“Werewolves turn humans by biting them.” The class was getting into the exercise. I turned slightly in my seat so I could see some of the students talking.
“Same with vampires. Also, that we can’t have children. And we only drink blood.”
“Don’t vampires drink blood, though?” someone asked.
Charlie was sitting behind me. I noticed for the first time Kylee was sitting beside her. Great. I’d hoped to avoid any classes with her.
“We do,” she said. “But we don’t have to. Never the blood of humans. Nowadays, we mostly use animals or other supernaturals, willingly of course.” I didn’t really want to consider who might willingly let a vampire drink their blood. The thought gave me chills.
“And do you turn humans into vampires?” Professor Vickers asked.
“No, of course not,” she said.
“What about my werewolf students? Do any members of your packs change humans into werewolves?”
“No, never,” a werewolf sitting in the back answered.
“Does anyone know why that is?” The professor asked.
“The Supernatural Secrecy Act of 1900, right?” Willa asked.
“Correct,” Professor Vickers said. He quit leaning on the desk and paced back and forth in front of us as he talked.
“What does the Supernatural Secrecy Act of 1900 mean?”
“That supernaturals can’t, under any circumstances, reveal their nature to humans. If they do, they can be imprisoned or even restricted from using their magic for the rest of their lives. It also establishes the Council as our governing body and enforcers of the Act. So, we are forced to live in secrecy and lies,” Kylee answered.
“You sound disenchanted with the Secrecy Act, why is that?” It was impossible to tell what Professor Vickers was thinking. He maintained a look of polite interest as he facilitated the conversation.
“Because it reduces supernaturals to being the other. There may be less of us, but we have just as much right as humans to live as we please. The Act hurts those of us who can’t hide our true natures. Most witches and warlocks are fine, they are basically enhanced humans. If it’s not a full moon, werewolves can blend in. But faeries and vampires have almost no chance of blending in with human society. And not all animages can, either. You can’t waltz through Central Park with huge bird wings or a tail. None of us can shift whenever we want. Once we are off school grounds, the ability to shift will be greatly diminished. The Act means much of the supernatural community has to live in isolation and fear.”
Heat filled my face. People who thought they knew how to solve all the world’s problems and that I had the ear of my father loved to tell me their criticisms of the Secrecy Act. I hated when it was discussed. People had the tendency to believe I spoke for my father and the Council. The truth was, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. It was just the way things were, and I spent my life being ushered aside whenever Dad talked politics. I had never been interested in learning all about the implications. Looked like that was about to change.
“You seem very well-versed in some of the most common complaints about the Secrecy Act,” Professor Vickers told Kylee.
“My dad is the leader of the Faction,” she said. A few of the students in the class shifted in their seats to get a better look at Kylee.
“Interesting,” the professor said. “For those students that don’t know, can you explain what the Faction is?”
“The Faction is a grassroots group of supernaturals who protest the Secrecy Act of 1900 and the governance of the Council. We believe all supernaturals should be able to live free and whole in their being, whatever it is, and not worry about hiding from humans. The supernatural community shouldn’t have to live in fear and hiding.”
“Why does the Council think we should stay hidden?” I didn’t like where this conversation was going. I sunk lower in my seat.
“Sophie would know, her father is the dragon and the Chancellor of the Council,” Kylee told the class. And there it was. Now the class was craning their necks and trying to get a good look at me. I ran the charm on my necklace back and forth across the chain, suddenly very interested in a spot on my desk.
“Sophie? Would you like to answer?” Professor Vickers asked softly. I sighed inwardly and brought my head up to meet a few of the eyes turned my way. I caught Hudson’s eye. He nodded in encouragement. I cleared my throat and sat up a little taller.
“It’s not that the Council wants to keep everyone hidden. The Secrecy Act came into existence because supernaturals were being hunted. Humans way outnumber us, and they were hunting us because they feared us or because they wanted our magic for themselves. Our numbers kept going down, and some supernaturals were changing humans against their will, leading to a community that lived in fear and division. Since the Secrecy Act, the supernatural community has recovered and become stronger than it ever was prior to the 1900s. Now we do live in freedom, freedom to be ourselves amongst other Supernaturals without having to worry about interference from humans. At least, that’s the way my dad has always explained it to me.”
Professor Vickers smiled at me and nodded. “Exactly, Sophie. Since the Secrecy Act the Supernatural community has thrived. We have been able to set up schools of magic, including Animage Academy.” He paused for a moment like he was listening for something. “We are out of time today but thank you for the conversation. We will continue with this discussion next week.”
Almost on cue, the bell for the end of class rang. I stood with the rest of the class and gathered my things. This class had certainly given me a lot to think about.
Next, I had Essentials of Defense I. The last class of the day. Even though it had been over a century since the
