Has anyone other than me noticed that I go back and forth between italicizing and underlining the chapter title and the book title? I apologize. I tried to be sofisticated for Amara, but it seems that I cannot even spell "Kiryu" right two times in a row. :)

Please, everyone, if you have an idea or even if you don't go ahead and tell me what you would like to happen. I write about ten chapters ahead of what I post, and so I have finished the first book and will have to start on the second (simply because) soon, and the sooner I know what you want the sooner I can begin. I may have to write it without any fan imput . . . :(

The Story of Amara Kuran | Mariah Bryant

Book One, Chapter Ten

My Prophesy Begins

I felt a glare that felt like someone was stabbing me with a hot knife. I looked down, though there was absolutely no need – I knew exactly whose stare it was. Yuki Cross. Her reason: I was laughing with Mike when she had seen me hugging Kaname.

I felt a pang of annoyance. In the possible hours to come, she would regret feeling resentment toward me.

"Brian-kohai? What answer do you have?" the teacher called, inserting kindness and patience into her voice for my American benefit.

I had not written anything down, nor had I attempted to solve the question she had assigned for us to test ourselves with. I simply glanced at the board, figured out the question in my head, and answered. The teacher seemed very pleased.

I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. I knew what was coming and when. I did not need to remind myself so sharply.

"Brian-kohai, tell me: how far into this subject did your American school go?"

I smiled. It was not this woman's fault that she just put my prophesy into play. "Actually, I was tutored."

"Wow. What grade level are you supposed to be on?" the woman raised her eyebrows.

"I had graduated before I decided to go to Mike's school." I admitted.

"Wow." the teacher's remarks of praise were echoed through the classroom. "How did you manage to learn so quickly?"

"Like other homeschooled children, I had a lot of time and no distractions. Plus, I was able to figure things out for myself, and find alternative paths. In a normal school, kids learn only what their teacher teaches. I was given full freedom over my lessons by my tutor."

"Do you have any secrets you would like to share with the class?" the teacher shifted feet, grinning ecstatically.

I laughed lightly. "Of course, I would be happy to share." I stood and walked down the steps to the front of the class. The kids murmured and gushed over me. I almost shouted at them to shut up.

I reached the front of the class and for the next five minutes, I blew the students' and teacher's minds. I did so with regret.

"Oh my goodness! My dear, you belong in college! No, better yet: you belong in the Night Class! You are simply brilliant. Have you met any of the Night Class students? They really seem to be your type of people." the teacher gushed.

I was alarmed by her statement. A calming whisper came into my head in my own voice: You are not like them. You have a bigger heart than any of them could ever hope to have. They are cold, like their parents.

Then why, I asked myself, did I not run? I knew the answer: I forgave them, and wanted them to have a second chance.

"I am going to get the Headmaster down here right away." the teacher continued, and picked up her phone.

"Why?" I asked.

"Why? So that he can see your brilliance!" she exclaimed.

"Please, do not bother. Headmaster Cross is an old friend of mine. If you call him here he will stop what he is doing and come learn what he already knows." I said, smiling shyly.

"But, my dear, you could be a teacher here. How could he know that and not put you into advanced classes?"

"I should be in college, but I choose to be with kids my age." I said. "I have chosen to be in this class specifically."

Then, although my face did not show it, I felt a painful pang in my head that meant that I had probably just broken the floodgate that would bring a definite future corresponding with my prophesy.

"If you are positive . . ." the teacher seemed disappointed to learn that she was not the first teacher to discover just how well my tutor had taught me and had allowed me to teach myself.

I nodded. "I am. Thank you, though, for your generous compliments."

"Oh, you are welcome. You know what? I would love – and I think your classmates would, too – if you would continue to teach us the lesson?"

I smiled. "I would be honored." I then turned to the class. "If anyone has trouble keeping up or does not understand, do not hesitate to ask for me to repeat or restate. No one method works for everybody."

The class was very quiet and intent for the next hour. Then, in the class after that, I was again called on to teach. Word of my intelligence was spreading faster than I thought possible. During lunch I escaped to my dorm to down two glasses of blood-by-tablets and then back to Mike's table before the prefects Zero and Yuki could detect me. Walking back from the dining hall I felt a warning like a heat wave, and I knew which teacher was going to be holding the gun whose trigger had been pulling since Botan tried to execute me.

I walked into the class for my last session of the day, pale and quiet.

"So, when is the thing going to happen?" Mike whispered to me during after we had taken our seats.

"Soon, I believe. I . . . I am counting down the minutes," I said. I heard and saw numbers, and they were getting smaller with each second that passed. I figured this was a countdown, but, with me, it could have been almost anything. I was very focused on my prophesy, so my 'count down' theory made sense.

"What number are you on?" Mike asked nervously.

"It is fine, Mike. Things are going to go pretty smoothly for the first few minutes. I will be able to . . . divert . . . the danger from . . . you." It was nearly impossible for me to tell a lie about a prophesy or vision, and it almost physically hurt me to say the things I said. I worried over whether or not (and of course he had) Mike had picked up that I was lying.

Mike stared at me for a few moments. Then, he turned sharply back to his notebook. "I think I missed something important."

I laughed out loud. A few people turned to me, but the teacher was too engrossed in her lesson to pay any mind. "Mike," I said, "here. Use my notes."

"What's so funny?" Mike asked, confused.

I smiled at him. "You . . . are worried about your notes."

"Yes. Learning in Japanese is extremely difficult, in case you haven't noticed, being as you are my tutor and all." Mike frowned, annoyed with me.

I sighed and shook my head. "It is quite difficult. Just use my notes and you'll be fine. I'll even translate what you don't know the next time I can."

"Brian-kohai, are you familiar with this subject, as well? Enough so to teach it?" the teacher, a man, called.

"Yes, Sensei. If you wish." I answered, knowing I had just given myself the death sentence.

"Excellent! Then, Brian-kohai, class, I would like to introduce to you Hattori-sensei: a Night Class professor." he announced. The teacher held his arms out to the door as it opened and a grown vampyre walked into the classroom.

Mike glanced at me, but I am pretty sure he got his answer by my wide eyes. I fixed my face to be happy and fresh, but inside I was screaming and sobbing, quaking apart with terror.

The grown vampyre man walked in and eyed the class wordlessly. Slowly, he took a seat in the front of the class which the human teacher had swiftly offered him.

The teacher waved me down. "Come please, Brian-kohai, and enlighten us." Then he scrambled to sit next to the prestigious Night Class teacher.

I stood and walked down to the front of the class as if I was floating on air. My cover was blown. I did not have to look at Hattori-sensei (or even read his mind, for that matter) to know that he was mulling over my identity. So there was no reason to insert an imperfect sway into my step the way that humans walk unconsciously. I was as good as found out.

I took the chalk into my pale fingers and began, projecting my voice so that all students could hear. The class' human teacher asked a few questions, which I answered easily. None of the students did; they did not get a chance before I had answered them. Yuki slumped down in her seat. Zero glared, leaning forward on his elbows. Time passed quickly.

I could have put reasoning into the students' heads, but I chose not to. I had learned that way, and was not normal. They needed to be normal. Just because I could fish the secrets of the world out and copy them into my mental webbing did not mean that they should have the same done to them.

Soon the school bell rang. My mental alarm bell was seconds away from the same fate.

I glanced over at the vampyre teacher, who was gaping. His cigarette had fallen from his mouth. He had figured it out.

Mike ran down the isle to me and, while the kids talked enthusiastically about me amongst themselves, ushered me out of the door.

"Mike," I whispered with a pained voice, "there is nothing we can do," I began, but then it happened.

"I don't know what you're up to, but if you think I am stupid you are wrong and it's going to come back to bite you."

I froze as the last bell nearly shook my knees out from under me. I gave a small gasp, and clutched the wall. My mind whirred, immediately finding the safest route. My mouth opened, and I slowly took a steadying breath before turning back to Zero. Of course, not a beat had been skipped. I smiled pleasantly at him as Mike and I ducked into the hallway to make way for the onslaught of students rushing from the school to their dorms or wherever.

"Yes, Kiryu-kohai. I know you are not stupid, and you are correct in your knowledge of me. But, you see, you only have half of the picture. I would like to keep you as innocent as possible, and so if you do not mind, I will now leave Mike in your care while I step outside. . . ."

I ignored Mike's gasp but as I had expected, Zero did not react as Yuki would have. He did not gawk as I turned and left. He got angry and annoyed.

"No. You are coming with me to the Headmaster's office. Both of you." Zero let his anger fuel his authority.

Another wave hit me, though not as hard as the first. Trying to catch my breath without anyone noticing, I nodded. "Alright. We are not looking for a fight. Come, Mike."

There was a high whistle in my head, bothersome but not painful, while we walked through the school to Kaien's office. Zero moved quickly. I had no trouble keeping up, of course, but Mike looked paranoid. His anxiety plus the speed at which Zero forced him to hurry caused him to take deeper breaths.

I knew it was not something I could help, but I really thought that the idea of showing Zero that he was supposed to be the intimidated, not my intimidator, and that I was alpha was a good one. My instincts were begging me to scorn Zero and to pick Mike up and carry him (and Kaname would have, if it were he and Yuki in Mike's and my position) but my logic thought better of it. Anyway, Zero would learn sooner or later, if he had not already.

Mike's Day Class uniform looked out of place on him, I noticed. He was such a casual person, and horribly uncomfortable in formal settings. Not that he did not do a great job in them, despite his feelings. I supposed that he felt self-conscious. Anyhow, it propelled him to dance better in cotillion. His every step was well thought out.

The whistling was taunting me now.

I sighed. When Zero flung open Kaien's office door, I was already as angry as him.

"Headmaster, are you aware that Brian is obviously a vampyre? How are you allowing her to walk amongst mortals?! They are in danger!" Zero exploded, making Kaien jump and toss his papers.

I frowned. I knew his unsaid words. He thought that I was the lowest of demons; the spawn of the devil himself. Zero's thoughts did not have to be read. I simply knew.

"Uh, Zero, you are aware that there is a human in our presence . . ." Kaien started, but was cut off.

"It makes no difference! He obviously knows about her! How could he not?"

"He is vaguely aware of my status." I said quietly.

Zero whipped around and glared at Mike. "Are you aware that your girlfriend here drinks human blood?"

Mike was frowning, perplexed. With difficulty he replied, "I agree, I do know that."

"And you aren't scared? Are you her blood source?"

"Zero! That is enough!" Kaien quickly got to his feet and came around the desk to stand between Zero, Mike, and me. "Now, look. Amara is a friend of mine. She was sent to America because she wanted to be with humans. She is different from other vampyres, and feels that she belongs with humans. She is only slightly different from you, Zero: she was born a vampyre."

"How am I supposed to believe that just because she wants to be with humans doesn't mean that she wants to drink their blood? It's ignorant, Headmaster . . ."

"Stop. Amara is not tempted easily. She has been around humans for long enough that her humanity overpowers her instincts. The students are safer with her around than with you, Zero, so stop being so hypocritical. Nothing about her or her being here is of your business."

"I cannot deny my instincts. Amara Brian radiates danger. And you should feel it too, because Yuki does."

Kaien shook his head. "There is much for you to learn about Amara, but I understand that she has some matters to take care of today so the time for you to learn is not now. Please, everyone, leave my office."

Zero gawked silently, and I took my chance to whisper to Kaien. "What should I do about Mike? I feel the seconds ticking by. It is going to be very soon. Actually, it has already begun . . ."

"Headmaster, she is supposed to be in college! There has to be ulterior reasons! And look at the way that the human boy looks at her – she has him under a spell!"

I let out a little huff, restraining myself from attacking Zero. His words really hurt me. Mike was a good guy naturally, but could it have been that the reason he was with me was because I had him under a spell?

"Zero, silence yourself. You have gone too far. I know Amara very well, and I can assure you that you have no reasons to worry – not that it is your place at all." Kaien shot a look at the boy he had taken in years before.

"Amara, I want to stay with you." Mike said very quietly but very sternly.

I turned to him, a little shocked at hearing his voice. "Uh, Mike, but that is the only way I can avert the danger from you. It would make things harder for everyone if you were found out about."

"Like in this case, I can be the proof that you are not dangerous." Mike's eyes went wide. "Unless . . . that's what you want?"

"No, Mike. I am not using you, nor will I use you. I just want you safe."

"I'm not weak."

"You are human."

"Perhaps, but I am not stupid. I can get you out of dangerous situations. I have made my decision. I am sticking by you. Even now. My Japanese is not the best, but I can vouch for you."

Was he asking for my permission? I supposed that was courteous and not weird. In the vampyre world, such an inquiry would be called for. Was I really cut out for this world, anyway?

"You will not get Zero mad at you without consequences." I said sternly. I turned to Kaien. "My apologies, but I must be excused now."

Kaien nodded once, giving me my cue. I dragged Mike out of the door. I was furious that I felt tears pooling in my eyes. Gritting my teeth, I whipped around and pinned Mike to the wall just one hallway away from Kaien's office.

Mike gasped, but not because of my hands on his shoulders. They were far too light by my own will to hurt him even a little.

"Mike, I am wanted by the vampyre senate for my execution. If they think for one minute that there is more than one reason I should be brought down – say, perhaps, for having a human consort (which you are not, but they will find something) – then you could possibly meet the same fate as me. I will not have that. I was honestly a fool for letting you come, and I see that now. But I just could not stand the thought of them sending someone back to interrogate my friends – you would actually be sucked in more violently than with me here to protect you but I should have sent you to one of your distant relatives or something . . ."

"Please, stop rambling. You think I am an ignorant child, but I'm not. I . . . on days when you looked happiest I could always see pain and sadness in your eyes. On days that you were quiet I could tell that gears were speeding away in your mind. Times when nasty jokes were told, I could see your distaste even though you tried to not scorn your friends. I could see the love in your eyes even then. I could see the compassion when you stood up for us against bullies, and when that jock broke Melissa's heart. You . . . pity instead of hate. And when the teachers taught sometimes I looked over at you and saw you figuring alternative paths because the one he was using was too complex for human minds. I noticed when you thought these things, then looked over at me and saw that I had figured it out." Mike laughed lightly now, then met my eyes. The light in them bewildered me. "I am intuitive, and I catch things you do not know I do. I can fix things. I can be there for you. You do not have to handle this alone."

I nearly burst into tears. "But, Mike . . ." My voice trailed off.

Mike shook his head. "I am coming with you."

A sigh escaped my throat, and it felt so good.

"That was touching and all, but the vampyre senate wants you dead, so you can't be all that the Headmaster thinks you are."

I frowned at Zero, taking my hands off of Mike's shoulders and releasing him from the wall. "He knows that already."

"He's crazy, and I am not going to take you to him for him to handle again. This time I am going to get what I want by myself." Zero growled.

"Why does this matter to you?" I snapped protectively. "The senate means nothing to you."

"Because. It matters to Yuki." he said darkly.

I felt a small wave that was closer to a nudge. Resentfully, I nodded. There was no point to stalling. Everything was going to be the way it was in my prophesy, no matter what I did. I had a free range of knowledge, but perhaps I was too weak to ever change anything. Perhaps I did not have control over my own destiny. Without the illusion of control (as everyone else did) I was aware of my weakness.

Mike tried to walk confidently to the door that led to the Cross Academy's rather small campus. As did I. Zero flung open the door with one arm, completely lacking awareness as to what lay outside that Mike and I possessed.