t care about how much space I had; it was important that this

room was designated to me.

There was also a large window with a view of the courtyard. I walked around the room slowly, trying to

savour this moment, thinking that this appeared to be too good to be true.

Oldman had found me on the streets of Lviv, it was a miracle that I’d gotten this chance. Tears forced

their way to my eyes as these new emotions overwhelmed me. This was the place where I could return

to after dark. It looked like I would probably have to share with someone, but it didn’t matter. I was so

happy that I was no longer homeless and hungry.

“I don’t know what to say,” I told him, trying to pull myself together. I hated being the “emotional” me. I

preferred the other me: the rogue who never complained or cried. Maybe she’d been a bit too mouthy

at times, but I liked her.

“I was going to suggest that you leave your belongings in here,” Jerry said, “but since you have none,

we may head over to the meeting arranged by Madame Oldman. I believe everyone is already there.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I looked down at the clothes I was wearing. Yeah, they were worn out. Other creatures were going to

be judging me, but whatever. This was all I had, and it would have to do for now.

“Let’s go, then,” I agreed.

We went back to the main building, passing a few vampires. No one stared at me, everyone was going

about their own business. Soon after, we reached another corridor. My stomach contracted when Jerry

opened the door to another classroom that was filled with people. Several creatures turned their heads

to look at me. Principal Oldman rose to her feet and gave me a warm smile. The pretty boy was there,

too. I also sensed a handsome fae, warlock, and some other creatures that were probably students of

Moonlight.

“There she is, our newest student,” she said, looking even better than before and wearing a white

jumpsuit. “Come on, Jaymin, sit down and let me introduce you to everyone.”

“Jaymin.” Someone snorted. It was the tall and skinny vampire who’d greeted Lachlan outside. She

was staring at me with a mock expression on her face, and I was ready to scratch her eyes out.

The tiny voice inside my head told me that this was it, the place where I would spend the next several

months of my life. My old life was over, no longer leaving me empty and unfulfilled. The future finally

seemed brighter than ever before.