Day Break Academy Series book 1

Chapter 5: My Hero My Enemy

Once again I found myself coming to in the sterile white room of the infirmary. I groaned internally. If this fainting crap was going to keep happening then maybe I should request switching my dorm, and have Sam as a roommate instead, I thought with a sigh.

Everything that happened in the cafeteria rushed to the forefront of my mind. Oh my God. I fainted in front of half the student body. It was only day one, and I'd already secured my fate as a freak. Just great.

Despite my faint I felt more vital than I had in days, s**t maybe even weeks. I began to gnaw my cheek (my usual nervous habit) when I was interrupted with a sharp prick like pain. Ouch. What the hell…I tongued the spot and found the small hole I'd made with my tooth. Weird, no blood. Must not have been as bad as I'd thought.

I took in a deep breath.

Before I could process that, a strong smell hit my nose. Mahogany. But not just mahogany, there was vetiver, sandalwood, pine, amber, and mint mixed in. Every smell was separate yet one in the same. Had Sam drugged me?? I looked around the room for him, except he wasn't here. Just then I picked up on faint voices outside in the hallway.

I pricked my ears to hear better.

"Sam could have safely transitioned her, there was time, your dad may be on council, but that does NOT give you the right to perform transformations on a student!" Said a curt and angry voice. Valhmer. Was she talking about me?

"She was in a room of other students. We didn't have time to wait! I thought-" Jets voice halted.

"What you think does not make a difference in the way we do things at DayBreak Mr. Santez!" Valhmer interrupted with venom.

"What would you have rathered? She kills half a room of students, or the foster transition dies instead?" He spat back.

"You would do well to remember your place Mr.Santez, you're not on council yet. Keep up this charade of thinking you're above it all, and I'll personally see to it you never do." Vahlmer quietly threatened.

The distinct click of heels faded down the hallway, and someone outside struck a locker.

I felt like he had punched me instead. The way he said 'foster transition' bumped around in my head, and made tears well. He was talking about me. He saw me the same as everyone in my past ever had. Unwanted, and unworthy. Someone to be passed off. I don't even know why I cared what he thought, but I still did, and it still hurt all the same.

Just then the door opened, and I rushed to wipe my eyes dry. I sat up taller on the bed, and stared daggers at the beautiful asshole before me. He said nothing, and neither did I.

Like clockwork Sam showed up to save the moment. "How are we doing today girly? Feeling reborn?" He chuckled.

"Sorry?" I mumbled in confusion, turning my attention to him instead.

"You're transitioned! Your teeth are in, and your heart is out" he laughed like somehow any of this was a joke.

My hand flew to my chest hunting for the incision.

"It's a joke, Miss Venus…" he smiled reassuringly, and perched himself on the end of the bed. "You see…" ,oh boy this was going to be long, "...when a Shtriga reaches maturity, the body undergoes a transition. The canines grow in, your venom begins to produce, and the heart stops beating blood. It's a sudden onset of change that can be fatal for the vampire in question. It requires the strength in the venom of an already transitioned vampire to be injected in the vein before the heart fully stops. Otherwise the heart stops, but so does the transformation. Therefore, death." He explained.

I stared at him without saying anything, it was so much to take on at once. I don't understand why nobody told me this sooner so I was prepared. Instead I transitioned in front of the entire student body. I felt violated, and on display. Subconsciously I wrapped my arms around my torso.

Sam continued "It's expected to happen on the day of the 18th birthday. The transition is done under medical guidance, and the donor vamps venom is injected via a syringe. You transitioned a day early, which is strange, but not totally unheard of. If memory serves correctly, so did your mother. This would have all been explained to you this evening in prep for the process, but here we are! Lucky Jets quick thinking to bite you saved your life ..." He said Looking at Jet like he was some kind of hero.

Well if he wanted a hero award he sure as hell wasn't getting it from me, I scowled.

"...used to happen organically, but dangerous things can happen during a bite change. Nowadays we do things by the book." He smiled and pushed his glasses higher up his nose, clearly proud of the science lesson he just delivered me.

"You said dangerous things can happen..like what?" I asked.

"Oh y'know. The venom is injected too late, and the transition doesn't take full effect, or the vamp experiences temporary insanity attacking innocents or its own kind, the usual dangers." He shrugged.

"Huh." I breathed "yeah, the usual." I murmured.

Shit, thank god it worked…maybe I do owe Jet a thank you…he did save my life.

I glanced up at him, and instantly regretted it. 'If looks could kill' was more than just a saying apparently.

"You stay here and rest up, and when you're feeling 100 you can head on back to the main campus." Sam patted my leg before walking out the room.

The silence of his departure hung heavy in the room, and Jet cleared his throat.

"Hey. Um thank you for saving me." I said as civilly as I could.

He continued to say nothing.

"Look" I began, "have I done something to offend you? First you bring me to this place, then you save my life, and yet you act like I'm a parasite every other time in between! You're hot and cold, and I don't understand what you want from me!" My lip trembled, and I bit down on it. I may have just imagined it but , I thought his face softened for the slightest moment. As soon as I envisioned it, it was back to the unfeeling mask he usually wore.

"I don't want anything from you. I did my job. You're here, you're alive, now get on with your new life, and steer clear of my mine." He said in an unwavering monotone before turning on his heel. The door clicked shut behind him, and I was left sitting there in shock.