"Welcome to Betias Academy"

"Quickly, this way, Morwenna."

Chuck scanned the entrance and building behind him before he waved me forward, but a camera flash from across the limo caught my attention.

Chuck's face darkened, and he bared his fangs, hissing at the two paparazzi who must have driven in after us. They rushed back into their sedan and raced away.

But they got their shots of the Vampire girl's first day at a new school, and it'd be all over the social feeds in a couple of hours. I was convinced the paparazzi worked for Satan, as they appeared everywhere, following me like a bad smell.

The driver was collecting my bags from the trunk, along with an oversized duffle bag he swung over a shoulder. "That's not mine," I called out.

But when the driver met Chuck's gaze, the guard gave him the approving nod to continue.

My world spun, as my hopes and dreams faded away, and the rerun of all the episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 in my head switched off. Chuck took a step closer, and I froze.

"Wait. You're not...

"You're the only heir to the Livingstone Empire, what do you think?" He cocked a brow.

"Oh, Hell." I clenched my jaw because this was my chance to start fresh. How could I make new friends with him shadowing me everywhere?

"I promise to blend into the background. You won't even know I'm here." He tried to smile, and all I could see were fangs and the tattoo that covered half of his face, telling every immortal who saw him how much of a badass he was.

I stared at his seven-foot towering muscled frame and shook my head. "I doubt that. I doubt that very much."

"This way," the woman said, her voice delicate as a bird's song. She opened the door and waved us inside.

I sucked in a calming breath. I could do this.

Warmth greeted us as we stepped into a grand marble hallway with an elaborate chandelier overhead, dripping in crystals. Ahead, the stairs twisted in a perfect spiral upward. I expected something a lot grander, textured wallpaper or something, but the walls were plain cream and covered in paintings of old people I didn't recognize. Had to be teachers from the school.

Everything looked pristine and new, unlike the exterior.

There was no one else around either, and the lady in red heels click-clacked in a hurried walk to the first door on her right.

Chuck nudged me forward with a hand on my lower back while he collected our bags from the driver, so I followed her into a large office overlooking the grounds outside. An oak desk stole most of the room, the walls draped in shelves filled with books. The aroma of sandalwood wafted in the room.

"Hello, Morwenna. Welcome to Betias Academy, your new home for this year. Sorry for the informal greeting outside, but we don't normally create a grand entrance for new students. Most prefer to come in quietly."

I shook my head, almost laughing at the irony that she assumed I wanted a grand entrance. "No, this is perfect."

"Good. Take a seat." She rounded the table, and I slid into the chair across from her, and only then did I notice her name on the table. Principal Briar Stone.

She collected a bunch of papers and handed them over to me, along with a pen. "Due to your last-minute acceptance, we ran out of time to send the paperwork for your attendance.

Just something small, so we have all your contact details on hand should any emergencies arise, any medical conditions we should be aware of, and agreeing that should anything happen to you during your stay, you take full responsibility, and we're not liable."

She laughed nervously, which I guessed had more to do with my dad's wrath should anything happen to me. "I've already arranged payment with your father, and I have your dorm ready, along with your class schedule. Your father has informed me about your ability to enjoy the sun along with your...meal requirements."

I sat there, the pen in my hand trembling because everything was suddenly happening fast... too fast. I felt small and lost and overwhelmed. I normally did my own thing, but this here was different. I'd been homeschooled most of my life, only the best tutors teaching me everything from Latin to piano, to trigonometry.

But this seemed too sudden and real. What if I choked and failed?

The principal's gaze settled heavily on me, along with the pressure to sign everything just to get out of her office. The walls seemed to close in around me. Was I sweating?

What was wrong with me?

I flipped through the pages, scanning the words, but my head floated in the clouds; stringing together two words seemed impossible. I shook my head and searched for the line at the bottom of the page and signed each one. It came out scribbly, but I couldn't work out why this room had me so shaken.

Ms. Stone rambled on about the layout of the grounds and kept piling a mountain of things for me to review. Maps, timetables. Wait, where did she say the blood bank was located on the property?

Perspiration rolled down my spine. How could I ever feel at home here when one room had me needing to run outside for fresh air?

"We've set your bodyguard up in a house nearby. He can't reside in the dorm so close to the students. I hope you understand."

I glanced up, finding my voice. "In all honesty, l'd rather he didn't stay here at all."

But Ms. Stone's expression fell. "Those are your father's rules."

I nodded, realizing that even far away from my family, Dad would control my life. Hell.

By the time I finished, the principal marched to the door as if she couldn't wait to get me out of her office and opened the door. 

"Your dorm is located behind this building; follow the path to the right. It's dorm 2A."

Collecting the papers from her table, I marched outside to where Chuck waited, and he stared down at the pile in my hands with the list of teachers, their photos, and what class they taught.

"Don't worry," he said.

"They're clean." He stared at the printout of their faces in my grasp.

The principal cleared her throat and clicked her heels together.

"Okay, you have today to settle in, and tomorrow morning, classes start. Just remember, being on time is a sign of respect. I'll let you find your room and follow you in a moment to make sure you're settled."

I looked back at her and smiled. "Thank you."

She nodded and retreated to her desk while I headed outside. No limousine in sight, so if I got cold feet, I couldn't just run, and I noted the front gates were now closed.

I turned back to the principal and suppressed a shudder. "Something's strange about her."

"Don't worry, we vetted her as well," was all Chuck said as we followed the path, him carrying all the bags. "You're safe."

Around the back of the building, the path spread out in three directions, and clusters of buildings dotted the property amid trees and greenery. A beautiful landscape, so different to the polluted city; maybe it wouldn't be so bad here. Following the path to the right, Chuck pointed to a small shack that belonged in a fairytale, situated near a forest, complete with a chimney.

"That's me over there, I'm guessing."

"You'll be all right in there, Papa Smurf?" I cut him a side glance before sniggering to myself.

He didn't bite back and kept walking alongside me.

When we reached the front door of my dorm, I tugged on the handle, but it didn't budge.

"What the hell?" I rattled it again. when Chuck dropped the bag he was carrying by my feet and collected a keyring and key from under the top paper in my pile, then opened the door for me.

"At your service, Smurfette," he growled the words.

When he stepped inside, I grabbed his arm. "You can't go in there. The principal told me you weren't allowed." Okay, I fibbed, but if he was going to stay on campus, I needed my space.

He grumbled under his breath, and I smirked as he retreated.

"At least let me carry your bags to your room." He hissed the words through clenched teeth.