While I was relieved my father hadn’t sent me on a wild goose chase, the task continued to be daunting. Claude’s hostility didn’t only likely confirm the existence of a secret successor but also rendered the idea of befriending him and wheedling information out of him futile. He didn’t trust me, and would never trust me. He’d made that clear.

I couldn’t blame him.

I considered what he’d said about playing his part. It hadn’t occurred to me that he’d been roped into this unwillingly, too. Or rather, that he was expected to take an active part in it. What had he been told to do? To reciprocate my friendship? Something else?

The memory of our first, second, and third meeting entered my mind. I grimaced. If that were true, he wasn’t trying very hard. Not until we were in public, but even then, he still whispered his threats.

I’d take a feigned friendship over nothing though. I had my role as well and I planned to cooperate with my best capability. The futures of both the vampire and the human world could be changed with this treaty. Peace could come about. Maybe no one would think a vampire hunter would want peace with vampires, but if I didn’t stand by what I believed in just because no one believed me, what changes would ever come about? What would I coming here be for?

I would be friendly to Claude in public while silently betraying him behind his back.

The back I currently walked behind, broad and clad in a dark blouson jacket. Students scattered as he moved through the halls, footsteps echoing in the fallen silence. I kept my gaze straight ahead, avoiding any unnecessary eye contact. Kaz kept at my side, not batting an eyelash at the way the students parted like the Red Sea for Claude.

It was strange, yet beneficial for me. Because being near Claude kept everyone from coming near me. Which was making my first day much less stressful than I’d imagined it to be. No threats to my life so far. I did feel slightly disgruntled that no one told me I’d be sharing every class with Claude though. Part of a plot to make us become close, no doubt. A warning would have been nice, but judging by the little smile popping up on Kaz’s face now and then, he’d planned it to be a surprise.

I could make use of it. Claude seemed to let his guard down around Kaz, Adora, and San. Who knew what information might slip? If I stuck close to them, I was bound to find something out. Maybe if I could prove myself trustworthy to those three, Claude would eventually consider me that way, too.

I flattened my lips. How hypocritical. I wanted him to trust me and yet I planned to sneak around and gather information about him.

My father always knew how to make my life difficult. What would he even do with that information when I found it? Kill the hidden heir? I didn’t see how he would be able to get his hands on someone like that. The heir would be well protected and kept out of sight. Not only that, but my father could never cross the magical boundary without permission. He had no reason to be here, so it would never be granted.

It was for that fact and that fact only that I would give him any information I found. The thought of punishment was unnerving, yes, but I could take it if it prevented a war. But there were other things my father could do if I failed to provide him with what he wanted. Offering him a name wasn’t a death sentence. But it would keep me alive and my father content.

“What are you thinking about?” Kaz asked. “You’re making all kinds of faces.”

His voice jolted me from my thoughts. “Oh, uh, what’s for dinner.”

“Dinner? It’s only 10:00 AM.”

“I didn’t eat breakfast.”

“I have some snacks if you want them,” he offered. “Our lunch break isn’t for another two hours. It must be a big difference compared to being homeschooled where you can eat when you want.”

“Yeah, but the food is much better here. My father keeps my sister and me on strict diets. Even just the thought of eating egg whites in the morning makes me nauseous now.”

Kaz frowned down at me. “Why does your father have you on a diet?”

“To stay fit,” I said with a shrug. I never questioned it. Questioning my father about anything never led to good results.

“That’s…” He furrowed his eyebrows before letting out a soft breath. “Well, no one here will dictate your autonomy. Eat whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, okay?”

I blinked at him. “Okay.”

His face wrinkled as he turned away, guiding me into the stairwell that led to our next class.

As we entered the room, several heads turned up at us. Beady eyes glanced between Claude and I and the effect was almost instantaneous. A flurry of papers being scuffled together, books being closed and shoved into bags, chairs shrieking as the students pushed back. They kept their heads down, whispering to each other as they fled the room. Claude didn’t react, heading to the back of the classroom and dropping into a seat. I thought about taking a seat in the front, but Kaz guessed my intentions and steered me up and next to Claude. I looked around the room and saw that three other students remained. They tried to subtly peek at us, but I could feel it every time someone did. Were they not aware of the sensation they gave off?

Another person entered the classroom and came to a halt as he stared up at Claude. It took me a moment to realize it was Lietz. He hunched his shoulders and moved to the mahogany desk at the front of the room, dropping his briefcase on it. “As a teacher, I should be happy you’re suddenly willing to attend your classes, Claude, but also a teacher it is unfortunate that when you do the entire class goes missing.”

Claude stared at him with a stony face.

“Do you really need to come to class?”

Lietz looked as if the whole world turned against him just because Claude was here. Was it okay for him to talk to Claude like that? And was it even Claude’s fault if the other students chose to leave? Why would be put the blame on Claude like that?

Claude leaned forward, propping up his elbow and resting his chin on his hand. “Since you’re a teacher, it should be a great pleasure to hear that I will be attending class regularly from now on.”

Lietz’s face crumpled. “Oh, no.”

“If the other students are too craven to attend the same class as me, then that is not my problem,” Claude continued. “You are still being compensated. Instruct as normal.”

“Well… at least some of you stayed this time. I can’t ask for much more than that.” Lietz muttered something unintelligible, running a hand through his hair. “I will speak to the other students. They can have the option to transfer.”

Transfer? Was it really that bad to attend the same class as Claude? What went on during the past few weeks? Had Claude just not attended? Would it be like this for every class? Nobody even had to interact with him. Why did the students treat him like a social pariah?

Lietz began the class, going over vocabulary in the chapter unit. Kaz shared his book with me again, but I didn’t need it. I’d already finished my psychology courses in home school. Sleep and sleep stages were some of the first chapters I studied. I didn’t think it would be much different just because this was for vampires, either. We had the same sleeping habits.

I wasn’t sure why I had to take these classes. History? Sure. I would see a different side of the war. Psychology and English? Not so much, but maybe the point of taking these classes was to show that there weren’t many differences between humans and vampires. We studied the same, we slept the same. They had been expecting a student who hated vampires. They probably wanted to show the similarities between us to help bridge the gap.

It made my chest hurt a little. It seemed that they were actually trying. Hoping the peace treaty could end the hostility between us. Unlike my father, who sent me here to get info. Perhaps he’s the one who should have attended.

I cringed at the thought. No. There would be a blood bath. He would murder Claude for looking at him the wrong way.

I glanced at the man in question. He had his eyes closed, neck craned back as if he had fallen asleep, paying no attention to the lecture at all. The sayings in all the books were right. Hostile people looked very much less intimidating when sleeping.

But what was the point in attending if you were just going to sleep? Especially when you scared away more than have the students?

He remained that way to the end of class. Once Lietz announced it was over, Claude was gone before I could even stand from my seat. I blinked after him as his form disappeared through the door.

Kaz stretched and yawned, picking up his backpack. “Ready for lunch?”

“Claude isn’t joining us?”

“Hmm? Did he pique your interest after all?”

I gave him a flat look. “No. I just assumed it was part of the charade for him to eat with us.”

“Nah, Mondays he only attends the morning classes. He’ll be back tomorrow though.”

“He’s gone all night? Where did he go?”

Kaz lifted a shoulder and dropped it. “Not sure. He disappears for days at a time sometimes. Mondays specifically though.”

I didn’t respond, following Kaz down to the cafeteria. So, Claude was gone on Monday afternoons? That meant I could easily access the library without having to worry about him breathing down my neck. Or snoop around the campus more.

Or better yet… I could try to break into his room and steal my necklace back.

My heart rate picked up at the thought. Wouldn’t now be the best time to do so? Would he expect me to immediately break into his room? I didn’t think so. And even if it wasn’t sitting out in the open, he probably didn’t hide it that thoroughly. If Kaz was telling the truth and Claude wouldn’t be returning tonight, it would be worth trying.

I sat in the common room, pretending to type on my laptop as I waited to see if Claude would come or not. It was nearing midnight and there was no sign of him. He hadn’t attended any classes after lunch, true to what Kaz said. I thought his lack of presence meant the other students would return to class, but rumors must have spread and it was only me and Kaz and a handful of other students for our last two classes. I would say my first day went smoothly.

Hopefully, this would go just as smoothly.

Once the clock hit midnight, one of the guards retired. I waited a few more moments to see if another one would replace her, but no one did. Good. Only one guard made this easier. Not that I planned on sneaking through the inside doors, though. I let out a loud yawn and closed my laptop, rubbing my eyes for added effect.

“Goodnight,” I said to the remaining guard.

He jerked as if surprised I spoke to him. “Rest well,” he said after a moment.

I entered the hall where our rooms were and she stayed at the stairwell. Also good for me. I didn’t know how Claude’s room was set up. The further away she was the less noise she would hear. I crept to the double doors and pressed my ear against it, listening for any disturbance. I needed to be completely sure he was gone before I attempted to get in.

Satisfied, I hurried into my room. I tossed my laptop onto my bed and headed for my balcony. I knew Claude had a balcony too, only it was out of sight from mine. The way the roof curved meant I could easily climb onto it and across it though. Looking down at the ground made my stomach twist, but it didn’t scare me out of my plans. I’d climbed higher and in more perilous conditions before. This would be fine.

Clouds covered the moon as if on my side. Encouraged by the shadows over me, I placed my hands on the gritty tiles of the roof, hoisting myself up. I tested the grip of my shoes on the slate. Decent. Staying low, I crawled over the slanted roof, heading to the north side of the building. I’d seen Claude’s balcony from the ground and it looked to be at the same height as mine, so I figured I’d be able to jump easily down to it.

I only hoped he left his windows open. Or the door, but my luck was never that good.

My foot slipped on some built-up dirt and I choked out a gasp as I slid a few inches toward the ledge. The spires on the roof below looked much more menacing from above than below. Being impaled on one didn’t sound like a fun way to go out. Recovering, I moved more carefully until I came to the other side of the roof.

Peering down, I smiled. As I’d thought, the balcony was right below. I sat and swung my feet over the ledge, silently dropping down. I didn’t move for a minute, taking in my surroundings. Claude’s balcony was larger than mine and his entire back wall was entirely made of glass. One giant window, unlike mine that had multiple. Which meant it had to be the door or nothing. I scrunched up my face.

Dark curtains covered the window making it impossible to see inside. I would just have to risk it… if the door was even unlocked. Not expecting much, I walked up to it and twisted the handle.

With a pop, it opened.