I took a deep breath as I closed the car door. I was breathing heavily, and I was probably sweating too, ew. Great way to make a good impression there, Isa.
I looked up at the building, taking in the appearance of what was to be my new home. It was pretty normal - I'm not sure why I expected any different, Vamps have been living in our society for years, everyone knows they're normal - three large buildings, all of which looked acceptable, maybe even pretty.
A rush of excitement coursed through me, and I let a smile temporarily occupy my face.
"That's my girl." My mum exclaimed, clearly pleased by my enthusiasm. "It looks nice, doesn't it Isa?"
I could tell by her tone of voice she didn't want an answer, so I took my last opportunity in what would be a while to look at my mother.
She had long, flowing red hair - Not ginger, red - which I unfortunately had inherited. I'd never liked it, but I twiddled it now, happy that I was beginning to look like her; it would help when I was missing her. We also both had piercing green eyes, which people often commented on, telling us they were "Beautiful." I thought now about how much I looked up to my mother. She had gotten through so much…Her parents - my grandparents - were a nightmare. They'd disowned my mum's sister, whom we've never met, and had my mum as sort of a 'replacement daughter'. They'd always told my mum that if she put a foot out of line, they'd disown her to. I shivered, realising that they'd recently done just that.
My mum got pregnant with me at the age of sixteen, and my parents got hitched just a year later. When I was three, my dad died. I don't remember him, I wish I could say I did, but I don't. Mum does though. I see it in her eyes when I ask about him… I see the love, the hurt, the pain. I see it all in her eyes. Then I have to make things harder for my mum by making her watch her sixteen year-old daughter leave for what could be forever.
"Isa? Are you okay?"I'd been thinking so hard I hadn't noticed my mum trying to talk to me.
"Yeah, mum, I was daydreaming…sorry…let's go."
As we walk through the door, we both gasp in amazement. The corridor we've stepped into seems as though it is another world entirely. It reminds me of a medieval castle, with candle-lit lamps hanging on the walls, and red rugs covering the floors. There were pictures of six Vampyres on the walls, one larger than the others. Each had a name plate underneath: "Damien Maslin: High Council member and Sociology High Professor." Damien had fairly scruffy black hair, and something about him told me he was going to be intelligent, I looked to the next picture; "Shaunee Cole: High Council member and Advice Consultant." She was dark skinned and beautiful (Jeeesh, they were all perfect. I don't even look any different!);"Erin Bates: High Council member and Advice Consultant." The complete opposite of the previous picture, Erin was pale and blonde, with a gorgeous smile, she was wearing expensive looking clothes that really suited her, "Stevie-Rae: High Council member and Red Fledgling High Priestess." This girl was different. By that I don't mean the obvious Okie look about her. She had a red Mark. All the others were turquoise…That reminded me…Mine is purple…weird. I quickly moved on to the next picture. "James Stark: Warrior sworn to protect all at our House Of Night." This male Vamp was gorgeous, he had a cheeky grin and messy hair, but you just knew from the look of him he'd be trouble. But he's here to protect us? Good to know… The final picture and name plate had me staring, astonished. Something about her spoke to me. Yet I couldn't figure out what it was about her. (These damn loose ends.): "Zoey Redbird and House Of Night, Tulsa High Priestess." Zoey had long, jet black hair, the most beautiful I've ever seen. Her tattoos covered almost all of her visible skin, even her hands. They were exquisite. She was exquisite.
"Isa Thomas?" My head snapped up. I gasped in shock. It was her. It was Zoey Redbird.