Lucian
Astrid POV
I stepped out of my room, already dressed and ready to meet the others. My phone buzzed earlier with a message from Dove: the headmaster and his pregnant wife want to see us in the office. Whatever this was about, it didn’t sound casual.
“Some snacks to start your day…” Archie’s voice cut through my thoughts. He strolled over with his usual lazy grin, holding out a strip of sour candy belt like it was some rare treasure.
“Right, thank you!” I laughed, taking it from him as we fell into step together.
“Anything for you, vampire lady,” he said smoothly.
I stopped mid-step and turned to him with one brow arched. “You’re a vampire too, genius. And Odin… don’t act like I’ve forgotten. How do you even control your thirst for blood?”
Archie only shrugged, like it was the simplest thing in the world. “Balance,” he said with a tap on my shoulder, and then kept walking as if he’d just handed me the secret to eternal peace.
I sighed and followed him. Balance. Right. Easy for him to say.
When we reached the tall double doors of the headmaster’s office, I hesitated. My chest rose and fell with a deep breath. What could he possibly want with us this time? Was it about sending us into the human world? Or something else entirely?
“I can’t read your mind,” Archie said, smirking as if he could anyway, “but I know you’re overthinking. It’s nothing to worry about. We’ve been at peace for so long now.” He gave me a wink before knocking lightly—then pushed the door open without even waiting.
“What? What if he’s—” I started, horrified at his lack of patience.
“No way would he be making out with his hot, pregnant wife in there while the rest of them are waiting,” Archie cut me off, laughing.
Okay… fair point.
We stepped inside. Sure enough, the others were already gathered. Jason and Killian sat side by side, their usual picture of silent judgment. Dove and Zora had claimed one corner, chatting quietly. Elsie and Damon were close together, and Odin leaned against the wall with his arms folded, looking like a carved statue. Hera lounged back in her chair, legs crossed, oozing her usual careless confidence.
“Finally,” Donovan said, his voice carrying enough weight to silence the room. “Now that everyone is here, we can begin this discussion.”
I gave Sera a small wave; she returned it with a faint smile before I slipped into an empty seat, my curiosity prickling sharper by the second.
“We’ll go straight to the point,” Donovan said, folding his hands on the desk like he was about to drop the world’s worst surprise party announcement. “I’ve processed all of your admissions to Crestwood University. You’ll be living among humans for some weeks… maybe months. I don’t know yet.”
“And why is that?” Hera asked, her tone sharp enough to slice through the silence.
“Because, believe it or not, you’re half human as well,” Prof. Sera chimed in from her seat, her voice the calm opposite of Donovan’s bluntness. “You’ve spent so long here that it’s time you experience their world too. Plus, there have been rumors of another academy—possibly rivals. We don’t know yet. While you’re there, you’ll guard the humans. And before anyone asks, no—you’re not supposed to cause trouble.”
Odin chuckled. “So what are we now? Guardians of what exactly? The coffee machines? Campus cats?”
“Whatever you want to name it,” Jason said dryly, earning a round of laughter.
“But on a more serious note,” Donovan cut in, glaring like laughter was a crime. “I mean it. You’re not to cause trouble. As far as anyone is concerned, you’re the only supernatural’s out there. If you suspect more, call us immediately. The person may be new to the system and in need of help.”
“Yeah, right…” I muttered under my breath, thinking of that heartbeat I’d heard in the woods last night. Heard it, couldn’t find it. Still haunted me.
“Then what happens here while we’re gone?” Damon asked, arms crossed like he was testing Donovan.
“Well, other top students remain. Zeke, Milo, Astra, and a few others. They can handle the weaker ones. It won’t be an issue,” Donovan replied matter-of-factly.
“Okay then,” Killian said, voice clipped, like he wasn’t exactly thrilled but wouldn’t argue.
“You’ll be moving tomorrow,” Donovan continued. “Your things are packed, your house is ready, everything you’ll need to start your life there is in place.” He stood, walked over to Killian, and handed him a small folded note.
“Oh, an address,” Killian mouthed.
“Yes,” Donovan confirmed. “You’ll all be living together, as the family you are. Look out for each other. Crestwood isn’t far from your new home. But remember: avoid trouble. You cannot be noticed by humans.”
We all nodded, some reluctantly.
“Anything strange, let us know immediately.”
“I think I might have a problem,” Odin spoke up suddenly, and all heads turned his way.
“What’s up, Odin?” Hera asked, leaning forward like she expected a dramatic confession.
“Vampires like us—Astrid, Archie, Hera, and me—living among humans? Isn’t that concerning?” He glanced around the room. “I mean, Astrid’s a tribrid, but still. You know what I mean.”
The room fell quiet.
“You can handle it… I guess,” Damon said with a shrug, which earned him an exaggerated eye-roll from me.
“We’ve been handling sunlight well enough,” Hera added. “But moving somewhere with thousands of humans? I feel bothered too.”
“How have you even been surviving here?” Killian asked, brow raised.
“Animal blood. Synthesized blood. You know the drill,” Odin replied with a shrug.
“Then you’ll continue like that,” Donovan said.
“There could be temptations,” I muttered, low but not low enough, because Donovan let out a long-suffering sigh.
“I believe you vampires can handle it,” Prof. Sera said gently. “You’re not alone—you have your friends.”
“There are blood banks, too,” Hera added brightly, like that solved everything.
“No,” Zora cut in, smirking. “Don’t tell me you’re planning to rob one.”
The entire room burst out laughing.
Hera grinned. “Not really. We’ll stick with animal blood. Calm, simple, boring.”
“Good,” Donovan said firmly. “Then that settles it. Learn to live like humans. Do what humans do. But remember—you are supernaturals. I’m not sending you there to… indulge with humans. Don’t go fucking the shit out of those humans” He smirked wickedly. “You’ll be creating bloodlines.”
We all groaned and laughed, nodding like the children caught in an awkward parental talk.
“Yeah, so, sunlight doesn’t have much effect on us,” Archie piped up suddenly, like he was crossing things off a checklist.
“It does on me,” Hera muttered, rolling her eyes with a pout. “Makes me feel sick and dizzy sometimes.”
“Oh, shit…” we all said in unison.
“No, it’s fine,” she said with a wink. “It’s not that serious.”
“I guess that’s everything, then,” Donovan said, brushing his hands together. “If anything comes up, you know how to reach us.”
“Yes, sir,” Dove replied with a crisp little salute.
“Yep,” the rest of us chimed in, far less enthusiastic.
Nyxthera POV
The night air was cool, brushing against the edge of my blazer as I crossed the street. The fit was sharp, deliberate, the kind of outfit that turned heads—but what good was that when I was left wandering alone? James had said he wouldn’t be long. It was past seven now, and still no sign of him. Typical.
Headlights tore through the dark, blinding for a split second. A sleek car swerved a little too close, its engine purring like a predator. I froze—not from fear, but annoyance—as the bumper nearly grazed my shoes. My eyes slid to the driver. Sunglasses, at night, typical human. Of course. A face sculpted like he knew the effect it had on people, one hand draped lazily on the wheel.
I lifted my middle finger in perfect silence, a smirk tugging at my lips, and kept walking. If he was expecting me to flinch, he’d be disappointed. His engine gave a low growl as if mocking me, but I didn’t bother with a second glance.
The neon glow of the bar pulled me in. “Relaxation,” the sign promised. I rolled my eyes. Relaxation? Among sweaty mortals spilling cheap beer on each other while pretending their hips follow the beat? Cute.
Inside, it was worse. The air was thick with booze, perfume, and desperation. Laughter too loud, dancing too sloppy, conversations too dull. I slipped onto a stool at the bar, crossing my legs, ordering the strongest thing they had just to make the chaos tolerable.
I was halfway through my drink when I felt it—eyes. That subtle pull of gravity in a crowded room. He stepped inside, smooth, magnetic, the sort of presence that made space bend around him. The shades came off, and my pulse stumbled.
The man from the car.
Up close, he wasn’t just handsome. He was danger in a perfectly tailored suit, every line of him cut sharp enough to draw blood. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, my first thought was that trouble had never looked this intoxicating.