Solar Flame

Chapter Four

Brelai crept down the manor's sweeping white marble stairs.  Her bedroom was the entire loft of the top floor, although it was just as elegant as the rest of the house. She had moved from the floor above her parents to the top the year she entered school, wanting to get as close as she could to the light.  Her parents still complained she rebelled in trying to be the farthest from acting as a typical Vampyre. It was shameful, especially as she was from a noble line.  

Looking out the window on her way down she saw the sun was already setting leaving a mix of pink and orange hues streaking across the river. The constrast from the different sides of the river still astounded her; on this side, were the noble's manors built like minature modern castles; on the other side of the river were the small shacks and brick houses of the human community.  Quickly lacing her grey boots on at the front door, she raced out into the evening before she would be late for school...again. 

Brelai ran down the stone cobbled road that would through the entire neighbourhood.  Looking around her to ensure no one was watching, she dove into the forest that bordered the colony.  It was much quicker to go around the colony than through it, but traveling through the bush was not considered proper for anyone- let alone a noble. 

As she was running down the beaten dirt path from years of her travels, a large figure jumped from behind a tree and engulfed her, holding one arm taunt across her stomach and another over her mouth.  Just as Brelai prepared her muscles to offer a counter attack, the familiar savoury scent of forest and wood shavings hit her.  Seid.  She relaxed and turned in his arms to face him. "You little monstrel," she laughed before smacking him gently upside the head.  Seid grinned at her, his smile lighting up his sky blue eyes. Brelai had to catch her breath, noticing the close proximity her face was in with her best friend's, how the scattered light of the forest just perfectly highlighted his blond hair, and how she could almost-"

"C'mon," Seid interrupted smirking, "we're going to be late," he said grabbing her hand and continuing to run down the trail.

-X-X-X-X-

Of course, Brelai arrived only seconds late for the first lecture of the day.  But for Proffesor Alkydma that was the equivalent to hours and punishable by utmost humiliation.  It was her most dreaded class.  Every lecture filled her with disgust and got her blood boiling until she felt as if she was steaming out her ears.  Most mornings, Proffesor Alkydma's droning voice went on about hierarchy, bloodlines, and how noble's must protect themselves from common scum.  However, this morning, he had a different idea.  Making a brief, curt phone call to another class, he told them they were going to have a class presentation to emphasize the vulnerabilities that becoming involved with common folk could produce.

Brelai glowered from her seat.  She could tell nothing good was coming from this by the excitement blooming across his rat-like face.  There was a rap of the classroom door.   A scowling stick-like teacher she did not recognize shoved a blond guy into the room with surprising strength by the scruff of his neck.  Bowing, the teacher left the room.

It was Seid.  He stood awkwardly in the front of the room.  Professor Professor ALkydma qwaffed. "Is that how they teach common scum as yourself to address nobles, boy?" Brelai could tell it was taking Seid everything he had nnot to retaliate.  They had spent many hours in the forest together where one would rage about the inequality between the classes, and how it enraged them.  Standing straight to maintain the dignity he had, he got onto one knee, and bowed.  Laughter rumbled throughout some of the room. 

Brelai glared at the edge of her desk, hands balled in fists.  She felt the pit of her stomach curl; she knew what was coming next. 

"Brelai, as you so courteously showed us how much you appreciate being here this morning, why not join us here at the front of the class?" Alkydma asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.  

"Yes, sir," she grumbled.  She tried not to show it, but her heart was rapidly poundung in her chest.  Two eager volunteers were brought to the front as well as a beaten couch from the teacher's lounge. Brelai listened numbly avoiding eye contact with everyone, especially Seid, as Alydma explained the procedure.  Seid twitched with disgust beside her.  As the class had learned previously, becoming emotionally involved with anyone, especially a commoner, could prove fatal, as they could use it to their advantage.  The smell of blood from someone a VAmpyre- especially a noble whose powers were more enhanced- would be intoxicating and urge the Vampyre into a crazied fervor. Brelai's face tinged red- her feelings for Seid were already quite evident.  This would permenantely establish it.  Alkydma was enthralled. 

Seid was roughly seated on the couch, neck held tilted to the side by the professor who held a small silver scalpel.  Brelai was seated on the opposing side of the couch, body locked back by the two other students.  There were comments made about how this demonstration would show  a noble's fall from grace, and how each student should ensure the same did not occur to the,. 

Seid was staring intently at Brelai, but she could not face him with what this was about to reveal- if it was not already evident.  The scalpel slid across his pale neck.  There was a moment where the blood seeped and pooled before dripping, and then the scent hit.  A high-pitched whine tore through the back of her throat, and brelai started to claw the arms holding her back.  She needed to get closer. 

There were voices and some laughter in the background, but none of that mattered.  Brelai needed a taste, she needed to get closer.  Minutes felt like eternity and finally the arms around her were relinquished.  The last thing she heard before she lunged forward, eyes like slits, and fangs barred against Seid's neck were the words "disgusting," and "disgrace".  Then the sweet taste of blood touched her tongue and she collapsed, truly intoxicated. 

-X-X-X-X-

Light flitted into the classroom from behind closed blinds.  Before her eyes opened Brelai felt a warm body pressed against her side.  What had happened before the blackout came rushing back to her in an instant.  She squeezed her eyes shut tighter, not wanting to deal with what all this would mean. 

"Brelai," Seid's deep voice whispered gently from beside her. "I know you are awake". His arm mmoved from across her back into her dark brown hair, stroking it rhythmically.  "You can stop worrying now, I'm not going anywhere. I-".

before he could say anything else, she snapped up into a seated position, turned, and pulled back the collar of his gray long sleeve shirt.  At the base of his neck were two small puncture marks intersected by a skinny cut.  Purple brusing surrounded the punctures, earing the look of an angry mark that from the looks of it wouldn't go away for some time.  

"It just looks like you gave me a little love bite," Seid chuckled, winking at her.  Noting that Brelai was not about to stop staring, he removed his arm that was around her to tug up the collar of his shirt. 

brelai saw a flash of silver and gold on his wrist.  Feeling compelled, she took his arm towards her.  Seid resisted so she gave a gentle tug and flipped his arm over to reveal his wrist.  On that left wrist were three stars followed by the scripted words: Brelai Tenebrae.  For the first time since Seid was pulled into her class she looked him dead in the eye.  Those piercing blue eyes tried to read every emotion off her face. 

"I'm sorry," Brelai whispered.