Page 29 of Plug and Claim

“I didn’t realise that was your chair,” she said suspiciously.

“It’s not,” he replied.

“He doesn’t even take this class,” Victoria commented.

Kira’s chair scraped as she turned to face the vampire head-on. “Then why did you make me get up if it’s not even your chair?”

“I wanted to see if you would do as you were told.”

Anger struck her like lightning, derailing the last bit of patience she had left. “Dick!” she cried, causing several students to turn and stare.

“Mm, she’s feisty,” Victoria said approvingly. “Watch out, Nathaniel. This wolf has fangs.”

“I’m well aware.” Nathaniel’s eyes twinkled, and the corners of his lips held the hint of a smile.

Danger, her insides screamed. The urge to run and hide was strong, but her fighting spirit was stronger. Her lips drew back in a snarl, and she wished she could shift, right here, right now, and put him in his place.

If only.

The sudden clang of school bells signalled the end of class and saved her from doing something so incredibly stupid as revealing her true form.

“Bye, pumpkin,” Victoria called fondly as Kira stormed out of the classroom.

She was halfway to her next class when she stopped abruptly in the middle of the corridor, hanging her head as she remembered the textbook in her hands. She’d forgotten to give it back.

Exhaling a long sigh, she returned to the potions classroom, dragging her feet in the hope that the two vampires would be long gone by the time she arrived.

Thankfully, the classroom was deserted except for Professor Parna. The portly professor adjusted his spectacles in confusion when she approached his desk. “Ah, Kirabelle, you’ve returned it, just lovely.”

“Actually, sir, it’s just Kira.”

“Just Kira? Oh, I see, it’s a modern thing. But you know, Kirabelle is such a distinguished name. A traditional Old Wolfe name, I believe?”

“I wouldn’t know, sir,” she said.

“Actually, a colleague of mine was telling me—Professor Sawyer, the History teacher, have you met her yet? Lovely woman. She was telling me—and now, it’s just a myth, of course. But fascinating, I think. Truly, for before the Revolution, there apparently was a K—”

“Sorry, sir,” Kira said, backing towards the door, “but I’ll be late for class.”

“Just a moment, Kira,” he said, forcing her to turn back. “I must ask. How did you find your first potions class? I saw you getting along rather well with the prince.”

Her heart skipped a beat, then jarred to a grinding halt as the professor’s meaning sank in.

“The…prince?” she asked through gritted teeth.

Tell me I misheard. Because if he means Nathaniel, I’m sure he meant to say ‘prick’.

“Why, yes. The tall, blond-haired gentleman with whom you were speaking. He looks so much like his father…I’ve taught him since he was your age, you know. Excellent student. One of our brightest. I do appreciate that he still pops by from time to time to humour this old professor…”

“Who did you say he was?” Kira asked weakly.

“Why, he’s the Vampire King’s son, of course. Son of Henrikk. Next in line for the throne. Crown Prince Nathaniel.”

Kira groaned and turned away.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

Chapter 11