My mind bounced around, trying to find something to focus on until it found the luscious pale skin of a certain immortal and the light blue eyes that made me shiver in the way I preferred. I’d spent hours dreaming about those eyes, trying to find the exact name for their shade of blue. Kayden was one of the best distractions I had to get me through history, ethics, citizenship for the covenless, meditation lessons and solitary confinement. If only he was worthy of my obsession.
The hose abruptly pulled away for a second and I swore that I saw Kayden talking to Adriel, though the floodlights in the courtyard gave everything a shimmery glow, so it could have been anyone.
Blinking a few times, my eyes focused and found Kayden’s beautiful face.
Adriel sneered and threw down the heavy hose. “You got lucky, Ceyla. Headmistress Wesling wants you.”
Coughing up water, I waited for him to cut me down from the rope strung across the bloodstained brick courtyard where my punishment was on display for half of the school to see. I looked around at the tinted classroom windows surrounding the small courtyard and gave the thumbs up, which meant that I hadn’t submitted.
Annoyed, Adriel smacked my arm. “Next time.” He pushed me towards Kayden and stomped over to the wall to reel in the hose.
I held my head up high and straightened my black blazer and tie. Flashing Adriel a broad smile, I gave the impression that I had enjoyed my punishment though every part of my body protested in agony as I walked.
Making my way across the courtyard, Kayden gave a quick nod and escorted me back into the school through the blood room.
He walked ahead of me, which was normal. The whipping boy of the headmistress was reviled by the other vamps and not just because he was Wesling’s spy, but because he was a bitten vampire.
“I’m sure the school enjoyed your wet shirt, or rather, those who like small tits enjoyed it.” He snickered as he walked faster across the dingy black and white tiles.
“Says the virgin. I know damned well that no one here has ever let a filthy Night Slave touch them.” Regardless of how much I daydreamed about him, I would never sleep with a bitten vampire.
He lurched to a stop and pivoted on his heel to glare at me. “Sorry, Princess, I would never lower myself to sleep with a Covenless.”
I balled up my fist and punched him in his perfect teeth. “Your coven is the reason I’m alone. The Mielcarek not only destroyed my coven, they perverted our race by creating the Bitten. It kills me that you have more respect as a blood slave to the Mielcarek than I do as the heir of the Sabourin Coven.”
He stumbled backwards and laughed. “You’re heir to nothing, which is why you’re here.” He licked the blood pooling in the corner of his lip and continued towards the Headmistress’ office.
I wanted to strangle him even though he was right. I was heir to nothing and had no home to speak of, which was why I was biding my time in this place. Despite my unending desire to escape, I had no coven to return to and no one waiting for me. I would go back to struggling on the streets for my next meal. At least here, I had blood, a bed and classes to pass the hours.
Kayden stopped in the doorway and waited for me to pass him. I threw my elbow into his ribs and walked straight into Wesling’s office.
Limping behind me, Kayden entered the absurdly cheery office with homey lace curtains and frilly table runners. “Ceyla is here as you requested, Miss Wesling.”
Wesling looked up from her crocheting and smiled at him. “Thank you, Kayden. You will receive your ten minutes in the moonlight during its peak.” Her smile faded as her eyes shifted to me while Kayden bowed his head and left. “Ceyla, you will sit.”
“Hello, Miss Wesling.” I bit my lip to keep from saying something snide and dropped into the chair.
“Very good, dear. You earned three minutes of hot water in the shower for the proper greeting.” She put the green and blue pile of whatever she was crocheting on the desk and stood. “How long have you been here?”
“Two years, Miss Wesling.” I would know the exact day, minute, hour and second since I arrived in this hole, even if I wasn’t expected to repeat it constantly.
“Yes, it’s your anniversary. I would say congratulations, but this certainly isn’t a celebration. Most students leave here in six months to a year fully reformed, ready to enter back into their covens as productive members. You, however, have only regressed into the monster I see before me. Choking a teacher, breaking the necks and arms of over a dozen students and setting fire to the meditation room during class are not the actions of a well-bred vampire. Let’s not forget the reason you’re here. You started a riot that led to the deaths of three vampires. I once had hope for you, as did your previous school, but now I’m at a loss.” She circled my chair, staring at me with indignation as if I cared what she thought.
“The riot wasn’t my fault. I’ve explained that before.” I shouldn’t have corrected her, but I couldn’t stand listening to that lie one more
