It did not take me long to find the shops. The academy was like a small city, as it housed more than just the moroi and dhampir students. Each academy was also like a political power area, with their government and noble houses all housed here, along with a security headquarters for them in this region or area. I also had heard one such academy housed the royal ruler and her personal security forces.
The Japanese steakhouse I entered was interesting as they set it up, more like a nightclub or cafe. I chose a table in the back that gave me a good view of the place while I sat to eat. Precautions I always took, regardless of where I was. Some habits kept me alive for this long. No need to break them after following them for a few hundred years.
A slight Japanese waitress came to my table with a menu, but before she could set it down, I let her know I was ready to order.
"I would like three sushi rolls please, as spicy as possible and two rare steaks, along with a pot of black chai tea and a container of organic honey," I told her in near-perfect Japanese, bowing my head to her in respect.
She seemed shocked and surprised by my manners and order in her native tongue. Bowing back and then headed to the back to put my order in for me.
I smelled the teenagers as soon as they opened the door. They had all been drinking and taken the booth closest to mine. The waitress did not seem to be happy to see them and took her time to approach their table.
"Ah, so nice to see you again this year. You do remember what we all like, don't you? Of course, you do darling, so please run grab it and we might even tip you, so you can afford new books this year instead of used ones." The tallest of the four boys said, and they all chuckle as if it had been some type of witty joke.
You could tell their comments pissed her off and hurt her, but would not give them the satisfaction of seeing it, as she turned with her head held high to head back to the kitchen.
"Make sure ours is first up. I am sure no one here shall mind. Also, stop by after work so you can start your duties of cleaning my place. We wouldn't want to see your lodging changed this year to somewhere even further from the main classes, now would we?" he spat out as if she was but a piece of dirt. The others all began to laugh again just as she went to enter the kitchen area.
"Actually, I mind. So please make sure my order gets here as soon as you can. The trip was a long one here." I said in a low, dangerous voice.
The whole place went quiet. Even the waitress stopped at the door to the kitchen. The cook, not knowing what happened, even yelled upfront asking if everything was okay. I stood up rolled my shoulders, starting to step to the other booth.
One of the other boys saw me first. His face went white with fear as he swallowed. The mouthpiece turned to look at me as the other two boys did as well. I leaned over, putting my hands on their table and looking down at them. I let the feel of the predator enter my eyes, turning them a crimson red as I spoke.
"Do you have a problem with me getting my meal first? If any of you little snots do, then we can step outside right now and take care of this small misunderstanding." I say in a low, menacing voice.
One or more of them must have had a panic button on them, as four dhampirs looking like mobsters in their tight jeans and black tank tops came bursting through the door. As I stood and looked at them, chuckling at their slicked-back hair and steroid bodies, they must have recognized the true danger they were in, as none would step closer to me and they all stared at the guns I had strapped on.
"What are you waiting for, you morons? Take her outside and show her some manners. I don't pay you to stand around gawking." the mouthpiece spouted off.
"Sorry boss, you don't pay us enough to die. She is either someone's special guest or has killed everyone she has met so far if she is still holding onto all those weapons." One of the thugs says as the rest all bob their heads in agreement.
"So boys, who is the little prick that does not know when to keep his mouth closed? Come on now one of you should be able to tell me." I say with a large grin on my face.
"Ah, miss, that would be Lord Atkins' son. A lawyer and personal friend to one of the noble's houses." the waitress says as she walks back out from the kitchen with most of my food on a very large platter.
"Your name would be what, my dear? I really need to get to know it since you will be moving into one of my spare rooms. I hope that being close to the track and gym is close to most of your classes." I say as I keep a watch on all the boys taking a step back to my table.
"My name is Mai, and you do not have to do that. I have an okay place now to live. Besides, it is my last year here." Mai says, sounding a bit shocked at the offer.
"Nonsense, I insist. Besides, I will need someone to show me around and to train with. You always need to stay in shape for combat class." I say.
At that, the four boys at the table burst out laughing as if I had just said the funniest thing ever. The four dhampirs just stared at each other, wondering if I was serious about what I had just said.
"You can not be serious. Moroi do not take combat classes. Those are for the dhampir only. Besides she is way more valuable as a hacker or secretary even though she is not important enough to have a dhampir assigned to her." Mr. Atkins says with a sly grin on his face.
"Is that so? Interesting, I could use someone with skills like that, but you would still need to learn how to take care of yourself in a fight, Mai. Also, please call me Donna. The rest of you can refer to me as Ms. Stonebear." I say, staring at each of them in turn.
"Donna, as much as I appreciate the offer, I would have to decline. With work and school, I can just barely make it through this year as it is. I hope you understand." Mai says, looking disappointed.
"Here, take a seat with me. What are you going to need? A new top-of-the-line laptop plus a desktop computer, of course. I will guess a satellite up-link and of course all your books for this year. Of course, I will pay you per job from me and that normally means a thousand dollars to ten thousand dollars each time I need updated information or other stuff done. Almost forgot, here take this Galaxy Edge 14 please so I will be able to contact you when I need stuff done." I say.
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