Ever Dark Academy, Vol. 1

16. The Parade

THE PARADE

R yder walked Grayson back to the main parade route. One of those big hands was on his lower back, possessive and protective, the whole time. Grayson was surprised by how much he liked it, how much he actually did feel safe, even though Ryder’s silver eyes flickered every which way, but mostly towards Lawson. His Master--and Grayson wanted to put that in quotes--was looking over at them just as much as Ryder was looking at him. Though Demos and a female Vampire kept Lawson from coming over to them again.

When they reached the main road, Ryder put his hands on top of Grayson’s shoulders. It was something that Grayson would have disliked if anyone else had done it. Too confining. Too potentially controlling. But his body didn’t tense up at all and his mind was perfectly calm. He rather liked the weight of those hands on his shoulders.

“I want you to go…” Ryder grimaced and his eyes cut to Lawson and then back to him. “Go have fun tonight.”

Grayson’s eyes narrowed. He felt a trace of surprising hurt. But Ryder’s hands on him told Grayson this was not a rejection of him. So it had to be something else. “But not with you?”

Ryder winced. “It’s not... safe.”

“Why?” Alarm caused him to straighten. “What’s wrong? Are you in trouble? With your--your Master ? Because I’m pretty sure we can take him.”

At that last half-joking statement, Ryder let out a brief laugh, but then shook his head. “If only it were that easy.”

“So why isn’t it?”

Ryder’s gaze lowered. “There is politics at work here with the Weryn… Lawson won’t understand what I’m trying to do.”

“So he wants something different than you do?” Grayson’s forehead furrowed.

“No… yes.”

He smiled despite himself. “That makes things infinitely clearer.”

The right side of Ryder’s mouth curled upwards. “Doesn’t it?” He drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Lawson hates us even being here. Seeing me hanging around with a student--”

“Not a student. A fake student,” Grayson corrected.

“Yes, but he doesn’t know that and we’re not going to tell him.” Ryder’s gaze caught his and held it. There was a bone deep seriousness to his look and tone.

Grayson wondered why they weren’t going to tell Lawson, not that he wanted anyone more to know about him than already did, but it was curious that, of all people, Ryder didn’t want his Master to know about Grayson and the Sect. But he had a feeling that there was a ton of things here that he couldn’t see like icebergs.

“Okay,” Grayson said.

And his instinct not to fight this now proved the right thing as Ryder’s large, broad shoulders relaxed and he looked as if a weight had been lifted from him. “Good. It’s just for tonight. Lawson will be returning to our territory tomorrow. So we won’t have to worry about him.”

Again, that urge to ask what exactly they had to worry about raised its ugly head, but he bit his inner cheek. There would be time when Lawson was gone to figure out what was going on here.

If I want to do that. I mean what do I care if Ryder has issues with his Master? It doesn’t concern me. It’s safer not to get involved.

And yet though he told himself this, he maybe even believed it to be true, some part of Grayson rebelled at it.

It’s safer to be alone. What Seeyr was saying about belonging can’t be true. It doesn’t even make any sense. I wasn’t supposed to be here.

Yet, again, Grayson didn’t brush off Ryder’s hands and take a few steps back and tell him he didn’t give a shit. He stayed where he was.

And as if his mouth had a mind of its own said, “If you need me, I’ll be nearby.”

What the Hell am I saying? What am I doing?

Ryder blinked and then smiled. It lit up his bearded face and crinkles formed by the sides of his eyes. “Thanks, I’ll do that. Just not for this.”

But this is the only thing you’ve gone up against that you’re not sure you can defeat.

Grayson though only said out loud, “Sounds like a plan. I see some of my roommates. I guess I’ll head over there.”

Eiji and Mairead were standing on the opposite side of the road. The silver trumpets blew again indicating that it was yet closer to the time of the parade, perhaps moments away.

“Good. We will meet up tomorrow and confer,” Ryder suggested.

Grayson nodded. Only then did Ryder’s hands slide seemingly unwillingly from his shoulders and fall to Ryder’s sides like dead birds.

“Uhm, one question before I go,” Grayson said, his lips twitching.

“Yes?” Ryder looked like he wanted the conversation to continue as well.

“Your cloak… you aren’t wearing a shirt under that, are you?” Grayson asked.

“No. Not pants either.” Ryder grinned at him.

Grayson let out a caw of laughter and shook his head. He waved to Ryder as he headed over to Eiji and Mairead who were both looking curiously at him and Ryder. Almost as curiously as Lawson was. He jogged over to his roommates who greeted him warmly. Well, Eiji greeted him warmly while Mairead began a soft interrogation.

“You’re with the Weryn again ?” Mairead clucked.

“His name is Ryder. Not the Weryn,” Grayson corrected. He wondered if he should have even said that much. But he doubted he could stop her from finding out what she wanted to know. “He and Demos were the ones who brought me in.”

He hoped that this would be enough to satisfy her. She nodded.

“You shouldn’t waste your time on him though,” Mairead warned.

“Ah, why ?” He asked, even though he already guessed.

“Because they aren’t taking fledglings from this class. Made a big stink about it,” Mairead explained. Her information was good. “And, even if they were to change their minds, they’re in the dog house. Not worth looking at.”

“I see,” Grayson said, seeing quite well what she valued.

“You don’t want to taint yourself by association,” Mairead continued.

“Then maybe you don’t want to hang out with me either?” Grayson asked. “You, too, might be tainted by association.”

His voice was cool.

“No, I’m not worried. Just giving some advice,” she said with a shrug.

Eiji’s dark eyes twinkled. “She saw you with Seeyr and Balthazar. She likes the company you keep.”

“Ach, Goda-sama, you ratted me out!” But Mairead didn’t look all that upset. “I’m just saying the Weryn are in a complicated position. You have options. It’s clear you have loads of options, even if you aren’t going to interviews just yet.” Her lips puckered as she spoke of Amara’s earlier actions. “You don’t want to mess it up.”

“I’m not worried about that.” Grayson glanced back over to where the Weryn were assembling.

Ryder was looking over the other cloaked Vampires with an almost paternal air, making sure that they were all settled. In contrast, Lawson glowered. He wasn’t wearing a cloak, Grayson realized. He wasn’t part of the parade. He was just there to what? Give Ryder a hard time? Lawson’s gaze was on him again. Grayson stared back steadily.

“I do not think that Vampire likes you,” Eiji murmured, barely moving his lips.

“The feeling’s mutual,” Grayson said.

“He reminds me of an old associate who would drink too much and let his temper lead him. He only had a gun. A Vampire has other weapons,” Eiji continued speaking in that low voice that Grayson didn’t even think Mairead heard. “Be careful.”

“I will. Thanks,” Grayson answered even as all he wanted to do was glare right back at Lawson.

He’ll be gone tomorrow. Just forget about him. Don’t draw attention. Keep your head down.

Voices were suddenly lifted in song. It came from Vampires dressed in gold and white. They filtered forward away from a palace, though still dark, glittered with the same ethereal light that they did. The heavenly sound of their voices lifted in a single note, at first, was split apart by the thumping of drums. The sound had Grayson standing straighter and his heart pumping.

The Syrin Vampires--for that’s who it had to be--were capable of driving humans mad or making them fall in love or causing them to go to war or whatever it was the Syrin wanted. That want was threaded through their beautiful voices and could cause riots or for people to fall asleep. This time it invigorated and caused Grayson to feel pride and awe at simply being there.

As they marched forward, some of the Syrin danced. Their dancing wasn’t the usual shimmy-shake, but flips--forward and back--lifts, leaps, pyramids of individuals that formed and broke apart with the Vampires seeming so light that it was as if they were floating in the air. Gold powder slashed their cheeks and sparkled on their lips. They looked like music themselves. Glorious, sun-drenched, vibrant music. A young Asian man with almost too beautiful features was at the front of this group.

Though Grayson hadn’t been a big fan of his music, he recognized the wildly popular kpop artist, who evidently also happened to be a Vampire. There were screams of delight and recognition. Some of the humans jumped up and down and pointed at the famous singer, evidently, not knowing until now what his true identity was. The artist took it in stride. He threw kisses to the crowd even as he seemed to sing his heart out.

Grayson couldn’t help the tapping of his foot and the clapping of his hands. The drumbeat pulsed up from the ground and filled his body with wild vibrations. His reaction was muted compared to others. He saw students start to dance by themselves, with each other, and in groups. There was a sort of ecstasy to it. Grayson though felt unnerved. He was out of control and he didn’t like it. He shook his head to try and clear it.

“You don’t trust this happiness?” Eiji asked, but it was more a statement.

“I don’t like other people setting the tune,” Grayson answered.

He noted that the Japanese man was bobbing his head and smiling benevolently, but wasn’t quite in time to the music. He was close, but not quite. He was faking being moved by it. Grayson’s eyes widened.

“You don’t like people setting the tune either,” Grayson murmured.

“Perhaps I am a little set in my ways,” Eiji answered, but continued to smile and bob his head so that no one but Grayson knew the difference.

Mairead was grinning and bouncing in place. Her green eyes were bright and there were spots of color on her freckled cheeks. “Isn’t this great? Imagine having this power over people!”

Grayson strove not to frown. After all, he was pretending he wanted to be a Vampire, and if one wanted to be a Vampire surely one wanted power as well as immortality and wealth. So he gave a nod and said nothing.

Balthazar’s voice was suddenly booming, but not in the air, in his mind. In everyone’s mind. Grayson saw his fellow students jerk in surprise as they too heard the Immortal speaking.

Welcome, welcome, everyone! Balthazar greeted them. For those who do not recognize me, I am one of two headmasters of this academy. I am the Immortal Eyros, though some call me Balthazar. Being able to speak mind to mind certainly ensures you’ll hear me clearly. And I’ll even know if you are really enjoying yourselves.

Grayson’s head jerked up as he realized that Balthazar was levitating directly over the fountain. Meffy was perched on his left shoulder, another bit of darkness. Balthazar was dressed in a fashionable dark suit with a longer coat that came to his knees. A blood red tie was paired with a rose of the same color in his buttonhole. His hands were drawn together almost as if in prayer underneath his chin, but a grin was upon his lips.

Those lovely voices you hear are coming out of Syrin Vampire throats, Balthazar continued, Ever thought about the power of music? It can move us to tears or sadness or joy. Cause the soul to soar or fall. Music is the Syrin’s gift. If you catch a Syrin’s eye the idea of “our song” will take on the most intimate of meanings.

There was startled laughter in the crowd as Balthazar waggled his eyebrows. Lightning--red, yellow, blue and purple--radiated inwards across the sky like the spokes of a wheel with Balthazar as the center.

Grayson though turned his head to look back at Ryder. He wondered what Ryder felt about all of this. He had been pretty skeptical about this parade, but so far it was pretty cool. Grayson’s cheeks heated as he realized that Ryder was looking at him. Quickly, the Vampire looked down but then back up again with an almost sheepish smile as if he couldn’t quite help himself from checking in on Grayson. Grayson smiled back.

But let’s meet our next Bloodline. Balthazar rubbed his hands together. These are being introduced in no particular order, though this happens to be one of my favorites as it is ruled over by my good friend, Fiona, please welcome the Wyvern!

The area around the fountain had been empty of people, but suddenly in a blink of an eye, over a dozen Vampires appeared, perched on the fountain’s edge. Balancing on the top of the fountain’s main statue stood a beautiful black woman. She had long hair in elaborate braids that fell to her mid-back and wore what looked like a golden corset over a skin tight black, bodysuit. Her head was thrown back. One arm was outstretched.

She looked like a gorgeous ornament on top of that fountain. Then in a flash, she was gone. They all were, but then they reappeared in another formation, that of a star again surrounding the fountain. They disappeared again and formed a square. They disappeared again then reformed a triangle. The disappearances and reappearances became so quick that they seemed to flicker in and out of existence like an old black and white movie. The crowd roared and clapped in appreciation as they reappeared this time seemingly for good. The woman in the golden corset bowed, her black skin gleaming with sweat from exertion, and then gestured to her people who took their bows. She clapped for them and waved a hand in the air as her people once more disappeared then reappeared farther along the parade route.

Wyvern! Balthazar announced with a flourish of his left hand. Want to truly ghost someone? Theirs is the power to do that, Balthazar chuckled. Or rob banks. Or enter places where you’re not supposed to be. Like museums or houses of the rich and famous… Now, now, I’m not advocating breaking the law. Just as a Wyvern, it’s so much easier to do.

“Do you suppose there are Vampire thieves?” Grayson asked Eiji.

“Of course. It is not as if most of them can get real jobs. They are limited in that way. While the older ones may have wealth and connections, the younger ones would have to earn their own way,” Eiji said. “Vampires are made to be criminals. Highly successful ones.”

For a moment, Grayson remembered using his own powers to try and lift wallets from purses or pockets. He’d just have to walk past a person--close, but not actually touch them--and boost the wallets out of their semi-secure locations and into his hands. It hadn’t been as easy as he’d hoped. He had to see the wallet for one thing in order to lift it. When the wallet bulged in a back pocket that was best, but that also meant when he moved it with his gift that the person was more likely to feel the sensation of it moving against their body. So he found he had to distract them. A shoulder to their chest. An accidental knock of their arm. Asking if they had lost a scarf or a glove or something that would distract them. Those had often worked.

He remembered how the money would sometimes still be warm from their body heat. He’d only taken the cash as he couldn’t risk being seen using a credit card that could be traced. For a while it had been brilliant. He’d had tons of cash so much that he wanted to share it with Sam. But when his friend had seen it, he’d gone white and crushed the cash back into Grayson’s hands.

“No, no, Sam, this is for you,” Grayson had said with a smile as he’d tried to give the cash over again.

“No, kid, don’t flash that kind of green around. Not even to me,” Sam had said, eyes darting all over to see if anyone was around.

“But why? Look, I took it from some tourists and--”

“How many tourists? That’s a lot of cash. So you must be good at it,” Sam muttered.

He wasn’t exactly good at it. Well, not in the traditional sense that Sam thought. But he was getting good at using his powers to get a little something he wanted.

“I’m all right.” Grayson shrugged.

But he couldn’t help the proud smile on his face. His powers had never been good for him, never helped him, had destroyed his life, but now, maybe they could give him a good meal, a warm bed and even a shower with some new clothes. What could be wrong with that?

“You’re going to attract attention.” Sam’s eyes, rheumy even then, but somehow sharp that day fixed on him. “Kid, there are territories here. You know that. You start edging in on those territories, you start being good on someone else’s turf, and it’ll be noticed.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be discreet,” Grayson assured him.

Except of course, Same had been right and he had been wrong.

Who shall be next? Balthazar asked. One of his hands swept outwards as if it were a needle on a compass. It hesitated, moved back and forth, then settled. On Ryder. Welcome our brothers and sisters of the claw and wing and every other appendage. Welcome to the Wyvern Bloodline!

Grayson’s head shot towards Ryder and the other cloaked figures. He felt the excitement of the crowd build. While Syrin and Wyvern had been spectacular, who didn’t have a little urge to be able to shift into an animal form?

The Weryn marched out from their palace. They shouted “hoo!” and then “ha!” Their hands swung at their sides. They thumped their chests as they cried out. The crowd leaned forward, trying to get a closer look, when the first line of Weryn seemed to disappear. Their cloaks fell to the ground and out of them stepped not Vampires, but gorgeous red, white and black foxes with fur so soft and inviting even Grayson wished he could pat some fuzzy heads. Awwws and ohhhs followed.

The foxes were followed by bucks. Beautiful, tall and graceful creatures with racks of horns that were works of art on their own. There were gasps. Wolves then filtered among them, not looking at these animals as prey, but as companions. Birds burst out from among the group and rose up in the air, performing elaborate flying formations in the air before swooping down just above the crowd. There were cries of shock and joy.

People clapped wildly as the big cats began to arrive. Lions, tigers, pumas, panthers, lynxes and more. They sauntered down the road with their feline grace with silver eyes, looking unimpressed, and yet very impressive.

Grayson lifted his eyes to find Ryder. What form would he take? Grayson had already seen his bird and bear form, but he was sure there were others. But he couldn’t see the Weryn Vampire through the crowd. He’d lost track of him and Grayson’s heart inexplicably fell into his feet.

A hand closed around his right wrist and a voice crawled into his right ear. “Grayon, right? We need to talk.”

Grayson turned his head and looked into Lawson’s predatory eyes.