Page 17 of Crimson Shadows
“Many reasons,” he says cryptically. He pushes open a door to an ordinary-looking classroom, ushers me inside, and closes the door.
He bustles about, searching his pockets for something as Orby whizzes around the room before settling on top of my backpack, which I lean up against one of the tables. Finding whatever it is he was after, Blackthorn mumbles some words, and a box appears, bigger than a shoe box, but not by much.
“This is everything we know about your kind.”
I press my lips together. That doesn’t seem like a lot. “Uhm…”
“Quite,” he says wryly. “We believe you only found out about yourself yesterday and arrived here under the gun, as it were. Hunters?”
“Is that what Randall told you?” I venture.
He nods.
“Well, then, yes. My boss at the morgue staked a vampire in front of me and then decided I was next. Whatever protection spells my mother had on me dropped, so he must’ve been able to sense I wasn’t all human.” I mean, he seems to know about shit, and I’ve got nothing to hide. Maybe he can help me make sense of it all.
“Indeed,” he murmurs. “Randall did the right thing, bringing you to us right away. You are safe here, but I assume you have many questions.”
“Many is putting it mildly,” I say, sitting down. “Randall said there weren’t many of my kind around.”
“Three at the moment. Two who have been around for many years and, well, now, you.”
“How many years?”
“Centuries.”
“So, they’re immortal?”
“Yes.”
“But can be killed?”
“Stakes, fire, beheading, the usual suspects.”
“So, what makes me so special, then? Do I have powers?”
He smiles. “Powers, no. But abilities… yes. You have enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes, accelerated healing. You can consume blood for a boost, the usual vampiric stuff. But what makes you different from vampires, and this is the crux of your unique situation, Miss Black, you have the ability to amplify others’ powers when in physical contact with them.”
I stare at Professor Blackthorn, trying to process what he’s just told me. “I can amplify others’ powers? What does that even mean?”
He nods, his face sober. “It means, Miss Black, that when you touch someone with supernatural abilities, their powers become stronger. Significantly stronger.”
“But I’ve never noticed anything like that before,” I protest.
“Of course not,” he says, waving a hand dismissively. “You’ve never been in prolonged contact with other supernatural beings.”
Okay, duh.That makes total sense. I sink further into my chair, my mind reeling. “So what, I’m some kind of supernatural battery?”
Professor Blackthorn chuckles. “That’s one way to look at it, I suppose. But you’re much more than that. Your kind are incredibly rare and valuable. Which is why we must keep your true nature a secret for now.”
“Valuable to whom?” I ask, a shiver running down my spine.
His expression turns grave. “To many, Miss Black. There are those who would seek to use your abilities for their own gain. Some might even try to harm you to prevent others from using you.”
“Bloody hell,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. “So what am I supposed to do? Hide in my room forever and not touch anyone?”
“Not at all,” he says, shaking his head. “You’re here to learn, to understand, and to control your abilities. But we must be cautious. For now, we’ll keep your true nature confidential. You’ll attend regular classes like any other student, but you’ll also have private sessions with me to work on harnessing your unique talents.”
I nod, trying to take it all in. “Okay, so do I pretend I’m a vampire, or what?”
