Help!

IV. Vampire Academy

When he woke up, he was roped to a chair in the middle of the room.

In the middle of a well-designed room that clearly served as an office or study room.

With a desk.

That Itzhak Perlman was sitting on.

"What the hell?" was the eloquent question leaving Brett's mouth.

"Oh good, you're awake. Thought you never would. Now-"

Perlman stood up and walked towards him while all Brett could do was gape at the scene.

"This was not what I had planned. I wanted Eddy. Not you. You are kind of useless to me. Well," and at that, he lifted Brett's chin up to make him look at Perlman, "at least Eddy will be willing to swap himself for you. God knows why though."

"He will not!"

Yeah, he would. Brett knew that. But he really hoped Eddy was smart enough not to.

"I already sent out a memo. Hope he gets it. It would be a shame for him to receive only pieces of you in the mail."

A cold shiver went through Brett. Not for him but for fear for Eddy. He was pretty sure that Perlman was bluffing.

"Why do you want him?"

"To heal me of course."

Perlman's voice was dismissive and downright snobbish. Brett could only gape at him some more.

"You could have asked", he exclaimed, unconsciously trying to fight his restraints, "Eddy looked up to you, you could have asked."

He got waved off for that.

"It would have to be approved by the council and they wouldn't have allowed a single healing. This is the only way. Look", Perlman came closer again, "I have a very high likelihood of becoming the next king. This is for the greater good. For our people. All of our people."

"By treating us the way you do now?"

"Some sacrifices have to be made, young novice. You will see in the future."

On that note, the door opened and a Dhampir stepped in to hand Perlman a piece of paper.

"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Brett immediately yelled, "What kind of guardian are you?! We must protect Moroi under all circumstances, not attacking them."

The Dhampir didn't react directly, but Brett could see how his ears started to colour red.

Rightly so, Brett thought sourly.

"Wonderful", Perlman clapped into his hands, "Eddy agreed to a swap."

In theory, Brett knew that there was probably some plan behind it, surely Ray had come up with something, but he was scared shitless nonetheless. Hopefully, it went the way Ray planned, whatever it was.

"Whatever way they are trying to trick me, I can tell you, that it is not going to work", were the last words Perlman spoke before leaving the room and therefore leaving Brett all to himself.

Who tried to calm himself and concentrate really, really hard...

At first, nothing actually happened but he tried to leave all his thoughts behind and then, yes! He jumped straight into Eddy's mind.

"Terrible idea."

That was Ray. He was sitting opposite of Eddy, in an empty classroom.

They were alone.