Academy of Vampires (Fireblood Academy Book 1) Page 2

  “They got you really bad. They did some messed up stuff to you, but when they poured yellow paint on your head during your dance recital, it was the final straw.”

  “Yellow?” I said, disgusted. I hate the color yellow.

  “It just feels like my life was a lie. I had a boyfriend and I was playing video games with him only a day ago, and now I remember that I had a secret vampire life that I didn’t even know about?”

  The feeling was overwhelming. It was like the entire room was spinning around me. I just wanted to pinch myself and hope that I was waking up from a truly absurd dream.

  Isadora placed her hand on my shoulder and looked in my eyes with empathy. Man, she had some really pretty eyes. It felt like they were casting a spell on me.

  “You’ll be fine. Trust me.”

  I could feel a sense of warmth come over me as she held my shoulder. I placed my hand on hers and gave her a smile.

  “You really are my friend.” I said, “I can just feel it.”

  “You’re so stupid sometimes, but I really care about you.”

  She leaned in and gave me a hug, catching me off guard. I returned the hug, letting the warmth take over me. It felt good and right.

  This was such a whirlwind of an experience, but I’m glad that there’s someone that I can at least hold onto and trust.

  “I think that the effects of the memory swipe will ware off in a week or so. Until then, you won’t be able to access your entire memory. But I can feel something….You feel different.” She said, looking at me with an arched eyebrow.

  “What…what do you mean?” I said, confused

  “I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about you that’s off. I can sense it in your aura.”

  “My aura?” I said, confused

  “Oh dear, you really have forgotten everything. Aura is your magical essence. We all have one, but only those born with the gift to read auras can detect them. Fortunately, I’m one of them.”

  “Oh…I have no idea what any of that means, but it sounds nice.”

  “That’s not surprising, given your grades last term. I mean, you like failed almost everything.” She said, chuckling, “But it’s because you don’t really try. You kept staying up, playing with your spirit orb.”

  “Spirit orb? Like, something that I can use to communicate with spirits?” I asked

  My memory has started to come back a little bit.

  “Yeah, you tried to communicate with your father. He died, remember?” she said, looking at me sadly.

  My father? I could barely remember him, but I could feel a tinge of pain when she brought it up. I had mixed feelings though. I couldn’t tell if the pain was there because I missed him, or if because I had really negative feelings about him.

  But something certainly happened with my father, although I’m not completely sure what it was. There was an event that happened with him that shaped me.

  I feel really strongly about it, like there’s a storm brewing inside me. My heart begins to flutter and I can feel the heat churn inside my system.

  “What was my relationship with my father like?” I ask Isadora

  She shrugged her shoulders, “You never wanted to talk about it. It’s one of the few things you keep from me.”

  I exhale deeply. If I really didn’t want to talk about it, then that must mean that I really had some strongly negative feelings about the man. It had to be sensitive and hurt.

  Oh well, there’s not much I can do about that now.

  “So what now?” I ask Isadora

  “Well, it’s 6 pm. Dinner’s started, if you want to come.” She said in a cheery tone.

  My stomach was grumbling. I certainly was hungry, as I had left for this trip before putting anything in it.

  “I could certainly use some food. Can you show me the way, I forgot where the cafeteria is.”

  She gestured towards me, as we walked out of the room, through the hallway and down the stairs, weaving through other students and trying not to run into them.

  The faces of the other students seemed pretty familiar, although I couldn’t put my finger on exactly who they were. I could tell however, that I certainly had an experience with each and every one of them. But the vague feelings I had towards some were certainly stronger than others.

  There were some whispers as I walked through the main quad, getting a few stares from others. They were gossiping. My heart sank, as I could feel their judgement pressing upon me. I don’t know why, but I’ve always had a knack for knowing when people were talking about me, and if it was intended to be negative or not.

  Oh God, do I hate gossip.

  To take my mind off of it, I try to take in the surroundings.

  This place was absolutely beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that I questioned why I’d ever want to leave in the first place.

  There were pine trees on the campus grounds and in the surrounding area, giving a fresh pine-scented aroma in the air that really resonated with me. It was like living in a real-life car freshener.

  Each building had rosebushes in front and beautiful, colorful birds flocked through the air, giving off sparkly trails as they flew by that looked like magic.

  The buildings were of course of gothic architecture, giving off the feeling of being prestigious and classic, making me feel refined and cultured.

  The sidewalks sparkled as I walked on them, causing me to blink my eyes rapidly.

  “What’s in the concrete? Diamonds?” I asked Isadora, semi-sarcastically.

  She giggled. “Oh no, of course not. Those are dark crystals. They keep the vampire hunters at bay.”

  “Vampire hunters?” I asked

  “Yeah, but don’t worry. There are more of us than of them. And we are much more powerful. Anyways, the crystals around campus help to confuse them by not giving us away. Vampires give off dark energy, and these crystals project enough light energy that no one would ever suspect that we are here in the first place.”

  “Hmm…” I said, deep in thought.

  I had like a million questions, but before I could even ask them, we were standing smack dab in front of the dining hall.

  It was large and stunningly beautiful. It was dark grey, made of stone, and had large church-like stained glass windows. It was so beautiful that I could sit there and stare at it for hours.

  There were a bunch of steps that led up to a door that lead up to a bat’s mouth-shaped door.

  Pretty cool and unique.

  Others were filing in to the cafeteria, and I followed Isadora through the door.

  “This jogging your memory yet?” she asked, coyly.

  The insides were a stunning black marble, so beautiful that I felt uncomfortable even walking across it. My shoes made loud clacking noises as I dared to step across something as beautiful as a Mozart painting. The walls were lined with classical paintings of old vampires that I assume were probably important in some way, a lantern fixed next to each, illuminating their faces.

  The orange light of the setting sun, filtered through the stained windows, creating a beautiful rainbow-colored display across the floor and over the oval-shaped wooden tables across the dining hall floor.

  Silver platters of steaming meat, potatoes, and vegetables sat on each of the simply large tables. There were about twenty of them, and each was large enough to seat about ten people.

  There were of course students sitting at them, and the hall was abuzz with chatter. Some more eyes targeted me, as I followed Isadora. I wanted to clutch onto her for some sort of protection, but I didn’t want to be rude.

  A really cute boy with hair as dark as night gave me a wink. I could feel my face redden as I turned away. He gestured with his head towards me, trying to get me to sit next to him.

  Before I could say anything, Isadora protested.

  “No, absolutely not. I won’t let you sit next to Teddy.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” I asked

  “He’s literally a psycho an
d one of your biggest enemies.”

  But for some reason, I had a good feeling about him. I didn’t get a negative gut feeling that I did when I first met Austin. In fact, I could say that my gut was pointing me in a positive direction.

  “I think I should sit next to him.” I said

  “Are you insane?” Isadora said in an astonished tone.

  She really couldn’t believe what I had wanted to do. But I had an internal instinct that told me that it wasn’t a bad choice.

  Personally, I try to follow my gut instinct. It’s really one of my defining traits, and what my mother always told me to do when I was a child.

  “What did he do to me? I can’t remember.” I said

  “He’s friends with two of the biggest assholes in the entire school.”

  “But did he personally do anything bad to me?”

  “No, but he’s still friends with people you shouldn’t trust.”

  I sighed. I really wanted to go with my gut instinct, but that would probably get me in some deep trouble.

  I’m thinking with my hormones, not my head.

  If this girl who claims to be my best friend says it’s a bad idea, then It probably is.

  “Fine, you’re right.” I said

  We parked at another table away from Teddy and his hot friends. I was still disappointed, because I wanted to meet him and remind myself why I’m not supposed to get along with him.

  And if I’m being totally honest, he’s hot as hell and I could spend a few good hours staring into his adonis-like face.

  The smell of the food infiltrated my nostrils and made my mouth water. I took the meat and cut it open, red blood began to spill out.

  “The meat…is rare.” I said, surprised.

  “Yeah, you do remember you’re a vampire, right?” Isadora said with a raised eyebrow.

  Something about this meat just called to me with an intensity that I hadn’t felt before. My mouth began to water so much, I could swear that it was a waterfall. My nostrils flared and my eyes widened. I could feel a primal urge begin to stir inside me. The hairs on my body all stood up and a lump formed in my throat.

  The red blood looked so….good.

  I felt like a fox looking directly into a henhouse. I was ready to pounce upon it.

  I took a huge chunk of the meat and shoved it in my mouth. I began chewing with a voracious might, and the blood tasted like an intoxicatingly good potion.

  My eyes rolled to the back of my head in total euphoria. I was in pleasure. This felt good. This felt right.

  It was like a part of myself that was missing had been returned.

  I was in a natural state. Things were as they were supposed to be.

  Before I knew it, I put another portion of meat in my mouth, and another. I devoured it with such quickness, that I’m sure that I looked foolish to the others sitting at the table.

  “This is so good...I’ve never had anything like it.” I said

  “Sure you have…but I guess this is what happens when you forgo blood as a vampire. You just can’t help yourself from tearing up your food.” She said, chuckling.

  “You might want this.” I heard a male voice say from my left.

  I looked up and saw a really handsome brown-haired, blue-eyed guy with a perfectly structured face, with thin lips and a perfectly arched eyebrows, handing me a table napkin.

  I felt totally embarrassed.

  “You kind of have a bit of a mess all over your face.” He said.

  “Oh…thanks.” I said, blushing. I took the napkin from him and began wiping my face with it. Looking down, I could see the redness of the blood cover almost the entire thing.

  “I must of looked terrible.” I said

  “Nah, it’s no big deal. It happens to all of us when we go without blood for an extended period of time. You were gone for over a month. And without the blood we’re provided at the academy, there’s not much else you can consume that’s authorized, right.” He said, chuckling.

  “Oh…uh…right.” I said, blushing.

  What did he mean by authorized?

  “So, why did you run away, Mira?” he said

  “Uhm….I’m not sure actually. I….well this is embarrassing to admit….but I wiped my memory and it’s still recovering.”

  He arched an eyebrow and placed his index finger on his chin in deep thought.

  Oh my God, his face is so cute that I want to just scream. I wish I could take his picture and just put it on my wall as a poster.

  Focus, Mira. Focus!

  “She really ran away because of what you and your gang did to her. Don’t act so innocent, Paul.” Isadora said to him in an irritated tone.

  He cringed, “Well look, I’m sorry if I ever did anything bad to you.”

  “If? What do you mean by if?” Isadora said, “You literally spread a rumor around the entire school that she’s dating a werewolf! You know the type of damage that can do to a girl’s reputation!”

  “Hey, hey, calm down there. I thought it was just a joke, and I didn’t even start the rumor.”

  “But you repeated it?” she said in an inquisitive tone

  “Yeah, I mean the rumor kind of got around. And I might of played a part in it, but I truly didn’t mean to hurt anyone. It was just meant to be taken as a joke. I mean it.” He said, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

  I had a tough time discerning whether or not he was being honest or whether he was just bullshitting me. What’s his angle? What’s his game?

  But then again, I’ve always been the absolute worst when it came to dealing with men. They’re just so much harder to figure out for me.

  Guys tend to lie. That’s just what they do. But I don’t want to throw this guy away without at least giving him somewhat of a chance.

  That would be the right thing to do, wouldn’t it?

  “What’s so bad about dating a werewolf?” I said

  Isadora palmed her face and Paul chuckled.

  “Man, I can’t wait until your entire memory is restored.” She said, “Werewolves are our biggest enemies and are like the biggest threat to our existence as a species. They’re totally evil, and we even went to war with them once.”

  “No way. Just like Twilight, or something?” I asked

  “Oh, it’s much more brutal than anything that could’ve ever happened in Twilight.” She said, “But that’s besides the point. Vampires hate werewolves. We just do. So it’s social suicide to be dating a werewolf. Period.”

  She sounded really serious. But if dating a werewolf could cause that much damage to my reputation, then I guess Paul shouldn’t be trusted either.

  Still, he looked at me with his tempting eyes and cocked his eyebrow sexily. I had to stop myself from swooning.

  “I’m a changed man, Mira. In the month that you’ve been gone, I’ve done a lot of growing up.”

  “Hmm…” I said, skeptically, “Let’s just cut to the chase. I’m sure you’re going to give me an apology, and I accept it. Only because my memory’s not working right now, and It’s much easier if I start everyone on a blank slate than holding grudges.”

  “Well…actually I think I’m going to take advantage of your swiped memory.” He said, clearing his throat, “Mira, would you like to go on a date with me?”

  “A date?!?!” I said in confusion.

  I don’t know this guy. I mean, I know him, but I do not remember him at all. And from what I do know of him, he’s been a terrible person to me and has been a tormentor. Of course I shouldn’t go on a date with him. Who would ever do that? It would be such an incredibly stupid decision.

  But my heart tells me otherwise.

  A lump forms in my throat, as I look at him. He’s absolutely gorgeous.

  His eyes shimmer in the light, and his cheekbones are so defined they look as if they could’ve been carved from onyx. His hair is perfectly tussled on his head, and I could run my fingers through them all day.

  He’s an absolutely perfect man. A man tha
t they only seem to make in fantasies.

  “Absolutely not.” Isadora interrupted

  “I was asking her.” Paul said, annoyed.

  “And I’m speaking for her. I’m not going to let you just try to manipulate this situation to your advantage.” She said

  My instincts were telling me to accept the date. He’s smoking hot, charming, and has a certain allure about himself that’s hard to really put my finger on. But I can certainly say that I have a positive visceral reaction towards him.

  But my brain is telling me not to do it. Like my best friend says, he’s probably trouble.

  “She’s right, Paul.” I had to say regrettably, “Sorry, but I have to turn you down. At least until I get my memory back.”

  He had a disappointed look on his face. He shrugged his shoulders before getting up from the table.

  “I’ll see you again.” He said, his eyebrows arched.

  He turned around and began to walk away. His gait was so incredibly sexy, and his butt was so cute as it bounced in the air as he continued to step away.

  I’m not going to lie. I was totally gawking at this guy.

  “Smart move.” Isadora said, “That guy’s trouble.”

  “A little trouble never hurt anyone.” I said, still internally swooning over Paul’s hotness

  Isadora looked at me with concern.

  “I don’t want you to get yourself hurt. You don’t know what those guys are capable of.”

  She was right. But, to be honest, that’s what was part of their appeal for me. I don’t know these guys. But the danger that they’re capable of just….turns me on. I’ve always been a sucker for the bad boys who break the rules.

  The guys that I used to date were generally nice. And they weren’t bad relationships. But there was something else yearning inside me. I wanted excitement. I wanted drama. I wanted passion. And those things can only be fulfilled by men that are willing to stand up against the status quo and be a bit of a rebel.

  “You know…I kind of like bad boys.” I said, looking longingly into the remains of my food.

  “You’re being foolish. The Elite Vampires are ones you don’t mess with. Paul, Austin, George. They are the ones who will ruin you if they get the chance.”