Chapter Two: The unexpected guest…

"Way to go D'trell. Ahahaha, reeeeall smooth." The oh-so-familiar voice of Marcus Carter sang in Vince's ear. He turned around to find his best friend dressed in white Ecko Unlimited hi-tops, black jeans and a snug white, short -sleeve that emphasised his muscular arms. Marcus was of Arabic decent and unlike his twin; he had tousled black hair with silver streaks that sprawled across his head. It had sort of a messy, boyish look to it. His eyes were the colour of jade; smooth, silky and deep. He had a perfectly straight nose and facial features that looked like they'd been chiseled from marble. His jaws were carved at such a precise angle; they made his cheekbones stand out in the most gorgeous manner. It was basically a better looking version of Chase Crawford with black hair and silver streaks. Marco's lips, that always held a hint of amusement pulled up into a lopsided grin.

"Seriously man, you've GOT to get a grip. I mean telling her? Nuh-uh, we A's got to keep ourselves in the dark you know. Hell, she could be an Anamorphs destined to kill every Amaranthine in the world," Marcus' grin vanished, "Kidding." He laughed out loud at his own joke.

Amaranthines.

Telling Iza about the Amaranthine had been a total mistake. Not only had he broken the Nightingale's Covenant's number one rule, but he had also earned himself a very long conversation on how the foundation of a relationship was trust. And all this other talk about how if he had kept his true self (a non-mortal) from her this whole time, what more was he capable of hiding? Vince felt his eyebrows pulling together into a dark frown, and he attempted to shake the feeling of being watched off.

"Hey, don't dwell on it man, I mean, we can't ALL be as perfect as I am," Marcus winked as he dodged a few students in the hallway.

Nightingale Academy had a freaking massive hallway. On each side, there was an even amount of bright blue lockers that stretched for what seemed like forever. In between each of the lockers, there were framed pictures of students, teachers, etc. who had accomplished a great achievement of some sort. The corridor's floors were made of pale, orange coloured tiles that gleamed when bathed in sunlight. Above, was the high stained glass ceiling, that was slightly tinted to avoid too much sunlight entering in. At the end of every hallway, there were a bunch of stairs that led to different sections of the academy. They were iron, spiralled stairs with floral engravings on them. It was the little things like this, that made Nightingale Academy look more like a palace than a boarding school and all in all, the Academy's hallways were pretty enchanting.

At the bottom of the stairs, the corridor divided into two separate sections, and both guys took the left turn leading to the library.

"Wanna help me study for my "human" biology assignment? You know, it might get your mind of things-not that my\ dazzling looks don't already do that." Marcus formed quotation marks with his fingers whilst he entered the automatic sliding doors. Instantly, they were greeted with the cool air from the library's cooling system.

"Marcus, you're an idiot," Vince brushed his charcoal hair out of his eyes and headed for the computer's at the back. If the corridors were enchanting, then the academy's library was ten times better. It was built in a dome shape, and had a high ceiling that-like the corridors-was also made of stain glass. Inside the library, there were computers and laptops that were arranged in a semi-circle on one side, and bookshelves on the other. The bookshelves, which were made of metal planks, had electronic labels on them that told you where you could certain genres off books were located. They also had small LCD screens, as well as QWERTY keyboards under them so students could search for written resources.

Aaww, now that's a bit harsh Vince. I mean, I know I'm not the SMARTEST person in the world but I wouldn't go as far as calling myself an idiot, oh good friend."

Another lopsided grin.

Placing his small notebook on the desk, Marcus pulled out a swivel chair and sank in it gratefully. His right hand moved over to the computer mouse as he started to log on.

Vince followed suit, but didn't' t bother turning on the computer. He was here to take his mind of Iza, how she'd turned his back on him when he needed her to trust him the most. Logging on and looking at his desktop background-a picture of him and Iza- would not help at this particular time.

The library was packed with students today; some doing assignments, finishing off last minute essays and others playing computer games. Vince's blue eyes scanned the area passively, just as Clement burst through the sliding doors. His eyes met with Vince's and immediately his face lit up.

"Twin two has entered the building" A chuckle escaped Vince's lips as he waved at Marcus' other half. Clement Carter looked nothing like his twin Marcus. For one, he was deathly pale, while Marcus had a rich olive completion. Where Clément's eyes were bright, vivid blue, Marcus' were a deep green. Where Clément's idiosyncrasy was reserved, meticulous and collective, Marcus' was quirky, flirtatious and sarcastic. The only thing the pair shared was the same date of birth and their jet black hair.

"D'trell. Brother." Clement crossed the library in six short strides and nodded in acknowledgement at the pair perched behind the computer screens, just as a boy emerged from behind him. Marcus spun on his chair away from the screen so he was facing Clement.

"Why if it isn't jack frost himself. What brings thee here? "

"Shut up mafia. And I came here to introduce my mate here." Clement gestured to the boy that now stood next to him.

I see. Well, always nice to have someone new in this palace. I'm Marcus Carter-you can call me Carter, this is Vince -you can call him D'trell, and you've obviously met my twin brother Clement Carter-and you can call him...whatever you like," Marcus grinned one of his charming smiles an extended a hand.

The boy at Clements's side exchanged handshakes with Marcus who's lips held another one of his cocky grins, then did the same with Vince.

"Cheers, I'm Dominique De Souza"

Vince eyed him closely. Dominique had a firm built, and very square shoulders. His messy, bronze-coloured hair was sprawled around his head and over his eyes creating a frizzy afro. The boy had dark exotic eyes and tanned skin. A tight, black, singlet exposed his large biceps. He could have been as young as seventeen with that sly grin he wore. His teeth were spaced evenly in his mouthed and when he covered them; his soft pink lips formed a slight curve in the left side of his mouth. Vince inspected him closer. Damn, this guy was cute. In fact, he was almost toogood looking. There was a certain charisma about him, charm, something about him that tingled his sixth sense. He didn't like at all. He sneaked a sideways glance at Marcus and they shared a look of disapproval that unfortunately, Dominique yet seemed to notice.

"So, when'd you enrol at Nightingale?" D'trell asked in a friendly tone.

"Yesterday actually. I kind of got-uhhm- lost, and ran into Clem-uhh, Carter. He decided to show me around and yeah." Dominique had a slight accent that Vince couldn't detect. Spanish? Latino? He wasn't sure. Maybe more questions might help him pin-point this guy's accent.

"Yeah, trust Clement to get "lost" during Mr. Castle's morning classes. So where you from?" Another innocent question.

"Brazil, I got a scholarship here," No name yet smiled again, but the smile refused to touch his eyes this time.

Bingo!

"Duddee, what part of Brazil? Heard there's some nice chicks out there ay!" Marcus nudged Vince and winked at his brother who just laughed.

" Rio De Jenerio actually," No name's eyes pierced so deeply into Marcus' that the boy only managed a slight flinch.

"Yeah, well introduction's over now. I'm gonna go grab lunch ay bro. Ciao." The pair watched as Clement and no name yet strolled out of the library. Vince shifted on his chair to face Marucs.

"There's something about that guy-"

"As I suspected. His got to be a Dantelaques." Marcus said matter-of-factly.

"What, you don't really believe in that stuff do you?" D'trell's eyes widened with disbelief.

"We believe in vampires do we not?"

"Yea but that's different, we're-"

"Nah, it's the same thing. To the human world, me and you, vampires-we don't exist. Yet we do. So, don't you think that there's a chance for other creatures in human superstitions exist?"

Vince frowned, weighing the options in his head, inspecting them from every angle, " I guess you're right. But if he is what do you think his here for?"

"Isn't it obvious, of he's a Dantelaques, then there's only one thing his after for. I mean we know their South American demons that take the shape of men to poses young women and control their bodies. He could be out to get anyone. And also, it's like, like I've seen him somewhere before."

Vince looked at Marcus' lips. They held no amusement now. He was dead serious.

"So, what do you think he's doing in the Academy? I mean, if he is what you say he is-"

"Dantelaques," Marcus interrupted.

"Yes, a Dantelaques, then he must know that Nightingale Academy was built as a sanctuary for Amaranthines. "

"Hmm, you're right...I think this calls for a quest my good friend! We can call it, ' The Demon Catchers: Operation Clement and Co.'" Mr. Carter's eyes opened in fascination as he tapped his fingers on one side of his chin, "Yeahh, I like it. What'd you say D'trell? This will definitely get your mind of eyes-a-dora." He threw his head back and laughed at his own joke, his silver streaked hair moving with the motion of his head as he did so.

"I still don't get it why to think it's funny. Yeah, Izadora rhymes with eyes-a-dora, so? But anyway, I'm in. There's something weird about that guy and hey, who knows? We might even get our photos hung up in the corridor," A smile played on Vince's lips.

"Oh yes, the great well of success. I don't know about you but the bell is gone in ten, and I DON'T intend on spending my ten minutes of my eternal life-which I will never get back- in this place. So let's just get out of here and make our way to the next best thing since my grandma's ancient lasagna recipe: the canteen." Grabbing his notebook in one swift move, Marcus logged off his computer and eased out of his swivel chair.