Here's the next chapter! Enjoy!


Chapter 3: Refuge

"Well if it isn't Miss Goody-Two Shoes again," Aido joked as Almira made her way past the Night Class students to an empty seat.

She kept her head down, hoping that they did not see her as something other than their kind: Vampires. Horrible bloodsucking creatures, yet tamed to remain civil amongst others. These creatures were the least of her worry, and for that she knew that she was at the right place-to save herself from the undeniable danger that was to come. Besides that, she was being tailed, and the idea frightened her more than anything else.

The sudden encounter with the cat had proved that. Her inhuman senses were beginning to weaken as her dread increased more and more. Once leaving the Moon Dorm, she had joined the Night Class at the last moment, staying behind yet close enough so she would not be caught. Along the way, she had passed many of the Day Class girls hovering around, squealing, laughing, and enjoying a sense of joviality. They sounded painful, but it eased her paranoia enough for her to appreciate the atmosphere of a real school.

"You must be the new student," Ichijo dropped by with a smile. "M-acu-Derran, Almira is it?"

"Hehe yes." Almira chuckled at the way he butchered her last name. "And you must be…"

"Ichijo Takuma, Vice President of the Night Class." He offered her a hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

"I know that you're a foreigner here so if you need anything, just give me the word, and I'll be sure to help."

"Of course. And thank you for your kindness."

Aido sat with a thud on a seat in front of her. "Geez, what's with all the politeness?"

Ichijo sighed at his straightforward manner as Almira began to chuckle. "Is that a problem? Do you prefer me to be rash and bold like you instead?"

"I expect you to be cordial and cooperative," a soft yet strict voice uttered from behind.

Almira turned to find herself face to face with a striking young man with messy shoulder-length dark brown hair. His umber eyes were quite luring, and his pleasant face held a look of superiority. The President of the Night Class, Kaname Kuran, towered over her with an aura of great wisdom and fortitude; a being worth every moment of her purpose to come to Japan.

'So you were the one who suspected my presence in the dorm room beforehand.' Almira wondered curiously.

Aido retired from his slouch and shot straight up to bow to Kaname. The pureblood simply stared at Almira, as if he could see straight through her mind.

"I hope next time you wait until you're instructed before choosing a room in our dorms."

Almira nodded pleasantly. "You are right, that was rather inconsiderate of me."

Aido and Ichijo exchanged confused glances.

"But I truly wish that one wrong doing does not interfere with my pleasant stay. I would be more than honored to take your humble advices, even when concerning your loved ones," Almira added by providing a small curtsy. "I shall not touch Yuuki Cross as I have been instructed, Master Kaname."

The other vampires finally took notice of the new girl. Everyone stared as she immediately posed herself subservient to the great and powerful Kaname Kuran. His demands were odd to begin with, but if Aido was correct, she seemed too submissive and rather bold enough to state the obvious. She was polite, yes, but too polite.

Kaname gave a slight smile. "I'm glad you understand." And with that, he retired back to his work.

Meanwhile, Ruka glared directly at Almira after her small declaration. Was she trying to attract Kaname Kuran by being courteous?

"She's quite serious when it comes to respect," Cain said as he stood next to Ruka.

"Nobody's that serious. She's no good news, that's for sure." Ruka concluded.


Meanwhile, back at the Headmaster's bathroom, Zero stood gloomily in front of the mirror as he tried to focus his attention away from the pain protruding from his neck. He knew that sooner or later the pain would increase, and he would be forced to turn to Level E. That day would surely come, and he had to keep himself in control for as long as he could. Besides, Yuuki was with him. As long as she was there, he would be in check.

"You need my blood, Zero. You can't hold out much longer." Yuuki pleaded as she stood close to him.

"Forget it. Just bring me some blood tablets." He panted.

"I thought you hated those!"

"Better than taking your blood," Zero answered.

Yuuki pouted, taking his words as an insult. She brought what Zero needed and waited until he calmed down. "Disgusting," Zero mumbled after taking the tablets.

"By the way, Zero, we had a new student today in the Night Class." Yuuki said, hoping a change in subject could make him feel better.

"So? Another filthy addition to the vampire club. Big deal."

"Zero, that's not nice! Besides…" Yuuki paused and chose her words carefully. "She's quite different than what I thought she would be."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm not really sure yet. But I really want you to meet her," Yuuki said excitedly. "You're coming on prefect duty tomorrow, right? I'll introduce her to you."

"Don't expect me to be nice to another vampire."

"Zero, she's not…" Yuuki stopped and remembered her promise. "I mean, she's not who you think she is. Just try to be polite, okay?"

Zero sighed. "Fine, fine." Anything for you.


After the Night Class had retired back to the Moon Dorm, Almira quietly sneaked back to her room, scanning every corner, window and closet to make sure she was not being watched, although by now she probably was. The cat had disappeared, probably bearing news of her whereabouts. How long was she going to hide like this? Take refuge under a roof of foreigners, of different breeds? She had tried to behave mannerly in front of the Night Class because she knew they were well respected, elite and aristocratic. But they found her quite odd, probably because she exceeded too much with her kindness.

"Don't over do it..." Almira spoke to her reflection in the mirror. "Just do what you're here for."

She heard a knock on the door, and she approached it with slight hesitation. "Who is it?"

"A dark and handsome stranger." Almira breathed in relief to hear Aido's voice on the other side. She opened the door to find him and Kain looking posh as ever in a completely different attire than their school uniforms.

"Hello Almira-chan, I hope you aren't busy," Aido continued. "As a new student to this school, it's a necessity for you to come join us in the lounge for some leisure time."

Almira found his informality a bit strange. "I would love to, really, but I was actually hoping to maybe get some sleep tonight."

Aido raised his brow. "Sleep? Right now? But it's not daytime yet."

"Aido, maybe it's because she's from a different time zone." Kain added.

"Oh, well that's too bad." Aido mumbled disappointedly.

Almira felt a tinge of guilt. As a newcomer, she did not expect such hospitality right away, but it made her feel more welcomed than she desired. It had been a long time, she thought, since anyone had invited her to anything.

"No, no, that is alright. If you really want me to come, then I would be more than happy to accompany both of you," she continued. "Just let me change and I will be out in a second."

Aido broadened his grin to know that she agreed. It was not like him to cope with rejection. Kain, on the other hand, found it rather strange that she forcefully tried to reject the signs of sleep that was rolling in. As a more observant vampire, he could still see the faint bags under her eyes and a sudden weakness to her voice. In fact, the first time he saw her, he had a distinct feeling that she did not carry the signs of a normal vampire. Nor did she smell like one.

Almira soon stepped out of her room wearing a maroon ankle-length frilly skirt and a black high collared blouse. Her braided hair still lied across her shoulder, a little less disheveled than before.

"You look like a medieval woman with that attire," Aido said flatly before Kain gave him a painful nudge.

"Oh, I am sorry, is that bad?" Almira glanced down nervously at herself.

"Ignore him, it's his way of teasing newcomers," Kain answered back. "Are you ready to go?"

"I am now."

"Alright! Well the first thing that all of us are curious to know is what part of Switzerland you're from and why you're even here," Aido spoke with his nose in the air. "Of course, since I was nice enough to invite you, I expect you to tell me before the others."

"Alright, well, I am from Zurich." Almira paused before formulating her second answer. "And I am here because...because I heard of a pureblood who runs a highly praised school for both vampires and humans so-"

"You mean Kaname-sama," Kain spoke. "So there aren't any purebloods in Europe?"

"Well you see..." Almira tried to fish through her mind for a good excuse. "There are not many cordial ones, I should say. When it comes to diplomacy I mean."

"That proves how great Kaname-sama is," Aido said proudly once again. "Nowhere else will you feel as secured than with him here."

Almira nodded as she fought back a yawn.

Kain followed, suddenly full of suspicion again. He didn't want to doubt himself, but he didn't want to share his thoughts with anyone just yet.

"So what does your family do?" Aido asked as they approached the stairs.

"Hm?" Almira squeaked wearily.

"Your family. I've never heard of the McDellans. Any prestigious titles? Patents? Corporate ownership?"

"Oh..well, em...that is to say-"

"Oh! That's right, I completely forgot." Aido suddenly reached into his pockets and took out a pack of blood tablets. "Here. You might want to have these before we go downstairs. These are a new and improved edition, thanks to yours truly."

"Blood tablets?" Almira observed them quizzically. "You are kind." She placed them back in his hands. "But I don't need these."

Aido raised an automatic brow. "Don't need them? Of course you do!" His ego suddenly pulsed with frustration. "We all have to take them to quench our thirst."

"I have full control of my thirst, thank you." Almira was getting agitated.

"Come on," Aido almost laughed it off. "Don't try to act like a saintly vampire now."

"I am not." She raised her voice, cutting him off immediately. Aido watched as she turned to trot down the stairs ahead of them. "May we just go please?"

"Aido..." Kain glanced at his cousin as he looked taken aback from her sudden defense. An itch to speak his mind suddenly took hold of him. "Aido, I don't think she's a-"

"It's for your own good you know!" Aido suddenly found himself following after her. "They're much better than the old ones!"

"It is not that, I-" Almira turned to refute, but her foot twisted awkwardly on a step, and she tumbled off balance.

And it all happened in a fraction of a second. Before Aido could breath a word, her exceptional reflexes took over, and she flipped, catlike through the air, swiftly landing on the bottom landing with the balls of her feet and her hands pinned skillfully to the ground. She took in short gasps as her heartbeat came to a rest. The two vampires behind her stared at her sudden acrobatic stunt.

"S-sorry..."Almira brushed her hair out of the way and stood up shakily. "I should be more careful."


In the dead of night within the academy grounds, the trees facing the Moon Dormitory lied still, devoid of a breeze. But stillness was far from it, as the two lurking figures within the dense leaves looked on with distaste.

"So this is where her roundabout escape route led her," a husky voice spoke in German. The man had short jagged black hair and bright golden eyes. His fingers, trailing across the smooth fur of the cat that appeared at Almira's window hours ago, were composed of sharp claws at the tips.

"She knows she can't hide here for long. Sooner or later, we'll be forced to intrude." A second much sharper voice answered. He had long crimson hair that was tied back in a ponytail. His eyes were bright golden as well, and his tongue seemed to have trailed across what looked like short fangs in his mouth.

"But Robin, we can't go near her if those vampires are around." The first one looked concerned, but the latter was as composed and lax as the still air.

"Patience, Cyrus. As long as we don't resort to violence in their presence," the one called Robin smirked, "we shall be able to kill her."


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