Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 2 -

5... 4... 3... 2... 1!

A smile spread across my face as I snipped the red ribbon, officially opening the first-ever school for all races—vampires, humans, and witches alike. "Welcome to Astral Academy," I announced, my voice full of excitement.

Astral Academy was a school like no other, designed to accommodate all ages and backgrounds. For the vampires, there would always be a new challenge. They could keep moving up to more advanced classes to avoid boredom, taking lessons alongside older humans whenever they were ready. The witches had their own special magic classes, led by five talented witch instructors eager to guide the next generation. I was so grateful to them for joining us in this grand experiment.

The crowd burst into applause and cheers. I spotted my mom with Winnie and little Wesley, who was giggling and bouncing in her arms. My other siblings were all there too, aside from Ruth and Dani. They would all be starting school here tomorrow.

Leuca stood off to the side with his nobles, and our children were at the front, with Leia snugly cradled in his arms. I saw familiar faces in the crowd—Wendy and Aria, and even Marley and Logan, who had taken time off from running Gil's for the weekend to support me. Their presence filled me with joy.

Damian was among them, cheering louder than anyone. At six, he towered over Wendy, which was such a strange sight. Rayna sent a burst of magical fireworks into the air above us, adding even more color and excitement to the moment.

"Thank you all for being here, and welcome to Astral Academy," I began. "Whether you're a curious human, a dreamer of a vampire, or a fantastic witch, we're thrilled to have you here! In these halls, we'll explore new ideas, unleash creativity, and celebrate the joy of learning together." The crowd applauded again, and I opened the large double doors, inviting everyone in to explore.

Many vampire couples approached me, expressing their gratitude and sharing their excitement about enrolling their children. It was heartening to see so many humans, vampires, and witches mingling and talking. Zera came charging toward me, and I scooped her up, groaning with the effort—she was getting so big, and I realized just how quickly she was growing, even faster than Leia.

Rayna joined us, hugging me tight. "I'm so proud of you," she said.

"You've played a crucial role in this, too," I reminded her, thanking her for her help in drafting the guidelines for the magical education of witches.

As the guests explored the school, I was surrounded by friends and family. Wendy and my mom were both in tears, sharing a beautiful moment as if they were both proud mothers for the first time. Marley and Logan handed me a small gift, congratulating me, while Aria—ever the emotional one—was getting teased by Damian. It was funny to see how much things had changed; Damian, who used to run after her as a little boy, now towered over her, affectionately calling her "Aunt Aria."

"I liked you more when you were cute and tiny," Aria teased him.

Damian smirked. "I liked you more when you were less wrinkly."

Aria gasped in mock horror. "I'm a vampire; I don't wrinkle!"

"Oh really?" he shot back, with a grin. "Then what are those?" He pointed playfully, earning a light slap on the arm.

"I'm still your aunt! Show some respect, you rascal," Aria laughed, turning to Leuca. "He's turning out just like you—despite all our efforts."

Leuca shrugged, smiling as Leia snuggled closer to him. "He's royalty, after all. Maybe you should be on your knees for him." He paused and smirked, ''so, it's an order, bow.''

Damian continued the joke. "That's right, Aunt Aria. Kneel before royalty!" He pointed to the ground with a grin, and I stepped in to give my son a light scolding, chuckling at their banter. Do not do that to her I had my girls' back after all!

We moved inside for a proper tour of the school. It was a sprawling building with three floors and countless hallways. The first floor focused on the basics—biology classes for vampires, humans, and witches, with educational posters lining the walls explaining each species and their unique traits. The vampire ones were particularly detailed, covering everything from their fangs to their need for blood.

The second floor was dedicated to potions and herbal studies. The rooms smelled fragrant, filled with magical plants, and there was an indoor garden with species that glowed at certain times, giving the place a truly magical atmosphere. Some vines even climbed the stairs to the third floor, adding to the mystical vibe.

We also had a sports hall, which would soon be decorated with banners and trophies from future tournaments. And on the third floor, there were more general classes—history, language, and more. I imagined the hallways buzzing with students, excited about all they were learning.

Astral Academy was more than a school—it was a place to explore supernatural knowledge, practice magic, and make lifelong friends. Most importantly, it was a place where we could learn to respect one another.

Everyone seemed to be buzzing with excitement, and I couldn't have been more proud. We had drinks and snacks for everyone, and even people who hadn't enrolled their kids came by to see what the fuss was about.

For now, enrollment was closed until we got everything running smoothly, but they'd be welcome to apply in a few months.

The day had been a whirlwind, and I was completely drained from all the planning and nerves. I'd worried that no one would show up, but the turnout was incredible.

After a few hours, we headed home. The kids went off to play, even Leia was lured away by Zera. "Finally, some alone time," I sighed, collapsing onto the couch in our room.

Leuca laughed, pouring himself a glass of Scotch whiskey. He lifted my feet and settled them in his lap as he sat down. "I loved seeing you today. Everything went perfectly, didn't it?"

"Thank God it did. I didn't think I could handle this much stress."

"I'm very proud of you, my love," he said softly.

I looked into his eyes and saw the depth of his love reflected back at me. "Thank you," I whispered. "That means a lot."

I couldn't believe how good life was at that moment. Humans were gaining more rights, and my family was thriving. Tomorrow, I'd get to spend the whole day with my mother and siblings, having a picnic together. I couldn't wait.