chapter 4

 I regretted what happened almost immediately, the weight of my impulsiveness sinking in as I climbed back into my room through the same window I had used to get onto the roof. My boots scraped softly against the sill, the chill of the night still clinging to me. 

I shouldn't have messed with that vampire. It had been reckless, letting my frustration spill out onto him. I could still hear his 

laughter echoing in my mind, mocking and amused, as if he'd found my threat entertaining rather than threatening. 

Dropping onto my bed, I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the situation. What was he even doing on top of my dorm roof? As far as I knew, the vampire dorms were on the opposite side of the academy grounds, far from where I stayed. Vampires weren't known to wander without purpose, especially not into areas that weren't their territory. 

 

The thought unsettled me. Had he been there by coincidence, or was it something more deliberate? 

 

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "Great," I muttered to myself. "First day, and I'm already drawing the attention of a vampire with too much time on his hands." 

 

The memory of his smirk and the glint in his eyes made my skin prickle. He'd enjoyed the interaction, that much was clear. And while I wanted to dismiss him as a nuisance, something about his presence felt calculated, like he'd been observing me long before I noticed him. 

 

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Whatever his reason for being there, one thing was certain: I'd have to tread carefully from now on. Vampires didn't just forget things—or people—that push them off a roof. 

In the orientation hall, the students had already filled more than half the seats, their chatter and murmurs creating a low hum that echoed off the grand stone walls. There were no clear signs or instructions about where to sit, yet a natural order had formed nonetheless. 

The students were instinctively gravitated toward their own kind, forming groups that reflected the species they belonged to. Vampires occupied one side of the hall, their pale, elegant faces and predatory gazes giving them an air of otherworldly allure. Werewolves stuck together in a row nearby, their casual postures and confident demeanor marking them as a pack even without words. 

 

The divide wasn't enforced, but it was stark. It wasn't just about species; it was about comfort, familiarity, and unspoken alliances. 

 

I found myself observing them all, noting the dynamics and silently cataloging faces. These weren't just fellow students—they were potential allies, rivals, or obstacles in the days to come. 

 

Samuel appeared at my side almost instantly, he was the only real ally to me. "Did you know someone pushed a vampire off a roof?" he asked casually, his tone light, as though he were discussing the weather. 

 

My mind went blank, eyes going wide. "How did you know?" I asked, turning to him, my voice barely above a whisper. 

 

He'd already changed into a comfortable knitted sweater and slacks, looking every bit the relaxed student—a sharp contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. 

 

"I think everyone knows about it," he said, gesturing subtly toward two girls walking past us. 

 

"I was there," one of them was saying to the other, her voice filled with excitement. "He landed perfectly, like it was nothing." 

 

The other girl frowned, "I wish I was there," she frowned. "Drama--" 

 

I closed my eyes, frustration and regret washing over me like a tidal wave. Of course, the spectacle hadn't gone unnoticed. Vampires were already the center of attention at the academy, and my impulsiveness had only added fuel to the fire. 

 

"Isn't that her?" a student whispered, stopping a few feet away from me. Their gaze lingered a little too long; curiosity etched across their face giving me away to Samuel. 

 

I turned, fixing them with a glare that was sharp enough to make them flinch. Without a word, they scurried off, their footsteps quick and nervous as they disappeared into the crowd. 

 

Samuel raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "What was that about? Did you do something?" he asked, still clueless. 

 

"What could I possibly have done?" I replied casually, brushing past him and walking away before he could press further. My tone was light, but my mind raced it never occured to me that this would become such a spectacle. 

 

Samuel's footsteps trailed after me, his persistence as sharp as the edge in his voice. "Asiya," he said, my name slipping through gritted teeth, each syllable weighted with suspicion. "Did you push someone off a roof?"