Slurp.
I stop brushing for a second, wondering if I just imagined the sound, before it resumes, another long slurp. My roommate is here. I take a deep breath and continue brushing, taking my time. I think of all the art books they have lined up on the wall and try to picture what my roommate looks like.
I towel-dry my hair and realise I didn’t bring a nightgown in with me.Shit.Then there’s my wound. I glance at the puncture marks, next to the slight indent caused by his other teeth. How am I supposed to explain this? I rummage through my bag; the first aid kit doesn’t have any plasters left.
I just have to keep it hidden. I make sure my towel is wrapped and tucked tightly, and after a deep breath, I unlock the bathroom door.
The window is wide open, the crescent moon gleaming through clouds.
She’s sitting on the coffin, facing me. Her white hair is messy, and a metal straw is stuck in her mouth. There’s a paper cup in one hand, and a book in the other. I blink, certain that I’m seeing things.
But I’m not. She’s really here.
“Why are you in my room?”
It’s her.
Aliz Astra.
She doesn’t seem surprised to see me. Her dark eyes sweep down my body. “Yourroom?” Her voice is low, and she lifts a brow. “I’ve been living here for five years.”
“What?” I ask, breathless, and she jumps down from her coffin.No.Aliz Astra owns the hunting lodge. Why would she behere? Itighten the grip on my towel.This isn’t happening.She’s not my roommate.
She can’tbe.
She walks towards me, and she’s somehow even taller than I thought. I take a step back, hitting the bathroom door. Her gaze trails down my neck. I don’t have a weapon on me. “What are you doing?” I ask.
Her black eyes narrow as she smiles.
She steps closer, and I grip my towel even tighter, until my knuckles turn white. Something truly demonic flashes across her eyes when she whispers: “Having dinner.”
Chapter
Six
My gun’s in my bag; everything else is under the bed. But I can take her. Even without a weapon—I just have to let her biteme.
My muscles tense, and I’m about to pounce on her when she takes a step back. “Just kidding,” Astra says. She holds up her hands, spreading out her fingers, and has the nerve to grin. I can’t hold my towel tighter than I already am. A layer of sweat mixes with shower droplets. Slowly, my short-lived fear is replaced with rage.
“Kidding?” I ask, my voice sharp. “What iswrongwith you? You’re avampire,” I say, itching to grab a weapon.
We stand in silence, staring at each other, until my damp hair causes me to sneeze.
“So are most students here,” she finally says. She turns and grabs a cardigan hanging by her coffin. Before I can escape, she’s wrapping it around me. “Why come to Tynahine if you’re afraid of vampires?”
“I’mnot,” I say. Her fingers brush my shoulder as she lets go of the cardigan. It smells of pine and moss. I don’t want to touch anything that’s hers, much less wearit.
Then she has the nerve to smirk. “Sure.”
This can’t be happening.
Just as I thought I was getting her out of my head, she’s here. She’s been here, all this time.No.I take off her cardigan, and pull a nightgown over my head, only letting my towel drop once the skirt has fallen to my mid thighs.
“Did you know I was your roommate?” I ask.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen you looking at me.”
