Chapter 12-Proper welcome

Chapter 12: 12-Proper welcome

Dusk arrived quietly over Veris academy. The brilliant orange glow of the setting sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains surrounding the academy.

As the last ray of light vanished, the protective enchantments surrounding the campus shimmered to life.

One by one, lights illuminated the countless towers and bridges connecting the massive academy, giving the illusion that the entire castle had awakened from a deep slumber.

Within the redblood dormitory, silence slowly gave way to life. The first sound Maisa heard was a soft groan coming from the bed across from hers.

Sapphire stretched beneath her blankets before lazily rubbing one eye. Her silver-blue hair had become slightly messy during sleep, giving the usually composed girl a surprisingly youthful appearance.

She blinked twice before smiling. "Good evening, roomie."

Maisa couldn’t help finding the greeting strange. ’Good evening?’ Her body was beginning to accept that evenings were now mornings in her life.

She slowly pushed herself upright. Her dark brown hair had become tangled from sleep, soft waves spilling over her shoulders and framing a pale face that looked almost porcelain beneath the dim lighting.

Since becoming a vampire, her features had sharpened ever so slightly. Her amber-brown eyes had deepened into an unusual crimson-brown, while her skin carried the flawless smoothness vampires were known for.

She still looked human, but there was something undeniably vampiric about her now, and she couldn’t hide.

"Morning..." she mumbled before quickly correcting herself. "I mean... evening."

Sapphire laughed. "You’ll get used to it. I messed up a lot, too, when I first got here." She climbed out of bed and grabbed her towel. "I’ll take the bathroom first."

Maisa nodded. "Go ahead."

The bathroom door clicked shut. The sound of water began running moments later.

Left alone, Maisa quietly straightened her bed, smoothing every wrinkle from the blankets the way her mother had taught her years ago. The familiar routine soothed her racing thoughts.

Until a sharp ache spread across her mouth. She froze. "Aah..." she groaned.

Her hand immediately flew to her lips. Her gums throbbed painfully that it was unbearable. Seconds later, her newly formed fangs pushed slightly lower.

At the same moment, her stomach growled. It wasn’t like hunger she felt back at the cabin. It was desperation.

The craving clawed violently through her body. ’Blood!’ She needed blood.

Her throat suddenly felt dry enough to burn. She hugged herself tightly. "Already?"

She had only fed once. Was being a vampire always this hungry? Before panic could fully settle in, a knock sounded at the door.

Knock! Knock!

Someone stood outside the room. Maisa frowned. Nobody besides Sapphire even knew where she lived. She figured the visitor came for Sapphire.

She cautiously walked toward the door before opening it. The moment it swung open, she blinked in surprise. "Zolani?"

The mixedblood stood quietly in the hallway. She had already changed into her academy uniform. Unlike the deep crimson worn by ordinary mixedblood students, Zolani somehow made the colour appear elegant rather than common.

Her fitted crimson blazer hugged her athletic figure perfectly, trimmed with subtle silver embroidery unique to the mixedblood division.

Beneath it rested a crisp white shirt and neatly tied black ribbon beneath her collar. A pleated crimson skirt fell just above her knees, paired with polished black stockings and academy boots.

Her long chestnut hair had been carefully braided over one shoulder, small silver clips shaped like crescent leaves decorating the braid.

Her warm hazel eyes carried the same gentle kindness Maisa remembered from the council chamber.

Compared to the overwhelming beauty of Varitreya or Addessa and Lumi’s youthful beauty, Zolani’s beauty felt comforting and approachable like warmth on a winter night.

Zolani smiled nervously. "I hope I’m not disturbing you."

Maisa immediately shook her head. "N...No." She stepped aside. "Please... come in." ℯ

Zolani entered carefully before glancing toward the closed bathroom door. Hearing the shower still running, she visibly relaxed. "I don’t have much time."

Maisa tilted her head in confusion.

Zolani lifted a beautifully wrapped bouquet. "I wanted to welcome you to the academy properly," she smiled.

Maisa’s eyes widened. The bouquet Zolani presented to her was breathtaking.

Soft pink roses bloomed together in perfect harmony, each flower fresh enough that tiny droplets of enchanted dew still rested upon the petals.

Elegant black wrapping paper surrounded them, while delicate ruby-colored pearls held everything together with remarkable craftsmanship. It looked far too expensive.

"For me?"

Zolani nodded shyly. "I know that humans prefer red roses, and i originally wanted to get those for you," a small laugh escaped her. "But they’re banned inside the academy."

Maisa blinked. "They are?"

"Higher bloodlines dislike being reminded of the colour of human blood," she said and smiled awkwardly. "And... redblood blood, so pink was the closest option."

Maisa carefully accepted the bouquet. She had never received flowers before, not even on birthdays. The sweet floral fragrance filled the room.

"They’re beautiful..." Her voice came out softer than intended.

Zolani’s smile widened. "I’m glad you like them," she uttered. She then reached behind herself and lifted a woven basket. "This too is for you."

Maisa accepted it carefully. Inside rested a chilled blood pouch labelled Type A, surrounded by neatly arranged skincare products made specifically for vampire skin.

Elegant bottles, creams, perfumed soaps, and hair oils. Everything looked luxurious.

Maisa stared speechlessly. "I... I don’t know what to say."

"You don’t have to say anything," Zolani laughed quietly. "Starting over isn’t easy. I thought these might help."

Emotion tightened Maisa’s throat. Since becoming a vampire, almost everyone had looked at her with disgust, fear, or pity. Yet, Zolani barely knew her and still chose to be kind to her.

"Thank you so much," her eyes began stinging unexpectedly. "No one has ever..." wirds got stuck at her throat. With nych difficulty, she stopped herself before crying.

Zolani noticed her emotions anyway. "You don’t need to thank me so much."

Silence settled warmly between them. Then Maisa quietly asked, "Can I ask something?"

"Of course."

Maisa instinctively lowered her voice. "The mate bond..."

Before she could finish, Zolani’s eyes widened. She immediately stepped forward and gently covered Maisa’s mouth. "Shh!"

Maisa froze. She had no idea why Zolani was so panicked about it. She simply wanted to know if she was obligated to do anything for the four of them since she was bonded to them.

But since her arrival, every question she raised seems to stir tense and uncomfortable emotions in people. Vampires were turning out to be more complicated than she had earlier on given them credit.

"Is it wrong to ask about it?"

"No, it’s not wrong to be curious. What’s wrong is where you inquire about things you are curious about."