Anixi 

I gripped the envelope that was designed intricately with the logo of the prestigious performing arts school, The University of Adai, with trembling fingers. I’ve waited for this moment for six agonizing months. With extensive studying, practicing, and a lack of sleep, I prayed that this day would finally come with great results. I stood up from my glass piano, where I had sat playing a tune earlier, exhaling a quivering breath. Not that I needed to breathe, being a vampire, but this moment had my body doing its own thing. The University of Adai is the most sought-after university, where eighty-five percent of its students are pureblood vampires who are privileged and see themselves as superior to others. My dream is to enroll there, where they provide great opportunities for a middle-class vampire, like me, to pursue his dreams. I aspire to become a famous musician, to play at the Crystal Palace Theatre, located in Kairos, the capital of Canaria, where the House of Xionthe ruled over. Only the very best musicians played there, garnering thousands of dollars to play for a single night. Achieving my goals would ensure that we were set for the rest of our immortal lives. Canaria was a kingdom I’d rather not be caught alive in; however, my aspirations outweighed my fears. The death of my entire family meant that I had to live in hiding, a life I was truly growing exhausted of. Shaking myself out of my displeasing thoughts, I focused on the present, glancing down at the envelope, anxious to the marrow of my bones. 

The messenger delivered the letter a few moments ago, which was as light as a feather but felt heavy in my hands. This letter is my ticket to a better life. I went to the window seat, overlooking the busy streets of Tryx, Wystro, where I resided. Wystro is the kingdom ruled by King Yonick, who’s an alpha, and his omega wife, Queen Nafari. Both are pure-blood vampires who ruled over the kingdom for centuries after the king’s parents went into a deep slumber, having decided that they’d ruled for long enough and eventually passed the throne to him. Overall, it was a beautiful and prosperous kingdom. Wystro housed many performance theaters, businesses, and schools. It’s located just below the Canaria kingdom and is separated from the kingdom of Rylos, which was in the west, by forests. (Very dense and dangerous forests to be exact). Some whisper that the trees groan and capture humans who aren’t strong enough to fight off the trees’ strength, many going missing, never to be found. Some say the trees ate them. It was dreadful, to say the least.  

I was born and raised in Rylos for the first fourteen years of my life. I have fond memories of my first years growing up under the tutelage of my now adoptive mother, Joxia. She was the maidservant of my parents, the late King Syth and Queen Amaria. They were such stern but kind rulers. In the end, my mother ensured that I was spared and allowed Joxia to flee with me when the entire castle was under attack. Joxia saved my life when the lives of my parents and siblings were snatched away so mercilessly. Sometimes, I wondered why my mother chose to have me saved instead of my older brothers, Royce and Syno. 

“Anixi dear, did you hear the news?” My adoptive mother, Joxia, walked into my music room, wearing a cream chiffon dress with her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She was around the age of my brothers before they died. Joxia was a beautiful woman with chestnut-colored hair and almond-shaped, hazel eyes. She smiled at me warmly when her eyes located me at the window, seemingly lost in thought. Upon hearing her voice, my head snapped her way. I did not sense her approach, which meant I was truly deep in thought.  

I shook my head in confusion, placing the envelope down on the windowsill and giving her my full attention. If Joxia said that there was news, then it must be critical because I didn’t know her to gossip. “What happened?” I asked, my interest piqued. 

She sat down beside me on the window seat, just beside the envelope. Her brows went up as she took notice of the logo on the envelope. I saw the contemplation in her eyes to ask about it, but her expression shifted, snatching her eyes away and holding me with her penetrating gaze. She took my hands in hers, her touch warm and soft. “It’s about Prince Rexiel.” She stated carefully, and I stiffened at the mention of his name.  

“What about him?” I tried to keep my tone neutral, yet I still heard the bitterness in it. The subject of Prince Rexiel was always a touchy one. 

Joxia gave me a tight smile and stroked my hands, trying to calm me. It worked…a little. “He announced his betrothal to Elorri of House Kallion this morning. It’s all that was on the lips of the commoners and nobles this morning.”  

I rolled my eyes and huffed. Rexiel Xionthe. The alpha pureblood that all omegas swooned for. I tried not to hate him, I tried to be logical about my situation and how he had nothing to do with it, but I couldn’t help the bitter taste of anger that moistened my tongue or the burning sense of jealousy that raged deep within my chest. Rexiel was supposed to be mine. Not Elorri’s. But who am I kidding? He thinks I’m dead, and it’s best if he continues to think so. “How is this important to me?” I asked snippily.  

Joxia sighed. “Did you receive the acceptance letter from the university?” She asked instead. 

Remembering the envelope, I retrieved it from between us, staring at it. We both stared at it in silence before Joxia said, “Aren’t you going to open it?” 

I nodded, deciding to use my finger instead of a paper-knife. I was too anxious to get up and fetch one. Joxia watched me avidly as I tore along the edges and pulled out the letter that was folded neatly. Inside, I was quaking. It was now or never. I carefully unfolded it and began to read its contents, my eyes lighting up as I read each sentence. 

“So…? What does it say? By your expression alone, I can tell that it’s splendid news!” She said, nearly leaping with joy from where she sat. 

I couldn’t believe it. They accepted me. And I was offered a full scholarship. My fingers shook. Unable to take the suspense any longer, Joxia got up and leaned over to scan the letter, her face brightening even more.

“Oh my!” She squealed. “You’ve been granted a full scholarship, and you’ve also been given room and board. Anixi, this is amazing!” She hugged me, swaying me from side to side. I smiled as she embraced me, embracing her back, feeling like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. This was it. I was one step closer to achieving my goal. 

She pulled away, holding me at arm’s length, smiling warmly at me. “I’m so proud of you, and I’m sure your parents and brothers would be proud as well. I’m going to miss having you here, lighting up the atmosphere of our home with your music. Your skills at playing the piano and singing are impeccable. I’m certain you’re going to blow the ears and minds of your professors.” 

I smiled shyly, clutching the letter to my chest, cherishing it. I knew my skills were extraordinary, but I sure wasn’t the best. “I’ll try my best, Jo,” I told her, feeling overwhelmed. 

“I’m sure you will. Now come, let’s cook your favorite dish, chicken foot soup with vegetables and dough.” She rose, and I followed her.  My stomach growled, and I flushed, causing her to chuckle.  It was going to be the start of a wonderful season. 

It was the day of my departure, and my nerves were on edge. I brushed my fiery red hair into a low ponytail, fastening it with a sapphire clip that my mother gave me on my thirteenth birthday. My hair fell to my mid-back in loose waves. I stared at my reflection in my vanity mirror, satisfied with my look. Surprisingly, I was able to rest well last night and the nights before. My amethyst-colored eyes were vibrant and filled with life, unlike how I felt and looked for the past six months, waiting anxiously and warily for a response from the university of my dreams. My grey peacoat fell to my knees over my long-sleeved cotton shirt and long trousers. Canaria had a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Vampires couldn’t feel the cold; however, we chose to wear clothing that suited the climate or season just for fashion.  

The blaring sound of a car horn downstairs had me hustling from my room, collecting my backpack and laptop bag, and briskly coming downstairs. I called out to Joxia to have the driver fetch my bags. It was going to be a long journey from Wystro to Canaria. It took approximately twenty-six hours by car, and if I took a ride to the train station and took the train for the remainder of the journey, it’d be less lengthy. Possibly fourteen hours.  

Joxia emerged from the kitchen, where the sweet scent of freshly baked buns permeated the air. She held a bag in her hand where a sweet scent emanated from, crossing over to me with swimmy eyes. My throat constricted and suddenly felt tight with emotion. I’m going to miss her. She’s all I have since my entire house was murdered.  

“Here, these are for you to take on your trip. It’s freshly baked cinnamon rolls, your favorite. Please call me when you are settled in. I’m going to miss you dearly. It’s going to feel bereft without your presence.” She passed me the bag and then pulled me into a tight hug. My eyes stung. I felt the same way she did, and leaving her here, alone, and without a companion made me think twice about moving into the university dorms. But traveling such lengthy hours a day would eat into my savings, and that would not benefit me or Joxia. I sighed into her embrace, pulling away when the car horn blared again.  

“I’m afraid my ride is going to drive off with my belongings.” I joked. 

She wiped a tear and held me by my shoulders. “Remember, you must hide who you are and where you came from. If anybody asks you questions about your hair, tell them it’s hair dye. It’s the norm with vampires nowadays, especially if they joined another house.” She regarded me solemnly.

I nodded and clutched the bag of buns tightly in my arms. This would be the last buns she baked for me until I got a break from school. I’m going to enjoy these immensely. Vampires did not need to eat because we survived on blood, and blood sustains us. However, some vampires eat to seem more human. We were prohibited from feeding from humans openly, especially those who haven’t consented to be fed from.  

Remembering Joxia’s admonishment, I nodded and kissed her on both cheeks, giving her one last hug before gathering my belongings and heading out the front door. A white car was parked in front of the house, the engine idling. A bulbous man with a pot belly emerged from the driver’s side, huffing. 

“Good morning,” I said pleasantly, noting the copious amount of sweat on his brow. He also harbored a high odor that made me wonder if he took a bath before he responded to my call this morning. I could immediately tell that he was a human by his scent. Humans tend to have an earthy yet sweet scent, but this one was miles short of sweet. It bordered on pungent. 

“Hey,” He grunted, waddling towards me and none too kindly, snatching my bag from my grip. If not for my good reflexes as a vampire, I would’ve dropped the bag of cinnamon buns in my other hand.  

“Thank you,” I mumbled, ignoring his lack of civility, turning to glance at Joxia, who stood on the porch of our two-story home. She waved, her expression wistful. I waved back, blowing an air kiss at her before I entered the car and shut the door. The stale air from the interior of the car filled my lungs, and I quickly rolled down the windows, just as the bulbous man slid into the driver’s seat.  

“Adai, Canaria, correct?” He asked in a throaty voice.  

“Yes,” I responded, adjusting my coat on my shoulders and eyeing the stains on the car seats. Goodness, when was the last time he got this vehicle cleaned?  

Without another word, he put the car in gear and peeled from the curb. I was yanked back by the force of his takeoff, not pleased with this man’s utter impertinence. My head whisked back as I stared at my adoptive mother’s quickly retreating figure in the distance, as she stared at our swift departure forlornly.  

“Do you always treat your customers like crap?” I snapped, fed up with his blatantly disrespectful behavior. I paid this man in advance, and it was a lot of money. 

“Sorry,” He grunted, not even sounding so. Seems like this fiend is only capable of monosyllables.  

I sighed exasperatingly, not having the mental capacity to deal with this odor-riddled warthog. “Just take me there, please, and for heaven’s sake, drive cautiously. I’m paying you for my safety as well.”  

He muttered something under his breath, but with my vampiric hearing, I heard him quite clearly. 

Filthy bloodsucker. 

“You do know that this filthy bloodsucker is paying your bills, right? And please do not say that our patrons contribute to that as well, because you humans salivate at the thought of milking us vampires dry. If I had an inkling that you were such a disrespectful piece of shit, I would have sought out another taxi service. So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to take me where I need to go with a pleasant attitude, or do I have to report this to the relevant authorities that you are soliciting services from vampires, yet you are practicing discrimination against us?” 

He blanched, and a slow smile peeled on my face.  

“Apologies,” He cleared his throat, clenching the steering wheel tighter as he slowed and stopped at a traffic light. “Please pardon my lack of manners. I didn’t mean to insult you.” 

I glowered at the back of his head, my eyes flashing crimson, my throat dry, and my gums itching. My instincts were kicking in, and if I weren’t careful, I’d drain this disrespectful man dry. 

“I will overlook this matter. Just do your job and we won’t have a problem.” I said in a frigid tone. 

“Yes, sir.” He nodded curtly and drove after the light shifted to green. 

I refused to allow a human to ruin my morning. Especially after the news Joxia delivered a few weeks ago. Rexiel was engaged. After thirty-six years of remaining the most eligible bachelor, he finally decided to do what most pureblood nobles did and settle down. Not only that but to acquire more power. That’s what both of our families hoped to achieve when they arranged our marriage. That most certainly didn’t end well for my family. I tried not to wander to such dreadful memories, but lately, since Joxia mentioned his betrothal, I wondered what could be and why. Why was my entire family killed, and what could’ve flourished if Rexiel and I pursued what was blossoming between us? 

As the streets of Wytro zipped past us as we drove down the freeway, I shoved those thoughts into the darkest part of my mind and looked ahead. Looking back only caused pain, suffering, and mental strain. I was the last living vampire of the House of Alaria, and with that knowledge, I’ll keep it till the day my immortal life comes to an end.