Chapter 33: Laughter From the Shadows

*Esmerelda*

I thought I might suffocate as all the air seemed to be sucked out of the classroom along with any kind of sound. Maybe it was because vampires didn’t need to breathe that I suddenly could only hear the sound of my wildly racing heart.

Elijah was always a demanding presence whenever he entered a room. A hush tended to settle over any crowd when he appeared, but this time was different. Our classmates were terrified to see him this time. They were more than a little wary.

I could barely contain my gasp when Elijah met my gaze, and I saw the pure anger in it. His purple eyes were a shade darker, and they glinted with rage. I reeled back. Once I blinked, his expression was again the careful mask that he seemed to have crafted to hide his emotions.