Shadow School Ch. 07

"Okay so answer me this," Kristie said. "If vampires are immortal and can have kids, why aren't they everywhere? I mean... what keeps the bad vamps from going out to produce a hybrid army or something?"

"You ask a lot of questions." Eric scrubbed a hand through his dreads. "One, hybrids have a human life span; we didn't inherit immortality. Two, only vampires that follow a code of ethics -- live a better life you might say -- are even capable of reproducing... you'll have that explained later as well. Three... well, it's rare. The human body tends to reject the idea of creating a hybrid." He scowled. "On top of that, we're constantly fighting battles and losing those in our ranks. We hunt them as much as they hunt us."

"They? Like werewolves? I saw the hieroglyphs..."

"Werewolves are a nuisance, but with them it's more a turf war. They have a rival school. With the others, the darker ones of our kind, it's a fight to the death. They want us gone."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Just because?" Kristie knew she was starting to irritate him but she really wanted to know what was going on. This was so beyond what she knew.

Eric glanced at her. "It's a safety thing; we regulate the world. Humans think we are a myth because we told them we were. They were already starting to suspect the existence of vampires so myths were created to keep the rumors at a storytelling level. No one really believes in vampires, they think it's just entertainment." Eric scowled, glancing around. "If the dark ones had their way they'd treat humans like cattle and live openly. They're greedy. They don't just drink blood, they kill."

Kris studied Eric... his mouth, his skin... "Do you drink blood?"

Eric grinned at her. "Yes and no. I don't need it to survive, but it has health benefits like quick healing or energy... and, well, the rest is none of your business."

Kristie tried to smirk but it left her face quickly as her mind raced.

They arrived at a small obelisk that was at least twice, if not three times her height. It was covered in writing and pictures painted vibrant colors -- not like the worn relics of antiquity. Behind it was a huge wall of white limestone with a door at its center surrounded by similar etchings; they had to go down two steps to be level with the entrance.

Eric approached one of the two torches that flanked the door; seeing them gave Kristie chill-bumps -- they reminded her of the underground hallway she'd walked with Daman. Eric glanced at her and snorted.

Kristie, for the first time since that incident, blushed.

Eric pulled on the torch and it swung back from the wall revealing a keypad; he punched a code in and the doors opened. When he replaced the torch back against the wall, he turned to Kristie and gestured for her to enter.

Why did she always have to go first?

The entrance to Sokar House was like walking into an Egyptian tomb... creepy. Kristie thought it would be more like a dorm or something... maybe a hotel. But a gravesite? They walked down a flight of steps to a large Hall filled with columns. Okay... that was more like it.

The Hall was old but in the center stood a very modern looking pool table. Further down the way there were couches, a bar -- hopefully stocked with goods -- and a few arcade games. There was a stereo as well, which made Kris think it was probably a great place to hang after classes.

"This is the lounge," Eric said, "where everyone relaxes when not in class. Classes started a few hours ago so students should start heading in and out depending on the rest of their day.

"You let students drink? Isn't that like, against the law?"

Eric looked at her as if she'd said something moronic. Oh. Yeah.... Being a vampire probably wasn't very lawful either. That and this place was clearly built long before any age restrictions were in place.

Eric took the lead and guided her through the arch at the end of the room and around the corner. "Restrooms, boys and girls, and this is another lounging area..."

"Wow."

Kristie wondered what it would be like to live underground but it was apparently not quite under... there were windows. They were tilted at an odd angle, but they did let light in. She realized they must be on the side of a mountain.

"The glass is tilted down so the sunlight won't bounce off them and alert anyone who doesn't know the school is here."

"Are all the houses underground?"

"Some... not all... Others have extensive basements for the Heads... they do actually like moonlight so most rooms have the option of simply closing off the light until nightfall."

He walked her down a half flight of steps and around to another hallway. Kristie thought if there were any more turns it would get confusing. The hall opened up into a comfortable-looking sitting room surrounded by doors.

"This is the Circle lounge... each scholarship winner has her own room... the Freshman room is the biggest."

"Yeah... why is that? Why do Freshman get all the attention?"

Eric looked around, hesitating. "It's tradition... and the upperclassmen usually have more social lives so they stay out of their rooms more... you'll get the idea when you start here." He walked over to the door on their right, opening it without knocking.

Kristie wondered if he had free reign of the place, since he was Daman's son.

"Oh, no. This area is for circle girls only." Eric smiled. "I'm just allowed here because you're getting a tour... and Tawna isn't here now so her room is vacant."

It was vacant alright; it was pristine. The bed was huge... probably a California king size... and there was lots of space to move around; there was a desk near the expanse of windows that made up the entire wall.

"Holy shit." Kristie gawked. "This is mine?"

"When you start in the fall... yes."

"What happened to the other girl... where'd she go?"

"Excused absence. Tawna's a favorite here... she'll get back into the swing of things next semester."

Kristie walked around the room, running a finger of the surfaces. Not one speck of dust.

"Now... we should let you tour potential departments. What major do you have in mind?" Eric began to walk back toward the door, opening it for them to leave.

Kristie didn't answer right away, glancing back wistfully at the room that would be hers in a few short months as she followed Eric out the door.

***

Cameron was a little shocked when Mahi knocked on a door in Arinson House and the model from last night opened it.

"What do you want?" The tall girl asked, her hair pulled up into a messy bun -- the kind that girls spent too much time trying to pass it off as a spur-of-the-moment updo.

"Hello, Nellie," Mahi said. "I'm scheduled to show Miss Ellis the room she will have next fall."

Nellie glared at Cameron. "Fine, whatever." She abruptly turned, flinging the door back, and sauntering into the messy room to collapse on the bed. As she covered her ears with headphones, Cameron couldn't help but wonder why she was fine with wearing a robe that barely covered her butt. What if she had visitors? Like now.

"Nellie," Mahi said, scowling at the clothing piled around the room and books scattering the floor, "you were supposed to clean the room to make it more presentable today."

Cameron only partially heard her escort. She was gaping at the size of the room. There was a sitting area in one corner with a desk nearby, a vanity, chest, and dresser with mirror near the huge bed, and the doors to a good-sized walk-in closet were open revealing even more clothing chaos.

"Why bother? It's not like anyone ever comes in here. The Head doesn't even like to get head anymore. Go figure."

Cameron's eyes widened.

Mahi put her hands on her hips. "Nellie, I will not tolerate such language-"

"What, in front of the little slut? He's banged her already, you know."

"Nellie!" Mahi crossed swiftly to stand next to the bed. Nellie would have towered over the petite woman if she were not laying down, but the model was eyeing Mahi warily from her prone position.

It still didn't stop her from running her mouth. "What, does it bother you, half-breed; that your father fucks our bodies and our minds or that-"

Whatever insult Nellie had started was cut off when Mahi grabbed Nellie by the neck and lifted her -- with one arm -- to dangle by her throat from Mahi's hand.

Cameron let out a squeak and almost moved to do... something... but thought better of it. What was more shocking was that the model was dangling just an inch above the floor, the shorter woman clearly having no problem supporting Nellie with only three fingers at the girl's throat.

"You're losing what little respect you have left, Nellie... I'd watch what I said." Mahi promptly dropped the girl to the floor.

Nellie gasped, her hand going to her throat, as she glared at Mahi then at Cameron. She looked as if she wanted to cry but didn't dare.

Cameron's mind was blank. What just happened took only a matter of seconds.

Mahi turned to look at her, a slight smile of comfort on her face. "My apologies. We do not tolerate bad behavior or name-calling. Especially with regards to the Head of the House." The last was said directly to Nellie who was still recovering on the floor.

Cameron was too busy staring at Mahi's bright green eyes. Something Nellie had said clicked in her mind; she'd seen those eyes before... up close.

"Elias... is your father?"

Mahi nodded, a jumbled expression of pride, caution, and comfort all mixed together, no doubt for Cameron's benefit. She stepped forward and Cameron couldn't help the jerking motion she made to step back. By the time she caught herself, her flinch had changed the look on Mahi's face to resolve.

"I am honored to be a child of Arinson House. And those who attend under his roof are better than this half-wit you see before you." She turned back to Nellie, who made a face. "Nellie started off with such promise but decided to gloat about her station and wave it in the other girls' faces. That is, until she couldn't perform her duties..."

"Not like I didn't try." Nellie said, turning to lean back against her bed, still rubbing at her neck.

"But you failed. And it has made you bitter. Hateful. Perhaps some penance is in order."

"No... no please." Nellie said, finally making eye contact with Mahi. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean-"

"Of course you did. You mean everything you do. Still... it won't be as long as last time."

The girl sat back down, her hands going to her head. Mahi sighed and quickly pointed out the various things in the room that would be Cameron's next fall. Nellie remained silent and unmoving during the quick tour. Mahi ignored the girl until the end, when she glanced down at the model then sighed, looking up and smiling apologetically to Cameron before gesturing that they should leave.

Once in the hallway, they ran into Aunalita. She was no longer wearing the black cloak; she was dressed in the school uniform: a red sweater-vest with an emblem for Arinson House over her left breast and a gray and black pleated skirt. She had a backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Nellie getting up to her old drama, then?" Aunalita smiled a knowing smile.

"I think she needs a week of penance." Mahi said.

Aunalita's smile left her face and she nodded solemnly. Turning to Cameron she said, "Don't worry... she gives everyone a hard time."

Mahi grinned. "Except you."

Aunalita preened. "Well, not everyone can be like me."

Mahi looked at Cameron. "Be more like Aunalita and you'll do fine here."

Aunalita winked at Cameron and smiled at Mahi before ducking past them and walking down the short hall to another door. Mahi gestured that they should continue on.

As they crossed the lounge and headed down to the first floor of Arinson House, they passed a few students coming back from class. Everyone offered some sort of greeting to Mahi, eyeing Cameron curiously, but not approaching. She wondered why no one came up to them and said hello.

"They're not allowed to speak with you until you move into the House."

Cameron watched a cute guy pass her, his hair very much like Elias' own blonde curls. "So you obviously can read thoughts like your... father. I'm sorry... he's just... so young, it's weird... you look like you could be in the same class together, not father and daughter."

Mahi smiled. "I age. He does not. Within a few decades I'll look like I could be his parent. Like President Arinson."

Cameron's eyes bugged. "The President is..."

"His son. Yes."

And Cameron had thought it was the other way around. "Nellie called you a half-breed... is that like, a curse word or something?"

"Not normally... the way she used it and the things she was about to say... the girl is having jealousy issues lately... especially now that you are here to take her place."

"What she said... about how Elias..." Cameron couldn't finish the sentence but the thoughts were still on target: fucks our bodies and our minds?

Mahi sighed. "Look... with the exception of John Harvard all the males here are young in body and temperment. My father is mortally a twenty-three year old... Sokar is twenty-one, and Ovidan is even nineteen. They have the urges of those of their age. So you cannot fault their advances or the erratic nature that makes most of their relationships short-lived. Just be glad you aren't in Harvard House."

Why?

Mahi smirked. "John and Virginia have been in love since she turned him over three hundred years ago... they consider themselves married... or mated... depending on the company you discuss it with. Harvard... he..." Mahi stopped speaking, looking at Cameron as if she'd caught herself from saying something she shouldn't.

"Forget Harvard... forget the others... just know that Elias Arinson plays by the book, no matter the consequences. The fact that he broke tradition with you..."

Cameron blushed.

Mahi faced forward as they walked, thankfully giving Cameron time to return to a normal color. "Well, once you're going to school here it won't be such a big deal. He just... jumped the gun."

Cameron wondered what the actual rules were. "I don't get that though... Gavin bit Melanie while they were making out... and that was before I even came here."

"Ovidan plays by the same rules but he breaks them if needed. Sometimes our Seekers have to confirm the lack of innocence in a female before bringing her here for... well, you know the reasons. A human doesn't get the blood urge from just a bite... Gavin sent her away with the urge for her own protection, knowing she would be invited to attend here." Mahi looked at her and stopped speaking for a moment. "I'm sorry how the rest happened.... It must have been a shock."

Cameron's mouth felt dry. "How do you know all this?"

"My father told me. He's honest. I asked what was wrong and he told me. He told me of your... introduction... as well. We're an honest family... better to hear it from your own kind than from outsiders. It's a bit of a hushed up scandal, really."

"What does everyone think of me?"

"The circumstance wasn't your fault, Cameron... the result isn't exactly shocking either... I mean, if he weren't my father... To quote Shakespeare, 'He is a pretty piece of flesh.'"

Cameron couldn't help the giggles that burst out of her. Mahi grinned, obviously happy that she had managed to lighten Cameron's mood. "Be content with this, Cameron. Elias Arinson is faithful to the one he is with. The length of that relationship depends on the girl... but the nature of the school... and his loyalty... they play a large part in the bigger scheme of things. You'll learn all this in a short time. Perhaps... perhaps even before school starts."

Cameron blushed again, thinking of the comment she made to Elias about leaving her window open. Would he take her up on her offer to leave it open?

In less than a month, he would.

***

The night of the girl's high school graduation, Kristie said goodbye to her parents and rode with Dylan to the after-graduation party Brock Middleson was hosting; Brock's parents had a guest house on their property near the pool, so it seemed the perfect venue for the seniors to celebrate freedom before going their separate ways.

Kris never really went to social events with her fellow classmates, but this one involved alcohol so, why the hell not. To seal the deal, Cameron had asked her to come; she and Cam had become closer ever since those two days at SVMC, and though they still stayed in their separate social circles, they actually talked to each other now.

As for Melanie, neither of them had said much to the petite brunette since leaving campus, and it seemed that the girl was seriously considering a way off her new academic path. She refused to speak to either of them and her relationship with Cameron had deteriorated to almost outright hatred. The two girls just could not stand each other.

Kristie thought about not choosing sides, but she had to stick with Cam. The other girl had fucked her boyfriend on prom night. Granted, Kris was sympathetic to the fact that Melanie was under some sort of vampire sex haze, but it still didn't mean Cameron had to forgive her. If Kris had been in Cameron's shoes, she probably wouldn't have been as nice. Sometimes Kris was glad she liked girls instead of the testosterone driven boys at her high school... she'd had her fair share of drama from past girlfriends but when the dating pool is smaller there's less threats to relationships. Sortof... there was that one girl she had cheated with... no wait, that other one too...

God. If she kept thinking about this she'd start sympathizing with Trent and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

Dylan pulled the car to a stop. They were fashionably late; she and her best friend had determined that they could tolerate the others more if they'd already had a few drinks.

The party was in full swing when they entered the pool area. They were greeted with a few typical glances reserved for the outcast crowd, but she and Dylan were both tolerated for the sole reason of having chosen their outcast status themselves. Rebels were always fun to have at a party.

They got drinks from inside the guest house, horrible stuff from a cheap keg, and began walking through the crowd, some who were actually drunk enough to smile and tell them how much they'd be missed. Dylan had wanted to get a better view of the party from a balcony they'd seen on their way in so Kristie headed for the stairs.

Couples were making out and groping each other in the dark room lit only by the outside lights coming in through the sliding glass door. Kristie had never understood makeout rooms. It never turned into an orgy so what was the point? Wouldn't it be better to get a room and go all out? Which meant those they were walking past were either being taken advantage of, were new budding romances, or had strict parents that told them not to have sex before marriage... a rule they were actually following by keeping things public.

Kris stopped in the darkness, eyeing the couple standing on the balcony.

"Woah," Dylan muttered, stopping beside her.

Cameron was talking to Trent out on the balcony. His hand was on her back. They weren't facing each other, but it sort of seemed affectionate. Not was Kris was expecting.

The Cameron leaned over the rail and threw up.

"Jesus." Kris muttered, moving forward. She heard the "Ewwwws" coming from below, and the giggles as students lurched out of the way of the falling vomit, a common occurrence at a party were most drinkers were first-timers. By the time she got there, Trent was helping Cameron down into a lounge chair.

"Hey Trent, where's your girlfriend?" Kristie said, coming up to them.

Trent looked up to see who had addressed him then looked back to Cameron. The girl looked green.