Page 41 of Ashvale: The Vampire's Thrall
"I think you do like it. Being special, I mean. Who wants to be just like everyone else? And look at you—you’ve clearly never been anxious to fit into a crowd, otherwise why get all the tattoos? I don’t see any reason why you should change that now.”
I shrugged. "That was the old me though."
"The old you is no different from undead you." At my disbelieving look he snorted. "Okay, yes, there are a few differences, but I don't believe your personality could have changed that much. You care deeply about people and justice, and you're bold." He cleared his throat and I watched, fascinated. I wasn't sure I'd ever seen Hayes embarrassed before. "Plus, nobody is naturally as good in bed as you are. Some things just stick with you."
I laughed and after a second he joined in.
"Did I hear laughter coming from this room or do my ears deceive me?" Novalie called as she walked in uninvited. "Aw look at you two. Next, you'll be plaiting each other's hair and singingkumbayaaround a fire."
I rolled my eyes but Hayes' expression had already shuttered.Why do you do that?I wondered and knew he'd heard and chosen not to answer when a muscle in his jaw ticked.
"I'll leave you guys to talk," he said as he swung up from the bed and was halfway to the door before I had even opened my mouth. "I'll see you in class later."
Novalie watched him go, looking as bemused as I felt. "Was it something I said?"
I shrugged. "He's testy."
"Yet, you've wormed your way into his heart anyway."
"Heart? No. Pants? Yes."
Novalie snorted and I patted Haye's vacant spot on the bed. "How are you doing with everything? Like, does it bother you? Me and Hayes?"
She shrugged. "You know, not as much as I thought it would, to be honest."
"I'm glad," I said and raised my eyebrows when she looked at me sceptically. "I mean it. I like you and I wouldn't want to hurt you—but there's not much I can do about the bond with Hayes."
"I know," she said and the silence that fell between us was comfortable. "Besides, I've kind of been talking to someone else.”
"Oh?" I wondered if it was Rowan but I couldn't see them together, really. Novalie was... Fun. Impulsive. Rowan was more inclined to stay on the safe side, controlled, quiet. That was fine, it was even sexy at times, but I couldn't see them actually getting together beyond a hook-up, maybe.
"Yeah, there's that girl in our classes with Lark—dark hair and eyes, Siera?"
"I think I know who you mean, she's pretty."
"I know right." Novalie sighed dreamily and I grinned. "Do you think you'd ever date a girl?"
"Do I need to let Hayes know he has competition?" I teased and we laughed. "I don't know—I've never really been into girls, but that doesn't mean I definitely wouldn't. I think it's more about finding the right person. Plus, eternity is a long time to never touch a boob I guess."
We laughed and continued chatting until I checked the time and groaned. It was time to be tortured by West.
"With any luck I might actually get to do some magick this time," I grumbled to her and she patted my shoulder sympathetically.
"I've got my fingers and toes crossed for you."
Unfortunately, I was pretty sure I was going to need all the luck I could get.
I made my way to the same room I'd seen West in before and found the majority of the class already there. West frowned at me as I strode in and I opted to ignore him, not wanting to start any kind of pissing contest—not when I was hoping he'd read me today.
I found Rowan and Hayes sitting in the third row back on a nearly-empty long table. A few stares lingered on me as I walked in which I found odd. Most people were used to seeing me by now and didn't take much note of my presence. What was different about today?
"Word travels quickly," Hayes said as I sat down. "Some people are.... unhappy, about what happened to Colin."
I raised an eyebrow and Rowan frowned.
"The living vampire you killed," Rowan said, more than a hint of accusation in his tone when he added, "Twice."
I grimaced. His name had been Colin? "Well, I guess there’s a reason you don't often hear about vampires namedColin."
