14. Violet

14

VIOLET

I wake up drenched in sweat, turning over as I feel the presence next to me.

Nathaniel.

But instead of seeing the vampire who made me what I am, I see the sleeping face of Caine. His long lashes, his straight nose and wicked lips are beautiful, almost painfully so.

I take a shaky breath. It was just a dream. Nathaniel isn't here. I'm safe at MistHallow Academy, with Caine next to me, fast asleep.

As my eyes adjust to the dim light, I study Caine's handsome face. He looks younger, more vulnerable in sleep. The usual arrogance and intensity are smoothed away, replaced by a peaceful expression. I resist the urge to reach out and touch him, to trace the line of his jaw or run my fingers through his blond hair.

Instead, I carefully slip out of bed, not wanting to wake him. It's around late afternoon, I would guess, and I need to get ready for this night of timetables and classes. My stomach growls, and my fangs drop, but I ignore them for now. I will swing by the dining hall as my first stop before finding Eldra.

I've slept most of the day away for the first time in weeks. I felt safe enough to close my eyes and rest. Next to an Ice Demon who is every bit as possessive as Nathaniel, but in a way that makes me ache inside, not tremble with fear. It's so fucked up; I don't even know what to make of it.

I pad silently to the bathroom, grateful for the plush carpet under my bare feet instead of cold stone and marble floors.

Getting cleaned up, teeth brushed and showered, I wrap a towel around me and then pause before heading back into the bedroom. What message does that say to Caine?

If he's even still there. He probably couldn't wait to leave.

Gathering my nerve, I close my eyes, leaning my forehead against the cool glass of the mirror. Then my stomach growls again, and I know I need to move or put everyone around me at risk. I brazenly open the bathroom door, half expecting Caine to be gone, but instead, he is sitting on the edge of the bed, shirtless, showing off a bod hot enough to make me drool again.

He looks over with a lazy smile. "Hey," he says, rising. "Mind if I take a quick shower?" His gaze lingers on my bare shoulders before coming back to my eyes.

"No, go ahead," I murmur, wishing I was brave enough to join him. But that is going to places I don't think I'm really ready to go.

Yet.

"Thanks," Caine says, grabbing his cane and heading to the bathroom. As he passes me, I catch a whiff of his scent—crisp and cool, like winter air. It makes my head spin a little.

Once the bathroom door closes, I shake my head, trying to clear it. The hunger is rearing up badly now, and I need to find blood.

I quickly dress in some of the clothes Eldra brought me—dark jeans and a soft sweater, thankful for the underwear Caine magicked up. As I pull on my boots, Caine emerges from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips. Water droplets cling to his chest and abs, and I have to force myself to look away.

"I'll, uh, let you get dressed," I mumble, grabbing my bag. "Thanks for staying with me."

He catches my arm as I try to slip past him. "Violet," he says softly. "Are you okay? You seem on edge."

I swallow hard. "Just hungry," I admit. "I need to get to the dining hall."

Understanding flashes in his eyes. "Of course. Let me get dressed, and I'll walk you there."

Part of me wants to protest, to insist I can find my own way. But another part, a larger part, is grateful for his company, and I would even go so far as to say, his supervision in case I lose it. He is dried and dressed in a flash of icy magick that peaks my nipples and leaves drops of frost in my hair. It makes me realise I'm standing too close to him. But he doesn't move away; if anything, he comes closer. He grasps my chin and tilts my head back, gazing into my eyes. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," I practically purr, wishing I could climb him like a tree. "For the first time since he took me, yes, I did."

He leans down and kisses the top of my head. "Good girl."

I freeze at the praise. Nathaniel said those words to me, but they were creepy and frightening. From Caine, it feels like something to be proud of, like I did something amazing.

"Come," he says, taking my hand in his free one and waving his cane to open the door.

As we step out into the hallway, shutting the door behind us, I hear a loud gasp that sounds close enough to a hiss to be wary of. I turn with a frown to see that girl from the dining hall yesterday throwing daggers at me with her eyes.

The blonde girl's icy blue eyes narrow as she takes in the sight of Caine and me emerging from my room together. Her gaze flicks between us, lingering on our joined hands. The temperature in the hallway seems to drop several degrees .

I shiver, catching Caine's attention, who seems to be oblivious to this situation.

He frowns down at me and then sees where I'm looking. "Ignore her," he says in a normal tone. "She's a nobody."

The girl's mouth drops open in fury, and she takes a step forward, her gaze boring into mine like she wants to smite me where I stand. Caine lets go of my hand. I feel a sense of panic that he is about to abandon me to this bully, but then he wraps his arm around my waist, and the warmth in my soul lights up again, even though his touch is arctic cold. He leads me away from the girl and her friends, sauntering like he doesn't have a care in the world.

I want to ask, but I wouldn't even know what to say. I don't hold a claim on him. If he is involved with this girl, which she seems to think he is, then I don't really have a leg to stand on.

"Don't let her get to you. There never was and never will be anything between Briar and me," Caine says, looking down at me, but he keeps walking.

"Who said I thought there was? Besides, not my business."

"Oh, but it is your business, snowdrop. I'm yours, and the sooner everyone realises that, the better off they will be."

I'm yours.

I gulp back the enormity of that statement. He has said a few times that I'm his, but never in reverse. I can't seem to wrap my head around it, and the hunger is making it worse. He takes me down a back staircase, which I could've sworn wasn't here a second ago, and then we enter the dining hall, which is packed out with creatures of all kinds.

The air is thick with the aroma of various foods and blood.

My fangs drop involuntarily at the scent, and I have to clench my jaw to keep from lunging at the nearest creature. Caine's arm tightens around me, steadying me.

"Easy," he murmurs in my ear. "Let's get you fed."

He guides me towards the dispenser. As we approach, I notice several students eyeing us curiously. Some look intrigued, others wary, and a few downright hostile. I try to ignore them, focusing instead on the blood Caine is pouring into a cup for me.

"Here," he says, handing me the cup. "Drink slowly."

I take a sip, closing my eyes as the rich liquid hits my tongue. It's not as satisfying as Flint's blood, but it takes the edge off my hunger. When I open my eyes again, I find Caine watching me intently.

"Better?" he asks.

I nod, taking another sip. "Thanks."

"You don't feel the need to go looking for your sire, do you?" he asks.

"Wow, you don't pull any punches," I mutter.

"I heard what Blackthorne said yesterday about the withdrawals. I want to make sure that you are clear-headed and staying strong."

"Can't make any promises."

He is about to say something, but Flint arrives at my side with a friendly smile. I wonder if he knows that Caine stayed with me last night or that he has found a way to sever this bond.

"Hey, Violet," Flint says warmly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I reply and look up at Caine before adding, "No need to go looking for my sire."

Flint's eyebrow goes up. "Well, that's good to hear. Do you have your class schedule yet?"

I shake my head and take a gulp of the blood. "No, but I do need to go and get that sorted."

"I'll come with you," Caine says.

"No," I say, placing my hand on his chest to stop him from taking a step forward. "You have that other thing to sort out. I can manage on my own."

"Other thing?" Flint asks, giving Caine a narrow-eyed stare.

"You sure?" Caine asks, ignoring him.

"Yes. I will be fine. I need you to do that thing."

He nods and kisses the top of my head again before gesturing to Flint to follow him. I watch them leave and gulp back the rest of the blood quickly, turning back to the dispenser for more. That cup is gone in a matter of seconds, so I shove it under for thirds before deciding I'd probably better try to refrain from overdosing. As I sip slower, this time, I move away from the dispenser and head out the door, trying to remember the way to the foyer where I'm supposed to meet Eldra.

Taking the stairs, I head down and see Liam coming up, laughing with some other students. I smile at him, but his gaze glides over me, and he ignores me completely as they walk past.

"Thank you, Caine," I mutter. "Looks like friends are off the table then." I'm disappointed that making friends in this new world isn't going to be easy, especially with Caine's possessiveness scaring everyone off.

Without too much trouble, I find my way to the foyer where Eldra is waiting for me, her kind smile instantly putting me at ease.

"Good evening, Violet," she says warmly. "I hope you're feeling rested. Are you ready to get your schedule sorted?"

I nod, grateful for her friendliness. "Yes, thank you. I'm feeling much better."

She leads me to a small office off the main foyer. As we enter, I'm struck by how normal it looks—a desk, computer, filing cabinets. It could be any school administrator's office, if not for the occasional odd artefact or magickal-looking book on the shelves.

"Now then," Eldra says, settling behind the desk as I take a seat opposite. "Let's see what classes we can get you into. As a new vampire, there are certain core courses you should take to help you understand who you are now. "

She taps away at the computer for a few moments before turning the screen so I can see. "Here's what I'm thinking: Vampire History and Culture, Blood Magick Basics, Supernatural Ethics, and Combat Training for Beginners. How does that sound?"

I scan the list, filled with excitement and trepidation. It all sounds so fantastical, like something out of a movie or book, but this is my life now.

"That sounds good," I say. "But will I be able to keep up? I mean, I don't know anything about any of this."

Eldra smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry, dear. These classes are designed for new vampires like yourself. Everyone starts somewhere. You'll catch up in no time."

She prints out my schedule and a handy campus map and hands it to me, along with some notebooks, stationery and a MistHallow bookbag. "Your first class is Vampire History and Culture with Professor Blackthorne. It starts in about twenty minutes in room 301."

I take the schedule, my eyes widening slightly. "Professor Blackthorne teaches too?"

Eldra nods. "Oh yes, he's one of our most knowledgeable faculty members when it comes to vampire lore. You're in good hands with him."

As I study the schedule, a thought occurs to me. "Um, Eldra? What about art? Is there something like that? "

"That is something that you can take as an extracurricular. Would that suit you?"

I nod eagerly as Eldra prints out another sheet and hands it to me. "This is a list of all the extracurriculars we have to offer this term, including days and times."

"Perfect, thank you. I appreciate you being so kind."

"Oh, please," she says, looking chuffed. "We are a family here at MistHallow."

I return her smile and stand up, suddenly eager and excited to get started.

As I make my way to my first class, the hallways are bustling, and I try not to stare, but it's hard not to when you see a girl with iridescent wings fluttering behind her or a boy with horns sprouting from his forehead.

I find room 301 without too much trouble, thanks to the map Eldra gave me. Taking a deep breath, I push open the door and step inside.

The classroom is larger than I expected, with tiered seating facing a large blackboard. Professor Blackthorne is already at the front, arranging some papers on his desk. He looks up as I enter, offering me a small smile.

"Ah, Miss Violet. Welcome. Please, take a seat wherever you like."

I nod, wanting to ask if Caine has spoken to him yet about this severing ritual, but there is no time as other students file in, I notice a few curious glances thrown my way, but no one approaches me. I'm not sure if that's a relief or disappointment.

Once everyone is seated, Professor Blackthorne clears his throat, and everyone shuts up. "Good evening. Today, we'll be discussing the origins of vampire kind and the various bloodlines that have emerged over the millennia."

As he begins his lecture, I settle into my seat, trying to focus on Professor Blackthorne's words. The history he's describing is fascinating—tales of ancient vampires, powerful bloodlines, and the evolution of vampire society.

But as interesting as it is, I suddenly feel a twinge of sadness. This should be exciting, learning about what I am now. Instead, it just reminds me of everything I've lost. My human life, my family, my future as I'd imagined it.

I shake my head, trying to dispel those thoughts. This is my reality now, and I need to embrace it. I force myself to concentrate on the lecture.

I find myself becoming more and more engrossed. The vampire world is complex and intricate, with its own laws, customs, and hierarchies. It's overwhelming, but also oddly thrilling. For the first time since I was turned, I feel a spark of curiosity about what I am, rather than just fear and resentment.

When class ends, I linger behind as the other students file out but before I can get up the nerve to ask Blackthorne if Caine had spoken to him yet, a girl bumps into me, hard enough to make me stumble .

"Hey," I snap, but she ignores me, walking out of the class.

Incensed, I follow her and grab her arm, spinning her to face me. "Do you fucking mind?" I spit out. "I'm not a fucking ghost, I'm a vampire, and I am visible."

The girl sneers. "Vampire. Sure. Call yourself that if you want, but you are nothing but low-level scum."

"What?" My mouth drops open in shock at her vicious words. "How do you know what I am? You don't know the first thing about me, you little shit."

Her eyes go wide that I dared to bite back and when I see Briar hovering nearby, the penny drops. This vampire girl is one of Briar's group of mean girls. They are used to ruling this place and aren't used to the creatures they pick on standing up for themselves.

Well, that ends now. "Go back to that little bitch friend of yours and tell her that I'm not some pushover she or you can bully into submission."

"Ugh," the girl says with as much disdain as she can inject into her tone. She pulls away from me, giving me the finger before she disappears into the crowd.

I lock gazes with Briar, and if looks could kill, I would be deader than undead. I scowl at her and turn my back, showing her I'm not afraid of her, which will likely piss her off.

Good. Fucking bitch. I'm glad Caine hasn't been there with her. It would make him extremely off- putting if he had, and I don't want him to be off-putting to me.

As I make my way to my next class, Blood Magick Basics, my mind is still reeling from the confrontation with Briar's minion. I can't believe the audacity of these girls, trying to bully me on my first day. Who do they think they are?

The hallways are crowded with students rushing to their next classes. I try to navigate through the sea of bodies, keeping an eye out for room 205. As I round a corner, I collide with someone, hard enough to make me stumble back.

"Watch where you're going!" a familiar voice snaps.

I look up to see Liam glaring at me. His expression softens slightly when he realises it's me, but there's still a wariness in his eyes.

"Sorry," I mutter, not really meaning it. After all, he walked into me too.

Liam shifts uncomfortably. "Yeah, well," he huffs and marches off.

I grimace at his retreating back, resisting the urge to give him the finger like that vampire girl did to me.