Erevan's stride slowed, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to look at the boys. He had never felt so tense before, so monitored.
" What were the clan leaders thinking? Sending their heirs here all at once." he thought.
" Aren't you going to give us a tour?" Soren asked, eyes narrowing at Erevan.
" My apologies, your lordship." Erevan said, pulling himself back to the present.
" What would you like to see first?"
Before any of them could speak, Raelen immediately spoke as if he had been waiting for that question.
" The training grounds." he said.
Kaelen,Dorian and Lioran turned their gaze towards him earning a dashing smile from him. They looked as if they were expecting an explanation and he already had one.
" I want to see how strong the vampires here are."
Soren shook his head slightly. Of course the heir to the storm clan was a wild card.
" He acts just according to his name" Soren thought.
As if reading Soren's mind, Corin spoke up. Not with the calm, gentle tone he was known for. No. With a much more serious one.
" Raelen, now is not the time to be a trouble maker." he said.
" You just arrived."
Raelen shrugged. His smile widening in sheer delight and eagerness.
" Come on now. I just want to see the training grounds." he said raising his hand in mock surrender.
" Nothing more."
" You lie so easily." Dorian said. No emotions in his voice.
" Everyone lies easily, brother. That is how power is gained." Raelen said, giggling.
That statement caught the attention of Erevan, Kaelen and Soren. They glanced at Raelen briefly and they knew behind all the pretend fluff he showed, was something much more darker.
" I will show you the training grounds your lordship–"
" Great" Raelen cut in.
" But before that, shall I show you to your dorms first?" Erevan continued.
His eyes moving from one heir to another.
" That sounds like a good idea. I would like to settle down first." Corin said, a gentle smile on his lips.
" If the dorms are to be shared..then I advice you prepare a separate one for me." Dorian said.
It was not a request. More of a command, his tone cold and crisp. Erevan exhaled quietly. Of course he wasn't expecting it to be easy, getting the heirs to share a room but he expected them to at least acknowledge him as the authority here.
" I agree. I prefer my solitude and I will not condone any distractions." Soren added.
Erevan's posture tensed once more which didn't go unnoticed.
" It will not be that bad guys. Please, let's try to get along here." Corin cajoled.
" One: I am not your friend, so do not talk casually with me." Lioran started cooly
" And two:Do not tell me what to do."
The silence that followed Lioran's sentence was heavy.
Eyes locked with eyes.
An amused smile on the lips of a certain storm-born heir.
And a dean who felt utterly powerless among them.
" Now this is interesting." Raelen said.
Eryndor sighed. He hadn't said a word for sometime now and he felt suffocated already by all their presence.
" I don't mind sharing a room, as long as it's not with a loud person." he said. His tone void of emotions and with that he began to walk away.
" Where are you going?!" Erevan asked after him only for Eryndor to disappear through a corner.
" Please do not take his actions to heart." Corin immediately apologized.
" I guess that is how he is"
" Can you stop trying to be a solicitor?" Lioran said, irritation in his tone and face.
" It's so hypocritical" he added.
Soren frowned. One, because Eryndor had ended up in his list of suspects. Not that everyone else wasn't there. And two, because he disliked Lioran's tone.
" If you have daddy issues please do not take it out on others." he said coolly.
" You better watch your mouth, Blackwell" Lioran said, his amber eyes glowing faintly.
Soren smirked. Took a step towards him until they were inches apart, not breaking eye contact.
" Oh? Did I hit a soft spot?" he asked mockingly.
Erevan didn't know what to do. He could only watch these two heirs bite at each other without intrusion. He understood the centuries old rivalry between them.
Kaelen stretched his hand, resting it on Lioran's shoulder. Lioran looked at his hand, then at Kaelen. His eyes burning with anger.
" Get. Your. Hand. Off. Me." he said with gritted teeth.
Kaelen raised his hand, taking a step back.
Raelen moved closer to Dorian, nudging his arm with a mischievous smile.
" Stop being a pest and leave me alone." Dorian said, not sparing him a look. But it took more than that to stop Raelen Storm.
" Do you think we should escalate their fight?" he asked.
" I really want to see them fight."
Dorian finally looked at him. Raelen winked, chuckling softly.
" Your lordships?" Erevan called, hoping to regain control.
" I suggest you should keep your differences aside for now and get along."
Soren stepped back, his face returning to the cold, stoic expression he always wore.
" Do not hope for that." he said, casting Lioran another glance.
" Make sure to keep him in a leash. Acting all aggressive like those disgusting werewolves."
Lioran almost lost it. His fists clenched to his sides, he wanted to twist Sorens guts out or stab him with a stake but he kept his cool. Barely.
" Please…let's not be childish, just…just try." Corin pleaded.
" But that won't be fun. Chaos is so much better." Raelen said, smiling like a creep.
Lioran scoffed, turning his face away. Dorian seemed less interested in whatever conflict they had going on. Kaelen? Silent, watching. Corin trying too hard to get them together. Soren acting defiant as if he didn't just land a blow to Lioran's pride. And Raelen? He lived for the chaos.
" I will show you to your dorms. Please follow me." Erevan said quickly, before things got out of hand again.
" I want to share a room with Eryndor." Raelen said, smiling as they rounded off a corner.
" I assure you that the rooms has been appointed according to how compatible each of you are." Erevan said.
" We are not compatible with each other in any way." Dorian said.
" For once I agree with the rude kid." Lioran chipped in earning a death glare from Dorian.
Kaelen sighed.
" You seem to enjoy walking into fire."he said.
" All bark and no bite." Soren added, scoffing softly.
" Oohhh… I thought I would have to wait until the chaos started, but I was so wrong." Raelen said, too excited for his own good.
Corin massaged his temples, stressed from all the arguments and insults. Erevan was having a rethink on why he said the heirs were "compatible", when they were not.
" Your lordships, you see…Valemorra isn't just about creating strong, independent and intelligent vampires.."he started.
" It also involves forming alliances, bonds that would last for eternity. And I sincerely hope that it would be the case for all of you."
" We will try to get along. Please do not worry." Corin assured with a gentle smile.
Lioran snorted.
" Speak for yourself, you hypocrite."
Corin frowned. He always tried to reason but he hated it when his calmness was taken for granted.
" I will not take anymore insults from you Lioran. Do not take me for granted just because I seem gentle."he said, his tone cold.
Everyone could feel the shift in the atmosphere. The chilling coldness that spoke of one thing. Danger. Coming from the supposed "soft one" of the group. Dorian raised a brow. Kaelen smiled lightly. A small smirk tugged at the corner of Soren's lips. Raelen's eyes sparkled with interest. And Lioran, blinked once. Clearly taken aback.
Erevan cleared his throat. In hope of preventing things from aggravating further.
" Each of you have been paired regardless of your preferences." he said.
" But I assure you that it would be in your favor."
He came to a halt in front of a dark wooden door, bearing the school's crest in the center. He opened the door, gesturing for the heirs to go in.
As they stepped into the room, Erevan gestured for them to sit on a single couch capable of containing them all.
" You want us to share a seat?" Dorian asked, his eyebrows furrowed.
" Come on! You can sit beside me!" Raelen said, grabbing Dorian and shoving him into the couch before the younger could stop him.
" Isn't this nice?"he asked, sitting beside Dorian.
" I swear if you touch me one more time, I will…"
" Relax, don't waste your energy threatening me. It doesn't scare me." Raelen cut him off with a wave of his hand.
Dorian hissed, turning his face away. The rest took their sit beside each other, cautiously. All except Soren. Who chose to stand, his eyes looking around the office.
It was a regular office of a dean. Pictures of the previous dean's hung according to their tenure, a book shelf filled with thousand old books, a gigantic desk filled with documents that looked untouched for days. And a map of the school hung in a glass showcase.
Soren's eyes was glued on the map in particular.
Erevan noticed.
" Nice map, isn't it?" he asked.
" Is this the map of the school?" Soren asked.
" How does that concern you?" Lioran asked, sneering.
" Lord Lioran,please I would appreciate it if you contain your resentment." Erevan said, frowning slightly.
" Would like to have a copy of the map, Lord Soren?" he asked, turning to look back at Soren.
" I would."
" What's so interesting about a map anyway?" Raelen asked, genuinely curious.
Soren turned to look at him, a hint of mockery in his stare with a small smile on his lips.
" You do not need to concern yourself with my affairs or interests." he said
"Keep telling yourself that." Raelen said and although he had a smile on his lips, one could tell from his tone that he was not intending to leave any of them alone.
Erevan cleared his throat as he proceeded to take a scroll lying on his desk, looking at it thoroughly before turning back to the heirs.
" This here contains the person you will be sharing a room with while you are here." he started, his eyes moving from one face to another for any possible reactions.
Seeing none was forthcoming, he continued.
" My advice to you all is that you should try to tolerate your roommate. That is why our world is still standing up till date."
Raelen chuckled softly, shaking his head.
" Lord Raelen, do you want to say something?" Erevan asked
Raelen looked up and smiled at him.
" No, nothing. I just found your statement a little funny." he said
Dorian rolled his eyes, obviously fed up by having to share the same space with all of them, especially Raelen and Corin seeing that Erevan wanted to take his conversation with Raelen further, cut in immediately.
" Can you please proceed with the dorm assignment?" he asked, a light smile on his lips.
"Ah! Yes" Erevan said, his gaze lingering a bit longer on Raelen.
With a little hesitation he opened the scroll, looked at it thoroughly and smiled.
" I hope you all will be happy with your roommate and get along in the future." he said.
Dorian frowned.
" Go straight to the point." he said.
" Of course lord Dorian. How about I start with you."Erevan said
" You and lord Raelen will be sharing a room."
" What?" Dorian said, his tone cold and dangerously low.
" Looks like you are stuck with me after all." Raelen said smiling content.
Kaelen chuckled at the sight of Dorian's face filled with irritation. Lioran and Soren on the other hand were pleased that they weren't as " unlucky" as Dorian. Corin sighed exhausted.
" I will not be sharing a room with this lunatic." Dorian said firmly as he stared Erevan down but the older vampire didn't seem interested in changing his decision.
" Well.. fortunately for you, this lunatic will be by your side for a very long time." Raelen said with a cold smile on his lips.
They both stared at each other, a very uncomfortable silence stretching. At least uncomfortable for the dean and the less coldest one out of them all.
" I'm sure it won't be that bad if you tried." Corin said, once again trying to mediate only earning a scoff as a response.
" Your dorm is located at noxwell tower, room 103. Your things have been sent there already." Erevan said.
" Lord Kaelen you will be sharing a room with Lord Corin" he added.
Kaelen turned to his side to look at Corin who smiled.
" Mm."he hummed in agreement.
Erevan stared at Soren and Lioran, his eyes already carrying the message clearly.
" No." Soren said firmly.
" I agree. I would rather share a room with that psychopath than this egotistical arrogant blackwell." Lioran concurred, side eyeing Soren.
" Wow! You know a few words considering the fact that you look stupid." Soren said, with equal disdain.
Raelen laughed heartily. Clearly the only one enjoying himself quite too much.
" Your lordships, I know you are not happy with this arrangement now…but you never know who would be your aid later on." Erevan said, trying to be a voice of reason.
" I'd rather have a stake to my heart than need help from this stray dog." Soren said, his words aiming directly at Lioran.
"You're crossing the line Soren." Lioran said getting to his feet, his eyes filled with silent fury.
" So Eryndor stays alone?" Kaelen asked ignoring the banter between Lioran and Soren.
"Yes" Erevan replied and Doria scoffed.
" Now you're just being unfair"he said
" I specifically told you I wanted a room to myself and you gave it to Eryndor who isn't even here."
Erevan smiled lightly.
" He will be informed."
" Lord Kaelen and Corin, your dorm is located in virelle tower. Room 52" Erevan said, then he looked at Lioran and Soren.
" You both are in the same building as Lord Raelen and Dorian.Room 72"
" Can't you make any changes to the dorm arrangement?" Soren asked.
" I'm afraid not, your lordship." Erevan answered.
Soren gave him a pointed look. He knew Erevan was lying, he could easily change the arrangement but he was playing the power card. Classic move!
" And if any of you see lord Eryndor, please inform him that he will be staying at virelle tower. Room 34." Erevan said.
As soon as the statement escaped his mouth, the chiming of the bell echoed through the academy. Twice.
" That's the bell for the assembly" Erevan informed.
He adjusted his coat, exhaling as if a huge burden had been lifted off his chest.
" Please follow me to the auditorium your lordships." he said already heading to the door and the rest followed behind walking towards the main parts of the academy.
They passed through hallway that was filled with students already headed to the auditorium. In groups and in lone pairs.
" You'll get to meet alot of vampires just like you here." Erevan proceeded to say.
" The only vampires I would be interested; in meeting are the ones that will serve as blood banks to me." Raelen said, his eyes sparkling with a predatory glint as he glanced at prospective victims.
" Killing is strictly prohibited."Erevan said coldly but Raelen just laughed softly.
" We'll see about that." he said challengingly.
Erevan couldn't help but feel chills due to Raelen's words. Something told him that Raelen would do exactly as he had said.
" You would make me keep an extra eye on you, lord Raelen." he said.
" Oh? That would be a waste of your time" Raelen said smiling.
" Psycho" Dorian mumbled.
As they drew nearer to the auditorium, murmurs from the students already inside could be heard clearly. Most of the conversations were based on the fact that the seven heirs were at the academy.
Erevan halted at the entrance, facing the heirs once more.
" I will be introducing you to the school and then you will be shown to your dorms." he said.
He waited expecting a response from them but the only one who simply nodded was Corin. He exhaled sharply and walked into the auditorium causing a dead silence to fall over the place, the heirs following behind.
Everyone bowed slightly as they climbed unto the podium, paying their respect.
Erevan remained silent once he was sure that each and everyone of them were anticipating his words.
" I'm sure you are all overwhelmed with curiosity as to why we have some peculiar people in our midst this morning…" he began allowing his words to sink into them before continuing.
" Today the heirs of our seven clans will be joining us to learn in this prestigious academy and be one of us."
A round of applause followed the end of his sentence and Erevan smiled content at the positive energy from the students giving that it was the only positive response he had received since the arrival of the heirs.
" Please join me to introduce lord Kaelen"
Kaelen bowed smoothly, a gentle smile on his lips as he faced the crowd.
" Lord Lioran"
Unlike Kaelen, Lioran seemed a bit hesitant to bow but he did so anyway.
" Lord Corin"
Corin bowed, the same warm smile he always wore on his lips.
" Lord Raelen"
Raele waved enthusiastically with both hands, his smile too wide and cheerful.
Soren and Dorian rolled their eyes disgusted by his attitude.
" Lord Soren"
Soren gave only a nod of his head, his eyes giving a bored, brief sweep over the students.
" Lord Dorian"
Dorian didn't give any acknowledgement to the introduction. He just stood and stared unbothered sparking murmurs once again.
Erevan smiled.
" Unfortunately lord Eryndor isn't here for.."
Eryndor walked into the auditorium and took his place beside Dorian stopping Erevan mid sentence. All eyes turned to him, some filled with surprise,others with curiousity and others with suspicion.
" And lord Eryndor" Erevan said between a breathy laugh.
Eryndor bowed for quite sometime before standing upright. Dorian stared at him, now curious about his whereabouts.
" Where did you go?" he asked before he could stop himself.
" A walk." Eryndor answered.
A flicker of surprise passed through Dorian's eyes as he had least expected Eryndor to give him an answer.
" I expect you all to make them feel welcomed and treat them as your equals." Erevan's voice came again then he signaled to Damon who had been standing in a corner to come forward.
Damon along with other guards made their way to the podium, each holding a uniform.
Erevan took one and stretched it towards Kaelen who accepted it with both hands.
" As from today henceforth, you become a part of Valemorra." Erevan said
The same action was repeated from one heir to another with applause from the students until the last of them. Eryndor.
" As from today henceforth, you become a part of Valemorra." Erevan said.
As Eryndor's hands touched the fabric, his eyes turned cloudy white with mist gathering at his feet.
The applause that was ungoing came to a halt as everyone stared at him surprised.
" What the hell is wrong with him?" A student asked.
" Is he alright?" Another one came.
The murmurings increased. Erevan stared at Eryndor confused as to what was wrong with him.
" Lord Eryndor?!" he called but it was as if Eryndor couldn't hear him.
He looked at the other heirs, his eyes asking for help but they too were oblivious to what was going on with Eryndor.
" Eryndor?!!". Corin called, loud enough that his voice echoed through the auditorium but Eryndor was stuck in place.
" Seems you're not the only crazy one Raelen." Lioran said, his arms folded with his eyes focused on Eryndor.
Soren walked towards Eryndor, reached for his shoulder and shook him gently.
" Eryndor?" he called and all of a sudden, Eryndor gasped sharply as if he had just been revived from the grasp of death.
His hand immediately went to his chest, clutching it as he felt a wave tighteness spread through him.
His eyes were filled with confusion as if he had seen the strangest thing.
" Are you alright, lord Eryndor?" Erevan asked concerned.
" Did this uniform belong to someone before?" he asked after a moment of silence.