Chapter 82: A Courtesy Sharp as Teeth
{IRIS}
"Iris, wait!"
Caroline rushed after me, gripping my wrist gently. "Can we talk?"
I didn’t want to. Not here. Not anywhere.
I was about to refuse when a familiar voice rang out, loud and commanding.
"Oh, dear Caroline—come sit here with us!"
Valerius’s voice silenced the room.
I froze.
My gaze lifted to the long table where the vampires sat—Morgana, Sol, the others, and Lord Vladimir at the center.
My heart thudded violently.
But Lord Val’s eyes were not on me.
They were on Caroline.
Something inside me shattered.
I tore my hand from hers, my voice cold and sharp. "Go and join your new friends, Caroline."
"Iris—" she began, but I cut her off and turned away.
As I left, I caught sight—just for a moment—of vampires guiding Caroline to a seat beside Lord Vladimir.
And then—
A small smile curved Lord Val’s lips.
For her.
The pain hit like a blade straight through my chest.
And this time, I couldn’t stop it.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
====
{CAROLINE}
"Damn it. Why do I have to sit with you?"
The words slipped out in a hiss before I could stop myself. I shot a glare across the long dining table at Lord Vladimir, hoping—absurdly—that sheer irritation might wound him. He didn’t even look up.
The grand cafeteria buzzed with life. Vampires laughed openly, goblets clinked, silverware sang against porcelain.
The air smelled of roasted meat, warm spices, and something darker beneath it all—iron-rich, metallic, unmistakable. Blood, though carefully masked.
And yet, amid the merriment, I sat stiff-backed and sour, my attention fixed on the man beside me.
Vladimir ate in silence.
He sliced his steak calmly, movements unhurried, refined. No wasted motion. When he lifted a piece to his lips, the firelight caught the faint sheen of juice along the cut, and for a brief, traitorous moment, my anger dissolved.
My throat tightened.
How could something as mundane as eating look so... intimate?
Heat crept up my neck, flushing my cheeks. I tore my gaze away, mortified by my own thoughts.
"If I were you," Vladimir said calmly, voice smooth as polished obsidian, "I would make use of my current position and stay close to me. Unless, of course, you wish to end up as red meat—much like this steak."
I clenched my jaw. "As if I’d ever want that."
My fingers curled into my lap as I glanced across the table—and found Morgana watching me.
She didn’t bother hiding it. Her eyes gleamed with open disdain, lips curving into a slow, knowing smirk.
I didn’t need arcane sight to understand what she was thinking.
To her, I was nothing more than a vessel. A walking blood bank tethered to Lord Vladimir’s side.
It was painfully obvious that she wanted Vladimir Nightborne. The way she watched him, the possessive tilt of her chin, the sharpened jealousy she didn’t quite bother masking—it all pointed to the same truth.
Rumors whispered through the halls like restless ghosts. A political marriage between House Nightborne and Hollowgrave. Alliances forged in blood and legacy.
The thought of Vladimir marrying Morgana made something unpleasant twist in my chest.
I scowled. Why do I care? I told myself sharply. It’s none of my concern.
"Why aren’t you eating, dearest Caroline?"
Valerius leaned forward, elbows on the table, flashing me that infuriatingly boyish grin. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Is the meat not to your liking?" he continued. "Don’t worry—we made sure it’s animal. We don’t eat human flesh. Disgusting texture, really. Too tough. The blood, though..." He sighed dramatically. "That’s an entirely different matter. But don’t fret—yours is quite exquisite if Vlad chose you."
Laughter rippled down the table.
I wanted to stab him with my fork.
"How considerate," I said through gritted teeth.
Valerius winked. "Anything for Lord Vlad’s precious blood bank. We can’t have you malnourished and dropping dead before a few bite. Vladimir’s stock needs to stay... full."
More laughter followed.
"Valerius."
Vladimir’s voice was quiet—but edged with warning.
The effect was immediate.
Valerius chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender, while the others abruptly found the tablecloth far more interesting than our conversation.
"If it isn’t to your liking," Vladimir said, turning his gaze to me at last, "I can have another dish prepared."
I stiffened, my pulse betraying me.
His concern was unwelcome. Dangerous.
I didn’t understand him. Why he’d chosen me. Why he’d saved me. Why he treated me with this maddening restraint and courtesy when he had no obligation to do so.
Men like him never acted without motive.
"I’m not hungry," I replied, pushing my chair back. "Excuse me."
I stood before he could respond, lifting my chin as I walked away. The weight of countless gazes pressed against my back, but I refused to let it slow me.
I left the cafeteria in search of Iris.
She wasn’t in the corridors. Not in the common study rooms. Not even in the gardens she favored during evenings.
When I reached our dorm, she was already in bed, breathing evenly, pretending—again—to be asleep.
She’d been doing that a lot lately.
I lay awake that night, worry gnawing at me.
====
{CAROLINE}
"Hey. You."
I halted mid-step the following afternoon, turning slowly.
Morgana approached from the far end of the corridor, her steps unhurried, confidence radiating from every movement.
Students and staff alike parted instinctively to give her space.
I straightened, bracing myself.
Even she wouldn’t be foolish enough to start something here. Not where witnesses were plentiful.
She stopped a few feet away, folding her arms with an amused smile. "Relax. I’m not here to fight you."
"That’s new," I said coolly.
She laughed softly. "I’m here to invite you."
"To what?" I frowned.
"Our yearly first-year welcoming party," she replied smoothly. "Hosted by the Coven of Vampires. Lord Valtheris Darkmoon himself will preside."
I blinked. "You’re joking."
The Covens of Midnight were the backbone of the academy’s power structure. Four pillars ruled it all—the Coven of Vampires, Werewolves, Fae, and Wraiths.
Every race pledged allegiance to one.
Every race except humans.
We were the weakest and minority in here.
