Little Witch

Chapter Six

After a few days without any further magical interactions, I nearly fear that I dreamt all of it. When I sit in class, wondering if I should really go to the Covent meeting in a few days. Maybe the other witches would shame me for not knowing anything about our culture and history.

My fingers tingle as I see hear someone opening the big door to our lecture hall. The mathematics vampire professor enters the hall, his eyes tracing all faces until they meet mine.

"Excuse me,", he says in a deep voice, "Could I borrow Raven Redd for a moment?"

Why would he possibly want with me?

"Of course.", Professor Stena says and gestures me to step outside. Reluctantly I do so, not really wanting to be alone with a vampire, no matter if he is a renowned professor or not.

As soon as the door of the lecture hall closes, the Professor starts to talk: "We know the witches came to you." I just stare at him. Could he hear if I lie just like the other vampire?

"Father doesn't want you to meet them again.", he says and looks me straight into my eyes. His eyes are dark brown and cold, but not as cold as the ones of the other vampire.

"Why?", I ask. Even though I want to get back in class, my curiosity gets the best of me.

His face gets more intense; he clearly doesn't like being ask questions. But when I continue waiting for an answer, he decides to give me an answer.

"They are not what they seem.", he says in a lower voice as if he feared that others could hear him.

"What does that mean?", I ask again confused and frustrated. He gets even more intense, making me fear he might bite me. His mouth suddenly clasp shut, and he presses his lips together.

"Take a step back and go to class.", he says, barely opening his mouth, "I can smell the adrenaline."

Slowly I do as he says and slide through the opening on the door that I created. The vampire is standing perfectly still. When the door closes again, I sigh and close my eyes for a moment.

Then I turn around, realizing I'm in class again and sit down on my seat, looking back at the door every few seconds. After about five minutes I'm pretty certain that he is gone for good. Nevertheless, after the class I make sure I'm not the first one going out of the door.

Why did the vampire suddenly seemed like he wanted to bite me? Or maybe he was simply hungry? I should be thankful he managed to keep himself in check. If he wanted to bite me, I wouldn't have been able to flee. At least this is what I read in my magical book.

Skipping my next class, I head straight back home, wanting to be safe in a place I know. I quickly walk up the stairs and along the corridors until I arrive at my door. Quickly I open the door and locking it. When I suddenly feel a tingling sensation again, I'm ready to fight. I go into my room, seeing a familiar stature standing at the window, looking outside.

The vampire from the library is inside my room! I turn around and run out of my room as quickly as possible. But I don't even get five meters down the corridor when the vampire is in front of me again, making me run straight into him. His body and stand is so firm that I fall down onto the floor.

"What do you want?", I shout frantically, feeling threatened by the creature towering over me.

"Tell me everything, little witch.", he answers with an evil smile, "You promised."

I rob backwards again from him, saying nothing. He suddenly closes his eyes, taking a long breath through his nose.

"Your adrenaline is especially present today.", he says in to smooth voice while still having his cold eyes shut, "Maybe it's because one of my brothers talked to you just an hour ago. I can still smell his scent on you." He smiles at me, exposing his two sharp teeth.

Why am I suddenly a matter of a vampire family? Why are they even interested in a witch with no knowledge of her powers and why haven't they killed me yet?

I try to calm down, breathing steadily while still sitting on the ground.

"What do you want to know?", I say, defeated by him. I don't want to get killed for people I only met days ago, no matter if witches or not.

"Good witch.", he says, stretching out his arm to help me up. I take his hand. As my warm skin touches his, my whole body turns cold, making my breathing stop until I quickly let go of his hand again when I stand.

"Let's sit down inside and talk like civilized people.", he says, leading me back into my room. We sit down on the small table I sat down with the witch not long ago.

"So, the witches have talked to you?", he starts speaking, a lot less threatening. I nod.

"And what did they tell you?", he asks.

"About the covent.", I answer.

"Do they want you to join?", he asks. I nod again.

Now I want to ask some questions.

"Why do you care?", I ask.

"Only father is allowed to tell you.", he admits, and after seeing my judging look, he adds: "He would exile me for at least fifty years if I told you."

"He doesn't seem very nice.", I say.

"He doesn't try to be.", he answers, "but he is fair, truthful and extremely powerful."

For a moment we are both silent. I hope I will never have to meet his father.

"Well,", he finally says, "time to report back." and stands up.

"I have one more question.", I say quickly, remembering my interaction with the professor. "Why did the professor, your brother, nearly attack me?"

"He is younger than me, " he explains, "Your adrenaline, a witches adrenaline, is especially intoxicating to vampires." Then he adds: "Whatever you do, don't take off that necklace."

Confused I nod and look at the necklace. When I want to ask him why, he is already gone. He must have given me it then. This would be the only plausible reason he would want me to wear it, right?

I am surprised I could have an actual conversation with a vampire, without my flight or fight response kicking at any moment. As I want to start studying, I can't concentrate on the task at hand. My life has officially turned upside down.