Hey y'all! I'm so sorry about the long delay of updates but as I've mentioned on facebook, I've had exams to focus on and just haven't had the time to dedicate to writing an uploadable chapter but now exams are over and I can finally start updating again! I hope you like this chapter and don't forget to RxR when you're done!

Lyn xx

~x~ Chapter 45 ~x~

I blinked in surprise and saw the stern expression on his face. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment and I looked away. "Crispin spoke to you about that, didn't he?"

"He mentioned that things looked a little weird between you two. So, what's going on?"

"Nothing's going on. It's just a little weird, that's all."

"Weird how?"

"I haven't worked it out yet." I told him honestly. "But I do know that I need to break it off with him soon."

Joe watched me for a lengthy moment and took my hands in his. "Kai, the guy is decent and has a huge reputation. He's the most popular guy in school but…"

"But?"

"I might not have known you for the past six years, but I wouldn't have thought that he was your type. To be honest, we're all rather surprised about you and Cooper being a pair."

"We're not a pair." I explained to him. "We have a strange compromise going on."

"A strange compromise?"

"I'm not a saint, Joey. I'm just a girl who found it flattering that an attractive guy like Eric was interested. He asked me out after that senior training session Crispin had me help him with. Eric showed me the vampire version of the game Ghost and it was so much fun. I didn't want to have a serious relationship with him, I don't know him after all and he doesn't know anything about me, so we came to an agreement that this is some kind of an open relationship kind of thing I suppose where we're seeing each other but we're not going out. You get me?"

"So, you two aren't going out?"

"No, we're not." I told him firmly. "How can we when he doesn't even know the most important thing about me?"

"But you've gone out with boys before in the human community, no? And I doubt that you told them about being a vampire."

"Point taken." I grinned. "But that's a little different. With those boys, I knew that none of them would last and if it did I would tell them the truth eventually. But also, back then I didn't know whether I was going to be drawn back into this world or not. With this, I know for a fact that one day, the secret will be exposed and I have a strong feeling that it would be before graduation. It would take a miracle for this secret to be maintained for two whole years."

"Sooner or later, someone will work it out. One of the four royals would be first I reckon." Joe commented. "Drew is the most observant and you mentioned that he was already suspicious about your background. How suspicious is he, little sky? And tell me honestly. You were very hedgy about it yesterday."

"Honestly? I really have no idea. I know that he suspects I'm not who I say I am, but I don't know if he's actually worked it out yet or not. I have to say though, hats off to him, he's damn good at casually dropping questions to try and find out more. He really does love puzzles."

"How do you think he's going to react?" he asked tentatively. "I mean… he does kind of… well…"

"Idolise the lost Ivashkov princess?" I finished for him.

"Well, yeah…"

"I'm dreading it." I gave a heavy sigh. "I don't want to lose the relationship we have, but I'm really scared that I will. He makes me sound so much cooler than I really am and it's terrifying to think about how he's going to react."

"Because you know that it's not what he thought you were going to be?"

"I don't really know what he thinks I would've become by now, but I don't think I want to know either. That would just make it all the more difficult and horrifying."

"Are you scared that you might be disappointed?"

"It's not really about disappointment. It's more about the fact that he won't look at me in the same way. What I'm most scared about is the change of behaviour."

Joe seemed pensive for a moment before he suddenly smiled which confused me. Why was he smiling when we were talking about something so serious? He must've seen the confusion and irritation on my face because he shook his head at me. "Little sky, think about it. He already idolises you."

"Excuse me? He does not."

"Maybe not in the same way as crazy fans do, but he does respect you and anyone can see that. That's what makes you so famous across the Moroi circles, because Andrew Ozera respects you and it takes quite a lot to move that boy. But you? You've simply swept in and captured his attention and it makes others talk. If you were to hear him talking about 'Kylie Valentine', he would probably be saying similar things."

"You're kidding me."

"Deadly serious."

"No way!"

"Yes, little sky. You really have no idea the impact you've had on our lives, do you?"

"I knew I've changed things but… seriously? What? How? I haven't even done anything. Well, that's not entirely true but still, it's not enough to have captured his attention that much, is it?"

Joe shrugged in indifference. "Who knows? What we do know is that he's definitely taken an interest in you, and if anyone were to ask him about you, he'd be speaking rather highly, similar to the lost Ivashkov princess."

"This is ridiculous."

"But it isn't, little sky. Think about it logically. It wouldn't change the way he behaves around you because it would be such a similar thing. He'd still respect you, still think you were a mystery and still think you're some kind of a celebrity that you are. Don't you see? You are the same as back then now so to those who know you, there won't be a change of behaviour. He doesn't need to suck up to you for more popularity and benefits because he has that already himself."

"Not to mention, he's not the type to think about merits like that." I scoffed.

"Exactly." Joe agreed. "If you want to think about merits, the only merit he would seek is to know more about you. He doesn't like not being able to understand things."

"That's a rather common hatred, don't you think?"

"He can be rather intense about it. Are you staying in tonight?"

"Yeah, I want to catch up on sleep before going back. Besides, my manager should be calling me at some point about work."

"Ah yes, the agreement. I'm glad you can continue to sing. I want to hear you live, little sky. It's not fair that Jenson has heard but I haven't."

"It's all to do with good luck." I laughed. "Don't worry, I promise to sing for you guys one day."

"One day soon?"

"Maybe." I winked. "Anyway, did you just want to talk about Eric? If so, I think I should probably head off to bed."

"Yeah, but just one more thing."

"Yip?"

"When did you start calling Crispin by his first name?"

"Today." I informed him. "He said something about wanting to make things more comfortable or something."

"I see…"

"You're not jealous, are you?" I teased.

"Jealous probably isn't the right word," he grimaced at the thought. "I'm surprised and a little intrigued. Crispin has always had a different view point to everyone else. He's a little like you actually so it's not really all that surprising for him to have told you to call him by his given name. But even so, you are still a student so it makes things a little curious."

"He said that it was partially to do with the fact that I called everyone else by their first names. Maybe he just didn't want to be so excluded. After all, you all definitely hold him in high regard and he's close friends with you, no?"

"He arrived not long after you left, he helped me get back on track." Joe smiled wryly. "He was my voice of reason and we've sort of been a pair ever since."

"Yeah, apparently you two are the Academy's renowned duo."

"Says who?"

"Aunty Jules."

"Juliet said that?"

"Yeah, and for her to have paid you such a big compliment, you'd better go thank her."

"I will."

I blinked in surprise. There was something different about his voice, something that I'd never noticed before. It wasn't anything bad, if anything, there was a slight softness in his voice all of a sudden and I look at him carefully. He stared back at me in confusion, probably wondering why I was scrutinising him. I didn't spot anything, but I knew that there was something different just now and I was sure that I would catch it again. When I did, I was going to work out what was different.

"Night, Joey."

"Night, little sky."

With that, I headed upstairs to my room and dumped my books on the table sloppily. A couple of the books fell off when I brushed past the table to head into the bathroom for a quick shower. Bending down to pick them up, I noticed a slip of folded paper in one of the fallen books and frowned. Picking it out and unfolding it, I saw a neatly written note.

"If the offer still stands," I read aloud. "Please come to the training salle we normally use at around 14:00. I'll be waiting, Christian."

I saw the phone number scribbled under his name and smiled. I was glad that he decided to take up my offer. I liked Christian, he was nice and I wanted to know him better. I was interested to know more about the kinds of things that had happened to him, when he realised that he preferred guys over girls, and what happened between him and Nick. I was rather curious to know what kind of nice deed Nick did to have such a nice guy at his side.

Hastily, I sent Christian a text saying that I would be there before dashing for the shower. I showered and washed my hair in record time in just under twenty minutes. Once done, I got ready for bed and checked my phone. I saw two texts, both were from Christian and both made me laugh. The first one read ~Who is this?~ the second ~Sorry, I was being stupid. This is Kylie, right? Please say it is…~

I sent a hasty reply, making sure to put my name at the end. Before I even put my phone down, it buzzed.

~Thank god!~ it read. Buzz. ~It would've been really awkward if I guessed wrong…~

~How often do you get texts from people not on your contact list saying they'll be there to train with you in the early hours of the morning?~

~Never… But it doesn't hurt to be sure.~

~Hm… fair enough. I heard you got caught last night by Valiere.~

~I explained that I was only washing up and that you had cooked. As kind as Guardian Valiere is, when she catches or finds out someone's been using her kitchen without her permission, she's terrifying.~

I scoffed in agreement knowing how scary Maria could get. ~Her being scary? She seems like such a motherly type.~

~Motherly? Hm, I can see that. Did you manage to finish your work?~

~Just about. How did you know my books were there?~

~I needed to return a book and wanted to get another one out. I finished dinner early so you guys weren't there. I spotted your pencil case and took advantage of the situation to slip a note. Sorry, I stole one of your pages from your notebook.~

~It's fine, but what were you going to do if I didn't have my books in the library?~

~Slip the note under you door.~

~How do you know what room I'm in?~

~Process of elimination. I know you're on the top floor and there was only one empty room up there before you arrived.~

~How were you planning to sneak up to the girl's floor?~

~Use the excuse of looking for Guardian Maxwell.~

~You really have it planned out.~

~Years of practice, Kylie.~

~I see… Good night, Christian. If you want me to turn up tomorrow, I'd better sleep now.~

~Good night, Kylie, and really, thank you.~

~You won't be thanking me when I kick your ass tomorrow.~

~If I get my ask kicked, at least I can pinpoint my weaknesses.~

~I'll be able to tell you most if not all your weaknesses within half an hour. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.~

~Good night, Kylie. Sleep well and sweet dreams.~

~Thank you, and you too, Christian.~

I set my alarm for an earlier time before placing it on my drawers by the bathroom door rather than on my bedside table. That way, I wouldn't accidentally destroy my phone. I was out for the count before my head even hit the pillow.

I must've moved really close to the edge of the bed throughout the night. When the alarm rang, I flinched, turned over intending to find the none-existent alarm clock, and fell off the bed. Squealing, I landed with a thud. I groaned and crawled over to my phone to turn it off. Curling up into a ball on the floor, I looked at the time and groaned again. The object buzzed and I opened the text.

~Good morning, Kylie.~

I didn't reply.

Instead, I got up and hastily washed up and got changed. I shoved a change of clothes into my sports bag for after our short training and headed out, making sure to leave a note on my door to say I'd gone on ahead and would meet them in the dining hall. The entire building was silent with the occasional snores when I passed the boys' floor. The girls had the top half and the boys had the lower floors. I wasn't sure why that was but that was just the way it was.

I hissed in bliss as the sun hit my face. If there was anything I regretted with coming back to the Academy was the lack of sun. I missed the warmth and the feel of the sun rays hitting my skin. I missed the healthy feeling of the sun so much. Maybe getting up 'early' wasn't too bad after all. Not if it meant I could enjoy the sun.

By the time I got there, Christian was going at the sand bags and I threw my bag towards the direction of the girls' changing room door.

"Morning." I yawned.

"Good morning, Kylie," he greeted. "You're not a morning person?"

"Not really." I grumbled, ruffling my hair before gathering the thick masses into a bundle and tying it messily with one of the hair ties I had around my wrist. "Have you stretched?"

"Yeah."

"Running?"

"A little."

"How much?"

"Here to the wall and back."

"Next time try the whole perimeter."

"That's… long…"

I shrugged. "It's optional."

He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair. "Of course it's not. Not if I want to improve."

I spent the next ten minutes stretching properly before focusing on Christian. "Okay, so how do you want to do this?"

"What do you propose?"

I pondered for a moment, wondering what would be best as our first training session together. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that it would be best to work out his faults first and then work on getting rid of them. "For the next half hour, I want you to try to get me on the mat and keep me there for three whole seconds."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

I had to give him credit. He needed no more persuasion and seriously went for it. I could see the determination in his eyes as he lashed out at me. His fist whirled towards me and I knocked his arm, forcing the change of direction to his attack. Instead of losing contact, I latched onto his wrist firmly, tugging him towards me and lashed out with my palm. I smiled as he turned slightly, avoiding the hit and I released his wrist.

He wasted no time in going for it again. This time, his body slammed into me so hard it knocked the breath out of me. Instinctively, I threw him to the mat, slamming him harder than I'd intended to. I smiled apologetically at him as he wheezed. Pride gleamed in his eyes as he jumped back up straight away, looking unfazed when I knew for a fact that it had hurt. I generally knew what I could do and how much a strike would hurt when I made it.

For the next half an hour, we took turns attacking and defending. Whilst training, I took note of his faults and weaknesses which he should try to work on and when the time was up, I could tell that he was getting tired and carrying the fight any further would hurt his body. I simply stopped and held my hands out, palms facing him and he barely managed to stop himself short of punching me.

"Nice control." I commented, grinning from ear to ear. "That probably would've hurt if it hit."

"I'm sure it would've been nothing compared to the pain I'm feeling right now," he groaned, his arm falling back to his side.

"I think I can safely say that I'm a more experienced fighter than you are."

"I can tell. My body has pains to prove it too."

"Sorry."

"You're not really, are you?"

"I am, to an extent. You agreed to accept my help so I knew that you must've been prepared to have your ass handed to you to some extent. But even I have to say that there have been a few times when I may have hit you more than I'd intended to simply because you made me react that way."

"I made you hit me harder than you'd intended?"

"It means that there were moments when you were so good that I retaliated with equal strength without holding back."

"That was you holding back?" he asked, his eyes widening in disbelief.

I shook my head with a sigh at his reaction and took a seat. I could tell that we were in for a long conversation and decided to get comfortable on the mat. Christian saw what I was doing and followed suit, sitting beside me with his legs stretched out. "If you think that was the way I would fight against Strigoi, don't you think that I would be dead by now?"

"But…"

"They're lethal and almost incomparable. You can't fight like that against the amount of Strigoi I've taken down and expect to get out alive." I told him seriously. "You're a good fighter, Christian, you really are, but right now, you'd be lucky if you managed to get through one fight with a single Strigoi without passing out afterwards. You'd survive and taken him or her down, but if there was more than one, you'd most likely die."

"How many have you taken down on your own?"

"In one time?"

"In one time."

"You really want to know?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't."

"My record is four." His eyes widened even more and his mouth gaped open. "If your eyes widen anymore, your eyeballs are going to pop out."

"Four… on your own, with no help?"

"It's happened."

"More than once?"

"I think twice… or maybe it was thrice…" I trailed off lamely, losing count of just how many times I'd gotten into a group fight against Strigoi. Now that I thought about it, it really was a miracle that I was still alive.

"It's incredible that you know so much about how to fight Strigoi although you've been living in the outside world."

"That doesn't make any difference, after the first freak attack I went through, I got tracked down by a couple of alchemists who had to dispose of the aftermath and they explained some stuff to me. After that, it wasn't too hard to comprehend. Stake and behead them then incinerate them."

"You make it sound so… methodical…"

"That's because it is." I told him firmly. "Trust me, it wasn't easy at first and it still isn't. Stripping the life out of something's eyes is never going to be a pleasant experience, no matter how many times you do it."

I was startled when he suddenly took my face in his hands. He gazed meaningfully into my eyes and I stared back at him, feeling confused and intrigued at the same time. "They still haunt you, don't they? Your kills still haunt you."

I smiled grimly at him, giving a small nod. "Of course they do. No decent person wouldn't feel haunted for having blood on their hands even if it had been done for the greater good."

"Have… have you ever gone hunting?"

"No. Never. I think it's a disgusting and foul idea. Those who think of it as a game should be thrown into some kind of a correctional institute to sort their heads out."

"Kylie, sometimes, you really don't sound much like an outsider." Christian commented, looking at me oddly and fear coursed through me briefly. Christian couldn't have worked anything out yet. We'd barely spent any time together and I certainly didn't recall knowing him back when I was here as a kid.

"I'm just stating an opinion." I told him simply, trying to blag my way through it. "From a human perspective, do you think that it would correct to go hunt down criminals like some kind of a vigilante? Not all criminals are bad to the same degree. What if you ended up killing someone who'd only stolen once to save himself or his family?"

"Have you always analysed it like that?"

"It became a routine after my first."

"A routine?"

"After a kill, I always reflected on who they might have been before the change, whether they had really killed anyone yet, that kind of thing."

"How have you coped for so long?"

"By remembering that it was to protect my friends. The very idea that my friends might be killed by them is what kept me going."

"You sound like some kind of a knight."

"I'm not a knight. Just someone determined to protect those important to me."

"Is there much of a difference?"

"Knights tend to be really snobbish and chauvinistic and arrogant and they aren't very nice to women." I summed up in as few words as I could. In fact, there were a few other things I liked to say about knights, about their preposterous love for bloodshed and their love for plunder.

"You don't like knights?"

"I think they're overrated sometimes."

"You sound like romance is lost on you."

"Funnily enough, the Dragomirs said the same thing last night. Do I really give that kind of impression?"

"Considering how little I know you, I can't really give much of an opinion about something like that." Christian shifted awkwardly.

Suddenly, I was curious. "Then answer as someone who doesn't know me personally very well. What is your impression of me? You do have one, don't you?"