2 - Welcome to the student council!
I spend a sleepless night filled with doubts. The next morning, I sit in class, staring out the window, watching cars pass below. Part of me is excited—I might finally get answers to years of questions. Another part is terrified. If I'm not a vampire, then what am I? And what is this crystal Brianne mentioned? I can't find anything about it online.
«You're more distracted than usual today. Everything okay?» Eirik Noviel's voice pulls me from my thoughts.
Eirik, my desk neighbor and best friend, is a good guy. But he's obsessed with girls, especially Brianne and her inseparable friend Clare. I wonder how he'd react if I told him about last night—his precious Brianne stripping in an alley and letting me touch her. He'd never believe me.
After class, I head to the student council room as Brianne instructed. My steps quicken nervously, hands trembling as I knock.
«Come in,» Brianne calls.
The council chamber is an ordinary classroom with a square table and eight chairs. At the table sit Brianne, two girls, and a guy.
Clare Azuralis: Brianne's close friend and Eirik's second crush. Her short red hair frames piercing, captivating blue eyes. She dresses to highlight her curves, and rumors about her and Brianne are legendary.
Elaine Everglade: my classmate and the girl I've loved since day one. She's not as curvy as Brianne or Clare, but just as beautiful to me. Her long, light-brown curls and warm hazel eyes are etched into my heart. She can seem grumpy, but I believe there's a golden heart beneath her cynicism. I never imagined Brianne was referring to her last night.
Gin LeBlanche: a third-year student and infamous school bully. He's dressed entirely in black—hair, clothes, even shoes—his pale skin a stark contrast to his dark aura. His "bad boy" charm makes him popular with girls.
Each reacts differently when I enter the room. Clare greets me with a bright smile, Elaine sighs and rolls her eyes (she rejected me harshly), and Gin barely acknowledges me. Brianne gestures for me to take the seat beside her.
«We welcome Ren Volkom, our new student council member.»
I blink, completely confused.
«Wait, what? A new member? I'm here for answers, not to join the council. There's a misunderstanding,» I say, embarrassed. «I just want to talk about… that thing.»
Clare checks the hallway, locks the door, and says, «The area's clear, Bry. We can start.»
My heart pounds hard.
«What's going on?»
Brianne stands, her voice steady and firm.
«As I said last night, there's a fragment of the Blood Crystal in your heart. Like us, you've had it since birth. Its effects appear during adolescence, granting special abilities. We're Crystalbringers.»
That explains the bloodlust I've felt for the past two years.
«The study of these crystals is classified,» she continues. «The Secret Service has studied them for years, theorizing they're the next stage of human evolution. But for now, it's just a theory.»
«If it's classified, how do you know all this?» I ask.
«The Secret Service works with all Crystalbringers,» she says. «We live normal lives as long as we're not threats. In return, we monitor other Crystalbringers and suspicious activities for them. The student council is just a cover—it lets us organize our work.»
This sounds even crazier than the vampire idea.
«Let me guess,» I cut in.
«You want me to join. Well, I'm not playing cop.»
Brianne unbuttons her shirt, revealing the bite mark.
«In recent years, people have shown up at hospitals with wounds like this and mild anemia. It's clearly a Blood Crystalbringer. We searched for two years; Elaine confirmed it.»
That explains the cotton and disinfectant. She knew I'd attack her if I could.
«For you, there are two choices,» Brianne says steadily. «Join us, and I'll let you drink my blood whenever you need it.»
Her gaze locks on mine. «Or continue as you are. But then, the Secret Service will see you as a threat, and I'll eliminate you.»
This isn't a choice—it's blackmail. Still, if I accept Brianne's blood, I won't have to hunt. And maybe I'll see Elaine more often.
«Fine, I'm in.»
«Starting tonight, you'll patrol with us. We'll teach you everything so you're not a burden,» Brianne says. «Meet me at the same time and place as last night.»
This is insane. I feel trapped in a nightmare, but it's real. How do I tell my dad? If I'd stayed home, none of this would've happened.
«Welcome to the student council, Ren Volkom.»