Page 32 of Savage Hope

He’s a vampire, a thing I thought was nothing more than a myth up until twenty-four hours ago, and now here he is, already attempting to make my life as uncomfortable as possible, all because I was declared a witch. Isn’t he aware that I didn’t get a say in the matter?

I know I can keep my head down, stay out of everyone's sight, and I'll get through this just fine. I have to. Yet something tells me that he’s going to enjoy sneering at me more than I’m going to enjoy hiding away from him as best as I possibly can.

“Good morning, class. Please take your seats. That means you at the back too, Bianca.”

My gaze latches onto the professor as he strolls into the room with a tired smile on his face. My teeth sink into my bottom lipas I note his embarrassing comment to the girl, who I can only assume is the one sitting on the hot guy’s table. My suspicion is confirmed a moment later as she saunters past me, muttering under her breath and taking the spot two seats in front of me.

“For those new here, I’m Professor Green, and I am the specialist in offensive and defensive skills.” His smile widens with pride at the acknowledgment before he continues. “I won’t waste any time today delving into past lessons. There’s little that you have missed, but a small booklet will be sent to each of your rooms to summarize what we covered by the end of the day.” He nods, more to himself than anything, as he doesn’t seek confirmation from anyone. “Now, the main topic of why we're here, as mentioned, is to learn both offensive and defensive skills for us supernaturals in a world where the humans don't know we exist. Unless they’re tainted by the blood curse, of course. Otherwise, we operate under the radar. Despite the secrecy in broad daylight and the effort it can sometimes take to remain hidden, it doesn't hide the intensity, the conflict, or the pain that lies among us. It just makes it harder for us to disguise it in the open.”

I gape at him, trying to absorb every word coming out of his mouth, but it feels like he’s talking too quickly for me to take it all in.

“Now, as I've just mentioned, the human world knows nothing about us, except for those with a blood kin. The humans who survive the blood kin curse later become supernatural hunters. Not by choice, really, not because anyone has really done anything wrong, but it's their way of offensively and defensively approaching the supernatural world as they move forward. Besides, it’s not unknown to the supernatural world that some may…go a little rogue, and this is nature's way of restoring some balance in the rare instances that protection is needed.”

“Why doesn’t a vampire just compel them?” someone shouts, interrupting the professor, who rolls his eyes at the question.

Compel them?

“Because that would take away the rights of someone who survived the blood curse. They deserve to remember what they have faced and what they have endured. And it is also not a vampire’s job to control that,” Professor Green states before waving a dismissive hand and refocusing. “It's a natural order, just as everything else is.”

All I can do is gape at him, my jaw refusing to close as his words go over my head, no matter how hard I try to gobble them up. Maybe if it wasn’t such a confusing topic, I might be able to get a better grip on it, but none of it seems real.

“So, with that in mind, we are very aware that each supernatural faction has a different way of showing both offensive and defensive actions. For example, if we were to look at witches,” he starts, and the mere mention of the word that suddenly clings to my name makes my heart stop in my chest as I stare at him with wide eyes, desperate to know more. “Their natural defensiveness is to form covens to help shore up their weaknesses. They spread their wings and join with others, creating collective groups where they're stronger defensively. There’s always power in numbers in my opinion, especially when it can amplify your powers too.”

I hope that’s just a metaphor and there aren’t any actual wings.

“In contrast to that, offensively, they are a force to be reckoned with. They work tirelessly with spells, enchantments, charms, and potions to ward off most things. They can also use particular abilities that others can’t, and you will find that other supernaturals will lean on a witch's coven for aid. That is their strength among the supernaturals.”

My pulse rings in my ears and his words carve themselves deep into my soul as I learn more about who I am meant to be. It doesn’t feel as though those words fit me, not entirely, but something about them promises to give me strength like I’ve never felt before.

“Can anybody here give me an example of a wolf’s offensive and defensive tactics?” Professor Green looks around the room, and his eyes settle on someone behind me. “Asher, please explain.”

“Similar to the witches, I guess wolves form packs to create a defensive border. Our packs are our family, our friends, our ride or die. Nothing comes between you and your pack, not ever,” he explains, his voice thick and rich as he speaks slowly, like he knows he’s holding everyone’s attention and enjoying it. “That's probably our defense, so our offensive is likely the fact that we can shift into said wolves from our human form, mostly at our own choice, except for under the full moon, which is out of our hands. With the shift comes abilities and strengths, along with the instinct to attack when threatened. That's why nobody messes with the wolves.”

A scoff rings out at that statement, and all eyes in the room dart to the far corner where Blaze sits, a dark grin on his face.

“Please. That’s bullshit.”

“Mr. Williams, if you think you can explain the vampire’s offensive and defensive tactics better, then please, go ahead,” Professor Green encourages, and Blaze doesn’t back down, sitting taller in his seat as he leans over his desk, casting a deathly glare over everyone in the room.

For a split second, I’m thankful it isn’t just me, but I still can’t stop myself from hiding my face before his eyes can find mine across the room.

“A vampire can compel you to do whatever they want.Ican compel you to do whateverIwant.” I gulp as he reiterateshis statement. “We don't have to deal with your bullshit going forward if we don’t want to. We don't care to have a pack or a coven. We care about survival. That's our offensive, to strive for ourselves, to fight for ourselves, and to stand firm at all times. There's no need for us to be defensive, especially not like the witches, who always expect a bargain in order to offer their services. Nobody's interested in paying those prices. Definitely not a vampire.”

I don’t know why, but that added point feels directly aimed at me. My gaze snaps over my shoulder, finding his laser-sharp stare settled on mine, and I shrink in my seat.

Don’t freaking look, Polaris. You’re your own worst enemy right now.Internally, lecturing myself does nothing to quell the growing worry inside of me. Still, I silently shimmer with a hint of pride at the fact that I at least berated myself with my name instead of the lone initial I’m so familiar with.

The room remains silent, everyone hanging on his words until Bryony suddenly grunts from beside me. “Maybe, if you didn't piss the witches off to begin with, you might have more allies.” There’s a snark in her tone, a thunder crackling through her anger as her fingers curl into fists in her lap.

“I don't need allies,” Blaze retorts. “That’s the last thing I need in here,” he adds, driving his point home. The look of disgust on his face is evident as I peer at him out of the corner of my eye, and I quickly turn around in my seat again to face the professor, who clears his throat.

“It's interesting to see how we all depict our factions and what that looks like to each of us. Although, I do believe that vampires may have an offensive and defensive side, Mr. Williams, but that's why I'm here. For you to learn and understand over the course of the next year.” He strolls from around his desk, his demeanor calm and relaxed. I expect him to move on from the topic, but to my surprise, he proceeds totoy with the points already raised. “Let’s say there’s an emerging threat, if another faction were to attack you and your group, what would your responses be?” His eyes latch on to mine, and I already want the floor to open up before me. “How do you think you would react in response to an attack from a vampire, Polaris?”

The prospect of dying doesn’t feel as intense as answering his question right now. More than that, how the hell does he know my name? Even more than that, is he a supernatural?

I gape at him as my mind swirls down a rabbit hole of questions that are completely unhelpful at the moment. My mouth is opening and closing like a goddamn fish as I struggle to think of what to say. When I do finally come up with something, it feels more than lacking, but the look on his face makes it obvious he isn’t going to move until I’ve spoken.

“Right now, without any kind of abilities, since my magic sigil is still in place, I don't feel like I have any choice but to run.”

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