Part 11 (1/2)

What are you doing? I chastised myself. I'm supposed to be detaching myself from the students here, not making new friends.

”Do you have Fire Science next?” Mila asked.

”Yes.”

”You can sit with us, if you want.”

”I'd like that. I haven't made that many friends. It would be nice to talk to anyone other than myself.”

So much for detachment. It wasn't a bad thing, I suppose. Mila didn't have any other friends here except Gabriel, Hunter, and maybe Rylan. Cloud died, Sam left, and everyone else treated her like a leper because Raina told them to. Perhaps having Ava around wasn't such a bad idea.

The rest of breakfast was filled with chatting and fruit. There was no drama, for which I was grateful. The last thing I needed was more stress.

Fire Science was full this morning. At the back of the cla.s.sroom were two free seats, which I humbly gave up to Mila and Ava.

”Are you sure?” Ava asked. She was hesitant.

”Absolutely.” Hurrying their friends.h.i.+p along made me feel better. She'd have someone by her side to s.h.i.+eld her from Raina.

The only other available seat in the smoky, dim cla.s.sroom was an empty one next to Rylan.

”Hi,” I greeted as I fell into the seat next to him.

”Hi there.” He smiled.

The teacher hadn't arrived yet. Mr Kroon was never on time for cla.s.ses but he made up for it by his grand entrances. I glanced at the door, still no Kroon.

”I'm surprised to find a seat next to you. Are you and Miss Wicked-Witch-of-the-North having a disagreement?” I smiled smugly.

I couldn't care less about the relations.h.i.+p between Rylan and Raina, but my 'inner friend' thought it would be nice to see if everything was okay.

”Raina and I are finished.” A slight chuckle left his lips.

Rylan didn't seem beat up about it at all. My eyes drifted to the front of the room, to Raina. She returned my gaze with a hard, jealous glare. There's the Raina I know and love, my subconscious stated sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at her. I knew I was in for trouble because I was sitting next to Rylan. Lunch should be interesting.

In walked Mr Kroon, carrying a small tea light candle. The flame was small, roughly the size of my thumbnail. He waved his hand, pulling the flame from the candle wick. I watched in awe as he separated the single flame ball into twelve minuscule b.a.l.l.s and sent them to hover above the small tea light candles on everyone's desk. Mr Kroon pinched his hand shut and the flames attached themselves to the wicks and burned normally.

The room erupted into claps, whistles, and cheers as he bowed modestly at the front of the cla.s.s. Mr Kroon was happy. His cheeks squeezed against his face as he smiled, they were so big I was afraid they were going to burst.

”Thank you, thank you!” He laughed before clearing off the blackboard.

The smell of chalk mixed with the already potent smell of smoke and I cleared my throat of the dust that entered with every shallow breath.

”Yes. I suppose we should open a window.” Rylan said, rising from his seat and opening the window closest to us.

”Thank you,” I whispered.

Mr Kroon stood at the front of the cla.s.s, explaining how to split the something-or-others of fire. Truth be told, I had no idea what he was saying, I wasn't paying attention. No matter how hard I tried, my mind kept reeling back to the higher power and these poor students. They had no idea what they are working for, what they are supporting and praising. A vampire. A dirty, sneaky, greasy, cold vampire.

”I need to tell you something,” Rylan muttered under his breath.

I didn't turn my head, I glanced sideways briefly. He was concerned, apologetic, but he didn't elaborate. I guess he wanted to tell me after cla.s.s. I couldn't imagine it pertained to anything other than Raina. I didn't want to know, but if I could help in the slightest, it was the least I could do before leaving.

The cool air hit my skin and my body sighed in relief. I hadn't noticed how thick and warm the air had been in the cla.s.sroom.

”We have Angelology now, are you coming?” Mila called, Ava coming to a stop beside her.

”I'll, uh, meet you there,” I replied.

Mila and Ava walked off, giggling and talking. I envied their simplicity. Rylan came to a stop in front of me and I met his blue eyes. I should tell him I was going away for a while. Fire Science and Botany were the only cla.s.ses we shared, this might be my only time to say a proper farewell.

”So ... there's something I -”

”Can I just say something to get it out of the way?” I asked.

He nodded.

”I'm going away for a while.”

”What? Why?”

”I'm going to work for the higher power for a little while... He's here.”

Uh-oh. Judging by Rylan's terrified facial expression and stiff posture, I a.s.sumed no one else knew Lucian was here.

”Oh no. This is bad,” he whispered.

”Rylan, it's okay.” I knew otherwise.

”No, Ruby, you don't understand ... s.h.i.+t.”

”Rylan, what's wrong?”

I was starting to get frightened by his behavior, had something happened? Does Rylan know? Rylan sprinted past me, heading in the direction of the boys' dorm.

”Rylan!” I called after him, but he didn't turn back.

I spent the whole Angelology cla.s.s worried about Rylan. I didn't know the students had no idea the higher power was here. What if it spreads and creates some kind of ma.s.s panic? Why was everyone so afraid? If they're this scared now, imagine what they'd do if they found out what he really was.

Lunch couldn't come fast enough. When it did, I was waiting anxiously outside the dining hall.

”Have you seen Rylan?” I asked anyone that might have known him. I was met with shakes of the head.

”Ruby, what are you doing?” Eli asked, alarmed by my worried expression.

”I'm looking for Rylan. Have you seen him?”

”No. Is everything okay?” He eyed me cautiously but I was glancing nervously past him.