Nightbound (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #6)

Chapter 1

Valen

“This is a syllabus,” I said, holding up the small packet of paper for the whole room to see. “To you it may be just a piece of paper you plan to throw away the moment you leave this room.”

That got a few chuckles. It always did.

“But what it really represents is the struggle of the paranormal world to keep up with the mortal one.”

Silence.

Perfect. I had their attention.

“For thousands of years, the paranormal world was the envy of all mortals,” I continued.

“That’s why they built statues for us, buildings, and wove us into their mythology.

We lived side by side until the beginning of the Renaissance, usually to our benefit and not theirs.

Which probably explains why they began hunting us.

” I walked around the room, still clutching the syllabus in my hands.

“We took to the shadows, happy to continue to think we were the superior species. But in the past two hundred years, that has changed.”

I stopped at the front of the room, looking them over one by one.

“Magic is no longer king in this world. It is powerful, yes, but technology grows far swifter than our magic can.” I held up the syllabus again.

“It took a team of witches nearly fifty years to figure out how to copy paperwork, at scale, without the use of enchanted typewriters. In that time, mortals have gone from typewriters to smartphones. And since magic and technology seem to be completely incompatible, they continue to outstrip us, growing far faster than magic ever could.”

I couldn’t help but smile, knowing I had my students full attention.

“So, next time you go to throw your syllabus away, remember how much time and effort it took to create.” Then, with a wider grin, I added, “And please read it. I don’t want to be answering the same question about grading all semester.”

The laughter that followed was warmer this time, more genuine. I set the syllabus down on my desk and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was an actual analog clock, because digital ones were absolutely fucking useless around concentrated magical energy. Twenty minutes left in the period.

“Now, since we’ve covered the tragic history of paranormal technological incompetence,” I said, earning another round of chuckles, “let’s talk about why you’re all here.

Advanced Paranormal History isn’t a requirement for graduation.

It’s an elective that most students avoid like a particularly nasty hex. ”

I leaned against the edge of my desk, crossing my arms. The movement made my dress shirt pull slightly across my chest, and I didn’t miss the way several students’ gazes lingered.

Occupational hazard of being a vampire professor, I suppose.

The supernatural pheromones were impossible to completely suppress, even after three centuries of practice.

“So either you’re genuinely interested in learning how we went from gods among mortals to hiding in academies like Widdershins,” I continued, “or you heard this was an easy A and figured you’d coast through with minimal effort.”

A hand shot up near the back of the room. I nodded at the student. He was a werewolf, judging by the scent, and probably a sophomore.

“Professor Crowe, which category do you think we fall into?”

Smart kid. Turning the question back on me. I grinned, letting just a hint of fang show.

“Oh, I already know which category each of you falls into,” I said. “The question is whether you’ll prove me wrong.”

I watched as several students shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others sat up straighter, as if accepting a challenge. The werewolf who’d asked the question was grinning now, and I made a mental note that he might actually be one of the interesting ones.

“But before we dive into the real meat of this course,” I said, pushing off from the desk, “I want to establish some ground rules. First, this isn’t high school. I’m not going to hold your hand or remind you about assignments. You’re adults, or close enough to it, and I’ll treat you as such.”

I began pacing again, a habit I’d picked up somewhere around the nineteenth century when lecturing became a regular part of my existence.

“Second, if you have a problem with learning history from someone who actually lived through most of it, there’s the door.

” I gestured toward the exit. “I’ve had students complain that my perspective is ‘too biased’ because I was actually there for the Revolutionary War, the founding of the first paranormal academies, and both World Wars.

Apparently, firsthand experience doesn’t count as academic credibility anymore. ”

A few more chuckles, but I also caught some wide-eyed stares. Right. Sometimes I forget that my age isn’t immediately obvious to everyone. The perks of being turned young and having decent genetics.

“Third,” I continued, “participation matters. This isn’t a lecture hall where you can hide in the back and sleep. I know all your names, I can smell when you’re hungover, and I will call on you randomly. Consider yourselves warned.”

I glanced up at the clock again. Ten minutes left. But I was happy with what we’d covered.

“Does anyone have any questions about the syllabus?”

No one raised their hand.

“Alright. Before I let you go early, I have one piece of homework for you all.”

That was met with groans. I always get that on the first day of class. I couldn’t help but smile.

“I want you to think of a time period in history that you’re most curious about.

Write it down and bring it with you to our next class.

” Relief washed over the room slowly as they realized just how easy that assignment was.

“I teach my classes with an open mind to questions and curiosity. So tell me what you want to learn about and we’ll learn it all together.

” I gave them all a wave. “Class dismissed.”

Everyone gathered their bags and headed through the exit. To my surprise, not a single person dropped their syllabus in the trash on the way out. I must’ve been getting better at that opening speech.

I walked back to my desk and began gathering up my own things when I heard slow clapping from the far back of the room. Glancing up, I caught a shimmer of purple from the shadows and let out a sigh.

“Damn it, Lila,” I groaned. “How do you always sneak in without my noticing?”

A figure stepped out of the shadows, that purple shimmer fading into her eyes. She had long dark hair, pale skin, and what I’d heard described as a shit-eating grin.

“You should be more observant, big brother,” she smiled, practically floating down the stairs toward my desk. “You never know who might be watching.”

“I would sense literally anyone else,” I retorted. “It’s just you that seems to slip under my radar.”

Lila shrugged, her grin widening as she perched on the edge of one of the student desks. “It’s a gift. Besides, someone has to keep tabs on you. Make sure you’re not traumatizing the poor children with tales of your sordid past.”

“My past is hardly sordid, and they aren’t children,” I said, shoving papers into my leather satchel with more force than necessary. “And since when do you care about students being traumatized? Last year you nearly got that fire witch boy killed by his parents.”

“That was different. He needed to be saved.” Lila picked up one of the abandoned pens from the desk and began twirling it between her fingers.

With each spin, it changed colors—blue to green to silver to gold.

She was one of those vampires who excelled in magic.

Show off. “Besides, I’m not here about your teaching methods.

Though I did like the bit about magic being inferior to human technology. I’m sure their parents will love that.”

I felt heat creep up my neck. “It’s the truth.”

“Oh please.” She rolled her eyes, and for a moment they flashed that brilliant purple again. “The only reason you say that is because you’re mad that you can’t do much magic.”

“My powers as a vampire are none of your business.” I snapped my satchel shut and slung it over my shoulder. “My skills are just different than yours.”

“You mean the way you ooze pheromones constantly?” she laughed. “How you’re so irresistible to everyone?”

“That’s not…” I started. “You know I do everything I can to keep that concealed.”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded. “And I also know that you’re shit at it.”

“I am not.”

“Oh please,” she laughed. “Half of your students, and definitely that werewolf guy, are going to be having some very confusing dreams tonight.” She looked me directly in the eye.

“And you constantly trying to hide it is only making it worse. You need to go out and feed, Valen. Let your powers loose so they can breathe a little. I have to drink blood to survive, but you can just fuck to get all the energy you need and then some. Why would you deny yourself that?” She lowered her voice a bit.

“Why not just fuck that werewolf guy. He clearly likes you.”

“He’s a student,” I snapped.

“He’s an adult who can make his own choices,” she retorted.

“Lila…” I let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You know I live on campus and that I’m not that kind of professor. So did you just come here to annoy me, or do you need something?”

Lila just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Actually, I came here to let you know that there’s an off-campus party happening this weekend.

And before you ask, no, it won’t be just students.

It’s a bar crawl up in Pigeon Forge, so there’ll be lots of locals there too.

I was going to invite you to come along and brush off the dust a little bit. ”

I stared at her for a long moment, processing what she’d just suggested. A bar crawl. With people who weren’t students. The idea was both appealing and terrifying in equal measure.

“You want me to go bar hopping,” I said slowly. “In Pigeon Forge. Where there will be drunk tourists and locals who have no idea what we are.”

“Exactly!” Lila’s grin widened, and she hopped off the desk with an enthusiasm that made me immediately suspicious. “Think about it, Valen. When’s the last time you actually let loose? And I mean really let loose, not just your carefully controlled ‘I’m a respectable professor’ routine.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she held up a hand.

“Nineteen eighty-seven doesn’t count. That was over thirty years ago, and you spent most of that night complaining about the music being too loud.”

“The music was too loud,” I muttered, but even I could hear how pathetic that sounded. “And besides, I don’t need to ‘let loose.’ I’m perfectly fine as I am.”

Lila’s laugh was sharp and knowing. “Right. That’s why your pheromones are practically suffocating me right now.

You’re wound so tight you’re about to snap, and it’s affecting everyone around you.

” She stepped closer, her expression growing more serious.

“You’re not just hurting yourself, Valen.

You’re making it harder for your students to concentrate, and eventually someone’s going to notice.

Someone who might not be as understanding as Dean Thornfield. ”

The mention of the dean made my stomach clench. He’d already put his neck on the line by letting me teach here. Vampire students were watched carefully to avoid incidents. But a vampire professor? They were almost unheard of.

“Fine,” I said, the word coming out harsher than I intended. “But I’m not promising anything. And if this turns into some elaborate scheme to set me up with someone, I’m leaving.”

Lila’s eyes lit up with triumph, and I immediately regretted agreeing. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say yes to something like this.”

“I’m already regretting this decision.”

“Good,” she said, practically bouncing on her toes. “That means you’re actually taking a risk for once. We leave Friday at eight. Wear something that was made after two thousand and ten.”

I looked down at my current outfit. It was dark slacks, a button-down shirt, and a tie that had probably gone out of style sometime in the late nineties. “What’s wrong with how I dress?”

“Everything,” Lila said without hesitation. “But don’t worry. I’ll help you pick something out. Something that shows off those arms you’ve been hiding under conservative professor clothes.”

Heat crept up my neck again. “My arms are fine where they are.”

“Your arms are magnificent, and you know it. Three centuries of swordwork doesn’t just disappear because you started carrying a briefcase.

” She was already heading toward the door, but she paused to look back at me.

“Trust me, Valen. This is exactly what you need. You need to get out there, fuck the daylights out of someone, and just take a goddamn chill pill.”

After she left, I stood alone in the empty classroom, wondering what the hell I’d just agreed to.