Page 19 of Havenfall Harbor
“Anything that has to do with theheadmastergets her into a tizzy.” Rob tosses a crumpled-up napkin onto the table. “I don’t even know what she sees in him, he’s about as cuddly as a crocodile.”
“She’s had a thing for him even before she transitioned into a blooded vampire.” Alice leans her head in and whispers, “She won’t even take from the vein because she’s afraid to lose her connection to him.”
“Why would she lose her connection?” I whisper back.
“She had his blood to crossover. He offers it to unattached vamps for the transition. It’s too risky for a new vampire to use just any donor, they get crazy with bloodlust.” Alice isn’t whispering anymore, but she’s keeping her voice down. “A bond forms when you take from the vein, it will break when she feeds from another, but Millie keeps going back to the bag.”
“Wow, but what if she never feeds from someone else? Could she stay like that forever, bonded to him?” That seems awfully generous on the donor’s part, and kind of sad that she would be willing to do that to someone else.
“Eventually she’ll have consumed enough blood to dilute his, but Stone is strong, the most powerful vampire I’ve ever met, so it could take a while.” Alice pushes her tray away while standing.
“What does it mean for the donor though, do they feel a connection to the recipient?” I follow Alice and Rob out of the dining room, enthralled with the newfound information.
“Stone? Probably not. I mean, he’s probably blooded hundreds of vampires in his time. Plus, it’s Stone. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is awesome for all this.” Rob spins around with his arms wide. “He gives these kids hope for a future, a place to go when they don’t have anywhere else. But…”
“But what?” I prompt when Rob doesn’t continue.
“But it’s Stone.” Rob shrugs like that should tell me everything I need to know. “I’ve got to get going, see you guys later.” He doesn’t wait for us to respond, he just takes off walking faster than usual.
Alice bumps her shoulder into mine. “He’s doing the exact same thing as Millie, holding onto the hope for something that probably won’t ever happen. Only Rob doesn’t have the blood bond to use as an excuse.” She lets out a long sigh.
“I didn’t realize until today that he had a thing for Millie,” I admit, watching Rob’s back as he moves down the corridor.
“Sometimes you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Alice shrugs her shoulders. I’ve never really understood that statement. Maybe it’s because I’ve never really been in love. I’ve dated, I even thought I loved the guy I dated when I was a freshman in college, but when he asked me to switch schools with him, to move to another state, I realized I didn’t love him. If I did, I would have at least thought about moving with him, instead I knew immediately I didn’t want to change schools.
Being at Central gave me the best opportunity for my career goals. I wasn’t willing to give up my dream of working with supernatural kids to move out of state with him. All my other relationships after Kyle seemed to follow the same path. I liked going out on dates and having fun, but once things got too serious, I always ended up breaking things off—well, most of the time. I’ve been served with my fair share of breakups too.
“I won’t see you at dinner, but tomorrow at lunch?” Alice turns to face me, unknowing how lost I was in my thoughts.
“Yes, lunch tomorrow. Have fun tonight.” I grin and walk away from her backwards. “Don’t get into too much trouble.”
Alice holds up her fingers with a few inches separating her thumb and pointer finger. “Just a little.”
I tilt my head back and laugh while I spin to walk away.
* * *
Alone in my room,I curl my fingers around the warm mug. I stopped by the cafeteria after my last appointment of the day to grab something I could heat up in my room later. I know I’m being kind of lame avoiding the dining room, but knowing that Alice won’t be there, and the possibility that Noah might, makes the idea of walking in there alone a little daunting. I really don’t feel like running into Millie or Letty for that matter either.
Grabbing something to go turned out to be super easy, Josie even explained how I could order ahead and have it ready for me when I get off. Not that I plan on being a loner in my room all the time, but after all the new faces and the newness of being in a different place, knowing I can unwind in my room is rather welcome.
I blow across the top of my tea and take a sip, wishing I had just a little bit of honey. A soft tapping on my door has my eyes flying to the clock. It’s nearly ten o’clock, close to bedtime for me, but still early for a lot of people.
Standing, I head to the door. The tapping was so quiet I almost wonder if it wasn’t on someone else’s door and I just heard the echo.
“Hello?” I call out, not too loudly in case I’m correct and it’s not my door.
I feel a thud against the door. “Yeah, it’s Griffin,” he replies back just as softly. I switch my mug to the other hand and flip the lock. I hesitate for a moment, not sure I really want to talk to him, but open the door anyway.
He doesn’t say anything when he sees me, but his eyes travel over my leggings and baggy shirt. “Yeah?” I lift my brows, wondering what he’s doing here. I mean, come on, it’s not like I’m up to anything. I’m in my room alone, for goodness sake.
He looks left and right down the hall, his eyes darting around quickly. My stomach gives a hollow pang. He doesn’t want anyone to know he’s at my door. That’s why he knocked so softly.
“Can I come in?” His head tilts to the side.
“Why?” I lean my shoulder against the doorframe, blocking the entrance to my room before pulling my cooling tea up to my chest.
Griffin’s back straightens, and he looks down the hall again. “I wanted to talk to you. About earlier.”
