Ch. 3
Evan ultimately decided there was no way he could pass up the opportunity to learn magic. He made the call the next day and informed the people in charge that he wanted to attend the academy. He wasn’t exactly sure who he had spoken to, but they assured him everything would be taken care of. Sure enough, a large package was delivered to the house the very next day. It was a gift congratulating him on his acceptance.
His parents had been shocked when he showed them the acceptance letter. They went on to grill him about the academy and scolded him for not letting them know sooner. Despite all that, it was obvious they were happy he was furthering his education. It made him realize again just how much they had been worrying about his future. He told them as much as he could about his new school without revealing any magical secrets.
School officials called him several times over the next few weeks. The subject of the calls varied greatly. Sometimes they called informing him of what could and could not be brought along with him to the academy. Other times they called to ask about his preferences for certain items being prepared for his room. He spent the rest of his summer preparing in eager anticipation with the help of his parents. He had been informed that he would be flown to the academy in August.
Evan noticed some changes in the neighborhood shortly after his visit from Mariana. For the rest of the summer, there were always a few unfamiliar cars parked on their street. The windows were completely blacked out, but the cars were always running, so you could tell there were people just sitting there. He also thought there was a suspicious increase in the number of joggers that ran by their house. It was obvious he was being monitored. He thought it was most likely to make sure he didn’t tell anyone about the secret, but it seemed a bit much for just that. Still, they didn’t really do much except be present in the background, so it wasn’t a big deal.
With all the excitement, it felt like no time at all had passed when the day to leave came. He went to the airport with his parents, and they said their tearful goodbyes. His parents weren’t thrilled about him having to live full time at the school, but they had reluctantly accepted it. They read all the material about the academy that was mailed to Evan, so they were convinced of the school’s prestige. His mother kept saying it only made sense that such a great school would recognize how great her son was. Evan had no idea what she was talking about.
When it came time for the actual boarding of the plane, Evan got a big surprise. The plane he was being shown to was nothing like the ones he had flown on when his family had taken vacations in the past. He outwardly showed his admiration as he was walked to a very sleek looking private jet. He couldn’t believe the day came when he was experiencing something so luxurious. He excitedly climbed the steps to the plane and soon met a familiar face.
“Hello, Evan.”
Sitting in one of the spacious passenger seats was the very woman that had come to meet him at his house, Mariana Vaduva. Ditching the dress this time, she had on an attractive purple blouse and black pants. The hat was also gone, replaced by a pair of sunglasses pulled up and resting over her forehead. She looked elegant… and very beautiful. He couldn’t help wondering if being a vampire had anything to do with her attractiveness.
“Hello, nice to see you again.”
“I hope you don’t mind sharing the trip with me,” she said. “I volunteered to come along and be your guide.”
“Don’t mind at all. Thank you.”
Evan sat across from Mariana and took in his surroundings. It was much fancier than he expected. Did they do this for everyone that came to the academy? There must be some big money behind the people in charge. Well, it was literally the U.S. government, so of course there was.
One thing he had been most curious about over the last month or so was the government’s role in this whole operation. He knew they were behind the academy, and Mariana had mentioned something about providing a safe place for the supernatural creatures, but that brought up so many questions on its own. What danger were they in? And why was the government taking responsibility for them? He ended up deciding it was something he’d have to figure out as he spent time at the academy. The plane soon took off, and they were riding comfortably in the air in no time.
“We’re so happy that you decided to join us,” Mariana said. “I’m sure you have so many questions. Feel free to ask anything on your mind.”
He did indeed have a million questions. He wasn’t sure what to ask about first, but he eventually decided to start with what was right in front of him.
“Do you work at the academy?”
“Yes, I do. I am the current headmaster of the academy. I act in the role of principal for the younger kids, and dean for the college students.”
“Oh, wow. Should I call you Mrs. Vaduva?”
“It’s ok to call me whatever you want,” she said smiling. “But most of the kids call me Ms. Vaduva.”
“Are all the staff… umm… I don’t know what the acceptable term is, but… are all the staff monsters?”
Ms. Vaduva just laughed.
“There have been many names for us throughout history,” she said. “Monsters. Fae. Demons. The official term nowadays for us all collectively would be mages. But we don’t mind the old names.”
“Isn’t that what you said I was?”
“Yes. You see, vampires and other so called ‘monsters’ are still humans. They have just been changed by magic.”
“Wow.”
He hadn’t been given any information about magic or magical creatures, so he had no idea how it worked. He was basing all his assumptions on books and movies, so he had been thinking they were separate species. What else was different from the stories?
“So, I guess sunlight doesn’t, like, burn your skin?”
“Nope!” she said. “Thank God. I can’t imagine trying to live life like that.”
“But you do… suck blood?”
Mariana tilted her head a bit and smirked at him. She looked like she was having fun.
“Yes,” she said. “But it isn’t for sustenance. Vampires eat and drink like normal humans. Drinking blood is an act designed to absorb the target’s magic power. Vampires can get stronger by stealing the magic of others, you see.”
“That sounds pretty fucking cool,” Evan said.
It was like something straight out of a fantasy novel. It was just the kind of thing he was hoping to hear.
“I’m glad you think so,” she said. “Because I was really hoping you would allow me to have a taste of your blood while we have this time alone together.”
Evan could feel his eyes bulge. For some reason, he had not really considered the fact that he was alone with a vampire with nowhere to go.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “It wouldn’t hurt at all.”
“And it wouldn’t, like, make me a vampire too?”
“No, that is another false myth,” she said. “There are really no side effects that you would notice outside of possibly feeling a little lightheaded.”
He was still hesitant, but he decided to give it a try. She had been nothing but nice to him, so he felt he could trust her. He simply nodded his consent.
“Mmm, great.”
Ms. Vaduva wasted no time. She moved gracefully into position sitting next to him on his armrest with his chair making no protests. Evan turned to look at her and met her beautiful eyes staring back at him not even a foot away.
“Just relax,” she said.
He could smell her minty breath hit his face, and it sent a shiver down his spine. Evan didn’t have any experience being so intimately close to a beautiful older woman like that. He realized he would have probably let her do whatever she wanted in that moment. It was lucky for him that she bore him no ill will. He watched in awe as her hand gently reached down and grabbed his arm before raising his wrist to her mouth.
Unlike what he expected, there was no sharp pain. There were only a couple points of light pressure where he knew her fangs must be. He shuddered as he began to feel a light suction from her lips. It felt… good! He knew in his mind that she was drinking his blood, but the look and feel of it made it seem as if she were only kissing and licking his skin.
He was trying everything he could do to keep the dirty thoughts away, but then he heard her let out a small moan. It sounded satisfied, like she was enjoying the flavor of a new dessert, but that wasn’t exactly how Evan’s body interpreted it. She continued to suck on his wrist like that while Evan did his best to hide his growing excitement. She had been drinking from him for less than a minute before she pulled away.
Evan felt her lips pull back, and he was momentarily sad it was over. Then he felt her wet tongue slide gently over the area she had bitten. It was the most erotic thing he had ever experienced to that point in his life.
“Holy shit,” he let out involuntarily.
He opened his eyes to see her now returning to her seat while wiping her mouth.
“That was delicious, Evan. Thank you” she said. “You definitely have some tasty magic power in you.”
Still trying to calm down, he could only manage to flash her a thumbs up in response. Luckily, no words were needed, and she laughed.
“You know, I have a daughter at the academy,” she said. “I bet you two would get along well.”
They spent the rest of the flight talking. Well, Ms. Vaduva talked, and Evan recovered from his ordeal. She told him about her daughter and mentioned what life was like on campus for the students. She even told him some funny stories about some of the other faculty members. It was another hour before they arrived at their destination.
“Ah, there it is,” Ms. Vaduva said pointing outside.
Evan moved to the window and viewed the scene below. There were rolling hills full of trees as far as he could see. In the only area that wasn’t completely covered by forest, there was a town. They were flying low enough at that point that he could make out some of the details. He could see areas of town that were full of shopping centers and restaurants, and there were other areas only full of homes. At the edge of town, Evan could see the Air Force base Ms. Vaduva had told him about. But what really caught his eye was what looked to be a large clock tower at the center of town.
The clock tower was the tallest structure to be seen in the small city, and even from up in the sky, Evan could tell it was ornately decorated. His first thought about it was that it reminded him of Big Ben in London. A large area of the town surrounding the clock tower was dominated by red brick and a curious collection of pink trees. The pink trees created a striking contrast with the deep greens that were present in the surrounding areas. It all came together to create a very picturesque scene that Evan thought looked straight out of a painting. He was excited to finally see the fantastical place he would now be living in.
“That,” Ms. Vaduva said. “Is Tourmaline. Home to the monsters and mages of Monstrum Academy.”