Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) Read online

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning it’s all I can do to keep my head up in Anatomy. Professor Hooke is droning on and on about genetic makeup, and, even though it’s important, I can’t seem to stay awake. I’m exhausted. His lecture is going in one ear and out the other.

  “Our genetic makeup is not so different from the human species, although we do have our differences,” Professor Hooke reminds us. “Much is known about both our species, although we certainly have the advantage of being more knowledgeable than the humans.”

  I feel my eyes drooping and jerk upright in my seat. For the love of God, will this class never end?

  “Humans endure a life of constant aging, physical ailments, and disease. We are virtually impervious to all of these things. Who did the reading last night? In layman’s terms, I’d like a volunteer to summarize the assignment.”

  I feel his hand settle on my shoulder, as he steps up behind me. “Katia.”

  Hell’s bells! Hooke has a funny take on volunteerism. I’m drawing a blank. What is he talking about? I rack my brain and still come up empty. The other girls may think he’s sexy as hell with his penetrating brown eyes, muscular physique, and English accent, but right now all I see is a sadist bent on humiliating inattentive students.

  “With the onset of puberty and the thirst, vampires experience a dramatic slowing in age. There is no scientific name for the phenomenon. It’s as natural as birth for a vampire,” interrupts Shaye. “It’s the exact opposite of Werner’s Syndrome in a human. In the afflicted human there is a rapid progression of age whereby the life span is dramatically shorter than average. For a vampire the aging process is so slow that we’ve managed to appear immortal to the human world. Most of our own live so long that death becomes a conscious choice instead of an inevitable demise.”

  “Miss Walker. If I want you to answer, I’ll call on you. I was speaking to Miss Lescinka,” Hooke reprimands her sternly.

  “Sorry, Professor. It’s just so fascinating. I couldn’t help myself. It won’t happen again,” Shaye apologizes with mock contrition, throwing me a wink when Hooke turns around.

  “Thanks,” I mouth silently. I knew I liked this girl.

  “Longevity is a blessing and a curse for some,” Hooke continues, picking up where Shaye left off.

  “I’d never choose death,” calls out a boy in the back. I don’t bother looking to see who it is. I’m too tired to care.

  “You say that now, but what might you say in a thousand years? Or even two?” inquires Hooke. “Once, there were only three ways for a vampire to die. Beheading, destroying the heart, and the sun. Now we have four.”

  “The blood disease!” It’s the boy in the back again. There’s not a student in the room who doesn’t know this, so it grates on my nerves that he shouts it out like an epiphany.

  “Well then, let’s don’t forget how important it is to burn the remains,” I mutter under my breath. A few people around me snicker, and I draw a harsh look from Professor Hooke. I duck my head and decide it’s best to keep my mouth shut for the remainder of the class. I’m on thin ice already.

  When we’re finally dismissed I find myself walking side by side with Shaye. Today she’s wearing black leggings and a green fatigue jacket. I’m starting to think she does all of her shopping at thrift stores. What I can’t figure out is if it’s self-expression or rebellion that drives her fashion choices. Either way, they’re pretty outrageous.

  “You look like hell,” she says.

  “It’s that obvious, huh?” I don’t bother trying to stifle a yawn. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. Better double up on the O-neg at lunch. It’ll get me through the afternoon at least.” It’s my favorite blood type. Just the thought of it is enough to make my stomach rumble.

  “I haven’t seen you out at the stables lately. Did you talk to Keegan about those lessons?”

  “Not yet. I’ve been a little busy with school. I’d still like to ask him about it though. I really do want to learn. Maybe I’ll try to get down there this weekend.”

  “I’d wait until next week if I were you. The staff’s pretty busy getting ready for the big night,” she replies.

  “Ah, the big Halloween bash.” What is with everyone around here? It’s just a stupid dance.

  “Yeah. It’s a pretty big deal since most of us don’t get out much,” Shaye replies, rolling her eyes. “It’s totally fun, but people go a little crazy. Seriously. You’ll see.”

  “So, you’ll be going?” I ask, curious. Shaye seems to be as much of an outcast as I am. Why would she bother?

  “You sound surprised. Why wouldn’t I go?”

  “Oh, let me count the reasons. Or not,” I finish, stopping to adjust the strap on my bag.

  “Listen, I know you’re skeptical, but trust me. It’s out of this world. You should check it out,” she says. “Maybe I’ll see you there?”

  “I’ll think about it.” We both laugh. She knows as well as I do that I’m not even going to consider it.