Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(32)

I'm happy when friendlier members of our house take time to chat to Maeve, and watch cautiously when anybody close to Katherine approaches. I crane my head. Where is Andrei? It's unlike him to miss a party—unless he's fallen off the wagon again and is hunting for blood.





Chapter Eighteen





MAEVE



I'm skilled in hiding. My thoughts, my emotions—and myself, if necessary. I wanted to avoid the party, but I've two reasons to attend. I need to figure out the academy’s social dynamics and learn more about what these people are and how they operate.

Clive and Katherine worry me as much as intrigue me, and I make a mental note to avoid them at all costs. At least Ash is pleasant to me tonight, even if it’s because he's had a beer or two. Katherine's offsiders are practically hanging off his arm too. Are they blood drinking vampires, or something else?

That's one big, disturbing question I've yet to ask. Amelia told me hemia drink animal blood that the academy stocks. I've witnessed vamps heading back from the farm area at the edge of the grounds, which I find gross, but this makes me feel safer. Apart from I can't name one vampire movie or book where a vampire doesn't drink human blood, however hard they try not to.

And folklore tales are always based on truths.

"Looking thoughtful." I don't need to look around to know who's speaking. Ash's voice has a smoothness that instantly attracts my attention.

He holds another beer, and I've transitioned to Coke. I often avoid caffeine late at night because I hate lying awake and worrying what I might dream about. Although usually my dreams are just that—dreams. I hope that doesn't change now I'm accessing deeper parts of my power.

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asks, and his expectant look amuses me, as if my approval matters.

"I'm enjoying meeting a few people outside of class. Some are introducing themselves and saying who they are, and others..."

"Are suspicious of you?" he suggests when I trail off.

"I can't blame them." I give a half smile. "The feeling's mutual, especially around Petrescu."

Ash grunts in agreement. "There're good and bad in every house, Maeve. It's the house professors’ job to keep everything under control. We don't have a lot of trouble."

As he speaks, he appraises my face intently. I lift a hand to touch my cheek. "Do I have something here?"

He blinks. "No. Sorry. Was I staring?"

As if to demonstrate, his eyes fix on mine and my stomach swarms with butterflies.

"I didn't think you liked me, Ash."

Ash drinks slowly, still refusing to drop his scrutiny. "I never said that."

"You've avoided me since the night I was attacked. Why?"

Finally, the scrutiny breaks as he switches focus to his beer. "I haven't."

"You have."

Judging by his stony expression, people don't argue with Ash much. "I've been busy."

"Even after class," I continue. "You were friendly to me on my first days. I thought I'd upset you somehow."

Oh crap, how pathetic do I sound?

"No. Sorry. I've shit going on at home, that's all."

Even though I feel he's telling me the truth, there's a lie in there too. "I'm sorry to hear that."

He shrugs. "Parents, huh?"

"Do you live far?" I ask. "You have a local accent."

"Yeah. Half hour away."

"Then why board at the academy?"

"Part of the schooling. Plus, I prefer being here anyway."

Someone winds an arm across Ash's shoulders. He's Jamie's height with hair as white blonde as mine and Katherine’s and shares her bone structure and eye colour. In contrast, his expression has a friendly warmth as his smile crinkles the corners of his eyes.

"Did he tell you his parents own a pub?" He claps Ash on the back. "I think that's where his love of beer comes from."

Ash steps away. "Funny, Nikolai."

"He keeps promising to take us for a weekend, but his parents don't like supes in the vicinity, apparently."

"Yeah, because your vamp gang draw attention."

"A bunch of shifters own the local pub!" Nikolai throws out a laugh. "What's a few vamps for an evening? We won't hurt anybody."

"Until someone does. I live in a small town who don't like 'strange goings on' as my neighbour calls it. We attracted the attention of hunters last month, and I'm sure they're still hanging around."

Nikolai's brows shoot up. "Hunters? How do you know?"

"I can't be certain, but the last few times I went home, there were strangers in the pub asking questions."

"You mean tourists? You're paranoid."

"Seriously?" snaps Ash. "Hunters killed my brother and you don't think I'm paranoid they'll come for me too?"

His voice rises above the music and the conversation around stops. He stares at the floor, face thunderous. I glance over at Jamie, who pulls a face.

Ash gulps down the beer and slams the bottle on the table. "Back off, Nikolai." His temper unravels in front of my eyes, as his face takes on a danger that scares me, even though his anger isn't directed my way.