Vampire University (Book One in the Vampire University Series) (20 page)

"So, one for each of the... accursed races, right?"

"Right."

"Okay, so, to be safe I lay low," said Taylor.

"Right. And everyone needs to keep this to themselves. Tom, you're in exactly the same boat, so I'm sure we can trust your discretion. It's just Joseph that I'm concerned about."

"Wait, what? Why me? I haven't done anything to earn your distrust," said Joseph.

"Like lying about enthralling your brother?"

"Oh, right. Uh... fair point, I guess."

"So we'll make you a deal. You keep Taylor's secret a secret and I won't turn you human in your sleep. Deal?"

"What if I want to be human?" he replied.

"Do you?"

"Of course not. Or maybe I'll just use some of that blood to turn you human in your sleep."

"Can we stop threatening each other?" interjected Taylor. "Especially when we're talking about using my blood to do it? It is mine and I'm kind of fond of keeping it to myself, honestly. Besides, Hannah, his brother just ran away on him. The worst thing Joseph has ever done to any of us is being loyal to his brother. I trust him."

"Trusting people is just going to get you in trouble, Taylor," said Hannah.

"What, like trusting you? Aside from all the curse stuff, college is hard enough as it is without friends. Why don't we all just agree to give each other the benefit of the doubt?"

"I trust you guys," Tom offered.

"Thanks, Tom. And we'll keep your secret safe too, right Hannah?" asked Taylor.

"Right," she replied.

"Okay now, enough bickering. I don't know about you guys, but I could really use a shower," said Taylor.

"Me too," agreed Tom. "You okay, Joseph?"

"What? Sure. Peachy. Everything's great. I just need to clear my head. Can I just have some space?"

Hannah eyed him suspiciously, but didn't argue any further.

"Of course, Joseph. I'm here if you need anything," Tom said and then closed the door gently behind them.

—
-

Eric stood at the edge of the dock waiting for the ferry back to the mainland, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He didn't know where he was headed or how he would get by, but he felt a sense of relief to be away from that campus. Besides, he had survived rougher things than being homeless. His mind drifted off to the possibilities of his future until a voice from nowhere startled him back to attention.

"Eric," the voice said.

"Hello?" he replied, turning to see where the voice was coming from.

He couldn't see anyone, however.

"I'm right here, Eric."

"Dean?"

Eric recognized
the voice of the professor he had spoken to earlier, but he was nowhere to be seen. It was almost as if the voice was coming from inside his own head.

"That's right, Eric. It's me. You've done well, boy. Well indeed."

—
-

To be continued in book two of the Vampire University series,
The Last Leprechaun
. Available soon.