Page 144 of Academy of the Wicked, Year One

Nothing about this is easy.

The cafeteria's fluorescent lights seem too bright suddenly, making my head throb. The smell of food – even the disgusting offerings – becomes overwhelming as my senses sharpen with hunger.

I can hear every heartbeat, and smell every drop of blood pumping through the veins of my tormentors.

It would be so easy to just...

No.

I dig my nails into my palms, using the sharp pain to focus. I can't lose control here. Can't reveal that uncontrollable part of me that would love going on a rampage if it means getting a hint of payback against these fuckers.

I can't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"What's wrong, pretty boy?" Thaddeus continues, encouraged by my silence. "Too good to talk to us common folk? Or maybe..." He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. "Maybe you're not royal at all. Just some peasant trying to play in the big leagues."

The irony of his taunts would be amusing if I wasn't fighting the urge to rip his throat out. If he only knew he was mocking an actual royal – though admittedly, one whose claim to the title is complicated at best.

It’s not like sharing my parents’ history would do much. Most of these peeps don’t seem to be as “old” as Cassius, Nikolai, and Mortimer in the mature department.

More students gather, drawn by the promise of entertainment. Their whispers and laughter blend into acacophony that sets my teeth on edge. Every instinct screams to either fight or flee, but neither option helps our point situation.

This is what they want.A reaction. Any reaction.

Unless someone interferes, I’m a sitting duck, but I really don’t think I can last much longer.

Maybe if I head to the blood bank on-site that would be a good enough excuse to not be deducted points. Give me a chance to punch this fucker in the nose and maybe break it so he stops breathing permanently…

My gaze drifts to where Cassius sits, his shadows perfectly still around him as he maintains his mask of indifference. Nikolai lounges nearby, golden aura carefully contained as he pretends to be absorbed in conversation with other students who are obviously gloating to be around him.

I could tell on the first day of school, that the two are like night and day with their personalities. Nikolai is the typical popular boy. If there were sports, he’d be the captain of something, idolized by everyone.

Cassius on the other hand would be the quiet one who’d mind his own business and get perfect grades to take him to medical school or something brilliant. Even if he was a loner due to his “Duskwalker” status, he could sit at a table of other Duskwalkers and they seemed completely content in the obvious silence compared to the buzzing chaos happening around their table that’s literally at the edge of the corner.

And here I am in the middle of the chaos, being tormented for just breathing, all because I showed my “flashy” skills during that trial that has us mere points from entering Year 2.

The reason why we hadn’t secured it after the trial was that a full 24 hours had to pass by with the point rank for it to be officialized.

Damien left at the 23rd mark.

It almost feels deliberate now that I think about it while dealing with this scrutiny, and how it ignites a thrum of anger at the seductive vampire that I thought would have been a loyal member of whatever our dynamic is.

The bond marks pulse gently in their designated spots, offering comfort they can't show publicly. It helps, but not enough to dull the growing hunger or ease the ache of their forced rejection.

"Maybe he's mute," someone suggests, tossing what smells like week-old yogurt at my head. I dodge without thinking, vampire reflexes taking over, because I can’t have more sour nonsense on me.

I already have to change out of these damn clothes. No wonder the laundry service is always busy 24/7.

"Ooh, he's got moves!" Another voice calls. "Bet that's how he survived the trial. Just dodged everything like a little bitch."

The laughter grows louder, more students join in. The cafeteria has become an arena, and I'm today's entertainment.

Just afternoon classes and I’ll get to be back in the sanctuary of our place, shielded from this constant ridicule, and can cry in the shower like I have been the last two days.

If the dark circles weren’t emphasizing how little sleep I was getting, it’s the puffiness that was clearly giving me away this morning to which Nikolai had asked me if I was okay when I walked into the kitchen at 5:45, a complete zombie who didn’t get an ounce of sleep thanks to the magnitude of nightmares I’ve been experiencing.

Yeah…those.

Maybe I didn’t experience it when I arrived because the first night I’d slept with Cassius and the second night before the start of the chaos was with Nikolai.

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