Page 10 of House of Vampires and Flame

Several students offered tentative answers, but they were all shot down by the teacher. I looked on. Both the front and back doors to her class appeared open and inviting. I snuck toward the back door, interested in knowing the first rule, or all the rules, as I might stay in this place for a while before I’d have to move again.

I ducked low and slid into the back of the room when the teacher, who wore a bright pink dress, turned her back to write something on the chalkboard.

I sat behind the door, settling in and letting out a breath of relief. With a room of students confusing my scent, I doubted that goddamned vampire would be able to track me down and single me out.

“Weed out the weak,” a girl said.

“The stronger has every right to crush the weaker!” a boy added.

Well, the rule wasn’t that different from that of the mortal realm. Supernaturals just didn’t sugarcoat it like in human society, where the greedy morons and hypocrites ruled.

I took a big bite from my freshly baked roll and barely chewed it before swallowing. I was starving. I should’ve grabbed some cheese and a bottle of water as well. But then, I’d been desperate to get away from that powerful bloodsucker.

“The strong rule the weak, as it’s the natural order.” The teacher stared at her pupils. Her pale silver eyes were so wide apart that they must constantly miss each other. Her ash blonde hair passed her slender shoulders, not covering her pointed ears. She was a fae. “Each one of you belongs to a house, so you’ll have certain protection from the head of your house against stronger predators from other houses. But bear in mind, as freshmen, you’re the bottom feeders.”

That’s good, Sy whispered. We’re strong. Let’s prey on the weak, and we don’t even have to apologize.

When she apologized, she usually ate them.

The teacher waved an electronic tablet in her hand. “Now, why were you enrolled in the Shades Academy?” she asked. “Let me hear some good reasons.”

“We’re here to learn magic, spells, glamour, shifting, potions—” a serious-looking girl said dutifully.

“Stop quoting the textbook,” a boy two rows behind her said.

Half of the class snickered.

“Being the bride to the prince heir of one of the most esteemed, powerful bloodlines,” a redhaired girl said, her voice laced with confidence and privilege. “That’s why I’m here, why all of us are here.”

Other girls giggled.

“That’s not why I’m here,” a boy with spiky hair said. Was he a wizard? “It’s so unfair; every girl wants to marry a prince.”

“The school’s byname is Brides Selection Academy, is it not?” the redhead continued, ignoring the spiky-haired boy. “I’m so in the right place, as I was born to rule by the side of one of the prince heirs. May the best woman win!”

The two girls sitting on either side of her nodded vehemently. They were the redhead’s wingwomen.

A mating school? Sy perked up. We’re here to stay! I’ll have my pick. No more warning me to be cautious, and no more slut-shaming!

That last statement was aimed toward me.

“Which prince is your favorite, Lady America?” someone shouted.

The redhead laughed like a high-class lady. Well, she was one. “The winner who fights for me.”

She thought she was the shit.

“Lady America of the House of Fae is correct,” the teacher said. “Finding one’s true mate is not a laughing matter. The corruption from the mortal realm has started to seep into Mist of Cinder. Magic is fading faster in the realm. It’s our duty to do everything in our power to preserve it, and thus the Brides Selection is the solution to protect the last magical realm. Can anyone tell me why?”

“An ancient oracle predicted the chosen one born of powerful fated mates will bring back the wild magic of old to all five kingdoms,” America said, flipping her red hair over her shoulder. “One of the prince heirs is destined to find his powerful fated mate, give birth to the chosen, fulfill the prophecy, and be anointed the High King of Mist of Cinder.”

“A fairytale,” someone murmured.

“It’s not,” the teacher said. “The realm is connected to the High King, but the seat has been vacant for a millennium.”

“Little Bob!” the vampire prince bellowed from the hallway.

Shit! I nearly choked on a chunk of bread.

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