I hum to myself as I walk down the corridor to the library, only noticing when I'm most of the way there that it's the same song Bryce played for me the other night. I've caught myself humming it a couple of times, and can't bring myself to stop. I can't help the way it makes me feel.
I dodge around the other students, trying not to draw too much attention to myself while Bryce isn't with me. He has a conference with Dimitri, and I need to do some research, so we're seeing how being separate will work for us. As soon as I get to the library, I plan on sending him a message from my tablet to assure him I'm there. I don't want to get him into any kind of trouble if I can help it.
The number of students in the corridors thins as I approach my destination. Most of them have disappeared off to their last lesson of the day. I should have thought about coming here earlier in the evening, but I forgot. Despite having lived with vampires since the guild was destroyed, I'm still not used to the nocturnal rhythm. I'm not sure how they do it. Perhaps something in their blood helps them cope. I'm not sure if even they know.
I slip through the door and into the library. I glance around to check if there's anyone I know and want to avoid about. The last thing I need is to run into someone who'll take up my time and energy. It's only when I'm scanning the room a second time that I notice Emma talking to the boy who tried to attack me. Carlton, I think his name is. What can the two of them have to talk about? As far as I'm aware, they aren't friends.
No. I should leave them alone. The only reason I'm even remotely interested is because I'm suspicious of Emma after my vision. I'm not sure what reason she can have for attacking me.
Spurred on by the feeling that I should be doing something about this, I creep around to that side of the library, being careful not to let myself be seen by the wrong people. If someone says my name and they're listening, this is all over before it's begun. If they're talking about anything they're not supposed to be, that is. For all I know, they're talking about nothing more than the best blood type.
I drop into a seat at the table next to theirs, my back to them. I never thought I'd be glad for some of the training the guild gave me, but now I'm trying to listen in, I am. I may not have hearing anywhere near as powerful as a vampire's, but that doesn't mean I can't work out what they're saying. I type out a quick message to Bryce, so he knows I'm here, then start paying attention to what the two vampires are saying.
"...Something needs to be done, Emma. You heard what she did to me," Carlton says.
Interesting. He's most likely talking about me humiliating me in front of the entire class, then. Good to know it still hurts his ego.
"I'm not sure there's anything that can be done," Emma responds.
Hmm. Interesting.
"She shouldn't be here. She's human." Carlton bangs on the table, as if to enunciate his point.
"She's got that bodyguard though. I don't think he's a student. Which means he's been appointed by someone," Emma points out. "Is that someone we want to mess with?"
"It'll only be Dimitri."
I almost scoff. Since when has Dimitri been an only? He's one of the most politically powerful vampires in the country. I'm not sure about physically, but he certainly has some manpower on his side.
"I've heard he's an ex-priest," Emma says.
A priest? How did I not know that? Which means Dimitri is a turned vampire, not a born one. It's surprising he's managed to rise to such prominence given his circumstances, but I suppose he is charming, that'll help.
"That's what we've heard too," Carlton says. "And we're going to start doing something about Dimitri and his kind."
"Who is we?"
I close my eyes and offer up a silent thanks for Emma asking the question I want to know the answer to more than anything.
"There's a group of us. We're determined to change the way things are run. We don't need people with human sympathies running the vampire dens, we need men, no vampires, of power. Ones who aren't afraid to take control."
I wish I could see Emma's face. From her silence, I think I can guess what it looks like, but it'd be interesting to know if I'm right or not.
"Emma..." Carlton's voice almost verges on seductive as he says her name, like he's hoping it'll convince her she needs to listen to him. I half hope she does, but only because it'll mean I can learn more.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Carlton," she returns. "And you can tell whoever your friends are that I said that too. This is going to end badly, whether you intend it to or not."
"Wasn't your best friend killed by vampire hunters?" Carlton asks.
My blood runs cold. I don't need to hear the words to know what he's going to say. He knows my secret, I'm sure of it.
"Maisie?" Emma's voice betrays the hurt she still feels over the loss. Guilt floods through me. My people caused that, whether I like to think about it or not.
"Dimitri has sent a vampire hunter into the academy. She's studying among us, being friends with us. She's even living with that bodyguard of hers," Carlton says.
Oh no. This can't possibly get any worse.
"Lily?" Apparently, Emma isn't capable of saying anything longer than one word at the moment. I'm sure that'll change soon enough.
"Yes. One of my friends survived a hunter attack and saw her there."
A tear rolls down my cheek and splashes onto the screen of my tablet without me realising. When I asked to come here, I didn't think through this as a potential consequence.
"Are you sure it was her?" Emma asks. She's the only one of the three of us who needs convincing.
"Absolutely," Carlton answers.
"But she's so young."
"They teach them young." At least Carlton's source is telling him the truth, though I'm not sure that's particularly reassuring in the grand scheme of things.
Emma is silent for what feels like an age. "What do I have to do to join your friends in helping to change this?" she asks after a moment.
"We'll be in touch," Carlton promises.
I've heard enough, and I can't risk lingering in the library any longer in case they realise I'm here and do something about it. I'm sure they'll have no qualms in harming me, especially if they've correctly guessed I'm an ex-hunter.
I rise from my seat and rush out of the library as quickly as I dare. I don't look back. I don't want anyone to see the tears streaming down my cheeks.
As soon as I'm through the door, I start moving faster, only to end up running straight into the solid chest of someone.
"I'm sorry," I murmur, pushing away from him.
"Lily? Are you okay?" Bryce asks.
I relax, realising I'm safe if he's here. I shake my head. "Not here," I whisper through my tears even as I wipe them away with my sleeve.
"There's an empty classroom down the hall," he promises, and takes my hand in his. He leads me to it, and we're shut away from the world within moments. "What happened?" he asks.
"They know I'm an ex-hunter," I whisper. "And they're planning on trying to usurp Dimitri." Those are the two most important parts of the conversation as far as I'm concerned.
"They know about your past? How?" Concern comes through his words. "And who?"
"At least Carlton and Emma, though the way he was talking, there are more people who do," I ramble.
"How?"
"Someone saw me at an attack where someone got away, and they recognise me. But that's not important but, Bryce. They're going to try and usurp Dimitri. They think he has too many human sympathies," I ramble.
"Hey, it's okay." He reaches out and pulls me into a tight hug before dropping a gentle kiss on the top of my head.
I take a deep breath, surprised to find his gestures are already working to calm me.
"I've just spoken to Dimitri, we can talk to him and get this sorted out. But no more going around the academy without me," he says.
I sniff, but nod into his chest anyway.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you," he says softly.
"Nothing happened," I promise. "I only overheard them talking."
"That's good," he assures me. "If they don't know you heard, then we have time to get a warning to the others."
I relax against him, happy to have someone else taking charge, but only because he's keeping me in the loop.
"We'll be okay, Lily, I promise."
I hope he's right. Because without Dimitri, I won't be the only one in danger. All of the other ex-hunters, not to mention some of the refugees from the City Of Blood, and countless humans will be in danger, and that's never going to be a good thing.