Chapter Six

Chapter 7

"Thanks, Cara," he said gratefully. "You saved me from eating with the airhead imbeciles that were waiting outside."

"No problem," she replied. She glanced back at the classroom door, where I was watching them with hostile eyes. Cara drew herself upright, looking like she was ready to fight a war.

"You're eating with us too, right Aralynne?" he inquired innocently. "Shouldn't we get going?"

I gave an inaudible growl before slugging my bag over my shoulder and dutifully following them. Cara pointed out several school landmarks as we made our way to the cafeteria. Judging by Seth’s expressions, he found her pleasant enough to converse with.

When we entered the cafeteria, dozens of eyes looked up to snatch a glance of us. This time, Seth offered no one but me a smile, knowing that it will only get on my nerves, and we walked to join the group of Cara’s closest friends.  Andrew, Jason and Tammy were easy to get along with, and also easy to keep an eye on, so I didn’t really mind Cara spending time with them. After all, some part of her life still had to remain normal.

"Guess what's for English homework, guys?" Tammy prompted.

“I’m sure we will find out the next period, Tammy. You don’t always have to tell us everything beforehand.”

“Aww, come on!” Tammy whined. “this is so different to the assignments we normally get, there’s just no way I can not be psyched about it!”

Cara’s natural curiosity soon got the better of her.

“Very well then, spill!”

Tammy looked as if someone just gave her a million dollars.

“It’s an essay on what magical or fantasy creature you think you are most like! The best part is that we weren’t given a word limit. I’m so going to have fun writing that!”

"You should be a leprechaun, Tammy," laughed Cara. "You always get so lucky on exams."

"If I'm a leprechaun, you’re a unicorn."

"I'll be the flying pig," Jase called out. "Andrew can be my gnome servant."

“Seth could be a....dark wizard of some sort. He just has that mysterious aura surrounding him.” I chuckled at the comments.

"Actually," Seth said, "you know what Aralynne reminds me of?" he interrupted the group of friends, his voice automatically demanding their full attention.

“What, Seth?” Andrew inquired.

Seth’s reply was smooth, cold and deliberate. I could see the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he spoke the words.

“A vampire....”

Vampire. The word echoed in my ears.  No matter how true the term was, hearing it spoken out loud by anyone outside the Circle and those I protect made me uncomfortable. But of course, he is just out to tap dance on my last good nerve. I should not overreact; that would be playing right into his hands. I should just remain calm…

“A vampire? That’s just silly…why would you say that, Seth?” Cara was the first to break the awkward silence. Though looking quite relaxed on the outside, I could see her hands shaking. Poor human. She isn’t good with “weird”. She will never be able to survive in our world on her own.

I, for one, decided to keep quiet. For now.

He paused before answering.

“There is just something about her. The pale skin…bright eyes…” he seemed to trail off, lost in thought. How many characteristics was he going to mention?

“Vampires are also known to have fiery tempers…” a strange emotion lurked within his eyes…thrill, excitement? Cara swallowed hard as he, once again, hit home with his comment.

He seemed to rule the conversation now. I bet that’s a first for a new student.

“Besides, I haven’t seen her touch her lunch yet, is human food too repulsive for you?” playing games. That is the way you have always been. You tend to play games, to torture your victims…and only when they literally beg for death do you kill them. I’m not like them, Seth. I won’t be killed.

“She actually has quite an appetite. She, very often, comes close to plummeting us into bankruptcy! It’s her fault that I have to work double shifts sometimes!” poor Cara tried to make a joke to get rid of the tension, but failed. All her friends were quiet too, watching me and Seth.

“If that’s the case, I’d like to see her eat something.” He pressed, staring at me, his excitement growing at a rapid pace. I didn’t blink, only stared right back at him. I wondered how this must look to humans; those who don’t know a thing about the ancient battles.

 I wasn’t planning on backing down, so I took the apple from Cara’s tray and slowly, purposefully took a big bite out of it, letting the sweet nectar fill my mouth. A deceptive smile crept across his features as I chewed, then swallowed. No one has to know what I’ll have to do later on to get rid of this.

Another silence ensued.

 It was Tammy’s turn to speak.

“Well Aralynne, you may consider writing about vampires for the essay anyway. You do know a lot about them remember, probably because you are so into mythology?” Mythology? Yeah right.

“I might just do that, Tammy. Vampires are such fascinating creatures, after all...” I replied, not once breaking eye contact with Seth. I swear it almost felt possible to cut the tension with a knife.

His gaze was still locked on me. I kept my pose.

“Oh really?” he asked in that annoying, smooth voice. It took a lot of self-control not to reach out and slap him.

“Yes. Like you said, vampires are easily recognized by their pale skin and vivid eyes, but there is much about them that you forgot to mention…” all the humans were still silent. Underneath the table, Cara was squeezing my hand. Our fight seemed to be forgotten already.

“Like what?” his smile faded slightly, and everyone waited for me to go on.

“Humans should fear vampires, for they have the power to eradicate humanity forever. Their abilities are supreme- they are faster, stronger and more durable than humans, and many have had centuries to sharpen their skills and intellect. But instead of fearing them, humans have romanticised them, viewing them not as a terrifying reality but glamorous fiction... that is one of their greatest mistakes. After all, vampire can crush a human skull without any effort at all. Without fear inspired stories, humans have no real idea what to expect of the Fallen Ones...” as I spoke, I watched him struggling to keep his poker face.

“Now, if vampires do exist...and one of them thought someone knew, she won’t think twice before smothering them in their sleep. If I were you, I’d think twice before just speaking...”

When the bell rang, Cara and her friends got up at record speed, eager to escape this atmosphere. I waited for Seth to walk by me before sneaking up on him from behind, pulling him back, placing my lips at his ear in the process, my cool breath tickling his neck.

“Remember…” I said as I tightened my grip on his shoulders, sinking my nails into his flesh.

“I bite.”