Page 23 of Crimson Shadows
10
ADELAIDE
Shakingoff the lingering unease from my encounter with the three mysterious, otherworldly men, I turn my attention back to the task at hand. The library seems to sense my desperation to know about vampires and how to counteract this creepy ability to make me do whatever they want, simply with an uttered word, as suddenly, a book catches my eye. Its spine glows faintly, as if beckoning me. I reach out and pull it from the shelf, surprised by its weight.
“Vampires: A Comprehensive Guide to the Children of the Night,” I read aloud, tracing my fingers over the embossed title. Well, that’s certainly on the nose.
I settle into a plush armchair tucked away in a corner, away from prying eyes—not that there is anyone up here to begin with. As I open the book, the pages seem to shimmer, and I’m hit with a waft of something metallic. Blood? I shove back the urge to lick the pages and press on.
The book draws me in quickly. It is fascinating, diving deep into vampire lore and biology. I learn about their enhanced strength and speed, their ability to heal rapidly, and their heightened senses. It explains the compulsion ability thatCorvus used on me, a power that allows vampires to control the minds of weaker beings. I shudder, remembering how helpless I felt.
“Weak,” I murmur, my fingertips brushing over these words. That is what I am—weak. I don’t want to be weak. I don’t want these creatures coming after me because they think they can get away with doing whatever they want to me. I’ve been there and done that at primary school. Bullied into my first self-harming episode, I vowed never to be in that position again. I would be stronger, or failing that, just not care.
I’ve got apathy down. Most things are of no interest to me, but the last couple of days I have had more emotions running through me than I realistically know what to do with. I’m not equipped to handle this, so I need to figure out a way, fast, to get stronger.
I keep reading, absorbing information about vampire weaknesses, direct sunlight being the worst and most limiting, their need for blood, and their place in the supernatural hierarchy, which is fucking high up the food chain. I suppose I have that going for me, at least in part. I learn about vampires born of two vampires who are strong, whereas turned vampires are much weaker and are subject to more limitations and restrictions. I’m guessing my compeller, Corvus, is a born vampire. There is nothing average or weak about him.
Reading about blood and feeding habits, I find myself getting hungry. Mum’s sandwiches are long gone, so I’m going to have to get off my arse and find the dining hall, wondering if I can squirrel away some extras for snacks in my room for later, or even better, enough food so I don’t have to come down at all again until tomorrow. I’m extremely wary after being subject to the compulsion and don’t want to give these guys a second shot at me.
Not yet, at least.
Reluctantly, I close the book and stand, stretching out the kinks in my back.
I remember my magical map that guides me around campus, so disturbing Orby, I rummage through my backpack until I find the folded piece of parchment.
As I unfold it, it comes to life, ink spreading across its surface to form an intricate map of MistHallow. It’s beautiful and slightly dizzying, with buildings that seem to shift and move as I watch.
“Right,” I mutter. “How do I use this thing?” As if in response, a glowing dot appears on the map, pulsing gently. That must be me.
“Okay, magical map,” I say, feeling only slightly ridiculous talking to a piece of paper. “Where’s the dining hall?”
A path lights up on the map, leading from my location in the library down through winding corridors and across a courtyard to a large building.
I shoulder my backpack and set off, following the glowing path, with Orby at my shoulder. The corridors of MistHallow are quiet, which is fine by me.
As I cross the courtyard, the gloomy mid-morning air refreshes me after being cooped up in the library.
I reach the dining hall, pushing open the heavy wooden doors. Inside, the hall is vast, with long tables stretching the length of the room. There are hundreds of students packed inside, which makes me realise it’s later than I thought. It’s lunchtime, and I couldn’t have chosen a worse time to come and find food.
At the far end, I spot the serving area. As I approach, I’m amazed to see the food appears fresh and hot before my eyes.
It all smells heavenly, but my eyes are drawn to the large to-go cups of blood with straws sticking out of them. That must bethe synthetic blood Professor Blackthorn mentioned. I reach for one tentatively and then shrug.
“Fuck it, Addy. You might as well give it a shot.” Also, it does give me the whole she’s-a-vampire vibe that I’m trying to give off.
Finding an empty spot at one of the long tables, I sit down and place my lips over the top of the straw and suck. The coppery taste hits my tongue, and I stifle the groan of pure satisfaction.
A shadow falls over me, making my heart lurch, and I look up to see a girl about my age with vibrant purple hair and eyes that seem to shift colour as I watch.
“Hi,” she says, her voice friendly. “You’re Adelaide Black, right? I’m Lyra.”
I nod, relieved that it isn’t Corvus, Zephyr, or Zaiah. “Yeah, that’s me. Nice to meet you.”
Lyra sits down across from me, her smile wide and genuine. “Are you settling in okay? I’m happy to show you around and help you get used to the old place if you want?”
Her enthusiasm is a bit overwhelming after the day I’ve had, but it’s nice to encounter someone who doesn’t seem to want to eat me or compel me or trick me into making wishes.
“I think I’ve got a handle on it,” I murmur as Orby is rolling around in circles on the table in front of me. Lyra’s eyes go to it, and she raises an eyebrow. “You got an orb?”
