Chapter 5

　　MAYA'S POV.

　　I sit back on the chair opposite her desk, knotting my fingers and staring around for the quickest escape from here, when suddenly the door is kicked open. I turn my head towards the door, and goodness, I'm awestruck. Everything in the background fades, and I'm staring at the man walking through the door in slow motion.

　　He's tall and lean, and damn, his posture is perfect. The way he walks in that black tailored suit commands absolute attention. If I said the wolfish guy in my mirror or the blueish guy in my dream was hot, then I'm a fool because this man has set my entire body on fire, and I'm shamelessly ogling him.

　　But there's something oddly familiar about it, like we've met or known each other before in a past life... Stupid! My sigil is glowing and burning my skin. It's weird, but I feel like it remembers something my brain doesn't.

　　His skin is very pale, and his black hair is slicked back perfectly with only a few rebellious strands falling on his forehead. He's got crimson-colored eyes, angular features, a straight nose, and thin lips. Everything about him is freaking hot, even the silver tattoo on his jaw that sneaks into the collar of his suit. There's the aura he carries... like a mysterious prince of darkness. A kind of person I shouldn't even dare look in the eyes, but he flashes a light smirk at me before taking his seat.

　　"Jaden Mcleech, welcome to Blood Valley Academy. I'm Kylie, the Grandmistress of Blood Valley Academy."

　　"It's Leech." He corrects with a low, effortless wave.

　　She smiles, tapping on her temples. "Leech, You're a transfer student from the Shadows Academy, and you're actually way above your peers academically. You've mastered top skills in blood magic which none of our students have. You're thriving academically. Welcome!" She glances at the system on her desk, tapping something on the keyboard, then she looks up at me. "Make that four top students assigned to Maya Carter as guardians for training and full coverage."

　　"Four?? Isn't that too much?"

　　Kylie doesn't answer, but I see the way her fingers stiffen for a second. Either I'm dangerous... or valuable.

　　"Give me a minute." Kylie walks to the empty space in the wall where the door was positioned a few minutes ago. "Maya, if you remember things... you can't explain, make sure I'm the first person you tell." She says before walking through the wall and stepping out.

　　What the... I clutch my chest with my right hand to keep my heart from falling out, while pressing my fingers too tightly against the chair, something sharp pierces through my thumb. "Ouch!" I lift my hands up to my face to inspect it. I'm bleeding.

　　"May I?" The hot transfer student beside me—Jaden points toward my bleeding thumb. "I can stop the bleeding." He's smiling at me and it's really hypnotic.

　　A flash of the wolfish guy I stumbled into in the hallway crosses my mind. He seemed mad on seeing me, like he didn't want me here, but this pale-looking dude is actually excited I'm here? I can't help it, but I feel like they're both hiding something.

　　I nod and point my thumb toward Jaden who gently holds it, and I notice a large signet ring on his thumb. He runs his tongue around my bruise, licking the blood off. "Your blood is still as sweet as I remembered."

　　Remembered?

　　He lifts his head to stare at my lips through those sinful eyes. "So... the queen finally decides to return?"

　　Queen? Okay, I have to stop him there. "What did you just call me?"

　　"My Queen. Even if the whole immortal realm forgets you, I never will." He bows his head, and as if on cue, the sigil on my arm shines so bright I have to block my face with my hands.

　　I peek to glance at my arm, but the light is still flashing bright, almost threatening to blind me. I try to move my arms, but I feel an impossible weight on them. What the hell? I stay stiff for a few seconds before the light gradually dims and life returns to my arm. I fling it in the air. "What just happened to me?"

　　Jaden says nothing but just stares at me. "Maybe it's the academy's way of welcoming you back." He stands to his feet.

　　"Welcoming me back? But I was never here?" I'm so confused. How do I believe this crimson-eyed, pale-looking guy?

　　He gets to the wall, biting his pinky finger and spilling blood; the door reappears.

　　"Where are you going? Aren't we supposed to wait for the Grandmistress?" I counter, but still follow him.

　　"I don't need a freak to tour me around. I know everywhere in this academy. I only came to the office to welcome my queen back home." He smirks, and fangs peek through his lips.

　　"What queen? Can you explain everything going on here? I'm not even supposed to be here."

　　"You really don't remember anything?" He turns to me, leaning in slightly to stare into my eyes.

　　I look away. He has the most hypnotic eyes I've ever seen. "If I did, why would I still be asking?

　　He sighs and bites his lips. I can't lie; he looks so mysterious, like someone hiding dark secrets.

　　"There's nothing to say. You're not supposed to know more than the academy lets on." He unlocks the door and holds it open for me. "Ladies first." He steps out after me, holding my hands and leading me to the stairs. "Do you trust me?"

　　"How can I trust you? I don't even know you." I pull out from his hold. I hate this weird burning sensation I feel whenever he touches me. I run my hands over my body to stop the chills from spreading. I turn the opposite direction and start heading for the academy's grand doors.

　　He doesn't even come after me, but I feel his sharp gaze on me. "You can't just walk out of Blood Valley Academy. It doesn't work that way. You'll die." His lazy voice calls after me. He sounds so spoiled, like someone who's used to having his way.