Chapter One
The clock struck the eleventh hour, and Maria and I grabbed our schoolbooks. She yawned, her white teeth gleaming in the darkness.
"Another boring night at school," she said.
I nodded my agreement, and we left the dorm, entering the hallway. The other students were packed into hallway, moving towards the classroom. As soon as I set foot in the hallway, the crowd parted into two sides.
I walked through, acknowledging their respectful whispers with nods. At the door to the classroom my cousin, Stefan, held out his arm.
"Viorica."
He gently kissed my lips as the doors opened. I smiled up at him and took his arm.
"Stefan."
We walked in, the class following behind us. The classroom master, Maximus, frowned in disapproval. Stefan and I ignored him, taking our seats in the top row of the class. Our great classroom was shaped like an amphitheatre, encouraging our love of the Fine Arts. As soon as the class had settled, Maximus began.
"Good evening class. Today we'll be having a history lesson."
The class groaned and Stefan grimaced at me from the seat next to me.
"Family history lesson. Great."
I smiled for a second, then returned my gaze to Master Maximus.
"Our world is ruled by one family. That one family is immortal and pure, meaning their blood is not mixed with that of humans. To remain pure, this family intermarries within itself. It is only legal for them however, because they're 'royalty'."
Stefan opened his mouth in objection and I laid a hand gently on his arm. He looked down at me, his usually un-emotional face hinting towards anger.
"It's not worth it," I whispered.
Stefan nodded and returned his attention to Maximus's lesson. Maximus smirked as if he knew what I had told Stefan. Annoyance lightly churned through me at Maximus's disrespect.
"Now, as I was saying. Before, in ancient times, the royal family was aided in ruling by a High Senate. This Senate was made of representatives elected by the people. For one thousand years, everything was peaceful under the rule of King Propitius.
"But there was one man, the king's brother, who was not happy with his lot. His name was Prince Samuel, and he was the king's younger brother."
Maximus paused, leaning back on his desk. Behind him, the chalk rose and began writing all the names of the royal family of five hundred years ago. The assistant who was helping Master Maximus was mouthing the words he wanted to write. The class's attention strayed to look at him, then snapped back to Maximus.
"Samuel was the leader of the High Senate, but it was not enough. He began spreading lies about the royal family within the Senate. Soon after, the entire Senate was mutinous, but Samuel pretended to be innocent. He wanted to have a clean rise to power, so they say.
"The Senate put upon Samuel a proposition to put before the king. One stormy night, the Senate held their weekly meeting with King Propitius. Samuel bravely stood up and put forth the proposition he himself had planted in the Senate. He asked his brother to step down and give power to the Senate. Samuel had no intention of letting the Senate have power, of course. It was all a ruse until he was in a position to take that power.
"Propitius just then understood how evil Samuel was. He denied the Senate and banished Samuel."
The chalk fell back to desk with a clatter. Maximus looked around at his class in mock surprise. Most were paying attention, captivated by Maximus's storytelling.
"The next morning, King Propitius was found dead. Next to him was a note, saying 'You should have accepted.'"
A few people in the class gasped. Everyone was surprised, hearing this story for the first time. Stefan and I were unmoved. This was, after all, a story we had heard many times.
"Queen Rosa, though mad with grief, knew what had to be done. She knew that Samuel would return for her and the throne. Leaving her two twins, Dominik and Diana, with a trustworthy assistant, she met Samuel at the forest bordering the castle.
"You all know that every vampire has a unique power. Mine happens to be storytelling. Prince Samuel's was mind manipulation. Queen Rosa's gift was very unique and has never been seen in the royal line before or since. Queen Rosa could control all of the elements.
"Samuel loved Rosa as more than a sister and did not want to hurt her. But he would not allow anything to stand between him and the throne. He attempted to use the same mind manipulation he had used on the Senate, but because Rosa was so focused on protecting her children and the kingdom, it wouldn't work.
"Driving Samuel deep into the heart of the woods, Queen Rosa used her earth gift to open a giant oak tree. Calling forth a fierce wind, Queen Rosa pushed Samuel inside the tree and closed it with fire. Finally, using the ancient pureblood magick, she sealed the tree with the ultimate sacrifice- her lifeblood.
"You all should understand that the only way to kill a pureblood is to stab them in their heart of hearts- that is, the center of their heart. Using her own knife, Queen Rosa plunged it into her heart of hearts. With her last breath, she uttered an incantation to seal the tree forever.
"It is said that at the exact moment their mother died, Dominik and Diana became restless. They ran into the woods, leading virtually the whole castle to where Queen Rosa had died. Although they were only six years old at the time, they decreed that no one should enter that part of the forest again. And to this day, Prince Samuel lies in his oak tree, waiting to be released."
Stefan and I exchanged hard glances. I didn't like the way Master Maximus talked about Prince Samuel. He sounded too… adoring. Master Maximus folded his arms, apparently done with the lesson. I glanced around the classroom and saw that some girls had tears in their eyes. I rolled my eyes at the foolishness of them all.
"Master Maximus?" one girl raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"What were the words of the incantation?"
"No one except the purebloods knows. It is their magick, to be used only by them. But it is said that the incantation can only be undone with the blood of a pureblood. However, don't ask me about the royalty's rules. I myself don't understand them," he said, shrugging.
My anger rose and I laid a soft hand on Stefan's arm.
"Am I to understand that you are unhappy with the pureblood's rule, Master Maximus?" I asked in a soft but carrying voice.
Master Maximus gave me a tiny bow before replying.
"Not at all, Princess Viorica."
My eyes narrowed. I could tell when I was being lied to. I stood up slowly, ignoring Stefan's grasp around my wrist.
"What's your opinion on the High Senate returning, Master Maximus?" I had to force myself to remain polite. Always polite, always polite…
Master Maximus smirked.
"I do so wish Her Highness would stop being… impertinent."
Stefan's grip around my wrist disappeared and he was on his feet, along with the entire class. Stefan's eyes were taking on a red tinge due to anger. My eyes widened in shock and I slipped my hand into his in an effort to calm him down.
"You go too far, Master Maximus!" someone shouted.
I heard the whole class murmur in agreement. Relief blossomed in my gut, though I would never show it. I must never slip in my emotions…
"Well… my apologies, Princess Viorica."
I nodded briefly to him as the gong sounded, ending class. Stefan and I exited the classroom first, then the rest of the class followed. There was a buzz of talk about Master Maximus's disrespect. Suddenly everything went silent. I glanced around for the cause.
"Viorica."
I smiled as my father hugged me. Everyone had sunk to their knees and my father smiled graciously at all of them.
"Rise. Enjoy the night, for it is beautiful."
My father was well known for his kindness, but most saw him as a scary figure. He did appear frightening with his long dark hair and matching eyes, I suppose. But to me he would always be just a big teddy bear.
"Stefan, how are you?"
"I am well, uncle. But there is something I must discuss with you."
"Later, Stefan, during our meeting with your father. For now, enjoy the night. We only have a few hours of it."
He touched my nose, then walked off down the hallway. Now the hallway was completely deserted, everyone already off playing in the moonlight. Stefan slipped an arm around my waist and we walked back towards my room.
"Are you going outside tonight?" I asked.
"No. I've got a lot on my mind and I really wouldn't enjoy it anyway."
Disappointment shot through me, but the royal children were experts on hiding their feelings. I opened the door to my room, but Stefan kept a hold around my waist.
"Goodnight Viorica," he said, kissing me.
I kissed him back, but pulled away at the sound of footsteps. He smiled ruefully and began walking away. I watched him for a second, then sighed and went inside. I set my schoolbooks on my bed and sat in the window-seat, watching everyone outside.
People like us enjoy the night and everything about it. It makes us feel alive. The entire class was outside, running around and being free after the class. I closed my eyes, imagining what it would be like to be outside right now. The wind in my hair, the moonlight caressing my face…
I sighed, my eyes opening. Leaning back against the wall, I opened myself to my senses and feelings. My mother had taught me that the best way of warning came from being open to your senses.
I felt my classmates' happiness and freedom; I felt the exhaustion of the other academy students. I almost gave it up and went outside without Stefan, but I forced myself to continue. If I kept doing this, soon I would be attuned to everything without having to concentrate.
Suddenly I got a deep sense of foreboding. It got stronger with each passing second, and I fidgeted uncomfortably. I had the feeling that I was being watched. Throwing a quick glance out of the window, I noticed someone was watching me.
He looked about my age and very handsome. His face was upturned to my room as if he had known exactly where it was beforehand. We locked eyes and he smiled, his lips forming a single word. Then he turned his back and ran away.
It was at that moment that I knew he was human. A split second later, the realization of what he had said hit me.
Vampire.