When your family is responsible for starting a war, someone has to pay the price.

My family called sending me to the all-vampire academy Maiestas Regia “keeping the peace” but I called it for what it really was— a warm-blooded sacrifice. An offering for their past wrongdoings. Because not only was I human, making me a vampire’s natural prey, but I was also a human whose ancestors have hunted vampires for generations.

The last thing I wanted was to be shipped off to an academy where exactly zero percent of the students were human and exactly one hundred percent of them wanted me dead.

But I supposed that was what I got for accidentally shooting grandfather’s hand off with a revolver during target practice. Two birds with one stone. They could appease the vampire royalty without having to bend their own knee to them and they could also rid themselves of their least favorite daughter.

Useless, my father said.

Incapable, my sister chimed.

A stain on our family name, my grandfather claimed, shaking his one and only fist at me.

So, it was only natural for them to offer me up when Regia came seeking a member of our family to come to study vampire history and help settle decades of turmoil—AKA a hostage in exchange for a truce. I saw right through it. If Regia had me in their reach, any attempt on the life of their royalty would be countered with my own. Having me would give them security.

The last blood war had ended over a decade ago, back when I was just beginning to learn how to plunge a dagger directly into the hearts of beat up, ghastly looking dummy vampires my family used for target practice. Never once had I ever had to use those skills. But while that remained true for me, I knew of hunters who slithered in the shadows, breaking laws and slaughtering any vampire they came across, hoping a war would break out to give them even more reason to do so.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t be like that. I truly did want peace. I didn’t want to kill, nor did I want to see death. It was why I didn’t fight my fate when a sleek, black Cadillac pulled up to take me to the academy. If this could put an end to needless bloodshed on either end, I would not hesitate. Even if it this was all a ruse by the vampire royalty, it was worth a shot. I would be a good daughter and a respectful guest.

My fingers curled tighter around my suitcase as I dragged it along weathered cobblestone, wondering if the shadowy, gnarled trees were expanding as I walked, or if it was just my imagination. The pathway up to the academy did not suit my family’s expensive cars, so I’d been dropped off, left alone to mourn my last bits of freedom as I made my way to the looming structure on the other side of the trees.

Structure was one way to describe it, but it was more like a castle. It stood shadowy and towering against the darkening sky, stretching off into the east and west horizons. I’d seen pictures of it in history books, but in person, it was considerably more imposing.

I debated about turning back.

My mind changed when I noticed the road behind me had become swallowed up in blackness, leaving nothing remaining. Defensive magic, no doubt. Humans weren’t supposed to cross over. Lucky me for being the exception.

There’s no reason to be afraid, I reasoned with myself. A peace treaty worked both ways. Vampire hunters wouldn’t hurt vampires and vampires wouldn’t hurt vampire hunters. I would live in harmony with them for one year, learning about their history and their way of life, and then I would return to my family safe and sound. If they would even take me back. They turned their nose up at anyone who might mingle with a vampire. Would they think of their youngest daughter the same way? Even though they sent me here in the first place?

I shook my head. That was something I would worry about later. For now, I had to stay positive. If I didn’t, this year would not go smoothly.

“Human.”

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder and I immediately dropped all my weight, sinking into a crouch and slipping out of the hold. I shot my hand out and grabbed hold of the fingers reaching for me again, grasping the middle three tightly and folding them backward.

“Ow-ow!” my assailant cried. “Let go of me, would you!”

I turned my head up to face him, not willing to release him quite yet. I knew he wasn’t human. I’d grown up training to recognize a vampire by their presence. A muted intimidation, with a faint metallic scent. The kind that raised the hair on your arms. Even so, his appearance was no different from a human’s. A head taller than me with a sharp jaw, broad shoulders, and brown skin displayed under the black fabric of what I assumed to be a school uniform. His white teeth were on display as he grimaced, but no fangs appeared. “Who are you?” I asked.

“My name is Kazem! I’m a student here and I was sent to guide you. I’m sorry for scaring you, okay? I couldn’t resist. Please let my fingers go now— you’re going to snap them off.”

I let him go. “I’m not that strong… but I am sorry for touching you without your permission.”

Kazem cradled his hand to his chest, forest green eyes watching me cautiously. “It’s okay. I startled you when you’re in enemy territory. You’re Cleome Levant, right?”

“It’s just Cleo.”

He grinned a little. “I get it. I go by Kaz. You can actually call me that, too. You’re stronger than I expected. The rumors all said you were inept.”

I narrowed my eyes at him and he took a step back, swallowing visibly. “Rumors are spreading about me already?”

“That started back when the peace treaty was proposed. Everyone here knows about the youngest daughter of the Levant family. Although I must say, you look quite different than what you’ve been described as.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. You’re a bit plain.”

“Maybe I will break your fingers after all.”

He stood up to his full height, tucking his hands under his armpits. “Hey, now. You’re a peace treaty, remember? You shouldn’t be threatening me. You’re here to make peace.”

“There has been peace for ten years. I’m here for politics and that’s it. And I’m not the peace treaty. I’m just a part of it.”

“Rumor has it your family sent you here to be a spy.”

I figured most of the student body would share that exact thought. His words didn’t come as a shock. “If that were true, my sister would be the one here, not me. I’m inept, remember? Now are you going to bring me to the castle or are we going to stand here all night?”

“Castle?” He cocked his head to the side causing his mop of curly brown hair to fall over his right eye. “Oh. Funny. Because we’re vampires, right? What do they show you in vampire hunting school? Dracula? Or am I the cruel vampire prince who will lock you up to my tower?”

I kept my mouth shut because I did not want to say that, indeed, I had seen Dracula as part of my studies. It wasn’t the reason I compared the school to a castle, but still a bit embarrassing to confess. “Can we please just be on our way?”

“Tired?”

“These woods creep me out,” I said and then wished I hadn’t. It made me sound cowardly, true or not. Something I shouldn’t show in front of a vampire.

“Me too. I grew up in a city on the coast of the Caspian. Didn’t venture out into the forests too often. A bit horrifying at night, aren’t they? Who knows what’s out there, you know? I sure wouldn’t want to find out.”

I eyed him hard. Was he really a vampire? My father described them as fearsome, terrible beasts that could snap your neck before you blinked. I’d never met one before and I was now realizing I should have known better than to trust my father’s words. He grew up killing and hating vampires, damning them left to right. Instilling their repulsive acts and desires into my brain from childhood. I believed it as a kid, but as I grew older, I started to have doubts. Weren’t they just trying to survive, like us? Were we so different? Why did we have to kill them? And here was Kaz, acting no different than the humans I interacted with daily.

Indeed, I was the best person from our family to be sent out for this. I would never kill a living being willingly, no matter my family’s history or occupation. I wouldn’t screw things up here and start another war.

I shuddered when I thought about what was at stake. Was it all on my shoulders alone?

“This way, then,” Kaz said, taking my suitcase from me and interrupting my thoughts.

“I can get that—”

“It’s fine, I’m naturally stronger than you. This is heavy. What do you have in here? A bundle of stakes?”

I couldn’t help but smile a little. “No, we don’t use stakes. Isn’t that a myth?”

“I think any weapon that can pierce a heart is dangerous. I wouldn’t be willing to test it out, though. I like being alive.”

A little tension left my body now that Kaz walked with me. It felt odd to feel safer with a vampire. My father would kill me if he ever heard me say that. But I didn’t feel threatened by Kaz in the slightest. In fact, I felt relieved. I sensed no animosity from him. Maybe I wouldn’t be only met with hostility. If Kaz’s cordiality was anything to judge by, perhaps not everyone would automatically hate me for being a member of the Levant family.

Our footfalls fell into sync and I looked around again, this time more at ease. The trees were the right height and the stone of the academy gave off an ivory-tower feel instead of an eerie one. I could do this.

“By the way, your hair can’t be natural, can it?”

I picked up a strand of my pink locks and let it slide through my fingers. “No. I dyed it to get back at my family for sending me here. They are very traditional. As in no hair dye, no make-up, no jewelry except the family heirloom.”

“And what’s that? A cross?”

I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling the outline of the pendant that dangled from the gold chain around my neck through my shirt. “Uh, you actually don’t want to know.”

Kaz glanced back at me from over his shoulder, curious. “Why?”

“Just trust me.”

“That makes me more curious,” he grumbled.

I didn’t respond. We were almost at the academy now. A wrought-iron gate grew taller and taller as we approached it, with the stone of the looming behind it, the sculptural moldings coming into more and more detail as we grew closer. Flying buttresses soared over us with gargoyles situated on the crenellations and ivy creeping upwards and wrapping around each spike. A spire stood as the highest structure. I craned my neck to see the apex of it and I blinked as I swore I saw something standing atop of it, a dark figure amongst the clouds, but it was gone by the time my eyes focused on the shadowy spot.

Unease began to edge back into me, sending prickles up my spine. That feeling is natural, I told myself. A deer that walked into a lion’s den would feel the same. They were the predator— I was the prey. And I knew how to defend myself if it came to it.

We entered the gates into a beautiful courtyard, illuminated by gothic lampposts. The landscaping was immaculate, with white stone paths leading to the many buildings surrounding the area, bordered by white roses and cosmos and silverbush. A fountain sat in the center, white marble and twice my height, and the rush and fall of water was the only sound echoing throughout the enclosure. Japanese maples and pear trees were scattered about with ornate benches placed under them.

Kaz noticed by gaping and swept his arms out in a grand motion. “Welcome to Maiestas Regia.”

“I need to hire the landscapers.”

He laughed. “It’s the students.”

“Oh, wow.”

“We have many talents, as you’ll soon find out. Come on, the headmaster is waiting.”

As if the courtyard wasn’t impressive enough, the interior of the first building we entered made my mouth fall open. Arch upon arch made up the foyer, paired with vaulted ceilings and enlarged windows. My steps echoed in my wake as I gazed up in awe. How old was the building? The stones making the interior were weathered, but elegant. We climbed a split staircase, entering the French doors on the middle landing.

The room resembled both an office and a lounge. A wide, cherry-wood desk sat at the far end of the room with books and folders piled atop it. A familiar man stood behind it, studying me as I walked up to him— familiar only from photos handed to me to prepare me for my time here. He was Evander Hughes. The headmaster of Maiestas Regia. As he stood he smoothed out the front of his tailored waistcoat, gold button glittering under the dim lights, looking every bit impressive as the school he commanded over.

“Miss Levant, it is an honor to have you at our academy,” he said, reaching a large hand out to me.

I shook it, making sure to keep a firm grip, even as his own threatened to crush my phalanges. “Thank you for taking me under your care.”

“While the history between our kinds hasn’t been a pleasant one, I look forward to the harmony on the horizon. You coming here is an act preceding peace.”

I couldn’t quite see how, but I nodded my head anyway. If his words were truthful, our aim was the same.

“As I’m sure you’re well aware, the next in line for the crown is one of the students here. Our hope is you build a lasting friendship with him and the others here and help replace animosity with amiability. Along with succeeding in your studies, of course. As headmaster, I look forward to seeing you excel in learning about our history and culture.”

“Of course,” I said, smiling politely. On the inside though, my nerves rattled. Fraternizing with royalty? Since when had that been the plan? No one had even told me the vampire prince attended the academy, let alone I was supposed to befriend him. I’d come to just study, hadn’t I?

“While the student body is aware of your circumstances, not every student agrees with the way we’ve decided to go about things. I want you to know you are under protection here. You may be intimidated, but if any issues arise, please alert me right away. Decades of war and turmoil do not go away overnight.”

I dipped my head again, understanding his words. There was a target on my back. I knew that already. Especially since the possibility that my parents had killed some of the students’ family members was high. I’d lost family members too— but history painted my family’s side as the cruelest.

I couldn’t disagree.

“Kazem has been assigned to watch over you.”

I snapped my eyes back to Evander.

The corners of his eyes crinkled. “For your protection, Ms. Levant.”