Blue River Academy

Secrets

After all my classes, which included. Vampire history with Camilla, I enjoyed this. It was something that I hadn't really learnt about. I learnt about the history of great vampire leaders up until the present day. It was really interesting. I also met some of my class mats. One in particular was a young vampire called Malissa. She was also new to the academy. She had short black hair cut into a perfect bob, blight blue eyes that looked like crystals. Me and Malissa bonded, she told me about her parents, where she lived and genuinely seemed interested in humans and the way they lived. Asking me questions about what we eat. Where we sleep, what we do, how we fight. She had heard that I was a good fighter, and shed me to help train her. She was failing combat class, of course I agreed and told her about the fighting class that I was setting up. She seemed genuinely interested.

My next class was werewolf history with Professor Higgins. We learned all about how werewolves became werewolves and the legends associated with it. We learned about the moon goddess and her role within the werewolf world. Next was science with Professor Lloyd, we learnt about how the vampire body cant live without consuming blood and what happens to it if the body doesn't get any blood. Finally was fitness training with Mrs Bates, I loved this class I was one of the strongest members in it. Theo was in all my classes, he was also one of the strongest within this class. We took it easy running at the head of group. The rest of the students started to lag behind. Both me and Theo agreed that we were going to slow down, not wanting to make the other students look bad.

‘Valentine, Theo! Why are you slowing down? I have seen your student profiles, I know you are taking it easy. Come on start pushing yourself! Do you want to do a 12k run after class?’ Mrs Bates shouted at us.

I looked at Theo and smiled. He knew exactly what I was thinking and sped up. It was now a competition between us. As we ran round the track we were quickly catching up with the stragglers of the group. Theo was in the lead.

‘Are you even trying Val? He shouted over his shoulder.

I sped up, passing him and taking the lead. He sped up and ran at my side for the rest of the lap. All I could hear was his steady breathing next to me. I sped up hoping that he will follow, which he did. I wanted to win. My plan was to tire him out quickly, speeding up testing his endurance. He was more into weights than running. Where I was more running than weights, I had better endurance and stamina. I pushed, running faster and faster, lapping the other students, over and over again. I kept running until Theo gave up. He pulled himself to the side and flopped onto the grass gasping for air. I ran around the track again to where he was led.

‘You done already? I have only just got started.’ I mocked him.

‘You win Val. You win.’ He spat through deep breaths.

I looked around to see the other students all sat on the grass around all of them staring at me. I have a few beads of sweat on my forehead. They are all dripping. One girl comes over to me.

‘How did you do that?’ she asked.

‘I have been training since I was 4 years old. This was nothing compared to what I have been doing.’ I spoke my breathing steady. The girl looked at me shocked, she turned on her heels her ponytail hitting me in the face. She clearly wasn't happy.

Mrs Bates came over she saw what happened.

‘Layla, What do you think you are doing?’ Mrs Bates shouted at her.

‘I didn't touch her. I know the rules, no fighting the fragile humans.’ She chanted her eyes fixed on me.

‘Oh it’s a fight you want is it? You know I could take you right. I may be human but I am not fragile. If you want proof, I can give you proof.’ I spoke in a calm voice. Glancing at my nails, tormenting her. She did not like this.

‘You are weak human, you could not take me. Even on your best day.’ She spat back at me.

Mrs Bates looked at me and walked over. She pulled me aside.

‘Valentine, are you sure you want to do this? Do you understand what happens if you lose?’

‘I need to do this, not just for me, but for every human here. I hope you understand.’

‘Ok you can fight. but be careful she uses dirty tricks.’

‘So do i!’

‘Val will win. She’s got this!’ Theo spoke in an encouraging voice.

I turned back to Layla and smiled.

‘Are you ready Layla. Are you ready to lose?’ She looked at me with a smug look on her face. She thinks she stands a chance. She is wrong.

I walked over onto the grass on the other side of the track. I stood waiting for Layla to make her move, watching her and silently challenging her.

‘Oh you want to fight now? Im not ready! She shouted across the track.

‘Layla, you have just challenged Valentine to a fight. You either fight now or not at all. It is your choice.’ Mrs bates intervened.

‘I have just ran around the track like 4 times. I cant fight her now.’ She replied.

‘Valentine ran around that track 3x more than you did. So that is not an excuse.’ Mrs Bates replied.

‘Layla just fight her. She is a weak human, you wont lose against her. It will be quick and easy. You got this Layla.’ Her friend spoke from behind her. Layla turned and looked at her, she gave her a sly smile and walked over to where I was stood.

‘You may use your powers Layla. It will give me good practice.’

‘Are you sure that you can take on a werewolf, Valentine?’ She spat at me.

‘Oh I really do Layla, I really do!’

She changed into a blonde colours wolf. Snarling at me, I had fort wolves before and won. Im going to treat this as if I was in an attack. Layla lunged at me, she stumbled as she landed. I stepped to the side laughing at her.

‘That was sloppy Layla. This is going to be one quick fight, If that carries on.’

Layla growled at me. She was aiming at my legs, I kicked her in the face before she could bite me. She yelped in pain, I just smiled at her.

‘Come on Val, stop playing with her and finish this. I'm getting hungry.’ Theo shouted.

Layla lunged at me again, aiming for me face. I punched her in the face. Another yelp came from the wolf as it fell on the floor. I dived in top of her and pinned her by her throat pressing on her windpipe. I grabbed her front leg and yanked I felt her leg pop out of its socket. Another yelp and she wined in pain. I got up unpinning her from underneath me. I thought the fight was over. Layla on the other hand didn’t. She stumbled up and walked towards me.

‘Give up Layla. You will only get hurt more.’ I advised.

She carried on stumbling forward towards me. I was focused on the wolf in front of me, I did not notice Camilla and the rest of the council were walking towards the track.

‘What is going on here?’ I heard Camilla shout at Mrs Bates walking over to her. I kept my focus on the wolf, not risking any surprises.

‘We are sorting out the question of are humans weak. Valentine wanted to show the other students that humans are not weak. That they can handle themselves just like the other species.’ Mrs Bates explained.

‘Very well. Carry on.’ Camilla agreed.

I took a step towards Layla, she lunged at my leg. I gave her another lick this one landed straight in her face. She was knocked on the floor. I jumped on top of her. I glanced at Camilla. Her voice popped into my head.

‘Break her leg Valentine. You need to do this. She wont stop. Immobilise her.’

I nodded agreeing with the instructions that were given.

‘Valentine I'm hungry, hurry up.’ Theo moaned.

I grabbed Laylas leg and snapped it with my bear hands. There was a long cry come from the whimpering wolf below me. I got off her once more. She tried to get up and kept trying willing to carry on fighting.

‘Stay down Layla. You will get hurt more!’ I advised again.

This time she listened to me. Layla changed back to human form. You could now see what a beating she had taken. Blood dripping from her mouth, nose and eyebrow. She is battered and bruised. She sat there looking at me.

‘One day I will get you back for this, Valentine!’ She said spitting blood on the grass next to my feet.

‘Thats enough, someone take Layla to the hospital wing. I have had enough now. Layla I hope you have learnt your lesson!’ Camilla spoke in an annoyed voice.

A group of boys that were sat on the grass watching us ran over and picked Layla up. One took off his jacket and draped it over her, covering her naked body.

I walked over to where Camilla and the rest of the council were stood.

‘Well done, Valentine. You won. Don’t worry Layla wont be a problem anymore. Now lets go back to the house and get some food.’ Camilla congratulated.

We walked back to the council dorms across the lawn past the keep off sign. Ignoring it completely. I had been put on the deed for this house. Therefore I technically owned it. I walked inside the house where I could hear hushed voices.

‘Why are the humans here? We need to be careful! The arrival of her brother as well. What is going on? Have the wolves come here to recruit or something? I just don't understand.’

It sounded like Mace But I Couldn't be sure. The other voice who I could easily identify as Camilla.

‘They came here to give peace a go but being careful cannot hurt. As for her brother I don’t know what is going on. They could have come here to recruit the humans. But we simplify don’t know, I cant do anything without any proof.’

Her words hurt me. I had just been reunited with my missing brother and their might be an ulterior motive for his return. The humans weren't trusted. I don’t understand why. For years we have been fighting for our lives or that is what we grew up believing. I needed to fix this.

I closed the front door making sure it made loud noise to let everyone know that someone was home. I walked up the beautiful staircase with oak hand rails and a stunning red carpet running up the middle. It stood out from the wooden stairs. Felt like I was walking in the red carpet at the National Television Awards. I felt power, only the most powerful people walk these stairs, these halls. The paintings hanging on the wall were my audience. Gliding past them up the stairs towards where the voices were coming from.

As I reached the top of the stairs Camilla came of from an office followed by Mace. Both of whom look guilty and nervous.

‘Hey are you two ok? Whats happened?.’

‘Hi Val, Im ok just got a lot going on at the moment. With all the new students. I feel that the witches need to be involved with this plan as well. I will have to arrange a meeting with them as soon as things here settle. ’

‘Is there anything I can do? Has there been any problems with the humans?’

‘No, No problems yet, just the other students are on edge. All the new students is a new thing for us, Especially Humans joining us.’

‘I don’t know what I can do to ease your stress. I can set up the combat skills class for all members of the academy. Teach them how to fight in human form? Would this help break the tension between the species?’

‘Yes that could work! Callum and Mace will help you. Tristan Will do all he can as well.’

‘Of course I will ask Thomas as well. Im sure he will want an input in this.’

With that sorted I nodded and went off to plan combat lessons in the office. I text Thomas.

‘Planning combat lessons wanna help?’

He replied instantly.

‘Will be there after class. You know you need me !’

I just ignored his message and set my phone down on the table trying to concentrate on planning my lessons. With that I could hear footsteps heading my way. I looked out the door to see Benji looking at me.

‘We need to talk Val.’

I stood up from my seat holding back tears that were threatening to break free.

‘You left me! You actually left me! You are the only family I have left! And you left me! There were days that I couldn't get out of bed. I didn't want to talk anyone. This was meant to be my fresh start, away from all the memories or you. But then you just show up.’

He could tell I was holding back tears and getting angry. He slowly walked over to me and gave me a hug. This was not a good idea. The tears I had been holding back all came out.

‘After I was taken val, It was hard. I was going to be used for a hunt like most other humans that are taken. I was asked my name. They recognised it, from dad. They knew he was a great leader, when he was human. He is an even better one now he is a vampire.I am still your brother, becoming a wolf hasn't changed that!’

We sat there and spoke about what happened to him. Why he couldn't come back. He was a threat to me and the other humans. If they had found out he would have been killed on sight. I understood why he didn't come back.

I put my hands flat on my thighs and took a deep breath counting to 10. I calmed myself down.

‘I understand why you didn't come back. You wouldn't have hurt me or the other humans. You are a strong enough person to control yourself. I go that Major would have killed you on sight. It felt like when we lost mum and dad again.’

‘Im sorry Val. I love you! Do you want to go for a walk tomorrow after breakfast? Talk a bit more about what happened to me?’

‘Yeah that would be great. I cant wait. I will meet you in the dining room at 7am.’

‘Ok Val, I will see you tomorrow 7am. We have a lot to talk about.’

He seemed off with me, too attentive, wanting to spend time with me. We were not brought up like this. Family was everything. Though he is my brother, he is not the brother I remember. Turning into a wolf doesn't change your personality. He was hiding something from me I want to find out what it is!