Chapter 2

There wasn’t a single textbook in my backpack.

Instead, there was a box of chocolates made with blood, which my second sister sent me every month.

A satellite phone that could contact members of our clan anywhere in the world in real time.

And a box of gold coins.

Since I spent every year traveling from place to place, gold was the most reliable currency.

Everyone around me sucked in a sharp breath.

“She brings gold to school? That much of it?”

“Gold is worth a fortune right now. She’s seriously carrying millions around in her backpack?”

“Look! The symbol on this chocolate box is the same as the one on the invitation!”

“I looked up the phone. That’s a military-grade satellite phone!”

I ignored their chatter and frowned.

My chocolates had fallen out of the box and gotten dirty.

I was extremely particular about cleanliness.

How was I supposed to survive the next ten days without them?

The satellite phone had also gotten chipped at one corner.

I had no idea whether it would still work properly.

As for the box of gold coins, I hadn’t even had a chance to pick them up before everyone started grabbing them.

Someone even bit down on one.

“This is real gold, right?”

“It is! It’s actually real!”

Greedy looks passed between them.

They were grinning like money had fallen straight out of the sky.

“Give them back.”

I stared at them coldly.

Their smiles stiffened.

But their hands only closed more tightly around the coins.

Hunter hadn’t picked any up.

He simply crossed his arms and sneered.

“You’re an orphan. Where did you get this much gold?

“Maybe it came from somewhere shady.”

That was all everyone needed to hear.

“Exactly! This could be stolen property. We have to confiscate it!”

I looked at them.

“And who exactly are you to confiscate my money?”

Everyone froze.

Hunter’s expression remained arrogant.

“My dad is the principal.

“I’m authorizing them to deal with it.”

Everyone immediately nodded.

“That’s right. If something suspicious happens on school grounds, we have every right to stop it.

“If you can’t explain where this gold came from, don’t expect to get it back.”

I narrowed my eyes.

They were really starting to piss me off.

“I’m advising you to return it.

“If it isn’t yours, don’t get greedy.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“Oh wow, is she threatening us now?”

“I’m terrified. Somebody save me!”

Suddenly, someone pointed at a small ceramic jar on the floor.

“What’s that?

“Don’t tell me that’s expensive too.”

The jar had landed near Serena’s feet.

She immediately picked it up.

“It smells amazing.”

It was the ointment I normally used on my skin.

Vampires couldn’t stay in direct sunlight for long.

Aside from physically covering up, I also used this ointment for protection.

“Give that back.”

I reached for it, but Hunter blocked me.

“Serena likes it.

“Just let her have it.”

I frowned.

“Why should I? It belongs to me.”

Hunter scoffed.

“You’ve got someone funding your lifestyle anyway. Just buy another jar.”

He’d already decided I had a sugar daddy.

Serena dug one fingernail into the ointment, scooped out a small amount, and rubbed it onto the back of her hand.

“Oh, wow. It makes my skin look so pale.”

She suddenly looked at me.

“So this is why your skin is so white?”

I didn’t want to explain anything to her.

“That isn’t regular skincare. It’s medication.

“Give it back.”

Hunter took the jar from her and held it beneath his nose, sniffing it several times.

“What kind of medication?

“Is it for some skin condition?”

I forced myself to stay patient.

“My brother made it specially for me.

“I can’t tolerate sunlight.”

“Your brother?”

Hunter raised a brow.

“Aren’t you an orphan? Where did this brother suddenly come from?”

Serena’s expression brightened in realization.

“Oh.”

“Maybe she means one of her special ‘brothers.’”

The whole class burst into laughter again.

“She really does avoid the sun. She covers herself from head to toe during PE.

“Maybe she’s a vampire!”

Someone laughed.

“This stuff is probably just makeup.

“That freakishly pale skin of hers has to be fake.”

Serena’s eyes lit up.

She leaned over and whispered something into Hunter’s ear.

After listening, Hunter smiled indulgently.

“Sure.

“If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility.

“My dad won’t punish us.”

My stomach dropped.

I instinctively took a step back.

Serena smiled maliciously and pointed at me.

“Hold her down.

“Let’s wash off her makeup.”

Ethan and another boy, Ryan, immediately grabbed my arms.

A few girls nearby chimed in.

“I’ve always hated how pale she is. She acts like she’s Snow White or something.

“Wash it off!

“Let’s see what she actually looks like underneath.”

I struggled hard.

“Let go of me!

“This is my natural skin. I’m not wearing makeup!”

No one listened.

Serena pointed toward the washroom.

“There are sinks over there. Drag her in.”

Ethan and Ryan each grabbed one of my arms and hauled me toward the sinks.

“This is bullying!”

I fought against them, but I couldn’t break free without using my real strength.

Hunter followed behind us with his arms crossed.

“You’ve been deceiving everyone with that fake face.

“We’re just exposing you so you can’t keep fooling people.”

They turned the faucet all the way on.

Cold water came rushing out.

Laughing, Ethan and Ryan forced my head down into the sink.

Water flooded my nose and mouth.

I choked and coughed violently.

But no matter how long they rinsed my face, my skin stayed just as pale.

If anything, it seemed even whiter.

Serena leaned closer, confusion covering her face.

“Why... why does she look even paler?”

Then her eyes hardened.

“Use hot water.”

Scalding water poured over my skin.

Nothing changed.

My face stayed unnaturally pale.

Everyone stared.

Even Ethan and Ryan released me in shock.

“What the hell?

“Hot water doesn’t wash it off, and she isn’t even getting burned?”

Serena suddenly made a sound of realization.

“Oh!

“She must’ve gotten skin-whitening injections or some cosmetic procedure.

“That’s why it won’t wash off!”

Ethan grabbed a rag hanging beside the sink.

“I don’t believe it.

“I’m getting that fake face off today.”

He started scrubbing my face as hard as he could.

My skin burned from the friction.

But the worst part was the rag itself.

It was filthy.

Absolutely disgusting.

I felt like I was going to throw up.

Ethan only scrubbed harder.

Then he shoved part of the dirty rag into my mouth.

That was it.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I slowly opened my hands.

My fingernails began turning a bluish gray.

My fangs started extending inside my mouth.

I was just about to reach out and snap Ethan’s neck when the bell suddenly rang.

Ring!

Ring!

The sound jolted me back to my senses.

Grandpa’s voice echoed through my mind.

“Nora, when you’re outside, never reveal the true nature of the Quinn family.”

“If the world discovers that vampires exist, you’ll be confined to the island for the rest of your life.”

I forced myself to swallow my anger.

I hadn’t had nearly enough fun yet.

There was no way I was going back to that island to live like a prisoner.

My fangs slowly retracted.

The tips of my nails returned to their normal color.