Chapter 19

The journey back to the Academy was quick and somewhat strained due to the lack of conversation. As soon as we got back, I put all my bags on my bed and headed straight to the elementary division. On my way there, I passed by one of the open training grounds and I saw Drew training with Dan using magic and all. From my perspective, it was easy to see that Drew was holding back a considerable amount in the fight but even so, it was still mesmerising to watch. To see their magic thrown around like that, attack after attack, made me keep my eyes on them.

I stopped in mid step to watch them. They didn't pay attention to me for a while but then Dan seemed to collapse onto his knees and panted in exhaustion. "I'm done," he rasped and held up his hand in surrender.

"Well what'd you think about magic, Valentine?" Drew asked with a small smile when he noticed my dazed expression.

"Amazing…" I breathed and sat down beside the pair of them. "It looked so… well, magical." I grinned sheepishly at my loss for words.

"That's what it means to be at a vampire school." Dan laughed.

"It's incredible!" I beamed and thought of all the things that I could do. The magic was even better than I'd remembered. "God it must be handy to have Moroi help out with the fighting and stuff."

"We've been trying to get all sorts of combinations to see what works well and what does." Dan smiled. "Damn shame you're not a Moroi."

"You want me to train with you two?" I arched my brows.

"Why not?"

"Well for one thing, you're royals."

"So? That doesn't matter. You're the prodigy who hasn't even been here for a week and has already become a legend. We're on equal grounds. Not to mention, I heard that you've met the Badicas."

"You mean Marissa's parents?"

"How did that turn out?"

"They um…" I trailed off awkwardly.

"They liked you, just admit it." Dan stated bluntly with a smirk. "We spoke to them after you did and they had a brilliant impression of you. They never would've guessed that you were entirely new to everything, including meeting Royals."

"Well, I just had to up my level with my manners. It wasn't that hard." I smiled with a small shrug.

"Either way, you did great." Dan reassured me. "How are you feeling?"

"What do you mean?" I frowned in confusion.

"You looked really pale yesterday and it was like you were in a lot of pain." Drew watched my carefully.

"What Marissa said made me feel sick and I had to keep my temper in control. That was my main focus back then." I told them stiffly with a tight smile. "If it'd been your parents, you would've been the same."

"If I was in your situation, I would've humiliated her to the point of no return and I would've demanded a full apology from her entire family." Dan scoffed. "I wouldn't have let her off so easily."

"I've humiliated her enough. I don't think I need to do any more." I grimaced.

"And that's why they like you." Drew stated.

"Excuse me?"

"The Badicas. You've charmed them more than you realise." Drew explained. To have their favour and backing is highly influential even though you have no idea about it. They might not be the main Badica family, but they have the most support. People respect the pair of them and James has made quite a name for himself and he's quite well respected as well. He's going to become the Badica family's representative in the Council."

"They're… they're that powerful?" I choked out in shock. "Oh what have I done? I really have pissed off the wrong person."

"Don't sweat it, while they love their daughter, they'd never give her any advantages just because of her name. If Marissa wants power, she has to get it herself. They won't give any authority to her unless she earns it. All in all, Marissa has no power despite being a Badica." Dan shook his head. "Besides, we've already told you, they're more than impressed about you."

"They've invited me to join them for a meal sometime… I don't want to cock up." I pointed out.

"If you didn't cock up while talking about Marissa dissing your parents, then I doubt that you'll cock up at other times." Dan reassured me. "If you managed to give such a good first impression then you'll be fine."

"I don't kn -" My sentence was cut off because my phone suddenly rang and I stared at the caller ID quizzically. I wasn't why they called me but it must've been important since it was a late Thursday afternoon for them and they probably should've been at the club working. "Sorry, I have to take this." I told Drew and Dan before answering the call. "Hello? Ana? Louise? What's wrong?"

"Kai! We're in a pinch!" Ana screamed down the phone.

"What happened?" I frowned.

"You know how there was a practice today?"

"Yes…"

"The other school turned up and everyone got into a fight. The match has been indefinitely cancelled."

"What?" I screamed. "Who the fuck started it?" I demanded furiously.

"They tried to hit on us while we cheered for our team of course. Sally got bruised."

"They laid their pathetic and filthy hands on Sal? They dared to touch someone from our school?"

"Kai what do we do? The squad is completely down trodden and no one wants to turn up to practice on Saturday. The chances are, they'll move the match to Sunday to see how it goes because it's so important."

I thought about it for a long moment and tried to calm my anger as an idea formed in my mind. "I'll be there on Saturday's practice."

"What?" everyone from both sides asked.

"I'll be there for the practice. Don't tell the team but tell them that anyone who doesn't turn up to practice will have their embarrassing moments posted on the net."

"You'll be here?" I heard the hope in her voice.

"I'll be there." I told her decisively.

"The team will be complete for the finals! We'll wait for you."

"See you on Saturday." I told them and hung up.

"You won't be there so why did you say that you will?" Drew narrowed his eyes at me.

"I will be there." I told him bluntly.

"You're going to break out?" Dan stared at me in pure shock. "You won't manage it. You may be good but even you won't manage."

"You want to bet on that?" I challenged them. "I will manage it. I never should've let the Guardians take me at such a critical time."

"You'll get in deep shit for this." Dan frowned.

"I don't care, this is more important to me."

"How can it be that important that you're willing to ruin your reputation for this?"

"You don't get it, I have to be there. I left my team at such a critical time for my team. I can't abandon them like this. I have to be there. It's the same as if I ran away in the middle of a critical fight."

"You won't manage it." Drew stated. "This place is harder to break out of than any human facility."

"I've realised that." I scoffed. "But trust me, if I say I can do something, I won't give up until I get it done." I smirked at them and something seemed to pass through Drew's eyes. I wasn't sure what that was but the surprise disappeared as quickly as it'd appeared. "I'll see you guys around. Oh and here, share these between the four of you." I threw four small boxes at them before heading off to the elementary division. The whole time I was plotting a plan that would bust me out of the Academy and before long I knew what I had to do.

"Kylie!" Trace called out and ran towards me from the gate as soon as he saw me.

"Hey kid." I smiled sweetly and lifted him onto my hip as he wrapped his arms around my neck. "I need to go to the kitchen first because I'm going to make something for everyone."

"Really?" he beamed.

"Yep." I smiled and headed straight for the kitchen. I began preparing for the different cakes and I kept in mind the cake that I was going to make Ali. It was a kind of cake but it wasn't quite. It was a fluffy and light cake made with dark chocolate and the sponge would melt almost instantly in the mouth. It wasn't too bitter but I knew that Ali didn't particularly like sweet things either. "Here, try this." I held up a small fork full of cake covered with powdered sugar to Trace.

He bit into it enthusiastically and gasped. "It's so fluffy!" he squealed.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

"I love it!" he beamed.

"Well then we should take this to everyone but let's go visit Guardian Belikov first." I smiled and he helped me carry another plate of cake. I knocked on Aunty Jules' door and waited for her call.

"Yes?"

"I've got some food for you." I smiled as I stepped into her office. "Try this, it should help you with you fatigue. See you around."

"Thank you Kylie," she smiled appreciatively at me before I left. We then went to the common room where most people were gathered for TV.

"I've got a present!" I declared and everyone turned to face the cakes.

"Ah! Big sis!" Pat squealed and dashed over.

"Alright, everyone line up if they want cake and cookies." I commanded and they listened to me instantly. The Guardians helped hand out the treats.

"Nice move Valentine." Ali whispered to me.

"Cheers, you have to try this Guardian Castile." I grinned. "I'm pretty sure you'll like it."

"Hm…" he stared at it for a moment before taking a bite. I watched as his eyes widened and he stared at me in shock. "Coffee and chocolate?"

"And pepper." I smirked. "Like it?"

"This can't be cake."

"Yes it is."

"But it melts."

"Doesn't mean that it's not cake. It's just really fluffy and light." I smiled brightly at him. "You've gotta like it right?"

"Yes little Kalster, I love it," he leaned down and discreetly nipped my ear. I squealed and stared up at him in shock.

"Did you just…" I whispered.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking," he whispered and glanced away. "Don't worry about it," he patted my head and if I didn't know any better, I would've thought that he ran away with the swift pace he had when he left so abruptly.

"Guardian Wilson, could you please hand the rest out for me? There's something I forgot to do." I asked him politely.

"Of course, thank you for the lovely cakes and scones. Glad to see that you remembered," he smiled in delight.

"How could I possibly forget?" I laughed before heading out. I headed outside to a slightly more concealed part of the building and there I found Ali kicking a few cans and I caught his fist just as he was about to punch the wall. "Ali what are you doing?"

"You should be inside Kai."

"I know something was wrong so I came to check on you." I frowned at the guarded expression that he wore.

"You shouldn't have come out, and it's dark. You should be inside where you're safe."

"What're you talking about Ali? I can take care of myself and so can you."

"I didn't mean Strigoi, Kai," he stared oddly at me and it took me several moments to figure out what was wrong.

"You're scared of what you'll do aren't you?" I whispered softly in realisation.

He didn't answer, but he didn't have to. The self-blame was there, as clear as day on his expression and in his eyes. He must've been thinking about what'd happened earlier. "Ali, that was nothing, really, don't think too much about it. I was just surprised because it was unexpected."

"I still shouldn't have done it," he said stiffly. "I'm supposed to protect you, not sexually harass you."

"That was hardly harassment Ali. When you kissed me yesterday, now THAT could be classified as harassment."

"That was out of relief that you were alive and well and were right in front of me," he scoffed. "I let my man take over in that split second in the common room and I wasn't thinking rationally."

"Ali, you're a flirt, I know that and so did everyone else. It's just a habit. I don't mind it Ali. It was just a nip to my ear. Nothing more, nothing less."

"What happened to the little innocent girl who squealed at everything?"

"She grew up and accepted reality." I laughed. "Seriously Ali, I know you have a playful attitude when expressing your feelings sometimes, so don't worry about it. If you get so guilty about something like that then how're you gonna cope with this?" I leaned up and kissed his nose.

"We are going to cause so much mayhem aren't we little Kalster?"

"You bet. There's no way around it." I smirked and hugged him tightly.

"I've always wondered what'd you'd grow up to look like, you know?"

"Really? Do I meet you expectations?" I smiled cheekily.

"No Kai," he whispered with a low voice. "You've definitely surpassed them. I never would've expected you to become as confident and sociable as you are now." He gently kissed my forehead and then my eyes. "We're so proud of you for what you've achieved."

"Oh enough of the compliments Ali." I blushed and pushed away from him in embarrassment. "We should head back before they miss you."

"At the rate you're going, they'll like you more than me." Ali complained. "But I do agree that we should go back before I do something else stupid."

"Hey, I for one and honoured that you find me attractive enough Ali. I used to be really jealous about all those girlfriends of yours remember?"

"And that went on until I gave you the ring that calmed you, right? You also wanted to be my bride too."

I blushed again and turned away from him. "Yeah well I was just a kid back then. I didn't even know what that really meant."

"Your parents approved of us you know?" he told me slightly seriously but there was also a playful tone there. I couldn't tell whether he was being serious or not whatsoever.

"They did? So basically, if I were to get a husband now, it'll have to be you since you're the only one that's been approved of by Mum and Dad."

""You have a point there, guess I should get you a ring that fits then," he teased.

"You'd want to marry me?" I arched my brows. "I didn't think I was your type." I retorted playfully.

"Well you never know Kai," he smiled and pulled me towards him so that my body was pressed to his.

"Then I suppose I should tell you something first. I'm probably going to give you a headache and a heart attack really soon because there's something I have to take care of first."

"What're you talking about?" he stared cautiously down at me.

"I have some unfinished business. You'll see what I mean soon." I grinned mischievously and pulled away from his hug. "Let's head back."

I stayed at the elementary division until their bed times and then I headed back to the dorms. The thing that occupied my mind the entire time was my plan to break out of the Academy. The next afternoon, which was morning for us night school students, I called a driver that I knew really well and asked her to meet me at the airport. Then I called my pilot and asked him for the huge favour of transporting me back to LA at such short notice. He agreed with no questions asked and that made me remember why I liked him so much. Next up was breaking my plan to the girls that I was going to have to bail on the Saturday party.

"Kai! Breakfast!" Els hollered and crashed into my room.

"I have something I need to tell you three." I told them seriously.

"Oh? What is it?" Roxy asked curiously and the three of them sat on my bed waiting patiently.

"I'm going to break out of the school tonight after lessons and while everyone is at dinner so that I can make sure that my soccer team wins the finals." I told them bluntly.

"You… You're going to break out of the school?" Ingrid's eyes widened. "But you promised that you'd stay until graduation!"

"I know, and I will. I'm just bailing out for the weekend so that I can participate in the match and then I'll be coming straight back." I told them.

"That means that we'll be missing the party tomorrow…" Els trailed off with a contemplative expression.

"We?" I frowned when I noticed the term that she used.

"Well yeah, we'll be going with you of course." Els stared at me like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I couldn't do that to you." I frowned. "I can't get you guys in trouble as well."

"Let us handle that." Roxy rolled her eyes.

"We'll definitely go with you, if you let us tag along that is." Ingrid asked shyly.

"I… I'd be delighted to be able to show it what it's like out there." I beamed and gave all three of them a hug. "We should go to breakfast and after that I'll tell you guys my plan."

"That sounds like a good idea." Els nodded and we headed to the dining hall as though nothing was different. I did however notice Drew and Dan watching me carefully for anything changes. I merely grinned at them and refused to let anything slip.

As far as classes went, things were going according to plan. I planted various prank items in any classroom that I entered. The last thing that I needed to do was to play a minor prank on poor Martin. All that consisted of was to lock him in his office with no way out and all technology would cease to function within his office.

I led the other three girls to a side gate that I knew existed in a more deserted area of the Academy.

"How did you find this gate?" Els whispered as we approached the Guardians on duty.

"I've done my fair share of research after deciding to break out." I smirk. "Hey Mister Guardians! I have some snacks for you!" I hollered.

"Ah! Valentine!" they smiled at me, remembering me from the night before when they were on duty at the elementary division. "You just don't stop making food do you?"

"What can I say; I have one heck of a huge appetite." I shrugged.

"Well, if you have some spare then we'll be glad to help you out," they chuckled and ate the small cakes that I brought them. A few moments later, they both passed out.

"Remind me to never make you an enemy Kai." Ingrid gulped.

"Oh don't worry about it, you never will." I smiled reassuringly at her. "Do you think you can climb?"

"No problem." Roxy and Els nodded and proceeded to climb up.

"Um… Kai, I might need a little help with this…" Ingrid muttered sheepishly.

"No problem, step on my shoulders and Roxy and Els can pull you up." I smiled at her and got down into position for her to step onto my shoulders. My back pressed up against the fence and Ingrid stepped onto my leg first before stepping up onto my shoulders and she reached up for Roxy and Els. The pair of them grabbed onto her tightly and hauled her up.

"Kai?" I heard a pair of almost identical voices call out and I noticed the twins running towards us. "So Drew was right, you really were planning an escape." Jackson stared at me incredulously.

"How did you know we'd be here?" I asked them curiously.

"We didn't, but as soon as we noticed the Guardians rushing towards the Headmaster's office, we figured that something might be wrong. Not to mention, several classrooms either stink of gas or have been flooded. We figured that something might be up and it was just our luck that we caught sight of you running off." Quinn explained. "Who would've that you'd actually manage this? I guess that the other two owe us ten quid," he smirked.

"You guys betted on this?" I stared at them in surprise.

"Sure did," they grinned.

"Kai!" Dan called out as he and Drew rounded the corner and caught sight of me.

"I told you I'd manage it." I smirked at them.

"Kai, we've got to go." Roxy told me as the three girls landed on the other side of the gate.

I nodded in agreement and jumped. Using a tree as my boost up I flipped up onto the gate and glanced back.

"You wanted to know what it's like out there, right? Why don't you find out with your own eyes? You probably won't get another chance ever again." I winked at Drew.

"They'll stop you before you get too far," he told me seriously.

"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "Watch me."

I apologise to all the readers who were really looking forward to the school party scene and the private tutoring sessions between Kai, Dan and Drew. But I promise that there will be a party scene in a few chapters time and there will also be a small scene between Kai and Drew so look forward to it! ^.^ I hope that everyone liked this chapter and the next upload should be happening soon since I'm almost done writing it ^.^