Jane didn't believe in coincidences. But it was tiring living that way, so she turned a blind eye until she couldn't anymore. This was one of those times.
A well-known vampire who didn't seem to like studying had moved to her class, sat beside her, and hadn't been absent for a day. There was nothing by chance in this.
Her best guess? Another prank, or he had run out of targets.
Weirdly, she didn't feel offended at all. This place must have brainwashed her into accepting being passed around.
Jane poured the iron powder into her mouth and dissolved it with a sip of water. Normally, the blood-changing pills came next, but she didn't need them today. She promised him taste S, and he would have it. Still, Jane picked up the bottle labeled "A" and, though hesitated, put "B" and "Below C" in her bag, too. Better safe than sorry.
Jane changed her clothes and headed outside. After the fight with Emily, she realized what she lacked, other than fighting skills, was stamina. So, going to the fitness room, riding a horse, anything that improved her lungs was a good idea.
The sky outside was sunny, creating the perfect mix of cold air and warm lights. A walk in the forest might not be a bad idea.
***
Class was boring, as usual.
She made her way to the back of the classroom, which inevitably meant passing by Amelia. Jane kept her eyes straight, but from her side view, she could see Amelia's burning gaze. Oh, she was pissed.
For the wrong reason though.
At precisely 6:57pm, Peter walked in. Still handsome and shiny like a true peacock. Can't believe she used to think he looked like a prince.
"Did you bathe?" he asked
"Yes," she said, looking up from her book. She caught a glimpse of his mouth curving up and immediately explained. "I've just worked out."
"Wow."
Yeah, he wasn't convinced. She accepted the fact that everything she did seemed like an effort to get closer to him, because it was, and there was no way to explain that out loud.
"Why did you go to the library?" he asked.
Jane slowly set her pen in the middle of her notebook. She completely forgot the possibility he might ask about that. In her mind, her sneaking around wasn't something he would be concerned with.
"To understand you better," she said, showing a sweet smile that didn't match her blank eyes.
"You could just ask me," he replied smoothly.
"For real?" Jane asked, raising her eyebrows as her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Sheesh." He glanced at the teacher, signaling for her to quiet down.
Jane pursed her lips. As if the teacher would stop him from talking. But she didn't argue, this wasn't the right time or place to ask "what is your weakness?".
Five more hours, and class finally ended, making way for the most exciting time of the day.
She followed Peter through the hallway, memorizing every step they took. Can't make the same mistake twice.
He stopped at a random door and turned around to her.
"Hold my hand," he said, pushing the door open.
Now she understood why they needed to hold hands. Behind the door was a whole other world. A huge planetary ball floated above their heads, spreading red and blue lights everywhere. Clear cubicles dangled from the ceiling; inside each was a hologram of a girl in futuristic clothes dancing. Jane squinted her eyes. Oh, they were real.
She followed Peter deeper into the room, carefully dodging the tiny square tables and the people.
They reached a corner not far from the mainstage, where a DJ was blasting music, and the crowd was dancing passionately. Jane quickly looked away. She didn't want to see anything that she might regret again.
There were 3 vampires at the table, no, six, counting the girls, accompanied by their side. Compared to them, Peter was a nice student with his collar still neatly clamped against his neck.
"So, this's the new girl?" one of his friends asked. He had spiky blonde hair, and a titanium tongue piercing flashed every time he spoke.
Peter didn't answer. He gave a polite smile and put the velvet throw pillow aside to make room for them on the couch.
"What's your name, new girl?" another friend asked, sliding his arm off his girl's shoulders and leaning across the table.
"Jane."
"What?"
"JANE!" she screamed directly into his ear. She knew for a fact he could hear her the first time. Because she could hear them.
The guy chuckled and pointed to three full shot glasses lined up in the glass tray. "What do you want to drink? Gin, vodka, or water?"
It was obviously a dare the way he looked at her at the end of the sentence. But unfortunately for him, Jane was a coward. So she said nothing and sank into the cushions. She didn't like how they looked at her, how freezing and dark this place was, or the way the heavy music jumped inside her chest.
"She drinks my shot," Peter said. He leaned over and switched the two tiny cups in front of them. His action diffused the situation and highlighted how unfriendly she had been ever since stepping into this place.
Jane picked up the drink, can't let his gesture go to waste, she thought to herself before bottoming up.
"Ughh." Her face scrunched. The bitterness burnt the tip of her tongue and ruined her taste buds. She leaned in, planning to grab a slice of the pre-cut watermelon on the table, when a pale hand blocked her path.
"Here, drink the water." The clear shot eventually went back to her hand. Jane stared at the guy's challenging smile, then glanced at Peter. He didn't say anything. No warning, no intervention, only the same gentle smile as all his other friends.
She poured it into her mouth. Tasted like normal water, with a mildly sweet aftertaste. Jane took a gamble that it couldn't be anything toxic. As she was Peter's next meal.
"Can we go somewhere more… private?" she said, leaning in close to Peter's ear. She kept a perfect distance, close enough so the sound didn't escape, and not so close that anyone would misunderstand.
What Jane didn't account for was how inviting the question itself sounded. Peter gave her a knowing look before whispering against her ear, "In a minute."
"..."
He would understand later, when she stabbed the pin into his neck.
Before they walked away, Jane saw Peter throw a small plastic bag onto the table. Inside were multiple little white capsules the size of a finger joint. Based on where they were at, she safely assumed they were drugs.
"Time to leave," he said, resting his hand against her back as he guided her through the crowd and up to the second floor.
He pulled a keycard out of his pocket and tapped it on the door reader.
Beep-beep-beep. A green light glowed, and the door opened.
It felt like they were renting a hotel room, a fully-functioned one. A big bed was the main centerpiece, a desk rested near the wall, for anyone who wanted to study, maybe, and a sofa.
"Let's do it here." Jane sat down, patting the cushion next to her. Soft but firm. Perfect to fall over onto.
Peter sat on the edge of the bed, leaning back lazily on his hands. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing just enough smooth skin to let the imagination wander.
Jane swallowed. For one second, she forgot she was the one who was about to get bitten.
She removed her jacket and held the pin tight in her hand. "In minutes, no, seconds, you will lose control, and so I will stab you with this to wake you up. Do not rip off my skin," she added.
The last sentence was uncalled for, but she must not overlook the possibility that he might fight back.
"I have been doing this for over a hundred years, Jane. I can handle your blood, " he said calmly, amused by her preparation and that she was underestimating him.
"How old are you?" she asked.
Peter looked at her, searching for a surprise or even disgust on her face. But all he saw was genuine interest, and that amused him even more.
"159 years old," he answered. Compared to the elders, he was truly a teenager.
"Huh," Jane replied, her head nodding unconsciously as she absorbed the new information. So she really was going to walk this earth for a long, long time.
"Put your pin away," Peter said, his eyes sweeping over the golden pin in her hand. "Use this if you have to." He pulled a shiny cutlery knife from the desk drawer and handed it to her.
"What? This pin is made of silver?" she jokingly said. She didn't think he would care about her safety.
"You really mean it when you said you want to understand me, huh?" He scoffed. "Or should I say, study us?"
"Yes." Jane smiled. She didn't budge from her seat, despite his arm narrowing the space between them. "Would you mind teaching me the first lesson, then?"
Peter didn't reply instantly. He looked at her, wondering if she could kill him.
"The pin is made of a special kind of gold. Covered in bronze for yours, and solid gold for us," he explained and pressed his hand against the gold pin on his own chest. When he pulled his hand away, a red rash in the shape of a lightning bolt had marked his palm. "Other material won't cause long-term damage, but it's enough to wake me up if you're that scared."
So that was why Rose's hand had turned red when she handed the pin, and why Emily had her companion remove it for her. Jane felt a taste of bittersweet. Rose gave her that pin; nevertheless, something other vampires wouldn't have done. Emily didn't count; she clearly handed it to Jane, knowing she would get caught at the library!
"I'm ready," Jane said, one hand holding the knife, the other pushing the collar of her blouse to the side.
The scent of her clean, freshly washed skin bridged the gap between them, clashing with the smell of alcohol and cigarettes. Peter's throat moved. He had never hated the air of the club more than he did right now.
Then, surrendering to his desire, he bit down.
A sweet stream of blood flooded his mouth. It lingered at the back of his throat, mixing with his saliva as he swallowed it whole. It tasted like pure life, like the first time he'd ever drank blood. Burning everywhere it ran. A drop of tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
Just a little more. No, she would die. A little more wouldn't hurt.
His fangs dug deeper. A fire rumbled inside his chest, spreading down to his stomach. It felt as if his organs had disappeared, leaving only a black hole of unsatisfied hunger. No, not enough. These two little holes weren't nearly enough.
Ouch! The sharp pain pulled Jane right out of her newfound pleasure. Half of her neck was locked between his jaws. One hard bite, and her head would fall off its pedestal.
She forced her fingers to twitch. Her heart started racing as she stared at the five stiff, useless sticks that were called her fingers.
Finally! They moved.
She gripped the knife with all the strength she had left and stabbed him.
Peter slowly raised his head. The knife hung loosely from the side of his neck. He gave her an empty look, and this time, he dug all four fangs deep into her flesh.
Clang. The poor knife fell from his hand without any effort.
This bitch broke his promise! Jane cursed internally. Forcing her heavy arm, she shoved her hand into her pocket and pulled out a small bottle.
Below C. Jane bit the cap off, spat it out, and shoved the pills straight into her mouth. A little overdose seemed fine for her, but not for him.
"Sh&%ptt…." a chain of unreadable sounds came from his mouth.
Peter hugged his throat and bent over the ground. He violently gagged and spat out the disgusting thing that just entered his throat.
"You're not the only one with pills," she proudly said. And he could hear the undeniable joy in that sentence.