I unrumpled the note for the hundredth time, smoothing down the ink blotted edges on the metal railing of the balcony attached to my room.

Find the hidden heir within Maiestas Regia.

I took in the words as a cool breeze rustled my hair and caused my bangs to fall over my face. I wish I could have said I was surprised, but I wasn’t. In the back of my mind, I had known it was suspicious. The fact my father agreed to the peace treaty so easily. The readiness in offering me up to study at Maiestas Regia. While it remained true he didn’t care about his youngest, useless daughter, he had finally found a purpose for her. Planting me here as a spy.

Spies had to be unassuming, unexpected.

No one would expect the inferior Levant daughter to be a spy.

And he knew it.

What information did he receive to have reason to believe Claude wasn’t the crown prince? Enough so that he would agree to a peace treaty solely to get me in here? How long had he had that information? Why hadn’t he told me?

Well, not telling me had an obvious explanation— he didn’t trust me. Had I known, I would have fought his decision, insisting me sister come in my stead. He knew how to play his cards right. He knew if he waited to inform me of my true assignment until I arrived, I wouldn’t be able to go against it. Contact between us was forbidden from the moment I stepped onto the grounds of Maiestas Regia. He knew I would have no choice but to obey, lest I receive punishment when I returned.

I flinched at the thought, my body automatically taking a step back from the edge of the balcony and shrinking in on itself. No, it wouldn’t come to that. I subconsciously rubbed at the smooth, pink wounds hidden under the sleeves of my shirt. Finding a hidden heir sounded like an intimidating task, but it was one I could manage, no matter how averse I was to it. It required intelligence over brutality. I could seek out the true prince without hurting anyone.

What my father would do with that information though… I didn’t have any idea. Even if I uncovered something, what would come of it? Could he start a war with that information? Was that his ultimate objective? Was that even possible? Was it something else? Would I be the cause of it if it came to that?

One step at a time, Cleo. There was no need for me to think that far ahead yet or panic. I would start by gathering information. I had to find the veracity of my father’s claim first and foremost. He claimed Claude wasn’t the crown prince, but I witnessed firsthand that his eyes had the Hue and he held Sway. Claude had to be royalty. That information was a start, at least. Something I could report to my father with no repercussions if I couldn’t find anything else in the time before I faced him again.

I should be happy that this was all my father wanted me to do, considering all the other alternatives he could have asked of me. This would be easy to do while also abiding by what Evander requested of me and the terms of the treaty in general. If I had any hope of uncovering a secret sibling of Claude, I had to start by getting close to him and investigating the history of the royal family for any discrepancies. My father thought this out well.

An image of Claude’s expression of contempt as he passed by me entered my mind and I bit my lip. Befriending him would probably end up being the hardest part of all this. Growing up with the Levant family did me no favors in socialization. The most social interaction I had was with the replica vampires whom I apologized to before incapacitating them. And they couldn’t even respond.

Sighing, I tore up the paper into scraps, wishing I had a lighter to ignite the remnants with. My father took a risk by sneaking the note into my luggage. I was lucky they hadn’t searched my belongings. I didn’t feel safe with it in my room, even torn up as it was now. I hunted around the balcony and figured the potted Rhapis palms were the best place to bury any evidence. I dug into the damp dirt and buried the paper underneath. I would dig it up later when I acquired something to burn it with.

Thoroughly worn out, I dragged myself back into my room, locking the glass door behind me. Tomorrow my task would begin in earnest. Something told me tonight’s rest would be the best I would have for a long while. I slid into the soft bed, closing my eyes, and hoping for sleep.

Three knocks sent me flying out from under the covers. Reaching around for the shirt I’d tossed off in the middle of the night, I yanked it on before hurrying to the door, opening it a crack. “Yeah?”

“Morning!” Kaz greeted me. “Did I wake you?”

“No,” I lied.

He smiled coyly as if he saw right through me. “I hope you slept well. Today I’m supposed to show you around the grounds. Since it’s the weekend you don’t need to wear the uniform, but for future reference, all the different pieces are in your closet already. We’re not strict about who wears what style, so wear whatever is more comfortable for you.”

Oh, right. The uniform. I assumed Kaz currently wore some form of the masculine version. Black pants, a black dress shirt, a gold tie, and a black blazer thrown over it all, left open. The blazer had gold detailing down the sleeves and lapels and was adorned with gold buttons and the school’s emblem on the breast pocket. Although a bit simplistic, I thought it was elegant. Were the other pieces the same?

“How come you’re in uniform if I don’t have to be?” I asked.

“Oh, I have a meeting with the headmaster. I’ll probably be back in half an hour. Then I’ll change and come get you, K?”

“Sure, although I’d be more than happy to relax in my room all day.”

His green eyes twinkled. “The rooms aren’t bad, huh?”

“Incredible, actually. The academy really pulled out all the stops.”

“It’s not surprising considering who funds the school. The words royal and lavish go hand in hand.”

I nodded because I’d read about that already. The school had been founded by the king in the 1500s and the royal family continued to oversee it to this day. Originally it had been an academy just for royalty, but they’d opened their doors to other noble families, and eventually to any student with the means to pay their way in. Humans and vampires were different in many ways, but the greediness of the education system remained the same across the board.

“Oops, I’m going to be late. Come out when you’re ready and I’ll meet you.”

As much as I didn’t want to be paraded around the academy, I knew it would be a good chance to scope out as much as I could so I wouldn’t get lost when I moved unattended. I had to learn my way around so I could ditch Kaz and start gathering information without being watched. I knew there was a library somewhere on campus. Even amongst humans, it was well known for its massive collection. Many hunters had even tried to sneak in during the war, only to be killed before ever reaching the academy. It would no doubt hold books that had never been in the hands of humans. I’d planned on checking it out just from being curious, but now that I had a mission to fulfill, I could use it as my first step. Having a plan helped me feel more at ease about my father’s note.

I searched my luggage for my toiletries and then stepped into the shower, the water warming up instantly with impressive water pressure. My hand automatically went for the hawthorn berry-infused soap I washed myself with every day. Hawthorn berries poisoned vampires upon consumption. My sister and I were taught from an early age to wash ourselves with the berries for added protection. I hesitated about using it now. Would the vampires be able to smell it on me? I would stand out enough for who I was. Stinking up the room wouldn’t help my situation.

I put the bar back down, opting for the packaged soap left for me by whoever stocked my bathroom. I would chance it. Besides, the berries would do nothing against any Sway or physical harm. I’d have to rely on my training if anyone tried to come at me. Hopefully, they wouldn’t.

After finishing in the bathroom, I dug through my suitcase and pulled out a peach-colored hoody, and strapped a thin dagger to my ankle before pulling on a pair of light-washed jeans. Checking myself out in the mirror to make sure the weapon didn’t bulge under the material, I threw my hair up into a ponytail and slipped my feet into a pair of white sneakers. I was sure walking around with a dagger would be frowned upon, but I couldn’t relinquish it until I got a feel for the student body. I refused to be unarmed if I was attacked.

I stepped into the vacant hall, closing my door quietly. Claude hadn’t arrived yet. I took the chance to inspect my surroundings. The walls were made out of dark wood, decorated with abstract art and the school’s golden emblem. Arched windows separated the rooms, allowing natural light to reflect on the polished porcelain floors. There were no nooks or crannies to hide away in. No way out or in except for the stairs in the other room. That meant I could be either very well protected or very well trapped.

I stepped onto the currant-colored carpet that lined the middle of the floor and followed it out to the common room. It consisted of two expensive-looking leather sofas and two upholstered love seats placed around a walnut coffee table. A flat-screen TV hung on the wall behind one of the sofas, hooked up to a Nintendo Switch. The sight of the Switch made me pause. Vampires playing videogames? No matter how much I told myself vampires were just like humans, actually seeing validation of it surprised me. It didn’t match the picture my father painted in my head all of these years. The whole academy didn’t.

It unnerved me to think that my sister shared the same view as my father. And other hunters as well. They refused to see our similarities. They only wanted bloodshed and conflict. How did their minds get so warped?

My gaze went to the stairwell, where only one guard stood, instead of two like the night before. He had short black hair, a square face, and was easily a foot taller than me. He stood with perfect posture, unnaturally stationery. Now looking closer at him, I noticed he had a sword strapped to his hip. A freaking sword. It seemed so out of place when compared to the modern appearance of the black suit he was wearing. A gun would be more suited for him than a sword. Light glinted off the pommel as he adjusted his stance. I looked up to see his dark eyes taper to me, hand subtly moving to his sword.

“Oh, I was just looking,” I said.

His fingers curled around the grip in response.

And with that, I decided to head back to my room to wait for Kaz. A dagger would be no match against a sword. I backpedaled to the dorm hall, making sure not to turn my back to the guard, nearly tripping over a potted bird of paradise as I turned the corner. It nudged my dagger, causing it to slide from its strap and press the tip into my ankle bone. After making sure I was out of sight, I kneeled down to adjust it.

I’d known I needed a smaller strap, but I hadn’t been allowed out to buy one. I’d have to cut some of the material out and re-stitch it. For now, I’d just tie it tighter.

Just as I rolled up the cuff of my jeans, I heard the click of a lock. I pulled my pant leg back down immediately, looking straight ahead as the wooden double doors swung outward. The effect of the Sway was immediate. Gravity pulled down on me. I was grateful to already be kneeling.

Claude appeared, swiping a hand back through his black hair, pushing it out of his face as he flipped through keys on a keyring. He hadn’t noticed me yet and I swallowed, wondering if I could get myself to move the few remaining feet to my room before he did. The tip of my dagger was sure to cut me, but it would be worth it.

That thought was dismissed as Claude’s movements halted, his head snapping up and flaxen eyes piercing right into mine. I held his gaze, keeping my expression neutral. He considered me for a moment before returning to his search, putting his back to me as he closed the doors to his room, apparently finding the correct key and locking it.

I lowered my eyes as he began walking toward me, remembering that eye contact could be considered as an act of defiance to the royals. Part of my duties was to befriend him. I had to at least try. Offending him wouldn’t be productive.

Avoiding his gaze became harder as I heard the clicks of his steps on the ceramic floor approach me. The polished tips of his army laced boots appeared in my field of vision. I could smell the leather they were made out of and it made me feel nauseous.

“Ah,” he spoke, voice deeper than I expected.

I lifted my head slowly, taking in the expensive-looking fabric of his black slacks, the gold buckle of his belt, the narrowness of his waist attenuated by his black waistcoat, the golden embroidery stitched into his raven suit jacket, the expanse of his shoulders, up to his slender neck, then the curve of his jawline…

It was clear he was unarmed. His suit was cut to precision with nowhere to hide anything. If he tried something, I’d have at least one advantage with my dagger.

I craned my neck to meet his eyes. I hated the feeling that crept into me as I did so. Like this was my true calling. To kneel before the prince and to serve him. To give him complete obedience.

His coal colored hair fell over his forehead as he looked down at me languidly. I did my best not to flinch as he reached out and brushed his fingertips along my jaw. “Such decorum,” he said softly. “To kneel before your inimical prince.”