Once I was done making the drink, I headed back to Rosette's office with two mugs in hand. One was mine to fully waken my senses since I was still feeling a little drowsy and I could feel the ache in my head, either as a result of the drinks from the party, or from being hit in the head by a Strigoi. Either way, the drink would help replenish my energy before I had to face the rest of the school about my daring escape from the Academy and my boldness of dragging others with me, especially the four royals. They might have opted to follow me out of the academy of their own free will, but it was me who gave them such an opportunity. If it wasn't for me, I didn't think that any of them would have considered the fact that it would be very easy to sneak out of the Academy if you knew the right procedures to follow. I was certainly one of the people who knew the procedures, because I knew this school almost back to front. I might have been away for six years, but having been here for a week

The walk to Guardian Brooks' Vampire 101 lesson was relatively eventful with Els gushing with excitement. When we actually got to the lesson, silence dawned on the class and everyone turned to stare at me."Ah, so little miss runaway has finally decided to grace our lesson." Guardian Brooks commented. Although his words weren't very nice and seemed very sarcastic, there was something in his tone that seemed different. His tone certainly didn't seem to match with his choice of words. It was like he was putting on some kind of a sarcastic front without meaning to or something. This certainly wasn't the same stiff and demonic Guardian Brooks that I remembered."Pleasure to see you too, sir." I replied with a similar tone of voice to match his."You seem to be the hero of the class, Valentine. You must've been prepared for the outside world.""Sir, I've lived in the outside world for the past six years, it's nothing alien to me." I retorted as politely as I could but it was hard."Well th

Eric took my advice and headed for the feeders. The game had ended with a draw and everyone headed for lunch. I easily found my usual table and sat down beside Ingrid. Els wasted no time in asking questions."What happened? I thought you were hooking up with Eric?""I was and I already have. He's gone to the feeders." I told her."So? What happened?" Roxy asked curiously. "Are you guys together yet?""Apparently so." I nodded."Apparently?""Well we came to an understanding that we'll try it for a while and see how it goes. It is only my second week after all so I'm not really all that sure about committing just yet.""But you are going out." Ingrid asked."Yes.""Congratulations!" the three girls squealed and threw their hands up in the air in delight."What's the cheer about?" Dan asked curiously as he sat at the table. Soon the other three royals joined him."Don't you guys have to feed?" I arched my brows at them."Already done." Jacks shrugged."So what was with the commotion?" Q

I flinched at the fury that was in Maria's voice. The woman was usually very calm and very rarely raised her voice but she sure was terrifying when she was genuinely angry about something. This occasion was certainly one of them and I knew exactly why she was so angry. Someone had spilled the beans and told her the truth.'Skylar' had been a very secretive name that only Maria had ever used. Kalani meant 'sky' and I wasn't entirely sure how it had happened but instead of calling me 'Kalani', 'Little Sky' or 'Kai', Maria had become adapted in calling me 'Skylar'. It was a very individual name between Maria and I so I wasn't all that concerned about anyone else being able to work out who she was talking about from that shout. What I was concerned about was getting out of this room alive if Maria found out that I was in here.I could hear Aunty Jules bolting out of her chair and warned Maria to keep her voice down. The main door shut firmly and I could hear shuffling in the other room so

"You really are back…" he whispered and buried his face into the crook of my neck.His arms wrapped around me tightly and I was pulled into an almost suffocating hug. I squealed in response as I was squashed against him and for several moments, I simply sat there awkwardly, waiting for him to pull away.Eventually, he did and he held me at arm's length so that he could inspect me again."Ali, it's been a whole week already…""I know, little sky. I know. But that doesn't make this any easier to accept," he sighed. "You're the same person, but at the same time, I feel like I don't know who you are. I've missed out on so much. I've missed out on you growing up, Kalster and that makes things difficult. Sometimes, I don't know how I should act or behave. I still feel like you're the same kid from back then and I just react based on what I remember of you, but you're much stronger than that now, aren't you? Much, much stronger.""I'm sorry for changing, Ali.""Don't be. It's not your fault.