The academy turned out to be a short drive. It took approximately 10 mins to get there. The academy's parking lot was packed. Part of her kind of regretted not riding with Evander. Not doing so now meant she had to walk in on her own. Everyone would be wondering who the new girl was. She lifted her chin up and got out the car. The wind blew in her face, and she was grateful she decided to tie her hair back in a low bun. Just as she expected eyes glued to her as she made her way to the entrance. Some people even pointed, exchanging whispers in her direction. Angel did her best to ignore them. She scanned the area for Evander or even Sebastian. A hand touched her shoulder from behind. She turned to see Demi offering a small smile. Angel was too confused to return it. He did say he would see her later, but she thought he was just being nice. The academy's uniform looked good on him, she thought.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. Come on. I'll walk you to the main office. Have you already chosen your classes?"
He started walking and she did her best to keep up with him. Demi was on the tall side, with a long stride. It was a good thing she wore Vaseline. Her thighs would thank her later.
"Not yet."
"Good. That means you can take the same classes as me."
"Who said I wanted that?"
He hooked his arm through hers like they were old buddies.
"Trust me you want to know someone here. Otherwise, your targeted by default."
"So, there is bullying here. Is it true the seniors target the freshman?"
"It's like this, if you don't already know someone here then you're a nobody. As a nobody your expected to earn your keep. "
"If they don't kiss ass what happens then?"
"Then the hazing doesn't stop."
"Stratos Academy allows hazing? That old man made it seem like this was some kind of safe haven."
Demi gave her an odd look and she just shook her head.
"It's more lowkey then that. No one is mean outright. Here people are more into being fake nice."
"So, like they'll knock your tray over and then apologize like it was an accident? Are all the seniors like that?"
He started to think about it. Angel was more than eager for his response. She had a thing for older guys. Not too much older. Although she'd have to take into consideration a lot of the guys here would be vampires.
"Not all of them. I should warn you about one in particular though. The worst of the bunch." His voice was full of disdain.
"Let me guess. It's the girl walking towards us."
A girl with ivory skin and the same platinum blonde hair as Demi, was walking towards them. She stopped before them, one a hand on her hip the supported a designer bag on her wrist. A classic mean girl pose.
"You must be Angelina. I'm Melissa." The girl said sweetly.
There was a little hair flip at the end that made Angel squint at her.
"She your sister?" She asked Demi.
"Cousin actually." He answered defensively.
"It's just Angel." She said to the Melissa.
"Oh no, that's right. I'm so sorry. I know all about your situation and yet it slipped my mind. It won't happen again, Angel."
Melissa placed a hand to her heart as if it truly pained her. Such an act looked silly to Angel.
"My situation."
"You knoww. About you being a Dracos of course." Her voiced carried.
More than a few people listening in to their conversation. Demi hooked his arm tighter through hers.
"If she knows. Everyone knows."
"Dracos are pretty popular around here, ya know. Speaking of popular, you and I should be…"
Angel cut her off with a hand.
"Can't."
"What?" Melissa smile faltered and she saw a flash of anger.
"I'm already becoming friends with Demi here. And he doesn't seem like the friend sharing type."
"So true." He agreed.
"I wouldn't want to drive a wedge between family." Angel continued.
Demi beside her barely managed to stifle a laugh. Melissa didn't look happy.
"I guess it can't be helped." She said tightly. "If you'll excuse me." With one last hair flip she walked away.
"I hope you weren't fooled by that." Said Demi.
They started walking towards the entrance again.
"Nope."
"Good. That girl always has an ulterior motive."
He had a faraway look.
"She the one that betrayed you?"
His eyes focused as he opened the doors for her.
"I'll tell you if you tell me." He took a left toward an elevator. They waited for it in silence.
Angel wasn't a fan of talking about her feelings. But she wanted to be closer to Demi. When they stepped in the elevator she faced him.
"I'm adopted. My birth parents are dead. My adopted dad is dead, and I can't even look at my adopted Mom. Gorgons wants me dead because I have the soul of Angelina Dracos. I live with three old ass vampires. One is older than the rest. Pretty sure one hates me and other is so familiar it's annoying." She took a deep breath, "And all I want to do is live long enough to drive a stake through my adopted Dad's killer and have my first kiss."
Demi looked at her stunned. When the doors open he hit the close button a bunch of times. She caught a glimpse of angry faces before the doors closed again. He pressed for the highest floor then faced her again.
"For the first 250 years of my life I thought I was straight. Until I met Isaac. All of a sudden I had the hots for this eccentric painter from London." Demi's eyes lit up, reflecting how much he loved the guy, "He was human, until I turned him. We were together for about 20 years." He fell silent.
"What happened?"
"Melissa happened. My father ordered her to break us up. One day I found her and Isaac in our bed together. And here I thought she had been getting close to him to make sure he was treating me right."
"What did you do?"
"What would you do in that situation?"
Angel looked thoughtful for a second.
"Does fire kill vampires?"
Demi smiled ruefully.
"You're the violent type aren't you?"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Angel threw her hands up.
"Isaac is dead. I didn't kill him though. But somebody did."
"And you want to find out who? Despite everything."
"I guess me, and you are in a similar boat."
Angel frowned, but then gave it some thought. He was right in a way. She felt betrayed by her father but still felt the need to avenge him.
"Let's make a deal then. I'll help you find Isaac's killer and you help me find my dad's." She held out her hand for him to shake.
"Deal. This is going to be the weirdest friendship." He fitted his hand in hers.
"Maybe. It'll be real though. I promise I won't sleep with your boyfriend."
"Or Girlfriend."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't straight for over 200 years for nothing, honey. I simply broadened my horizons."
Angel nodded.
"You think that's weird?"
"Relieved actually. I thought you'd been in the closet for 250 years."
"That would be tragic, huh?" Demi laughed.
Angel shrugged, "At least you had a love life. Mine has always been nonexistent."
The doors open and they stepped out into a surprisingly empty hallway.
"I can't believe you've never been kissed. We gotta get you a man."
"Number 2 on my bucket list."
"I'll help."
"Do you have one?"
"A bucket list?" He laughed like the idea was silly, but there was something sad in his gaze, "You'll find not many vampires care for things like that."
"That doesn't answer my…"
"We're here." He cut her off, pointing to the door Infront of them.
She'd almost forgotten they had been on their way to the main office. It was smaller than she expected. As soon as you walked inside you were in the office. There was no receptionist to greet you. Off to the side she could see the door leading to Jax's office. It was closed. A student waiting to be seen, looked like they were dreading the verdict Jax would give them. No one appeared to be waiting to speak with the Headmaster. Unless you count Evander who was already speaking with him. Their conversation stopped when they noticed us. Demi spoke first.
"Good morning instructor, Head master." He nodded his head to both of them.
A man with silver hair and cold pale blue eyes acknowledged his greeting with a curt nod.
"Ms. Jones, I hope my son isn't giving you too hard of a time." Said the Head Master.
"Son?" She looked from him to a suddenly sheepish Demi.
"Yes, Demetriou is my only son. I didn't expect you two to hit off so quickly."
"…"
Demi looked as uncomfortable as I felt. I'm sure it didn't help that Evander was now staring at him intently.
"Actually, we just came to match our schedules." Angel piped up.
"What an excellent idea. Let me print them out for you." Head Master began tapping away at his computer.
"Instructor, your class hasn't started yet?"
Evander turned away from Demi to answer her question. Demi looked grateful for the distraction.
"My TA is covering for me."
"You have a TA?"
"My niece, Melissa. She practically begged me to let her TA for his class. I think she as a little thing for him." Headmaster elbowed Evander.
Evander looked at the floor awkwardly.
"A little?" Demi snorted under his breath.
"Your all set. Any questions?" said the Headmaster, handing her the adjusted schedule.
"Nope. I got her covered." Demi hooked his arm through her and all but dragged her out of the office.
They didn't stop until they were out of earshot.
"Is it hard being around your dad?" asked Angel.
"I'm used it. It's Kormos's prying that made me uncomfortable."
" That stare of his does feel invasive."
"They don't call him The Listener for nothing."
"The listener?"
"It's his gift. Telepathy."
Angels gasp echoed through the hall.
"No effing way. I'm living with an actual mind reader? This whole time I thought he was just the understanding type. He said nothing."
"Wait you live with him." He gasped. "He's the familiar guy you mentioned."
Angel ignored him, stomping her way back towards the main office. Demi blocked her way.
"Whoa. Wait a minute. Let's think about this from his perspective. No one fully trusts a mind reader when they first find out. Maybe he wanted to earn your trust first."
"Why is it every time I add new edition to my shit list someone always wants to defend them. Can't you just join me in my rampage?"
"Not when that rampage is against a 2000 year old vamp. Even with my help we'd lose. Which isn't saying much considering I haven't awakened yet either."
Angels anger lowered to a simmer.
"Fine. I'm still questioning him later."
"As you should. I can't believe you live with him. Who are the other two?
"Ajax and Sebastian."
"Oof and Damnn. Deputy Headmaster sounds like a drag, but Sebastian is definitely a party."
"More like the other way around. Ajax is really nice to me. Like a sweet grandpa. Sebastian is a jerk."
"Wow. That's unexpected. If Melissa knew she wouldn't even have bothered with the nice girl act."
"So does everyone know I'm an incarnate now?"
"Nah. Even she knows better than that. But she for sure spilled the beans about your lineage."
"I guess it's cool then."
"For real?"
"Yeah, What's our first class?"
"History."
"Nice. This will be a piece of cake. I'm an ace in history."
She couldn't have been more wrong.
Her fingers gripped her desk as she stared at the white board that read: History of Vampires. Demi beside her looked like he could bust out laughing at any moment.
"Ms. Jones I'd think you'd want to be more focused on your first day at the Academy. Your already behind."
Students around her snickered. Demi cleared his throat, and the room quieted. I guess no one wanted to mess with the Headmaster's son. Well mostly no one. Angel noted a few defiant glares. Maybe their parents were in high places too. She thought there instructor was being unreasonable. Angel wasn't being disruptive in any way, yet she was called out.
"Don't worry, Instructor. I learn fast."
It wasn't a bluff. Angel really did tend to pick things up quickly. She always did well in school. The Instructor didn't appreciate her enthusiasm.
"Shall I quiz you right now?"
"End of the class maybe? By then I'll have your lesson for today down."
"You sound so sure." Cinders said through gritted teeth.
"I'll be honest with you. I know nothing about the history of vampires. But If I pay attention to your lesson I will."
Some students rolled their eyes. Angel swore she saw Cinders smile a little.
"Hmm. I guess it is that simple." She turned back to the board, continuing her lesson.
Demi gave her a look like he couldn't believe that worked. Angel was bit shocked herself. She thought for sure she'd be sent to Jax's office. Cinders turned out to be a good instructor. Explaining things in a way that was easy to understand. Her former attitude towards Angel didn't resurface. She even offered a wink whenever Angel asked the right questions. Cinders had just feared for the order of her classroom. Probably heard the gossip in the halls about her. The rest of the class went by quickly. Evander had been right about humans knowledge of vampires. The actual history of vampires was much more complex than what was portrayed in movies. The whole thing about vampires not being able to withstand sunlight, false. They could walk the day light. They just weren't at full strength during the day. Garlic was a lie to, but she hadn't really believed that one. When a vampire fed their face didn't turn all ugly, which Angel thought was a bit unfair.
There was no beef between vampires and werewolves or even witches. If a species didn't get along it was personal and not due to generational beef. Stratos trained vamps and the like to be blood mages. No one was allowed to kill unjustly. Any source of blood had to be voluntary. Angel learned from Demi that many humans at Stratos volunteered to be a source for upperclassmen.
"Why would they do that? Don't tell me it's because of the hazing thing." She asked him during lunch.
"Oh no, the academy would put a stop to that immediately."
"But doesn't hurt?"
"Only if they want it to." He winked.
"Ha. Ha. So, there are vamps who date humans?"
"A few. Got your eye one?"
"I just got here."
"And yet so many have their eye on you."
Angel scanned the cafeteria. Some had been staring at her and she hadn't noticed. A boy with a red streak in his hair winked at her when their eyes met.
"That's Justin. He flirts with every girl he sees." Narrated Demi.
Angel turned her attention to a boy with a mop of curls and an intense gaze. He took his time clearing his tray into the trash. His remaining on me. There was a hunger there that told Angel he'd drain her dry if given the opportunity.
"That's Calvin. You know better than to let him drink from you right?"
"Right."
"See, I knew you were smart. A bit of drinking problem that one."
The third boy was more subtle. He looked at her through lowered lashes that bounced as he pretended to be immersed in the book in front of him. She might have bought it if his eyes weren't moving so fast.
"That's Leo. One of the academy's bachelor's. No one knows much about him. He's the dark and mysterious type."
"Does that mean he's a ladies' man?" Angel didn't take her eyes off him.
She wondered how long until he would look at her directly.
"Mm he's accepted a few confessions, but they never last longer than a week. He seems like the type to get bored easily."
"Or maybe he just knows what he wants. I can admire a guy that doesn't waste a girl's time." She grinned. "Should I go over there?"
"Easy tiger. No need to rush the process. He's in our next class. Not much room for conversation, but that's a good thing."
Leo was no longer pretending to read. He was actually reading. Angel sighed, turning back to Demi.
"How is that a good thing?"
"It means I get to get to keep an eye on him. I'll let you know if he's checking you out."
"I don't know…"
"It's better than you challenging him to a staring contest."
"Too much?"
Demi nodded.
"Sorry I'm just new to all this. I don't think I even know how to flirt."
"You poor thing. It's a good thing you have me now to show you the ropes." He placed a hand to his heart.
"Whatever would I do without you?" She rolled her eyes. Her voice thick with sarcasm.
"Come on, I want to get a head start to Elemental Prep."
"Yeah. I was wondering what that's about."
"I'll break it down to you on the way." He stood up taking her empty tray and stacking it on top of his.
They left the cafeteria and took the elevator.
"Is it alright for us to use the elevator?"
"Why wouldn't it be? Ah you went to one of those schools that claimed the elevator was strictly for emergencies and wheelchairs."
"Yet the teachers took them all the time."
"Humans. Such cheapskates…no offense."
"None taken." She waved him off.
Demi clapped his hands together.
"Now, how should I break this down?"
"Hold the sugar. Give it to me straight."
He looked at her approvingly.
"Right off the bat your tested to see what Class you'll belong to once you awaken. Pyre Class controls fire. Nero, water. Gaia, Earth. Anemo, Wind. You prick your finger. A little hocus pouch's. Boom fog. You touch the mirror, and your Class is revealed in the mirror for all to see. No pressure."
"No pressure? What if I mess it up somehow?"
"No pressure because if something goes wrong it won't be your fault."
Angel nodded nervously.
"Is the instructor nice at least?" They got off the elevator and were now paused Infront of the doors to Elemental Prep.
"Elks is okay. He's not nice, but he's not mean either."
Angel could work with that. She pulled the doors open. To her surprise the room was already full of students. Instructor Elks must be a stickler for attendance. Still, she didn't expect her peers to be so excited to be here. Whispers and giggles filled the room. "Why do you think he's here?" "Maybe he needed a break from Melissa." "Oh, look it's the new girl. Is she really a Dracos?" "No way look at her."
Angel was too busy looking for him to care about anything else the group was saying. She felt immense relief seeing him. Something about him just melted away her concerns. Angel remembered how he successfully deescalated her Mom. That wasn't easy to do. After all she had got her temper from her. She wondered if it was a gift of his, to relax a person's mind. If so, she welcomed it. Forget anxiety pills. Therapists should prescribe a look from Evander. One look from the handsome man could instantly calm their nerves.
"Don't listen to them." Whispered Demi.
"I'm not worried about them. I thought you said Elks was the instructor. What's he doing here."
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Evander raised a hand to silence the room.