Thatwas met with groans. I always get that on the first day of class. I couldn’t help but smile.
“I want you to think of a time period in history that you’re most curious about. Write it down and bring it with you to our next class.” Relief washed over the room slowly as they realized just how easy that assignment was. “I teach my classes with an open mind to questions and curiosity. So tell me what you want to learn about and we’ll learn it all together.” I gave them all a wave. “Class dismissed.”
Everyone gathered their bags and headed through the exit. To my surprise, not a single person dropped their syllabus in the trash on the way out. I must’ve been getting better at that opening speech.
I walked back to my desk and began gathering up my own things when I heard slow clapping from the far back of the room. Glancing up, I caught a shimmer of purple from the shadows and let out a sigh.
“Damn it, Lila,” I groaned. “How do you always sneak in without my noticing?”
A figure stepped out of the shadows, that purple shimmer fading into her eyes. She had long dark hair, pale skin, and what I’d heard described as a shit-eating grin.
“You should be more observant, big brother,” she smiled, practically floating down the stairs toward my desk. “You never know who might be watching.”
“I would sense literally anyone else,” I retorted. “It’s just you that seems to slip under my radar.”
Lila shrugged, her grin widening as she perched on the edge of one of the student desks. “It’s a gift. Besides, someone has to keep tabs on you. Make sure you’re not traumatizing the poor children with tales of your sordid past.”
“My past is hardly sordid, and they aren’t children,” I said, shoving papers into my leather satchel with more force than necessary. “And since when do you care about students being traumatized? Last year you nearly got that fire witch boy killed by his parents.”
“That was different. He needed to be saved.” Lila picked up one of the abandoned pens from the desk and began twirling it between her fingers. With each spin, it changed colors—blue to green to silver to gold. She was one of those vampires who excelled in magic. Show off. “Besides, I’m not here about your teaching methods. Though I did like the bit about magic being inferior to human technology. I’m sure their parents will love that.”
I felt heat creep up my neck. “It’s the truth.”
“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes, and for a moment they flashed that brilliant purple again. “The only reason you say that is because you’re mad that you can’t do much magic.”
“My powers as a vampire are none of your business.” I snapped my satchel shut and slung it over my shoulder. “My skills are just different than yours.”
“You mean the way you ooze pheromones constantly?” she laughed. “How you’resoirresistible to everyone?”
“That’s not…” I started. “You know I do everything I can to keep that concealed.”
“Uh-huh,” she nodded. “And I also know that you’re shit at it.”
“I am not.”
“Oh please,” she laughed. “Half of your students, and definitely that werewolf guy, are going to be having someveryconfusing dreams tonight.” She looked me directly in the eye. “And you constantly trying to hide it is only making it worse. You need to go out andfeed, Valen. Let your powers loose so they can breathe a little. I have to drink blood to survive, but you can just fuck to get all the energy you need and then some. Why would you deny yourself that?” She lowered her voice a bit. “Why not just fuck that werewolf guy. He clearly likes you.”
“He’s a student,” I snapped.
“He’s anadultwho can make his own choices,” she retorted.
“Lila…” I let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You know I live on campus and that I’m notthatkind of professor. So did you just come here to annoy me, or do you need something?”
Lila just rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Actually, I came here to let you know that there’s an off-campus party happening this weekend. And before you ask, no, it won’t bejuststudents. It’s a bar crawl up in Pigeon Forge, so there’ll be lots of locals there too. I was going to invite you to come along and brush off the dust a little bit.”
I stared at her for a long moment, processing what she’d just suggested. A bar crawl. With people who weren’t students. The idea was both appealing and terrifying in equal measure.
“You want me to go bar hopping,” I said slowly. “In Pigeon Forge. Where there will be drunk tourists and locals who have no idea what we are.”
“Exactly!” Lila’s grin widened, and she hopped off the desk with an enthusiasm that made me immediately suspicious. “Think about it, Valen. When’s the last time you actually let loose? And I mean really let loose, not just your carefully controlled ‘I’m a respectable professor’ routine.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up a hand.
“Nineteen eighty-seven doesn’t count. That was over thirty years ago, and you spent most of that night complaining about the music being too loud.”
“The music was too loud,” I muttered, but even I could hear how pathetic that sounded. “And besides, I don’t need to ‘let loose.’ I’m perfectly fine as I am.”
Lila’s laugh was sharp and knowing. “Right. That’s why your pheromones are practically suffocating me right now. You’re wound so tight you’re about to snap, and it’s affecting everyone around you.” She stepped closer, her expression growing more serious. “You’re not just hurting yourself, Valen. You’re making it harder for your students to concentrate, and eventually someone’s going to notice. Someone who might not be as understanding as Dean Thornfield.”
