House of Night

Today seemed to be the best and worst day of my life. I was practically coughing up a lung as I walked up the steps to my house. I shakily sat down on the last step, rubbing my temple from the growing headache. It felt like my head was going to explode. As the sun began to set, a weird thing happened. My eyesight started to get blurry. Feeling dizzier than before, I laid down on my side on the step as a man with a sapphire crescent tattoo on his forehead suddenly appeared before me. Blinking up at him, I tried seeing him clearly but the only thing that wasn't blurry was that stupid tattoo that had additional spiral-y ones stretching down to his cheekbones.

With a raised hand and in a deep voice that sounded more like a spell said," Cristin Gutierrez! Night has chosen thee; thy death will be thy birth. Night calls to thee; hearken to Her sweet voice. Your destiny awaits you at the House of Night!"

Suddenly a shock went throughout my body and stayed in the middle of my forehead, burning slightly. Opening my eyes after the weird sensation, the man, who I now remembered was named a Tracker, was gone. Sitting up slowly I rubbed my forehead, groaning in annoyance. I've only lived here about a month and this happens? Shaking my head, I stood up on wobbly knees, grabbing onto the rail of the steps. Once the world stopped spinning, I took it as a sign that it was safe to reach my doorstep. Walking into my house, I stepped into the hallway and stopped in front of the mirror perched on the wall. I squinted at me that I believed wasn't really me in the reflection and blinked a couple of times, sweeping my blue hair away from my forehead to see a mark similar to the Tracker's. Only mine wasn't filled in…and it was...black?

What the kanoodles? Was I supposed to be freaked out about this? Weirdly I wasn't scared at all or panicking. Got to go with the flow. Nodding at myself, I thought it didn't look so bad but wait that meant I was a vampyre…didn't it? No! It meant I was a fledgling….same difference. The Tracker said something about a House of Night. Right! I remembered now from all those stories in school about the vampyres, I suppose I have to go there. Or I die, wonderful…I remember my history teacher saying something about the Change, how fledglings either reject it and die or go through with it and become an actual vampyre. That seemed pretty tricky but at least my headache went away and coughing lessened (not that that makes dying any better).

Jogging up the stairs to my room, I dropped my backpack on the side of my bed and grabbed clothes and other objects to take with me and dropping them into a suitcase. As I packed, I had time to think and I realized I didn't know how the fledglings were like. It's a new school all over again in just a month. What a bummer. Would they like me? Would they think I'm a freak because my Mark was a different color? But I heard there were red Marks now too…maybe their Goddess decided to be colorful. Would she be my goddess now? Mmm…rainbow vamps! I hope that doesn't mean everyone's gay. Not that I have anything wrong with people like that but still.

With a sigh I closed up the suitcase and grabbed my backpack which I filled with more things to take with me. Walking down the stairs, I thought of how lucky I am that my parents were off on business trips. Knowing my mom, she'd freak entirely and possibly faint and cause a scene and blah blah. Stopping at the kitchen, I grabbed a sharpie and note paper, scribbling down where I would be. I didn't feel like calling them would be the best idea.

Opening the door I slid my bags out onto the porch. Grabbing my keys from my front pocket I clicked on the unlock button to my electric blue Charger, thankful that I had a car and didn't have to walk around lost with luggage. I found that driving downtown wasn't so bad. I haven't really gotten the chance to tour Flagstaff but now that I think of it…will I get to? I haven't seen any vampyres/ fledglings during the time I've been here. That sounded really depressing. Being stuck in a school the entire four years? If you lived, that sounded even more depressing. Being so racked up in my thoughts I almost missed the turn to the school assuming I was right. Hesitating at the gate, I wondered if there was a bell or something but once I finished thinking that, the gates opened. Oh well, saves me from getting out too soon.

Slowing the car into the parking lot, I stopped it near what seemed to be the office in medieval form or something. And waiting outside of it stood a beautiful vampyre woman. Black pretty hair that fell in waves up to her hips, green eyes that looked like shiny emeralds and tall figure with a stunning black dress that made everything stand out, I was pretty jealous. Climbing out and closing the door to my car, she smiled a bright smile that kind of made me feel more nervous about being here.

As if reading my thoughts she met me halfway up the steps surprising me with a motherly hug, "Welcome to the House of Night! I'm Eros, High Priestess of this school, you can think of me as a principal of sorts. And don't worry, there's nothing to be nervous about. I know it's a different place, new things but you'll grow to love it I'm sure." Nodding slowly, I looked up at the vampyre whose tattoo I couldn't make out until now. It was a pretty sapphire tattoo that looked like swirls of spiked hearts that extended down to her cheekbones.

"Y-your tattoo is very pretty Miss." I don't know what made me say it but I just had to blurt it out and make me look stupid. Eros smiled, not seeming to mind (of course) and said," Thank you." With a sweep of her hand she pushed my blue bangs aside, not thinking it was weird that she did that to someone she barely knew. Blinking up at her in confusion, I stepped back a little because, unlike her, it was weird to me. As Eros continued to stare at me, I realized she was staring at the crescent tattoo, not me. "Ah. I've never seen that color before."

I thought I saw a look of annoyance in her eyes but when she blinked, I saw nothing but kindness. "Now, I'm sure you want to get settled in so let's get your things and show you around mm?" I stared at her a moment longer, wondering if I imagined the look but let it go and smiled slowly with a nod, "That would be nice, thank you.." I wasn't really sure on what to say so I walked back to my car and grabbed what little things I brought with me. Walking with her on what was about to be a tour of the school Eros began explaining what was what around here. "When you enter a House of Night, you're automatically emancipated and can legally change your name along with other perks…,"She paused and gave me a curious look," Would you like to change yours?"

Raising my brows in surprise, I stopped walking and looked at her questioningly. "Really? That sounds so awesome! But weird…?" I thought about it and chewed at my lip until I nodded," Why not? Frost Evans sounds like a fun name!" Eros's eyebrows rose slowly, I couldn't tell if it was by surprise or not. "Frost Evans? Very well." I could clearly see she didn't think it was a good name and I bit back my comment, deciding to just go with a nod. I started to look around the hallways as she began to talk again, telling me the rules and what's what. Before I knew it, we arrived at the girl's dorms and as I took in the details, the flat screen TVs, the beanbag chairs (always wanted one), the homey casual feel to the place. It looked like any other dorm lobby would look like. It made me relax, at least, slightly until the girls hanging out turned to look at me. I tensed up a little again and when Eros patted me on the shoulder, I felt silly for feeling so awkward among these fledglings. I was now one of them, I should act like it.

Giving her a smile in return, I mouthed a thank you and as she began to lead me up the stairs to my room, a girl shimmied towards us twirling a strand of long blonde hair as she chewed on gum. Her gray eyes gave me a once over and she smiled at me in a way that made me feel insulted. She had an air to her, as if she thought she was the shit. Along with two other girls strolling behind her, they appeared to be twins. Long, brown hair, same eyes, light tanned skin, they appeared to be Hispanic. Identical. And they all had sapphire crescent moons. The blonde girl who seemed to be leader looked over at Eros briefly,"Oh, High Priestess! I'm sure you have so many other better things to do. I can take her to her room if you want?" Her voice sounded a little too honey, stuck-up. It annoyed me but it seemed Eros didn't seem to notice how she acted. With a smile, she nodded to me and then her," Seraphiel, that would be lovely. It would give Frost here a chance to meet new people."

Seraphiel gave Eros what seemed to be a kind smile but to me looked slimy and fake. Murmuring some kind words to me, Eros gave me a final good bye and told the girls lounging about 'blessed be.' Whatever that meant. Seraphiel fisted her hand over her heart and bowed to the High Priestess, so did everyone else meaning I mimicked everyone and was sure I looked awkward. Stifling a sigh, I stood up when everyone else did and turned to look at the girl, crossing my arms. Usually, I'm not one to judge but when I get a feeling, it's best to follow it. Turning on my friendly smile, I nodded to her in greeting but all she gave me in return was an eye roll and motioned for me to follow.

"Okay. This is how this school works. I'm the queen here, everyone loves and obeys me got it? You best do the same before something happens to you." Seraphiel gave me a nasty smile as she led me up the stairs and I couldn't help but crinkle my nose. I mean I just moved here and I basically moved again just as fast. I cannot and will not put up with this.

"Okay. And who are you to tell me what to do? Clearly, you need an attitude check." I put my hands on my hips, refusing to let this girl bully me.

Her minions gave me twin looks of astonishment as they looked between me and Seraphiel. I got the privilege of seeing her demeanor crack even if was just for a second. Clearly, she had not expected this. With a toss of her hair, she simply led me down the hall to a door on the left at the end of it. Without another glance, Seraphiel pushed her way past me along with the twins who mimicked her actions leaving me stumbling back a few steps, "Azrael, Azriel I'm sure we'll make her feel right at home won't we?" The girls all laughed in a high-pitched annoying way. Why did they have to be the first people I met?

I shook my head, mumbling as I opened the door to my new room,"Unbelievable…I'm sure this is just the beginning of things."