Chapter 1 One
"Ugh, I hate it when it rains," I mumbled as I perched properly on the roof of my hostel.
It was one of the most prestigious ones, the great McAlister Dorm; perks of being the daughter of the most influential vampire family.
I know, that sounds pretentious as hell but my father wouldn't have it any other way.
My life is run by his desire for power and showing off to the entire world that we are the best the vampire race has to offer.
Of course, he'd feel better if I were a boy but hey, he can't shove me back inside my mother's womb and every leader gets one lucky try in the children department.
I looked around the school, Eldwin Elite Academy, the only thing uniting the supernatural world and keeping us away from being at each other's throats.
Not like we don't try, the feud between the Thorne Clan and us is the most interesting thing about us.
It's all my family talks about, the court is obsessed with it too and sometimes I just wish it would just stop.
The moon smiled heartily at me, lighting up different learning buildings arranged in the Academy.
The most interesting for me was the art department. I could draw so well yet I didn't do as much.
I don't get a choice in many things, and it doesn't matter what I think.
Father wanted me to be the best sword fighter to ever walk the walls of this school.
He knows best as he's been in control of seventy percent of the vampire trades for fifteen decades.
If we had royalty, he'd be King.
As though summoned by my straying thoughts, a calling halo appeared before me.
It is powered by blood or deep thoughts, and I clicked on it knowing whoever was on the other side wouldn't hurt me.
"Laila," my father's serious and ominous face appeared.
He'd gotten a fresh shave from the looks of it, his deep amber eyes staring at me cooly.
I sat up immediately, as though he was physically here with me.
"Good evening, Father."
"You've settled in?"
"Yes. I'm ready for the new semester," I informed him.
"Good. Now remember, this family relies on you to be the best. Your future depends on you ruling everyone else there. Conquer Eldwin Elite Academy and you've conquered the whole world, understand?"
"Yes, father."
"One more thing," he said and I took a deep breath, suspecting what was to come next. "The Thorne Clan, their son is your biggest hurdle and I'm tired of you avoiding him. You are a pure-blood vampire. You must conquer him and put him in his place!"
"But.. how?"
"I have been informed of some changes coming your way. Be prepared to make this family proud. Don't disappoint me, Layla."
The halo beeped and then disappeared, leaving me alone again.
"I love you daughter and I want you to enjoy your time this final year and hey, stay safe!" I whispered into the air, imitating his rigid voice.
"Jeez, you came back from the holidays with a mental illness?"
I was shocked to see Leah climbing out of her window to the roof, a little less gracefully.
I stretched my hand and pulled her right up.
"Hey girl," I greeted, wiping off the dust from her perfectly combed pink hair. "Where's your mirror?"
"Right here," Luna chuckled as she came from my right.
They were twins who only got along from a little bit of distance. Never too much, just enough to breathe so their rooms were on each side of mine.
And they have been my best friends since I could run.
"What's up with you? Why are you speaking to the moon?"
My eyes went to the big shiny ball in the sky.
"She must be really lonely."
"Aww, is the Great Layla Valentino finally ready to fall in love this year?" Luna grinned.
"The moon would merge with the sun first," Leah laughed, "Layla hates men."
"Don't be silly, I don't hate them. I just haven't found the right one yet."
"And what does this right man consist of?" Lunar asked, pulling out her Winki, the device that stores so much information for us it makes no sense.
I smiled dreamily, lying down on the roof with my hands crossed at the back of my neck.
"I want... Someone special. Someone who sees me beyond the fangs and the glamour. Someone strong but not controlling, charming but not a player. A real gentleman with a wild side."
"Girl, we're gonna just root for the moon to get married first. You're hopeless," Leah chuckled, lying next to me.
"What I want is impossible huh?" I laughed a little.
"It's not like that but you know your family's stand already eliminates all the strong guys so I'm left with a very difficult list," Luna sighed, swiping through the shiny device in her hand.
"Don't tell me you're actually looking for a man for me right now."
"Of course I am! Who knows when next you'll even consider looking at a man without wanting to cut off his neck?"
Leah laughed loudly and we all joined in.
"Hey, I brought you some special O+ type blood from our father's trip to the other side. Wanna come inside?" Leah asked.
"I'll join you girls later, I wanna be here a little longer."
"Alright then, it's getting colder. Hey, did you bring a slutty dress for the Night Revels Rave First weekend party? Please tell me you didn't forget?"
I gave Luna a panicked face for a second and then laughed.
"Of course I brought it. Three in fact, no need to get your panties in a twist. I swear all you want is to get me in some guy's bed."
"I'm trying to avoid the apocalypse that'll happen if you become a lonely, horny vampire!"
I laughed heartily until they went back inside.
Leaving me back in my gloom.
A text came up on my Winki device. Only my family and best friends had access to me through it so I pulled it out of my pocket and it was a text from my Mum.
"Please, don't disappoint your father. Be wary of Kaelen Thorne. Don't get close to him except in combat. Also, the son of the outcast Shadow Mage family will be joining your class. Stay away from him."
Great, more restrictions.
But who is this new guy?
