Solasta Academy: All Hallows Eve

Chapter Fifteen

Calia shut the door to her bedroom and climbed into bed without changing into her pajamas. She didn't want to do anything but sleep after tonight's events. After thinking it through, she wanted to curse at herself. How could she be so stupid? She never would have gone with Malakai if she'd known it was a Vampire bar. Better yet, Calia wouldn't have gone with a stranger like him. It was bad enough that there were spirits after her—though she had no idea how that was possible. And then there was the whole thing with her ancestors and Father.

Everything was complicated.

Her phone chimed once, and she turned over to see who might be texting her at this hour. It was nearly two in the morning, and she should be sleeping for classes tomorrow or preparing for her next swim meet in a week. Calia lifted the phone and turned it on, frowning at the message.

Unknown Sender: It's me. Malakai. I'm sorry for bringing you there. I completely forgot that it wasn't safe for you.

She wondered how he got her number for a second, and the next, she realized she was replying to him.

Calia: It's okay.

It was not but she wasn't about to start a fight with Malakai. He wasn't thinking when he brought her there, and she wasn't either when she realized it was a Vampire bar. Calia could have left as soon as she did, but she stayed. She wanted to rebel at least once in her life. After a few seconds, Malakai replied, and it made her frown once more.

Malakai: You are very forgiving to those who don't deserve it, Calia. I certainly don't.

Calia: It wasn't your fault.

He replied again, but she turned off her phone and set it back on her nightstand. Calia was too exhausted to text him back or argue with Malakai over whose fault it was. It was over now, and she completely forgot about it after a while. All she could think about was her mom and how difficult it was for her to leave years ago. There was a probability that she loved Graves as much as he did, but she needed to protect Calia first. Juliette always put her first, and that made Calia want to cry all over again.

Gods, she missed her Mom. She wasn't sure if that feeling will ever go away but she knew she had to figure out who murdered her. Calia needed to understand everything that happened before and after she was born—and who exactly is trying to kill her. After all the things her mother did for her, she needed to do the same for her even after she was long gone. Calia will find a way to get the justice that Juliette deserves...no matter the cost.

She pulled the comforter up to her chest and closed her eyes. While she wanted to sort through everything she learned tonight, exhaustion hit her like lightning. Though she wanted to sleep for eternity, something was missing. Or rather—someone. She wanted Arzhel Koen's warm body pressing against hers, making her feel safe when the outside world wasn't. If there was one thing she could count on, it was him. Whenever she had nightmares, he would wrap his arms around her and tell her it was okay. That none of it was real, and he was right there. Sighing, she clutched the comforter tighter and let herself think he was lying right next to her, even if he wasn't. Tomorrow, she will have the chance to see him again. To kiss Arzhel Koen as if her life depended on it.

It was a new day, after all.

After a while, she fell into unconsciousness.

***

It took Safiya Nox six years to understand her mother's sacrifice. Twelve for her to feel enraged and depressed about it all made Uncle Kaius uncomfortable enough that he left her alone when it happened. When she turned sixteen, she learned that it was a curse to be a Nox. One that will eventually kill her as all the ones before her did. Kaius ensured she was well protected throughout her life—giving her books to read and teaching her how to write and the world's ways. Most importantly, he told her stories of his adventures before she was born and his childhood with her mother. She remembered very little of her mother except for her scream before the people murdered her. Now, it was Safiya they were after.