Solasta Academy: All Hallows Eve

Chapter Seven

"Take a seat, Mister Rivera," Blackwood grumbled. There was utter silence as the new boy strutted a few rows from Calia and her friends to his desk. From afar, she couldn't figure out what he was. Either he was a Vampire from the way he oozed cockiness or a Fae from the strangeness of his aura. Calia eventually gave up and instead turned toward the front, where Professor Blackwood began lecturing. He wrote down all the traits of the Fae, which she knew from the heart, so she didn't bother pulling out her notebook to write them down. However, she noted that he avoided her gaze at all costs throughout the class period, as if saving her life didn't mean anything to him.

To say it bothered Calia was an understatement. Shouldn't he care a tiny ounce now about her well-being because he saved her from Gideon's wrath not even a month ago? And why, exactly, did he attend her mother's funeral and didn't even bother to say hello? It didn't make sense. Next to her, Arzhel jotted down a few things Blackwood spoke about before slowly setting his head down on the desk and closing his eyes. Not before he absentmindedly scooted her chair closer to his and kissed the palm of her hand. Gone was the grumpy Fae male she had met months ago. Here was Arzhel Koen, the boy she liked and who liked her back as much. Who protected and saved her numerous times. He showed everything Faylinn had to offer and a place for her mind to rest at the end of the day. Arzhel showed Calia how much he liked her in a million different ways, and she'll never get used to it. She would always remain surprised by the Fae beside her, sleeping in the middle of class while holding her hand.

He snored softly until the bell rang, and he woke up with a start. Calia barked out a laugh as her brows rose. "Sleeping Beauty finally woke up. It's a miracle!"

Arzhel bumped her shoulder as they stood up, grinning even if his eyes were still half-closed. Lottie and Jade left before her, the former muttering something about needing a blood bag before she went on a rampage. "Not my fault. Blackwood has a voice that can make everyone fall asleep." She shook her head as he pulled her close to her again, his hip against hers. Her lightning buzzed upon impact, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she grinned at Arzhel. She was two seconds away from speaking before he kissed her in front of the entire class—who stopped packing up to stare at them. In front of Professor Blackwood. Calia wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when he pulled away, he said, "Hi,"

"Hi," she replied. "You know, everyone's watching."

Arzhel rolled his eyes, and bits of his black hair moved to the side. This gave Calia a perfect view of his moss-colored eyes, which brightened at the sight of her. "Let them watch."

"We need to head to our next class."

He placed his calloused hands into hers and started guiding her out of the classroom. "Fine, but I'm meeting you outside Yvaine's class," he said. "I heard she's strict as fuck. But it is a senior-level subject." Professor Yvaine focused on theology at Solasta, which has been one of her favorite subjects so far. Calia could tell she was passionate about it because she took her students' opinions as if they were dear to her. She wasn't sure why everyone said she was strict when Yvaine was the opposite. She was inviting and asked Calia's questions clearly every time she raised her hand.

"She's not actually," Calia said. "Yvaine's the second-best Professor I have."

She and Arzhel were about to leave when the new student stopped them in their tracks. Up close, Calia realized he was much taller than her. At least a foot. His hazel eyes looked through her, and she shuddered as if he saw through her soul. She didn't do anything but watch as he pulled his thin lips into a spit-eating grin. Then she saw his sharp fangs. Gods, he was a fucking Vampire. "You have Yvaine, too?" he asked.

What was his name again? Michael? Matthew? "Um, yes. I do."

"Great! Me, too," he said. "Mind if you walk me there, and you can tell me what kind of magic you did to make yourself so beautiful?"