Sandabury Academy

The Truth (Part 1)

I'm flying down the cracked stone pathway, wind whistling in my ears from the speed. After a few seconds, Terry comes into view standing by the now broken gate that once guarded the northern entrance onto campus. I zero in on Jacques' figure standing next to him. In an instant, I grab Jacques by the throat and violently shove him into what's left of the metal bars lining the gate, his feet dangling off the ground. Terry doesn't even flinch at my sudden appearance next to him. However, in my haste, I failed to notice Darius sitting against the fence so before I have the chance to start beating the hell out of Jacques, Darius grabs my arm and tries to pry it away from Jacques' throat. Key word is try.

"Valerie! Remove your hand from the Overseer's throat!" Darius says while furiously pulling on my arm.

Unfortunately for Jacques, Darius is no match for my newfound strength and my arm doesn't so much as move an inch, my grip still firm on the slime ball's throat. 

"Valerie, be careful what you do right now. Think about the consequences of your actions." Darius' voice is pleading at this point.

This entire time Jacques and I have had our eyes locked, neither one of us willing to break the contact. Darius continues to try and get me to drop Jacques, but my hesitation comes from the knowing look in Jacques eyes instead of fear. That combined with the quickly approaching footsteps of Logan are what cause me to drop the Overseer. I don't need Logan trying to lecture me more on "doing the right thing". The only reaction forthcoming from Terry at my actions is a click of his tongue.

"You made the right choice. Hopefully you won't get in that much trouble for assaulting a member of the Overseer council," Darius says as though I needed the reminder.

"Like that's what's important right now!" I fully turn my gaze towards Darius and he instantly gasps, fully taking in my appearance. The hair color isn't so much an indicator of the new me as the eyes since vampires dye their hair all the time. No vampire has ever had glowing violet eyes. 

"So its true?" Darius whispers more to himself than anyone else. 

"She's finally Awakened," Jacques replies almost in awe.

"Wait, you know about that?" Terry pipes up to the two of them.

"Of course I do. Why do you think I had you find Raquel?" Jacques states while absentmindedly rubbing his sore neck.

Logan, after having caught up to us, shifts uncomfortably behind me at Jacques' statement.

"No one is supposed to know of her existence. She is presumed dead," Logan says defensively. 

"Except for those closest to her which would appear to be a clan of Lycans that wish to remain hidden from the supernatural world by using Raquel's prison for their own benefit. But, unsatisfied with that lifestyle, one Lycan decided to stray from tradition and attend a supernatural creature academy where I have since been able to pluck all the information I required of her whereabouts from his head. Imagine my surprise when I discerned not only that she is still alive, but her exact location," Jacques explains with a slight grin.

Logan, having realized he is solely responsible for giving away Raquel's very existence, let's out an angry growl. Terry and I lock gazes and roll our eyes simultaneously. 

"Yea yea, telepaths are a real bitch," I shoot at Logan before turning back to Jacques. "So you mean to tell me that you knew I was a hybrid and sent me after Raquel knowing that I would Awaken?" I ask, arms crossed.

"Sort of. I had heard whispered rumors among the other Overseers that one such creature existed. Once we had caught wind of a fire elemental at Sandabury Academy that had managed to stay summoned to this plane for over a year, I immediately was sent to investigate. We have also known about a vampire supposedly staying in the Black Moon dorm, which wasn't confirmed until I met you that night at the vampire party. How suspicious considering that dorm is reserved for the miscellaneous supernaturals. Later that very night, I crossed paths with Logan, undoubtedly following you without realizing due to the bond you both share, and learned all about Raquel. Quite the eventful night indeed if I do say so myself."