Jared stood slightly apart, managing to look both seventeen and ancient at the same time. The new students already knew he was Allie’s boyfriend. What they didn’t know—yet—was that he was also a hundred-and-twenty-seven-year-old vampire who’d be helping with night training exercises. As for Allie herself, she was seated with the faculty, a nod to her role as both teacher and student.
Eddie had declined to attend, muttering something about orientation speeches being “right up there with root canals and tax audits.”
The meeting had an official sort of vibe despite our small student body. But we were aiming to increase the number of students each year, and I figured practice was a good thing.
And speaking of practice... I stepped up to the podium and smiled. “Welcome to those of you who are new, and welcome back to those who are returning. I’m Kate Connor, and I run this school. If you have questions, concerns, or complaints, my door is always open. If you have emergencies, find the nearest adult and start talking.”
Sophie nodded earnestly. Zane gave me his full attention. Trevor examined his fingernails.
“Let me be clear about what this place is and what it isn’t,” I continued. “This is not a summer camp. This is not a reform school. This is not a place where you will learn to do cool tricks to impress your friends. This is the real deal—a training facility for Demon Hunters, and the skills you learn here may one day save your life—or the lives of people you love.”
I let that sink in, watching their faces. They all knew the nature of the school by now, but they each had differing levels of knowledge about the supernatural. At the moment, Sophie looked terrified—not surprising considering the demon attack at her home. Zane looked intrigued, and I remembered his file mentioning years of martial arts training, so he should be a solid asset. Trevor had pulled out his phone, which irritated me but didn’t surprise me—according to Marcus, the kid had been sullen and closed off for the entire journey, and eye contact seemed to be against his personal code.
“Mr. Dawson.” My voice cracked like a whip. “Unless that phone contains critical information about an imminent demon attack, put it away.”
Trevor looked up slowly, deliberately. For a moment, I thought he might challenge me.
The room went very still.
Then Zane leaned over and murmured something to him. Whatever he said, it worked—Trevor pocketed the phone with a scowl.
I caught Mindy leaning toward Eliza whispering something behind her hand. Her eyes flicked to Zane, then away—the universal tell of a teenage crush in progress. Great. After everything that had happened in the last forty-eight hours, part of me wished we’d made this a single-sex academy. The last thing I needed was hormones complicating an already impossible situation.
Then again, at least it was normal. Blessedly, stupidly normal.
“The creatures we fight are real,” I continued. “They are dangerous. They do not care about your feelings, your backstory, or your potential. They will kill you if they can, and they will enjoy doing it.” I paused. “Our job is to make sure you’re ready to stop them.”
From the way they looked at me, I finally had their undivided attention. I was about to take advantage of that rare state in teens by launching into the orientation material when Stuart made a sound—a sharp intake of breath that slashed through the room. I turned just in time to see his eyes roll back, his body going rigid in the chair.
Not now. Please, not now.
Except, nope. This was very much happening now, as proved by his low moan that sounded like a man in pain.
“Stuart?” I kept my voice calm, but my heart was hammering.
The moan subsided, and his lips moved, but when the words finally came out, his voice sounded older. Deeper.
“The collar hides the teeth.”
The new students exchanged alarmed looks, and I heard Trevor’s low whisper of “What the hell?”
Then Stuart slumped forward, gasping, and the moment broke.
Trevor jumped to his feet, his eyes wide, and his cool veneer forgotten. “Seriously. What the hell was that?”
I didn’t answer, just hurried to Stuart’s side and pressed one hand to his shoulder. “Hey,” I whispered. “You okay?”
He nodded, already coming back, albeit blinking and disoriented. “I’m fine,” he murmured. “What did I say?”
“Nothing important,” I lied smoothly. “I’ll tell you after.” I turned back to the students, summoning every ounce of authority I possessed. “Mr. Connor has a medical condition and has these occasional episodes. Nothing contagious, nothing dangerous, and absolutely nothing to worry about.” That was good enough for now. I’d explain about the visions and the battle with Lilith some other time.
Zane was watching Stuart with an expression that suggested he thought I was full of shit. Sophie looked both fascinated and terrified. Trevor had his phone out again, probably posting something on social media.
“Trevor,” I said, nodding at his phone, then continuing as he sulkily slipped it under his thigh. “That reminds me—posting on social media about what we really teach at this school is not only grounds for dismissal but will get you a one-way ticket to Rome for the kind of debriefing you really don’t want to go through. Plus, everyone in your feed will think you’re nuts.”
I gave them all my Stern Mom Look, then cleared my throat. “As I was saying,” I continued in aneverything’s fine herekind of voice, “this is a training facility. Let’s talk about what that means.”
I went through the outline I’d used last year at Ren and Ana’s orientation—class schedules, dormitory rules, the chain of command, and the absolute non-negotiable requirement to report any demonic activity immediately. I introduced the staff and their roles, getting a chuckle from Ren and Ana when I referenced Jared’s specialized skills—and wide, terrified eyes from the new kids. Even Trevor looked unnerved about the idea of a vampire instructor.
