My name is Cassie Stone. I am 16 years old, but I have no idea who my birth parents are. At the age of 8 I was found wandering around in the snow. There I was attacked by a vampire.
I am a Guardian at my school which happens to be owned by my adopted father. I have an adopted brother named Zach who is also a Guardian at the school for vampires and humans.
In order for the peace to remain at our school the humans could not know that vampire attended the same school as they so the headmaster had the vampires take classes at night.
Our school is built like a castle, filled with many rooms and bathrooms. The humans that go to this school live at the dorms on the west side of the school. Meanwhile the vampires live at the dorms on the east side of the school.
"Miss Stone?"
"Yeah?" I asked, yawning.
That caused the teacher to frown. "Do you know the theory to the American Revolution?"
"Nope."
"Please stay after class."
I let my green eyes drift out the window as the teacher turned to another student.
After class I went to the teacher's desk and nodded to everything he said amost as if I was agreeing. Then I raced into the hall to walk along side Zack.
"Are you helping tonight?"
Zack was suppose to be helping me make sure all the vampires and humans were where they were supposed to be and making sure we didn't have any intruders.
"You know I never do. Why should tonight be any different?"
"Please? I have a bad feeling." I pleaded.
He paused and for a second, I saw a glimpse of the old Zack, but then his guard was back up. "I'll be in my room if anything goes wrong."
He left me, going into his room. He used to share it with Aaron, our adopted brother.
4 years ago, Aaron and Abbie, our adopted sister, went into shopping in town to get me a birthday present. I begged them not to go, but they refused to listen to my pleas. In town, they were attacked and killed by a newborn vampire. From then on the headmaster, Walter, taught us to defend ourselves and others from vampires.
Walter asked Ace, a pureblood, to help train us. Ace was willing to help, but Zack refused to train with a vampire so he trained himself.
At first, I was nervous to be alone with Ace since he was the one who saved me 8 years ago, but everything without difficulty.
I shook my head to get out of the past. Glancing at my watch, I realized I was late. Again.
Hurrying outside, I went to the east dorms. Normally, I would have to push and shove at the crowd to get through. The humans would always try to get a glimpse of the beatiful vampire. Today was different, however, because we had exams tomorrow.
The east gates opened and the vampires all came out. Ace was in the lead and my heart started thumping loudly against my will.
"Hello, Cassie." He said.
I smiled slightly in return, my mind miles away.
"Lord Ace said hello. Answer him back." A vampire cried out. I instantly reconized her as Isabella, a fan of Ace's.
"No, it's alright." He turned back to me. "Cassie, is something wrong?"
I looked at the girls behind him with camera and then at the vampires. "No."
Suddenly, the girls sighed as their camera broke down. I glanced at Ace, but he showed no sign of doing anything.
"Leave us." He said to the other vampires. They slowly did as he commanded. "Now, what is bugging you?"
I smiled, realizing he knew me too well. "Something's going to happen tonight. Something that will change everything."
"Do you know what?"
"No, but...I know it has something to do with vampires."
"Is that all?"
"For now."
He gently patted my cheek. "Don't worry. It'll be fine." Ace started walking to the school.
"Ace?" He turned back to me. "Thanks."
Later that night, I was on guard duty. I was watching over the school from the top of the roof when I thought I saw a movement down below. Taking a few steps back, I ran off the side, grabbing tree brances on the way down.
"Not bad." I voice said once I landed safely on the ground.
"What are you doing out here, Drew?"
"Don't you know?" The vampire asked slowly circling her.
Realization dawned upon me. "Stay away from the humans, Drew."
"I don't want to drink their bood...I want to drink yours."
"Stay back." I said reaching for my dagger in my thigh shealth.
"Whose going to make me? You?" He laughed.
Suddenly, plants rose around my feet, trapping them before I could blink. The rose up around my legs and grabbed my wrists, holding them tightly.
It was then I remembered that Drew had a rare ability . He could control the one of the elements, earth.
"I thought you were Ace's friend." I said, silently struggling to break the plants.
"Hmmm. I guess you could say that, but one does get tired after going so long without human blood."
He disappeared and then reappeared behind me. Then he reached around me and put a hand on my chin, holding my head still. The other hand brushed my hair away from the side of my neck.
Then I felt his sharp fangs pierce my neck and Drew moaned as my blood rushed into his mouth. Minutes passed and my struggling grew weaker and weaker. Soon his arms were the only thing holding me up.
It was then I felt it. Anger...someone else was there and they were angry.
"Help." I whispered.
I was let go and the plants quickly released me, making me fall to the ground.
"I thought I said to stay away from the humans!" A voice said, in barely controlled anger.
"You did, milord." Drew said.
The first voice didn't answer for a minute. "Get to class. I'll deal with you later." Footsteps came near me. "Cassie? Are you awake?"
I whimpered as I tried to move, but couldn't.
"I'm going to touch you, okay?" Hands gently turned me on my back. "Oh my. What happened?"
"I...my fault." I managed to whisper.
"How can you say that? He forced you to let him drink your blood! I should kill him for that." Even though his voice should have been getting louder, it was becoming softer. I could barely make out his face any more. "Cassie? Cassie. Don't leave me. Wake up."
I tried to reassure him I wasn't leaving, but the darkness was closing in. I could barely feel anything as Ace swung me up in his arms, saying something I couldn't make out. I tipped my head back to look at him, but saw only the stars shooting across the night sky overhead. Then a wave of pain hit me and even Ace's arms weren't enough to keep me from falling.
I woke up to a warm washcloth wiping my neck. Slowly, opening my eyes, I saw Ace's face filled with worry. His eyes were red with hunger and filled with something else I couldn't reconize.
"Ace! Your eyes!" I tried to take the washcloth away, but pain hit me, momentary blinding me and making me gasp.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. You need blood. I could-"
"No! Don't say it. It's my fault. I haven't been drinking blood for a while."
"But why? You know you need-"
"How do you feel?"
"Better. Thank you." I took a deep breath and slowly sat up. "Did you kill Drew?"
"No, but I should have." He turned around and grabbed something. "Drink this." Ace gave me a glass filled with something that had white floating things in it.
"What's in this?" I asked taking it.
He smiled. "It's sugar water. Don't worry. It won't kill you."
I took a small sip. "Thank you, but I must be going. I should be guarding the school not laying around." I stood up, fighting to keep from falling back over and Ace quickly grabbed my elbow. "Thanks."
We walked out the dorms. I could barely walk now, but Ace was holding me up. Then I looked up and noticed we were heading back to the school.
"Where are we going?" I asked as he helped me into the school.
"To your room so you can sleep."
"But I need to-"
"Get some sleep. I will watch over the school for tonight." We were at my door.
"I can do it."
"You can barely stand. It would be safer for everyone if you rested."
"Maybe just for tonight. Thanks again." I let myself into my room, leaning on the door for help. After my door was shut, I dragged myself to my bed, sinking on it.
"Cassie, wake up." I heard a voice say.
"5 more minutes." I said, turning away from the voice.
Suddenly, the person grabbed my arm and threw me across the room. Blinking away my dizzyness, I stood and for the first time looked at the person.
He had long black hair and deep red eyes. His skin was pure white and it was easy to tell he was a vampire.
I gasped. "You're the vampire who tried to kill me 8 years ago. But I thought Ace killed..." I let my voice trail away.
"Why would he kill me one of his own kind? For you? You are just a human and a weak one at that. You mean nothing to him. He doesn't care about you. Why would he?"
"No, no, no! You're wrong! He does care, he does."
"Then will he protect you once I come to kill you?"
"Leave me alone. Go away. Just go away." I said, covering my ears.
"Cassie! Wake up! You're okay."
I woke up quickly and looked around.
"He was here. He was going to kill me." Tears were streaming down my face and Walter had his arms around me, gently rocking back and forth. Zack stood frozen in front of me, barely breathing, while a few people stood crowding the door.
"Nobody is going to hurt you. You're okay." His hand was running over my hair. "Zack, get them out of here."
Zach moved, almost woodenly, and shooed the people away, closing the door.
"He said...I...Ace..."
"It's okay." He hesitated. "When did you get bit?"
"He's gonna kill me."
"It's fine." He was slowly pulling away from me. "I'm going to get Ace."
"No! Don't leave me! He could come. He's going to kill me. He said he would." I clutched his shirt.
He pealed my hands away and stood. "Zack is going to stay here with you. You'll be okay."
Once Walter left, Zack sat on the bed next to me.
"How do you feel?"
"Terrible." I stood up, pacing in front of my bed. "What if he comes here? What if he hurts you guys? I have to go."
"You can't leave." He said, pulling me back on the bed beside him.
"But-"
"Zack's right." Zack and I both looked to the door. Ace was standing in the doorway and it was then I felt Zack stiffen.
"Did you bit her?"
"No, but I took care of who did."
"You better have." He squeezed my hand and walked out of my room and Walter followed.
Ace came over and sat next to me.
"You didn't cover your neck. Why?"
"I f-fell asleep." My body was starting to tremble. "But how'd they k-know?"
"Look at your sheets." I looked at my sheets which was filled with splats of blood from my neck. "I'll be right back, okay?"
He left before I could comment. Two minutes passed before he returned, but it felt like forever. I could hear the wind blowing outside. I could see the shadow's dancing in the full moon's light. I could feel the tremers slowly, shaking me, quickly building.
"Cassie?" Ace rushed from the doorway to in front of me. He knelt on his knees, slowly taking my hand. "He's dead. You saw him die. He can't hurt you no more."
"It...was so real."
"But it wasn't real. Now I got to wrap your neck. It's bleeding again." I looked into his brown eyes exspecting to find them red with hunger, but they weren't.
30 minutes later, I was laying back down on different sheets to go back to sleep though I had badly protested.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
"But the school..."
"Zack is watching over it." Walter said from, coming into my room and pulling up a chair from my dest to sit by Ace. "Now I would like to know how she got that bite."
I started to sit up. "It was my fault."
"I wasn't asking you." Walter admonished. "You need to sleep."
Laying back down, I closed my eyes, intending to stay awake. Then I realized I shouldn't have shut my eyes because their voices were forcing me to sleep.
When I woke, my curtains were drawn, letting the sunlight in. I sat up, feeling almost fully restored.
"I thought you'd never wake."
"How long was I asleep, headmaster?" I stood, raised my hands above my head and raised onto my tippy toes.
"About 10 hours. You'll have to take the exams sometime today."
"Okay, I'll take them now."
"First, " he said, pausing in the doorway, "get something to eat. You lost a lot of blood last night."
Later that day, after my exam, I went to the east dorms. I took a deep breath at the doorway and raised my fist to knock. When my fist was about an inch away, the doors opened.
"What do you want?"
"I need to speak with Ace."
"Lord Ace is sleeping as you should know. After all, you're the reason he was up so late."
"Now, now. There's no need to be so rude, Maria." A vampire walking up behind her said. He placed his hand on the back of her bare arm.
"Hmp." Maria pulled her arm away and walked away.
"Please do come in. I'm Jaden, the new transfer."
I stepped into the main room. It had 3 huge couches and 2 love seats. In the middle was a huge flat screen. There were stairs on both sides of the wall facing the doors.
"I'm Cassie Stone, the adopted daughter of the headmaster. It is a pleasure to meet you." I held out my hand to shake his, but he turned to on the side and kissed where my veins were.
Where he kissed it was hot and red, but after a moment it changed back to the normal color.
"The pleasure is all mine."
"How did you...?"
He smiled. "I am able to control fire. Now there are vampire here who control air, earth and fire."
"Oh, I didn't know that. Is there a vampire who can control water?"
"Why don't we sit?" He led the way to the love seats and sat down. I sat across from him, waiting.
"Well?"
He sighed. "I have been alive for hundreds of years, but only heard of one, actually only a few years back. I have no clue if it's truth or myth.
"Her name was Elda. She was 7 maybe 8 before her parents knew what she could do. Elda's parents were both pureblood, making Elda a pureblood, a vampire without a trace of human blood in their veins.
"Elda was a beautiful child, even for a vampire with long black hair. Her eyes were a mix of blue and green, but would always be filled with kindness and innocence. Her skin was pale as white and her lips as red as blood. In some ways, she was a vampire version of...Snow White."
"What happened to her?"
"No one knows. A few weeks after everybody knew she could control water, her parents were killed and Elda disapeared. Everybody believes, though, that her mother sacrificed her life to make Elda forget her memories. Nobody knows for sure since vampires turn to dust once they die."
"Whoa, that's a neat story."
"Not as neat as yours."
"What do you mean?"
"Lord Ace found you and saved you in the middle of nowhere. You don't know where you came from or who you parents are. Better yet, you owe your blood to Ace."
"W-what do you mean?"
"He saved you, didn't he? You should go to him and offer him your blood. Beg him to drink every last drop your body can produce. Have him-"
"Enough."
Jaden and I both stood, turning towards the voice.
"Lord Ace, I'm sorry if I stirred some bad memories." Jaden bowed before Ace, then turned back to me. "I must be going, my dear." He picked up my hand and kissed the back this time, grinning slyly at Ace before leaving.
"I think I like him."
"He's a flirt."
"I came to thank you. I don't know what happened last night."
"You didn't have to thank me."
"I wanted to so um...thanks." I walked to the door.
"Wait, Cassie." I turned towards him. "Would you like to go to town tomorrow with me? I have to pick up a few things."
I smiled. "I would love to."
Early the next morning, I woke to the sensation that I was being watched. I slid my hand to Chi O Nomu when he spoke.
"It's only me." Ace's voice said. My eyes flew open. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"No, it's fine." I sat up. "How long were you there?"
"Only for a few minutes. You're very peaceful when you're sleeping."
"Oh, okay. Are you ready?"
"Yes. I'll wait outside for you." He left and I quickly changed into a black skirt and a white tank top. Next, I placed a thigh shealth under the short, fluffy skirt and turned Chi O Nomu into a dagger, placing it in the shealth. Finally, I took the wrap off my neck and combed my hair over it.
I met Ace outside the door and together we walked to the main gates. As we approached them, we saw 2 figures there waiting.
"I don't believe you two." Ace said.
"It's our duty to protect you, Lord Ace." Maria said.
"I only came, because I heard Cassie was coming." Jaden said, smiling at me.
"I don't mind if you two go, but you should asked Cassie."
Jaden and Maria both looked at me. "I don't mind, either."
"Then we're off." Ace said.
We took off. After a few minutes of akward silence, I looked at Ace. "Can a pureblood marry a normal vampire?" I was thinking of him and Maria.
"Yes, if they both choose."
"What kind of abilities does a pureblood have?"
A leaf was blowing in the wind. It stopped in front of me and blossumed into a rose. Ace took it and placed it behind my ear. "All kinds."
"Can all vampires have kids?"
"Yes, but they ususally wait until they're married and even then they don't have many."
I could see the buildings which meant we were almost there. Soon we would be able to hear all the activity.
"So, Cassie, how many kids do you want?" Jaden asked, causing Ace to turn and glare at him.
"I haven't decided yet. How about you?"
"Maybe 2 or 3, but first I got to find a wife.
Ace cleared his throat as we stopped in front of a store. He looked at Maria, then Jaden. "Jaden, come with me. Maria, stay with Cassie."
Jaden and Ace went inside and Maria started walking around. I followed her, but she kept going faster and faster. Then I raced around one corner and she wasn't there.
My senses went on high alert. Tensing, I looked around.
I was in the isolated part of town. The houses and shops had broken windows with pieces of cloth in them.
I started to head back when I heard a high pitched laugh.
"You going somewhere?" A voice asked. I looked up. There was a vampire with wild red eyes, long brown hair and lips stained with blood.
"Y-you're a newborn."
"Yes, a newborn that's going to drink your blood!" He lunged at me before he finished speaking. I grabbed Chi O Nomu from its shealth, looking up in time to slash the vampire's right cheek. It hit its target and blood sprayed onto my face.
The vampire jumped back, its' eyes bigger than before. I wiped the blood off my face and raised my weapon.
"That...that knife...is..." He stumbled back a step.
"I believe you know my weapon, Chi O Nomu. It's name means blood drinker. Chi O Nomu takes the blood from the blade and uses it to change form."
"Just because you have that weapon doesn't mean you're any good." He came at me again. I slashed towards him, but he dodged it, laughing. The newborn lashed out with his claws and I dodged one, but didn't have time to dogded the other.
It struck my wrist and I hated that I didn't have a jacket on to protect me. Blood oozed out and the newborn stepped back to smeel the air, now tainted with the smell of my blood.
"I knew yours would be best."
"Just how many people have you killed?"
"I don't know, hundreds." He paused, some of the red in his eyes fading. "You know, that weapon can hide a vampire."
"What does that mean?"
"It means he's trying to distract you." A voice said from behind me.
The newborn raised his hand, pointing. "Y-y-you're a-a-"
"A pureblood. This lady is under my protection." Ace came from behind me and stood between the newborn and I.
"Y-yes, master. So very s-sorry." He bowed to Ace and quickly ran away.
"Jaden, Maria, go after him. Make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else."
"But, Lord Ace, we need to-" Maria started to say.
"Go!"
Maria and Jaden raced after the newborn.
"Are they going to kill him?"
"Yes." He said, turning towards me.
"But why?"
"He can't control himself. He'll just keep feeding on humans. Do you want that?"
"No, but it's not fair."
"Nothing never is. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes."
The whole way back I walked farther away from Ace than before. I was mad at him. Not only was he playing God, but he was also keeping secrets from me.
"Who was she?"
"Who?"
"Elda. Who was she to you?"
"It doesn't concern you."
"It does. We always shared everything. Why won't you tell me this?"
"Because she was to be my wife."
"W-what?"
We were at the school gates and as they swung open, Ace disappeared.
A hour later, a knock came on my door. I was laying on my bed, trying to rest.
"Go away."
The knock came again, louder this time. I got up and threw open the door.
"I said-" Before I could utter another word, a hand gripped my throat and tossed me against my bedroom mirror, cracking it.
"What did you do to him?" Maria yelled, eyes flashing. Her whole body was shaking with barely controlled anger.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Ace is sitting in his room and won't come out...so what did you do?"
With each word she took a step closer to me until she was inches from my face.
"Get away from her." A voice said from the doorway.
"This doesn't involve you, Zack." Maria snarled.
"She's my sister so it kind of does."
Maria glared at me once last time and disappeared. I looked at Zack who shook his head.
"You got to be more careful around vampries. You never know when they're going to kill you." He said before leaving.
I sighed and hurried to the east dorms. The main doors opened to reveal Drew in a chair slowly sipping a glass of blood. When he saw me, he put the glass down and stood up.
"Hello."
"Hi. I'm looking for Ace."
"He's in his room. Shall I take you to him?"
"If you're not too busy."
Drew led me up the stairs and to a room at the end of the hall.
"Here we are."
"Thank you. Um, did Ace punish you too harshly?"
He smiled. "Not too bad, but for your blood it was worth it." He walked back downstairs as I knocked on Ace's door, then entered slowly.
"Ace? Are you in here?" I looked around the room. It was filled with paper. Some were even floating in the air.
"Are you looking for me?" Ace asked. He was slumping in a chair at the darkest corner of the room.
"I'm sorry for bringing up Elda."
"Don't be. I should have told you earlier." He stood and walked to the couch. "Come sit. I'm going to tell you about her now."
"It isn't my business." I said even though I sat next to him.
"My parents and Elda's were best friends. They grew up together, had parties together,and even protected each other.
"I was 9 years old when Elda was born. Our parents decided at once that we should marry. I didn't want to marry Elda, but my parents told me I would grow to love her. In time, I did.
"Elda had a sweet heart. She saved everything. Even when she drank blood, she would limit herself to how much she drank.
"When Elda was 8 years old, we learned she could control water. She was the 1st found who could and everybody wanted her for their own use."
"Wait, a minute. Why would they all want her?"
"Water heals. She could use it to cure anything. In fact, she could change a newborn into a normal vampire.
"One night, Elda's house was attacked by other vampires and vampire hunters. My parents and I were there. Elda's father and my parents tried to hold them off from the outside while I stayed inside with Elda and her mom.
"Then Elda's mom made me promise to always take care of her little girl. I promised I would and she took Elda into another room and erased her memory, giving her a chance to forget us, to forget me and have a chance to live in the human world without knowing who she was.
"I tried to take Elda away from the house, but she ran from me. She went outside and I lost her through all the people."
"Did you ever find her?"
He hesitated. "Not Elda."
We didn't say anything for a few minutes. Then he stood up and grabbed my hand.
"Come on." He pulled me out of his room, down the stairs and into the main room where almost all the vampires now were talking.
"Lord Ace." They all stood and bowed.
"Lord Ace, take my seat." A vampire said, moving away from the seat.
Ace moved towards the chair and sat down, pulling me onto his lap. I protested and tried to get up, but he placed an arm around my waist, pulling me against his chest. My shoulder was against his chest, his shoulder by my head.
The vampires all sat back down and Maria flipped the T.V. on. When I looked at the vampires, they were all staring at me. I thought they were wondering why I was here, but then I noticed their eyes had a little red in them. They were hungry and I was the only living meal here. I shivered and Ace looked away from the T.V.
As soon as he looked at them, they all looked away.
A while later, I yawned and laid my head lightly against Ace's shoulder, quickly falling asleep.
"What did you say to her?"
"Nothing, but the truth, milord."
"Did you hurt her?"
"Mentally or physically?" Maria asked, smiling.
"Both."
Maria shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think so, but you never now with humans."
Ace glared at her until she started squarming.
"Why'd you leave her in town?"
"Because she doesn't deserve you. She is a human and you...you are a pureblood. Among the last. Your blood isn't tainted with human blood. Many vampires would lay down their life for a chance to be by your side. They would kill hundreds for a taste of your bl-"
"Enough!" Ace cleared his throat and spoke more quietly. "I don't care what others will do. Cassie is a good person, human or vampire."
"But she's human and it's now forbidden for a vampire to be with a human."
"I don't think she is." All the vampires turned to look at Drew. "Human, I mean. Her blood was so rich and heavenly. We could probally drain her right-"
All of a sudden, Ace laid Cassie down and went to Drew throwing him across the room.
"Never ever talk of anything like that about her again!" Ace said, his eyes red and his body shaking.
"Which part? The part where she might not be a human or the part where I think we should drink her blood?"
Cassie stirred and yawned, streching. Then she blinked her eyes.
"What's going on?"
Ace ran to her side. "Nothing, let's go back to the school."
He walked Cassie back to the school where both Walter and Zack were waiting.
"Thank you for exscorting me back."
He smiled and and started to walk back to his dorms when he stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Good night, Cassie."
"Good night." I sighed as he walked away and almost missed the glance between Zack and Walter. "What?"
The headmaster smiled and left so I turned to Zack.
"Well?"
You are starting to fall in love with that vampire and you got to stop. You live in different worlds. There is NO way you can be together."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I don't-"
"If you can't see that, then we have nothing to talk about."
I went to my room, setting Chi O Nomu on my desk. Just as I changed clothes and laid down for a few seconds of rest, a knock came on my door. I got up and answered it.
"May I come in?"
"Of course, Drew." I let him in my room and shut the door. "Can I help you?"
"I came to say sorry for drinking your blood. If there's anything you need, don't be afraid to ask." He started to leave.
"Wait!" He paused. "I...need you to train me."
"I thought Ace already did."
"He never finished."
"Why not?"
"He...said he didn't want to hurt me."
"Hmmm. Okay, I'll do it."
I smiled slightly. "When do we start?"
"Tomorrow. An hour before dawn." He left before I could say anything else. It was then that I was really glad that it was a Friday and the headmaster would be watching the school.
Early the next morning I woke to something pressed against my mouth. Opening my eyes, I saw it was Drew's hand.
"Get up and don't make a sound." He removed his hand and jumped from my open window.
I quickly changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, grabbing my weapon. Leaving my feet bare, I followed him into the dark morning.
We traveled through the woods for a few minutes until we came to a clearing. He walked a few feet away and turned towards me.
"Before we begin, close your eyes and take a deep breath."
I did as he asked, raising Chi O Nomu in case I would need it.
"Are you relaxed?"
I nodded and opened my eyes.
"Then let's begin."
"Aren't you going to tell me what to do?"
"No. I believe in learning by doing." He closed his eyes and suddenly opened them. They were glowing bright green.
I tensed waiting for him to attack when a movement to my right jerked my attention away. Not a second passed when he grabbed my neck and threw me into a tree.
"Careful, aren't we?" I asked scarcasm in my voice.
"You enemy will want to kill you. If you want to leer, you must think of me as an enemy."
I took a deep breath and stood, keeping my eyes on Drew. "What'd I do wrong?" I rolled my sleeves up.
"You took your eyes away. You must always be aware of your enemies."
"Okay, I'm ready." I picked Chi O Nomu off the ground and bent my knees slightly.
Drew looked slightly to my left and his eyes widened. I looked to my left, then quickly looked back just in time to see his fist swinging towards me.
I dogded his hand, smacking it to the side. He went on his left leg, swinging the right towards my feet. I put Chi O Nomu in my mouth and jumped up, grabbing a tree branch. Then I jumped off of it, twisting in the air and landed behind Drew, smiling.
Suddenly, my feet were trapped and Drew flickered out of my sight. I shut my eyes, allowing my senses to sprend.
"Miss me?"
I opened my eyes as he brought his hand around my neck, twisting it to the side, exposing it bare.
I turned Chi O Nomu backwards, but he dogded it, laughing.
We continued for 4 hours and just as my body started hurting, Drew called my training to a stop.
"That's enough."
"But-"
"Keeping your body healthy is also part of your training."
"So we meet again tomorrow?"
"Yes, and if you're late, your training will be worse."
"Yes, sir." I saluted him and he smiled before disappearing. I sighed and headed back to the school.
"Where have you been?" Zack asked as I emerged from the woods.
"In the woods."
"What for?"
"Uh...no reason." I noticed he had a wad of money in his hand. "Where are you going?"
"To town to pick up a few things. Want to come?"
"I would, but I have to take a shower." I started to head into the school when he grabbed my hand. I began to pull it away when I noticed he was staring at my cut from yesterday.
"How'd this happen?"
"It was nothing." I gently pulled my hand away and some part of me missed the warmth of his. I shook my head.
"Tell me." Zack's voice was low and filled with something I couldn't reconize.
"I went to town and got a scratch from a newborn."
"Have you treated it?"
"Not yet."
"Come on."
30 minutes later, Zack finished wrapping my arm, this time, though, it had some medicine on it to protect it against infection.
"Hey, Zack?"
"Yeah?"
"Why do you hate vampires so much?"
He sighed and leaned against the shower doors. "They ended my life."
"How?"
"It's...compicated."
"So explain it."
"My parents were vampire hunters. Among the best. They were very happy and so were my sister and I.
"One night, my parents were out hunting and my sister and I were snuggled in their bed when we heard the front door open. My sister hurried to it and I raced after her.
"When we got to the door, we discovered it wasn't our mom or dad. Instead it was a vampire. It attacked my sister first and I stood watching, frozen with fear. My parents came in then and attacked the vampire, but it killed them too.
"Vampire hunters saved me before I got bit and they took me to the headmaster. The rest you know."
Tears were streaming down my face and Zack looked at them before wiping them away.
"Why are you crying?"
"For you. For the pain you went through."
He smiled and I think we both realized we were too close at the same time. His hand was still on my cheek. We leaned towards each other. Then a knock on the door interupted us.
Zack jumped up and opened the door, revealing a shocked teacher. He went passed the teacher and I hurried after him.
"Zack...wait."
"No, I refuse to get close to anyone else. Besides, you love that vampire."
"Just wait. You don't understand. He would never hurt me."
"You think that matters? If I fall for you and you fall for that monster, I will just get hurt again. It doesn't matter if he killed you if you love him." He looked back at me. "Just forget I said anything."
I stopped following him and went to the headmaster's office. Once there, I knocked on the door and went inside when he answered.
"Ahhh, Cassie, just the girl I want to see."
I paused in the doorway. "Why?"
"To organize the end of the year dance, of course." Before he even finished, I sighed and walked into his office.
A few weeks passed and I continued my training with Drew. Things were the same as before with Zack and I. Then it was the day of the dance. Both vampires and humans would be coming.
"Cassie? Are you in there?" Alison, my best friend asked.
"Yep."
She came in holding a box.
"I brought you a gift."
I turned towards her. "You didn't."
"No, but Ace did." She raised her eyebrows. "Something you want to tell me?"
"No." She placed the box in my hands and I set it on the bed, opening it. In the box, there was a long, flowing black and red dress. It was all black except for the red belt and the red underskirt.
On top of the dress, there were black sandals with a necklace on them. The necklace had a red heart on it.
"Whoa. Handsome boy had some serious money."
"I was just going to wear jeans and a T-shirt."
"Not any more. Go take a shower and put that gorgous dress on. I'll do your hair and make-up."
An hour later, my hair was up in a beautiful bun with curly strands hanging down. I had a ton of make-up on. The shoes and dress had both fit perfectly.
When I looked into my new mirror, I looked like a different person. Even though I was 16, I looked to be about 20. My usual brown hair had sparkels in it and my geen eyes were shining brightly.
The dress clunged to the top of my body and hung loose around my legs. The shoes were comfortable and easy to glide in.
"Excuse me, do I know you?" Alison asked.
I smiled. "I don't even know if I do. You did a wonderful job with my hair and make-up."
We heard the music start to play as we both looked in my mirror. As I started to grab Chi O Nomu, Alison took it away and put it in my drawer
"Now, go on out there and give lover boy a kiss and relax. Nothing's going to happen."
My cheeks quickly grew red. "I thought he was handsome boy."
"Oh, he still is."
We hurried to the ballroom where the dance was being held. When we entered, Alison smiled at me and went to her date.
I looked for Ace and when I didn't see him, I went to Drew, thinking he knew where Ace was.
"You sure clean up nicely."
"Thank you. Do you know where-"
"On the balcony...waiting for you."
Once again that night, I blushed. Then I went to the balcony door and saw Ace leaning on the balcony looking down.
"Thank you for the dress."
He turned towards me and his eyes widen momentaryly before he grinned. "You're most welcome. I'm glad it fits so well."
"Yes, it's a perfect fit."
As a new song began to play, he bowed before me, hand out to accept my own hand. "May I have this dance?"
"But of course."
We danced for most of the night on the balcony. Toward the end of the dance, I felt a sharp racking pain run throughout my body. When I gasped, Ace stopped dancing and pulled back.
The pain came again. As it struck, I fell to the ground on my knees, my arms wrapped around my waist. My head was on the ground.
"Cassie?" I could tell he was starting to panic, but I could do nothing to reasure him.
The pain stopped a few minutes later and when I looked up, I saw Ace's face filled with shock. I stood up and as I did so, I noticed my nails which were painted red where now white and long.
I took a deep breath. When I enhaled, I smelled something that made my head snap to the ballroom. It took everything I had not to go in there without saying good bye to Ace.
"Cassie?" I looked at him, eyes wide. "Where's Chi O Nomu?"
"In my...room." My voice came out high and musical. "What happened?"
"We got to find the headmaster. He will explain. Do you know where he's at?"
"R-right below us. At the outside entrance."
Ace stepped near me and pulled me into his arms and before I could object, he jump from the balcony. I laughed as we landed.
"Cassie?" The headmaster asked once Ace released me.
"She took it off."
"Where is it?"
"Her room. Shall I get it?"
"No, it's time we tell her the truth."
"I'm right here, you know. What have you been keeping from me?"
The headmaster placed his hand on my upper arm, but I didn't care. I was so mad, but...why?
My hand shoved his off me and my nails caught on his palm, and the smell of blood rose in the air. A wild untamed part of me wanted to grab his hand and drink his veins dry, but the little piece of humanity remained.
"Go to the dorms. Get her to drink and I'll meet you in a few." The headmaster said, closing his fist once he saw my eyes latched on the blood.
"But the vampires might..."
"I am a hunter. I can take care of myself. Now go while she is still calm."
"Ace." I asked, shakened. "What happened? Why do I want blood? Am I a vampire?"
"Keep calm." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the dorms. Once there, he led me to his room and sat me on his bed. Next, he went to his frige and grabbed a blood bag. He grabbed a cup and straw and poured the blood into it. "Drink this."
"But it's blood." I said before he shoved the straw in my mouth. I drained it and the hunger wore off. It was then the headmaster came in. "Are you going to tell me what's going on now? I just drank blood, for cryin' out loud."
"Cassie, calm down. What we're going to tell you is you're kind of weird."
"I'm a human and I just drank blood. Isn't that weird enough?"
Ace sat beside me and reached for my hand. "Do you remember the story I told you about Elda?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with me?"
The headmaster gave me a mirror and I looked in it. My face was pale and free of any make-up. My eyes were green mixed with blue and my hair was out of the bun. It was black and long and filled with curls.
"What's going on? Why do I look different?" As I spoke, the windows started cracking.
"Calm down. You got to calm down. Remember how I told you I didn't find Elda?"
"Yes."
"I found you instead, but you were no longer Elda."
I let his words sink in and then stood. "You're telling me I'm a vampire?"
"Yes."
"Then why can't I still remember?"
"You...have to drink blood from a vampire before you start to remember."
"I'm going to leave now." The headmaster said. "And, Cassie, you won't be able to wear Chi O Nomu any more."
He left before I could comment so I turned to Ace. "Why can't I?"
"Because it's a weapon that kills vampires. There's a chance it could kill you. It once blocked your vampire nature, but it won't be able to again. The magic only works once."
"But I took Chi O Nomu off lots of times."
"Not for this long of time like tonight."
"Oh."
I swallowed as he bared his wrist. I could see the veins in his skin. When he raised it to my mouth, I looked away.
"Drink it. Your memories have to return or you'll tourture yourself."
"No, I'll hurt you." He lowered his hand and I relaxed. Then he used his nail and cut the skin, raising to my mouth once more. I started to turn away, but the smell held me mesmerised.
Ace pressed his bloody wrist against my lips and I opened them, allowing the blood to creep in. I moaned and grabbed his wrist with both hands, sinking my teeth deep into his arm.
As his blood fed me, memories came rushing back one by one. When it started to make my head pound, I pulled away for a minute, breathing heavily.
"You okay?" He asked, watching me carefully.
I nodded and began drinking his blood again. Once all my memories came back, I knew for a fact I was Elda. Ace held me as I began crying.
"It's okay."
"No, it's not. They died because of me. I should have protected them."
"You were only 8. There was no way you could have."
"I could have gave my life for theirs."
"Oh, honey, they wouldn't have wanted it that way."
"But they shouldn't have died. It's not fair."
"I know, I know."
"Why did they want me so bad? I would've helped them all."
"They were greedy. We had no choice but to run."
"So it's true? Cassie is a vampire." Zack said from the doorway. He had a long sword in his hands.
I stood and took a step toward him, but he raised the sword, pointing it at me.
"Stay back...vampire."
"Zack..."
Ace came to me and pulled me behind him.
"Get out of here or I will kill you."
"Ace..."
"No, he's going to kill you."
"You have one day to get out of here before I tell the vampire hunters you are here and I'm sure they'll want to keep or kill you." Zack said to Cassie before leaving.
"We have to leave. I don't want the students to be killed next."
"Calm down. We can stay and fight if you want."
"No, people may get hurt. We have to leave. Tonight."
"Okay, go pack and say good-bye by to everyone. I'll tell the vampires what's going on."
"No, I want to go with you. I don't know if I can control myself yet."
When he smiled the light didn't reach his eyes. "It'll be okay." He stilled had my hand and he pulled me down into the main room.
The vampires were all sitting down again talking, but when they all stood up and stared at Cassie.
"Uh, Lord Ace, who is this?"
He smiled. "I know she looks different, but Cassie still looks like herself."
"Cassie? Oh, Lord Ace, you didn't. You know, you can't change a human without the c-"
"I didn't change her. Everybody I would like to inroduce you to Elda, my future wife. She was sleeping for a long while, but she's awake now."
Maria sat back down eyes wide. "It all make sense now. Why'd you paid her so much attention?" She looked at me. "No, offense, my lady."
"None is taken and please call me Cassie...or Elda. I spent half my life listening to both names."
"We must be leaving. There will be people after her soon. I want you all to behave while I'm gone and don't hurt the humans.
"You say that as if we aren't coming with you." Jaden said.
"You won't be."
"We have a free will and we choose to follow you." Maria said.
"All of you? Won't that look suspicious?" I asked.
"Some of us will stay. Only those really close to Ace will go. That includes me, Drew, and Jaden." Maria named a few others.
The next morning we were all packed and ready to go. We didn't want to say good-bye because we knew we would be back.
"Wait, wait!"
We turned around and Walter was hurrying towards us.
"You going to be good?" Ace whispered in my ear. I knew he meant about my bloodlust so I nodded.
"Just where do you think you're going without saying good-bye?" Walter grabbed me and hugged me tightly. My face was by his neck. I could bit into him and drain him of blood. I pulled back abruptly.
"We thought it would be better without saying good-bye."
"No, you wouldn't want me to worry now, would you?" He looked at Ace, raising a finger. "You take care of her, you hear me? I don't want her coming back here hurt."
Ace laughed and shook Walter's hand. "I won't."
A few minutes later we said our good-bye. I looked at the school, hoping for Zack to come out, but he didn't. Ace squeezed my hand sympathicly. Then we left.
An hour later, somebody was still watching the gates from his room. Cursing himself for being so stupid, he finally turned away from his window. He sharpened his sword and put it in its shealth, preparing himself for a hunt. He was going to hunt down the girl of his dreams and kill her...no kill the monster that had taken over her body. Zack sat down on his bed and cried his eyes out.
THE END
(for now!!)