The Young and Gifted

65. uploading

Stephanie tapped the pencil against her head, staring at the sheet of paper in front of her. Dorian had given her a set of homework, privately teaching the regular things humans should learn. She struggled with the math concept but she didn't want to go and bother him. Elena had always told her, when you're stuck on something, don't run for help immediately. Take your time to assess the real issue. 

But as the hours ticked by, she didn't know what to do. Before she had a chance to shoot up, grab her books and find Dorian, Stephanie froze at the sound of clutter in the library. She glanced around the darkroom with only her desk lamp on. "Hello? Josie?" She knew the witch was here before, maybe she forgot something. 

Nobody responded to her calls and her heart slowly started to relax. The moment didn't last long when the rapid swish of air movement occurred around her. Stephanie toppled back as a blurred figure emerged in front of her and she could hear the hiss of fangs. She gasped as his face came into view. Sebastian. 

Her books were now on the floor, the chair was thrown back and Stephanie struggled to stay on her feet as she backed up. "Wh-what are you doing--" She screamed when he charged for her and all the signals were pointing in the right direction. He was going to feed on her. She tried to calm her heart, tried to warn her body to be ready for it because there was no stopping it. 

But Sebastian hadn't touched her. Instead, he stood still over her, fangs pulled out and eyes red with hunger. "I can't feed on you," he growled savagely.

Stephanie panted with fright, trying to cower away far from him. Before Sebastian could try and go for her again, another rustling caught both of their attention and their gaze snapped to the door. It was slowly opening. By the time she looked back at the vampire, he was gone, already flitting away. 

She closed her eyes, trying to take calming breaths. It must have been that protection spell Davina put on me.

Stephanie tried to collect and compose herself when the being stepped into the disorganized room. "Hey, I heard noises. Everything alright?" It was Landon.

She cleared her throat and flashed him a beaming fake smile. "Everything is a-okay. I was just...really happy that I got the answer to the question I was working on for the past hour." Such a lie. 

Landon smiled, shutting the library doors behind him before approaching her desk. "Trust me, I know the feeling. Dorian would often just assign me work and leave to take care of his other things and I would hate having to ask him a question."

Her smile formed into a genuine one. "I completely relate to that."

They both sat down and Landon said, "It gets easier, you know. Being in this environment. I was a human once so I understand how you're feeling. But once you find yourself a group to settle in, the fear and worry wash away."

"How did that happen?" She asked, trying to organize the mess of papers. "How were you human...and then not? I understand how it is for vampires and werewolves but I don't think I've ever heard the transformation of a Pheonix."

"Dorian said that the first time I died, I was just breaking out of my mortal shell. It took 2 weeks for me to come back."

"2 weeks?"

"Yeah, but the next time I die, it won't take so long. The reason why it was so long was because I was 'uploading'. And then once I came back, I started having these symptoms. It was horrible. But then a full moon came around and I began to turn. The most painful experience I've ever had to go through. Literal wings tore through my back."

"Wings?"

"Not the fairy, colourful disgusting wings you see on TV. Bloody, black, feathery bird wings. Honestly, they're annoying. Very heavy and sometimes they jump out without permission," he chuckled. 

"That's amazing. You have a regenerating life and you can fly?"

"I haven't learned to fly yet. Dorian is scared that I'm going to hurt my back but he's doing some research. But I can camouflage."

"Wow. And then I'm just me. A blood bag," Stephanie sighed, toying with the corner of the paper. Compared to the others, she felt boring. 

"I was called a blood bag too. But don't let them bully you. Just become someone that isn't just a blood bag."

Stephanie snorted. "Thanks for the words of inspiration, Landon."

*

Kaura held the Bennett Grimoire under her arm as she made her way to the class. School was over a couple of minutes ago and she hoped her targeted teacher was still in her room. Kaura knocked briefly before stepping in and thankfully, Davina was still at her desk. "How can I—" she stopped short when she turned to Kaura's figure.

"Hi," Kaura greeted, shutting the door behind her. "Vincent told me to come talk to you?"

"Yeah, we both had a discussion and we've come to a conclusion that you don't need to attend his class as long as you're learning with me," Davina said, standing up. She shook Kaura's hand with a smile. "Bennett Parker. The number of times your mom has tried to kill me..."

Kaura couldn't help but laugh. "I've been told something along those lines."

"Well, I already have a schedule for you but before we get started on anything..." she said slowly. "I thought you should know."

"Know what?"

Davina took a deep breath and they both sat down in a row of seats for students. "Your mom was someone who constantly didn't listen to the rules of magic. During my period of death, I had a conversation with the oldest witch of New Orleans, Aithne, and she told me about the deal your mom struck. I'll admit, Aithne made some horrible choices. She forced the knowledge of the Initial Conjuration into Bonnie with the price of being infertile. But your dad didn't know this so he kept pushing to start a family and she was too ashamed to tell him. And just as he was about to give up, you came along. But when you came out...you were dead and Bonnie assumed that it was because of the trade she made so she went to Vincent. But Kai...died thinking that you never survived."

Kaura blinked, trying to swallow the information. "My...father never knew that I was alive?"

"One of the reasons why Aithne let me return to the living was to meet and help you because she genuinely felt bad about what she did to Bonnie. But let's not focus on the past. Teaching you is already going to be easy because the Initial Conjuration is already in your blood, you just need to get familiar with it."

Heat seemed to course through her body, trying to find a safe place to rest. This changed things. It wasn't about the fact that her parents left her alone. Kai didn't even know she existed. Somehow, it made the subject even more painful.

Davina let her take time for herself and as the time ticked by, she finally cleared her throat and glanced at the grimoire. She smiled and placed her hand on it. "I'm assuming that Bonnie bled and cried on this book if she used it right." She looked up at Kaura. "You ready to get started?"

Kaura could only nod.

~

"Yes, I'm well aware of your quest to avoid all emotional intimacy."

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