She nodded. “The chemistry lab.”
“Thanks, Marissa.” I hugged her fiercely. “If he does show up, will you tell him I went looking for him?”
“Sure. Now go.” She stepped back, out of my grasp. “I think you should hurry. Corridor C. Third floor. Try room 329.”
Soon I was sprinting back across the quad, holding up my skirt as I ran. I’d only gone a couple of yards when I felt the strap on my right shoe snap, and I almost fell flat on my face.
Bending down, I slipped off my shoes, wincing as my bare feet made contact with the cold grass. I hurried to the courtyard with the fountain, the lights illuminating the spray of water. Corridor C, Marissa had said, which was directly opposite the door I took to math class. In seconds I was through the stone archway and sprinting barefoot up the stairs, taking two at a time, my dress hiked up to my knees. Third floor, room 329.
There it was, at the end of the hallway. The door was closed, the lights out. Maybe I’d missed him; maybe he was already headed back to the gym. Just to be sure, I pushed the door open, my heart thumping, and stepped inside. Nothing but the emergency light glowed, but it was enough. I clamped my hand over my mouth.
Tables were overturned, chairs broken to bits. Glass was everywhere, and a weird, sulfurous smell made me gag. In the middle of the chaos stood Aidan, still wearing the silly vampire costume. As I watched, he picked up the one remaining table as if it weighed nothing and flung it against the wall, shattering glass, splintering wood. I must have screamed, because Aidan spun around, the cape billowing out behind him.
“Violet?” His eyes met mine, and I could have sworn they were glowing red. I took a step backward, reaching blindly for the door, and felt a piece of glass slice through the sole of my foot.
The lights flickered on at once. And then, impossibly, he was against the far wall, though I hadn’t seen him move.
With a whimper, I dropped my shoes and reached down to pluck the glass from my foot, then tried to stanch the warm, sticky blood with my skirt.
“You have to leave, Violet. Now. Now,” he repeated, his voice so tight, so controlled, that it sent a shiver racing down my spine.
“What. what’s wrong with you?” I stammered. He’d moved from the wall, but then stumbled back against it. He must be hurt, I realized. Terribly hurt. His face was pale, his eyes rimmed in red.
There was a path to my right, mostly clear of glass and debris. If I could just get to him“ You’ve got to leave now. I mean it, so help me God.” His hands were clenched into fists by his sides, and he looked like he was in physical pain.
“I can’t. I’m not this strong. Get out of here — now.”
I staggered back toward the door, careful to avoid the glass. I couldn’t quite process what I was seeing — the destruction, his reaction; none of it made any sense. “What. what happened?”
The muscles in his jaw tensed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. “Don’t you see? This was two years’ worth of work, destroyed. Damn it. You’ve got to do something about the blood.”
“The blood?” I looked down at the floor, to the trail of bright red footprints I’d left on the linoleum, and shuddered.
“Listen to me, and listen closely,” he said, leaning back against the wall, his body tense and taut. “You wanted to know my secrets? Well, here they are, Violet McKenna. Right in front of you; just open your eyes.”
“What are you saying?” I choked out, terror clutching at my heart.
He took a deep, rattling breath. “I’m trying to tell you that, in about thirty seconds, I’m going to be tempted beyond reason to sink these”—he grimaced, showing what looked like his fake fangs—“into your neck. Do you understand?”
Aidan was a. a. I could barely force myself to think the word, it was so crazy. A vampire? Or at least he thought he was. I shook my head wildly, my heart beating so fast that I thought I might faint, right then and there.
One of us was crazy, that was for sure, and I had no idea if it was him or me. I clamped my hand over my mouth, forcing myself to breathe — in and out, through my nose.
“Now turn around and leave, Violet. Run. And no matter what happens, promise me you won’t come back here tonight.”
I nodded mutely, unable to speak a single syllable. And then I turned and fled.
I fidgeted in my seat as Dr. Blackwell sat down opposite me, steepling his hands beneath his chin as he watched me from across his desk.
I’d been summoned to the headmaster’s office, probably for skipping my history and anthropology classes — the classes I shared with Aidan.
Whatever punishment Dr. Blackwell handed down, it was worth it. I couldn’t face Aidan, not yet. He was. crazy. Dangerous, maybe. But a. a vampire? I mean, c’mon. There’s no such thing; it’s all myth, legendTalk to me, Violet. Please? Aidan’s voice in my head. He was somewhere, reaching out to me telepathically. Damn it.
Go away! I silently yelled. Leave me alone.
He’d been trying since Sunday morning — and I’d been ignoring him, over and over again, trying to shut out the weird electrical buzz in my head that accompanied the telepathy.
“Miss McKenna?” Dr. Blackwell asked, leaning forward in his chair. I’d almost forgotten he was there. “Are you unwell?”
“No, I’m. it’s just a headache,” I murmured, feeling like an idiot. “A migraine. Off and on, all day. I had to miss a couple of classes.”
He nodded, mercifully accepting my explanation — just like that. “You’ve settled in well here at Winterhaven, haven’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, my voice sounding strangely wobbly.
“Good, good. I’m always pleased to see a new student flourish in this nurturing environment. All your teachers are reporting that you are not only fully caught up but excelling at your studies.” He smiled at me then, his silvery eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. “Have you considered what subject you might study in college?”
I shook my head, glad for the change of subject. “Not really. I’m only a junior.”
“It’s never too early to plan for your future. Have you considered any careers that might be aided by your special talents?”
“I can’t really think of anything.” I shook my head. “I mean, my visions are always about people that I know, that I”— I swallowed hard—“care about.”
“Perhaps your visions could be better trained,” Blackwell suggested. “You know, broadened to include larger segments of the population. Are you working with a trainer?”
“Yes, but she’s just a general trainer. They’re trying to find me a precog whose visions work similar to mine. But, I don’t know. ” I trailed off. “I guess mine are a little unusual.”
“Perhaps.” Dr. Blackwell nodded, reaching for a pad of paper and a pen. “I’ll speak to Mrs. Girard about it, see what we can do.” He scribbled something down, then laid aside the pen and removed his glasses. “Your anthropology essay was excellent, by the way. You’ll receive it back in class tomorrow, but you should know you received one of the highest marks. Very impressive. Have you a particular interest in folklore?”
I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that one. Truthfully, I’d never really thought much about it. “Maybe. Your class is interesting.”
He leaned back in his chair with a smile. “Precisely what every instructor hopes to hear. You’ll find I have a very extensive library on such topics, here in my office. Feel free to take anything that catches your fancy.” He gestured toward the bookshelves to my right, row after row of books that nearly reached the ceiling.
“Thanks,” I murmured, wondering if he had any books about vampires. Or crazy people who thought they were vampires.
“Very well, I suppose that’s all for now, then. I do hope you’ll find yourself well enough to attend your classes tomorrow, Miss McKenna. All of your classes,” he added sternly.
“I hope so too,” I answered. What I really needed was to get away for a while, to have some time to myself, away from Cece and the rest of them.
Just to think, to get my head together.
Suddenly, I had an idea. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Miss McKenna. Anything.”
“I’ve been feeling a little homesick lately, and I was wondering if it was possible. I mean, I know it’s kind of last-minute and all, but could I get a pass to go home for the weekend? After fencing practice on Friday night?”