Page 13 of Crimson Shadows
The orb leads me down a short path and through an archway that seems to appear out of nowhere. I pass other students—some who look human, others who decidedly don’t—and try not to stare. A group of girls with gossamer wings flutter past, their laughter sounding like wind chimes. A boy with fur and pointed ears gives me a friendly nod as he lopes by on all fours.
I’m not even scared. I’m exhilarated and in awe of every one of these magnificent creatures.
Seconds later, the orb comes to a stop in front of a gothic tower attached to the central part of the castle. Carved gargoyles leer down from above the door, which is a heavy, studded wooden thing that looks like it weighs a ton.
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I face the imposing wooden door. This is it. My new life starts now.
With a trembling hand, I reach out and grasp the hooped iron door handle. It’s cold under my fingers, and for a moment, I hesitate. Am I ready for this? Can I really do this?
But then I think of Wesley in the morgue, of the fear and confusion I’ve lived with all my life. I think of Randall’s words: ‘You belong here, Adelaide.’
Before I can second-guess myself, I lift the handle and turn it. The sound of the door opening echoes through the night, seeming to reverberate through the very stones of the building.
I take a deep breath and step forward, confronted by a set of stone stairs that run up the left side of the tower. Placing my foot on the bottom step, I jump a mile and stifle my scream as a bat comes careening towards my face and narrowly dodges, swooping upwards and out the door before I can gather my wits about me, my heart thundering wildly.
“Fuck,” I mutter as I try to calm down enough to take the steep steps while juggling my heavy holdall and backpack, following the impatient orb that is bobbing about like an apple in water at my dawdling. “I’m coming. Hold your horses, orby.”
If I didn’t know better, I could swear I hear a titter as I take the steps slowly, not wanting to misstep and go arse over tit back the way I came.
Bloody castle towers. Why couldn’t they have installed a lift?
5
CORVUS
Swoopingunder the eaves of the tower, I perch upside down and wrap my black wings around myself as I contemplate the female who just entered the North Tower. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be in here. The North Tower is usually reserved for important guests and visiting faculty members, not students. Yet, everything about her screams ‘student’.
But there’s something different about this girl. Even in my bat form, I can sense it. There’s a power radiating off her, raw and untamed. It calls to the darkness within me, making my fangs ache with need.
Who is she? Why is she here?Whatis she?
Curiosity gets the better of me. I release my grip on the eaves and transform mid-air, landing silently on my feet at the base of the tower. My heightened senses pick up her scent - an intoxicating blend of human and something else. Something familiar yet foreign. I run my hand over my dark hair, straightening it after the shift, my blue eyes narrowed as I stare up at the tower.
From what I saw, she’s stunning. Long black hair cascades down her back, her pale skin and dark eyes mesmerising even after only a second of seeing her.
“Who are you, beautiful?” I murmur, debating whether to follow her up the steps.
Deciding not to, I turn and walk away, edging myself with curiosity about this girl. I’ve never seen her before, and I’ve never smelt anything even remotely like her. That makes me wary, so sauntering up to her, as I typically would to the hot new girl, is not on the cards, right now as I’m unusually cautious.
Maybe this place is rubbing off on me after all.
I smirk. Not likely. I’m hot-headed and impulsive, and if that’s not what a full-blooded vampire is supposed to be, then shoot me. Rounding the corner, I nearly collide with Professor Blackthorn, my Ancient Vampire Studies teacher.
“Mr Sanguine,” he says, his tone disapproving as always. “I trust you’re not causing trouble on the first night back?”
I plaster on my most charming smile. “Of course not, Professor. Just taking in the night air.”
His eyes narrow, clearly not buying it. “Hmm. Well, do try to stay out of mischief. We have some very important new students arriving tonight.”
That piques my interest. “Oh? Anyone I should know about?”
Professor Blackthorn’s expression becomes guarded. “That’s not for me to say. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
He brushes past me, his robes swirling dramatically. I watch him go, my mind racing. Important new students? Could that mysterious girl be one of them?
I’m tempted to go back to the North Tower, to satisfy my curiosity about her. But something holds me back. If she’s as important as Blackthorn implied, it is definitely wise to tread carefully until I know more.
Instead, I decide to head to the Blood Bar. It’s the first night back, after all, and I could use a drink.
