Was that true of him?It was certainly true of Grayson, but he wasn’t sure that he was terribly calm or in control most of the time.
“Grayson is intent on knowing every student and making sure they are who they say they are,” Ryder admitted.
And avoiding that reporter who knows his mother and him.But he promised to speak to her today.
“Well, I’m grateful that he was able to spare you,” Julian said.
“He also understood that you did not need an audience.You need to focus purely on what you’re doing without any additional stress for the shift,” Ryder said.
“Performance anxiety?Yeah, yeah, I guess I can see that.I almost asked Christian to come and record it, but then I thought differently.We’re trying to both show the glory of being a Vampire, but also demystify it.Do you know what I mean?”Julian admitted.“We’re just like them and look!We’re doing it so can you, etcetera, etcetera.”
“You’re not like anyone, Julian.Both you and Christian from what I can see are unique,” Ryder remarked dryly.
“I don’t know how unique I am.This shifting thing… Well, I doubt anything will happen tonight.”Julian shrugged, looking a little defeated.
That was not what Ryder wished him to feel.But at the same time, he knew it was likely nothing would.That wasn’t a bad thing.It was just the beginning.
“It might not, but this is just the first of many times we will do this together.So there is no pressure.” Knowing that the young man was uncomfortable speaking of his importance to Vampire-kind, Ryder switched topics, “I see that you dressed how I suggested.”
“Yeah, I assume it’s for ease of stripping them off?”Julian grinned.
Both of them had on loose, draw-string pants and zip-up hoodies.Ryder’s pants were black while his top was a deep crimson, which Grayson claimed was his color.Julian had on gray pants and a purple shirt that matched his eyes.
“And comfort.No buttons, flies or ties,” Ryder stated.“Easier to get on and off in the wilds.”
“So wearegoing outside the walls of Nightvallen!”Julian practically was vibrating as he realized this.“I thought so because of where we were meeting by the gate, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”
“We’re heading into Shadow’s Company,” Ryder explained.
That was the name of the wood that bordered most of Nightvallen’s north and west sides.
“Best name ever for a forest,” Julian joked.
“Indeed.”
Ryder went over to the gate mechanism that undid the locking component.A single push on a bar and there was theclick, click, clickas it opened for them and the wilds of the Ever Dark were revealed.
The two moons shone brightly on the white stone path that meandered gracefully through a well-manicured park that surrounded Nightvallen.The forest pushed inwards all around those sculpted rose gardens and curling paths.The trees were tall and grew thickly together, letting little light stream down between them.Ryder was taking them to a small clearing that he had shifted into a bear in not too long before the academy had opened.
Things–and himself–now were so different from then.It might as well have been another life altogether when that had happened.He thought of all the animals that he could shift into now that he had accepted himself as Weryn.The tattoos on his arms were quite out of date.He wasn’t sure if there was enough skin on his body to tattoo every animal’s form he could shift into.
Ryder gestured for Julian to walk alongside him as they exited the city on the pale, stone road.The gate shut behind them, clicking and locking in place.A mere drop of their blood placed on the smooth plate by the side of the gate would cause it to open for them.Or they could simply climb up the walls and bound inside.
Ryder found himself relaxing as nature fully surrounded them and he said, “You enjoy the wilds?Most Vampires–despite being predators–are not fond of them.Many would prefer the creature comforts of a Blood Den or even an alley as opposed to going out into the Ever Dark.”
“That’s true, but the wilds of the Ever Dark can change a Vampire from predator into prey so I guess it makes a lot of sense to be leery of it,” Julian reminded him.
He told Ryder that Caemorn, powerful as he was, would take the magical spear, Borage, with him when he went riding with Christian into the wilds.Balthazar almost altogether refused to go, claiming he was a “city Vampire” not a “country Vampire” or “gods forbid, whatever liking those blasted dark woods would make me.”Julian mimicked Balthazar’s voice so well that it had Ryder in stitches.
“Don’t get me wrong.I love Balthazar, but he is definitelynotan outside sort of person,” Julian admitted fondly.“But I’m guessing you are.Though I suppose it would be weird for a Weryn not to be.”
“It would be.”
Ryder loved the woods.He fully understood how he would have gone out to hunt or collect all the materials for his palace in the wilds.He could very well imagine spending days hunting and camping.He wondered if Grayson was a “city Vampire” too or if he’d be willing to go.Surprisingly, he realized that Caemorn might be a good companion in the wilds.
“You should ask him.I think he’d like that.He might not talk very much, but I don’t think you’d mind a quiet companion,” Julian answered his unasked question.Flushing, Julian said, “Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean to listen.I honestly thought you’d said that out loud.”
“No worries.I’m glad you believe it’s a good idea.I would not have thought to invite him–let alone that he’d agree to go–before all of this,” Ryder admitted.
