Clara grimaced. Apparently her brother's presence wasn't particularly welcome. She muttered something which sounded like, "dumbass."
Nate assumed it wasn't directed at him.
He thought twice a moment later when Angus sneered at him.
"Don't think we'll be friends here, Bentley. I'll be doing my best to be top of all my classes."
Nate rolled his eyes. "This isn't high school."
""No," Clara snapped, "this is much worse. Everything is at stake now; our freedoms and our futures." She gave him a look which suggested she wouldn't let anyone stand in their way.
Was this another kind of crime, stealing an education? No, they would all have to work for it. At least he was determined to make the best of it. He wasn't sure the Winterbournes weren't just felons. Time would tell.
Felix cleared his throat. "Here," he said. "This is the head teacher's office. She'll answer any questions you might have."
A chirp greeted his words.
"What the fuck?" The words slipped out before Nate could stop them. "Um, sorry, but…" He pointed to a small, metallic hummingbird which hovered above Felix's shoulder.
"Oh, this is just Millicent. She likes to greet new people."
"But she's a machine." Nate gaped.
Millicent made a rude noise.
For some inexplicable reason, Clara scowled at him.
"I'm sorry," Nate said again, his words deliberately directed at the hummingbird. "I didn't mean to be rude." He shook his head.
"That would be a first," Clara said.
Nate ignored her.
Felix chuckled. "It's okay. Millicent has that effect on all new inmates. Personally, I think she finds it funny." He knocked on the door beside them. "She doesn't bite. Professor March on the other hand. He gave Nate a wink, then cast a sidelong look at Clara.
She sniffed and stalked away, leaving her brother in the corridor with his guide.
The side of Angus' mouth drew up. Evidently he'd expected his sister to stick around to welcome him. Clara was colder than she'd been when Nate had seen her last. Prison would do that to a person, even this one. That or it was just her personality. Maybe both.
Nate sighed. In all honesty he couldn't regret stealing the chronographs. Clockwork Correctional Academy seemed as though it would never be dull. And Felix offered a world of possibilities.
The end
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About the Author
Maggie Alabaster is the pen name of Mirren Hogan. She lives in NSW Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cat, and countless birds. She has a Bachelor of Arts (English/ history), a Graduate Diploma of Arts (writing) and a couple of degrees in education. She writes paranormal romance.
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Blood Cursed
Prequel to Bloodlust: House of Vampires (Wicked Reform School #5)
Tabitha Barret
About Blood Cursed
Steamy Vampire RH - Paranormal Romance - Reform School
Alone, Ceyla, heir to the fallen Sabourin Coven, has no family, no allies and no way of escaping Dark Forest Academy. Broken and beaten by the Mielcarek Coven, Ceyla has no choice but to embrace her anger and her madness to fight for her freedom.
Surrounded by enemies, Ceyla must win the support of powerful vampires, who will help her reclaim what was taken from her. Can she look past her biases to see the inner beauty of a betrayer, trust the loyalties of an enemy and entice a warrior who has given up the fight?
Can Ceyla bring the leaders of the school to their knees, while striking a blow at the Mielcarek Coven before they finally crush her spirit and destroy the men she loves?
Chapter One
Holding my breath, I braced for the torrent of water to hit my body again. I wouldn’t regret the actions that led me here. I wouldn’t regret…shit! The freezing water bit into my skin and knocked me back so hard I thought my bound wrists would break off.
Though I couldn’t see Adriel’s smug face, I knew the exact expression he wore as he sprayed me with the hose. The bastard was smiling with glee.
When the water stopped, I quickly spat and tried to breathe but the spray hit me again before I could catch my breath.
“I’d ask if you were sorry, but I know better than to waste my time. You’re a stubborn little vampire, Ceyla.” Adriel’s sinister laugh echoed inside my unclogged ear.
Sorry. He expected me to feel sorry for attempting to maintain my dignity despite everything that had been taken from me. Was he crazy? I wouldn’t allow him or anyone in this place take anything else from me.
Relief came a second time, and I was ready. I took three fast breaths and held the last one. I refused to submit…at least for the next few minutes while I could still feel my body.
The water smacked into me again, pelting me so hard I swore that coin sized hail was hitting me. Regret permeated my brain bit by bit, but I held firm.
Sure, I started the fight, but I was justified. Professor Quint had called me a loser. Well, technically, he had referred to my former coven as weak and pathetic, which was why it had been stamped out of existence, but he had said it directly to me. Hearing him besmirch the Sabourin Coven dredged up all the sorrow and grief over the deaths of my parents. My pain wasn’t his to mock, so I jumped on his back at the end of History Class and choked him into unconsciousness.
My teeth chattered as I willed the bruises forming from the pressure of the water to heal faster in the hopes that I might hang on a little longer. Adriel’s main purpose in life was to make the weak submit, which
