Chapter 7

~ Aria's POV ~

"I see you're back?" Miss Hellcat smirked at me. "Did you get the evidence that you were looking for?"

I clenched my fists against my trousers as I shot hateful stares at her. I swallowed hard before replying.

"No, I didn't."

"See? I told you it was just a dream," she smiled at me.

"Why are you so confident that it was a dream?" I paused and stared at her. "Who the hell are you? You're not just the headmistress of the school, are you?" I asked, my suspicious eyes on her.

"What else should I be if not the headmistress of this great institution?" she asked, spreading her arms in emphasis.

"I'm just a headmistress here, Aria. What you should be doing is finding out who you really are, not trying to convince yourself that the accident actually happened."

"The accident happened..." I stopped midway from snapping at her. I had no evidence to claim that the accident really happened. Besides, I already made a decision to remain here until I figure out why I was brought here.

"Are you sure I'm not human?" I asked, and she snorted.

"That's your choice to figure out, Aria Nightshade," she replied and reached for her telephone.

It was old and dusty, like she had been using it since the accident days.

"Do you want me to call your mom to come get you, or do you want to remain here?" she asked, smiling.

I clenched my fists. She was giving me a choice to choose from, and it's my decision to make.

If she calls my mom and she comes over to get me, I'll go back to the life I was used to in Greystone Falls, and I'd lie under the duvet with my mom, cuddling her like she's my favorite plush toy.

But then again, my questions would be left unanswered, and somehow, I would never get to see the impossibly handsome faces of Thorne, Raven, and Lucien.

Fuck!

How can I desire to continue seeing the faces of guys I had just met? They're not even humans to begin with.

"Your time is ticking, Aria. One word from you, and I'll do as you've said," she smiled.

If she knew how annoying her smiles were, she'd have stopped smiling. Nevertheless, I cleared my throat as I made my decision.

"I am going to remain here to uncover whatever mystery is surrounding me."

"You made the right decision, Aria. But are you sure you'll be able to handle what comes with your decision?" she smirked.

What is she up to now?

Is she trying to scare me or what?

Whatever she was thinking, I won't let her see me as weak.

I hated her too much to even let her see my weakness.

"I'm ready to face whatever this school has for me," I declared. Though my voice was firm, deep down I was scared, because now I'll be living with monsters of different kinds.

"Very well then. Welcome to Eclipse Academy," she clapped her hands.

I ignored her and went back to my room. Callista wasn't in the room, so I assumed she might still be in class.

I wondered what they would be teaching these monsters in their various classes. I was curious, but despite that, I wouldn't dare invade their privacy.

Rumors are already going around about a strange human girl being a part of their school, so I wouldn't want a situation where they'd turn me into their punching bag.

I can't defend myself from them even if I tried to. They are monsters and very powerful. And as for me? I don't even know who the hell I am.

Sitting on the bed, I tried calling my mom, not because I wanted to talk to her about this monstrosity of a school, but because I miss her.

She has been my mom and my friend for as long as I can remember. I grew up without friends, and the few friends I had only befriended me because of what I had to offer.

So I stopped having friends and stuck to just having my mom as my best friend.

My lips pressed against each other as the phone rang, but my mom wasn't answering.

I called her over and over again, but she didn't pick up. Wasn't she seeing my calls or is she by chance ignoring me on purpose?

I shook my head in disagreement.

My mom would never do that to me. She loves me too much to ignore me on purpose.

So I sent her a voice message, asking her to call me back whenever she was less busy. I had just done that when the door suddenly burst open.

The door literally fell off its hinges, and I sprang from the bed as a girl stepped in.

"Who are you, and why did you damage my door?" I asked, and she chuckled, walking up to me.

Her eyes turned red instantly, and I stepped back in fear. I didn’t need anyone to tell me she was a vampire.

It was so obvious she was a vampire. I could see her fangs slightly poking out.

But what is she doing here? I haven't done anything wrong to her. It's my first time seeing her, so there was no reason for her hostility.

"You're the human girl, aren't you?" she asked.

I slowly nodded my head.

"The rumors weren't fully true, I guess. Because you're not beautiful like the rest say you are," she rolled her eyes.

I'm not beautiful? Is she blind or something? Not to brag, but I have received so many compliments from people in Greystone Falls about how pretty I was with my silver-white hair.

In fact, the few friends I had in high school befriended me because they wanted to be friends with the most beautiful girl in school.

Speaking of beauty, I am even way prettier than her. Her eyes were bigger than her head.

Damn! Did she hear what I had just said? Realizing vampires can only hear from thousands of miles away only if the words are spoken aloud, I let out a secret sigh of relief.

"I don't know why Miss Hellcat accepted you into this school, but if you don't want to get on my bad side, you better stay away from my man," she said, her voice cold, indicating she wasn't joking.

"What man are you talking about?" I asked, my voice low.

"Raven," she replied. "I saw the way you were lusting after him earlier. Raven belongs to me and me alone," she said, and I swallowed hard.

The handsome vampire prince Raven has a girlfriend? Why did my heart suddenly ache knowing he has a girlfriend?

"Are you even listening to me?!" she snapped, and I flinched backward in fear.

Her fangs were visible now like she wanted to bite me.

Slowly, I nodded my head.

"And one more thing," she folded her arms across her flat chest, her fangs retracting into her gums.

"Go back to wherever you came from. Your kind doesn't belong in our school. I'm only giving you three days to pack up whatever you came with and leave. Do I make myself clear to you, human girl?" she asked.

She was acting like she's my boss. I so badly wanted to slap her across her face for bossing me around, but then again, I so much love my life and I do not want to die.

"Make sure you leave. Three days is all I am going to give you," she said and walked out of the room at the speed of light.

I was expecting that from her—vampires with their super speed.

But that's the least of my problems right now. I already told Miss Hellcat I was going to remain in this school.

What is going to happen to me if I don't leave in three days?

Fear gripped me tightly.

I had no idea what was waiting for me next.