Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) (8 page)

“Hey Katia,” Lexie trills sliding into the
seat next to me. Nikolai flashes me his ‘I know I’m irresistible’
smile and takes the seat behind me. Jade ignores my presence all
together which is fine by me. It seems I can’t escape this
trio.

Professor Lynch doesn’t waste any time
getting down to business. He passes around the course outline and
begins to lecture immediately.

“What is morality?” he asks, eyeing the
class. It’s clear the question is not rhetorical and that an answer
is expected.

Someone to my left calls out, “Right vs.
wrong?”

“That’s it? What about the rest of you?”
Lynch pushes, unsatisfied with this trite answer.

“Morality has historically been considered a
human concept. It refers to personal and cultural values that
differentiate between right and wrong within society.”

It’s Nikolai who’s speaking now. I’m shocked
he knows anything about morality. I wouldn’t think moral code ranks
very high on the priority list in his social circle.

“It’s not quite that simple,” I counter.
“Morality is subjective. What is moral to one society may not be so
in another. There are countless examples of groups throughout the
ages who have justified reprehensible actions using the moral
imperative.”

“Ahh! Interesting point, Miss?”

“Lescinka.”

“Let’s run with that for a minute,” Lynch
says, eyes fixed on me. Lynch is the consummate academic. He’s
dressed in a boring gray suit with a mustard yellow tie and wears
his hair in a comb-over style. If he weren’t a vampire, I’m certain
he’d be in need of glasses. And a pocket protector. “We do not feed
freely on humans. While it is not expressly forbidden, the more
sophisticated factions of our society make valiant attempts to
source blood more humanely. Why is that?”

“Because we’re civilized. Because we have the
technology to feed without killing. Because all life has value,” I
return simply. “If an innocent life does not have to be taken, if
even one can be spared, the extra effort is worth it.”

“What a crock. We don’t kill humans openly
because the Council frowns on it,” one of my classmates mutters
derisively. “It’s self-preservation. Too many dead bodies mean a
visit from the Linkuri. Not to mention too many questions and the
risk of exposure to the humans.”

I whip around instinctively to see my
challenger. He’s sitting a few rows back and is slouched in his
chair, legs extended lazily into the aisle. Everything about his
disposition suggests the entire discussion is a bore. He’s tall and
lanky with hooded dark eyes and even darker hair. His hair is
spiked on top and fades into a closely cropped buzz which makes his
thick brows that much more prominent on his overly thin and overly
pale face. His pierced ears only further compliment his grungy
look.

“Interesting perspective, Blaine.” Lynch
knows this student already.

“Interesting? Soccer is interesting. Music is
interesting. Killing simply because you can is not interesting,” I
counter with disgust.

“Get a grip,” Blaine laughs. Several of my
classmates, including Jade and Lexie, join in. “It’s the truth.
Fear, not compassion or moral obligation, is what keeps us from
taking what we want when we want. It’s a shame really. A finer
predator has never been seen. It’s natural progression. It’s
evolution.”

“So, what you’re saying is that if it weren’t
for the Linkuri the blood would flow freely?” I ask innocently.
“It’s only an affinity for your life that keeps the thirst in
check? Keeps you returning to the blood bank instead of a dark
alley?”

“Exactly. Survival of the fittest. Darwin had
it all figured out,” he replies with a wave of the hand. He looks
pleased that I’ve finally gotten it through my thick head.

“Coward.” I know I shouldn’t provoke my
classmates, but his attitude is unbelievable, and it’s clear he
can’t be reasoned with. The look of disgust he gives me easily
matches my burgeoning opinion of him.

“I do love a spirited debate!” Lynch is
clearly enjoying the exchange, but he does the right thing and
redirects the discussion before it gets too ugly. “Does it matter
why we don’t kill humans? As long as we don’t do it, does
motivation matter? Katia respects life. Blaine respects order. Is
one view better than the other?”

“Motivation is definitely important,” answers
Nikolai. “But this goes back to the point Katia made before. What’s
right to one is not necessarily right to all. She holds a different
belief structure than Blaine. His view is a bit more amoral. He
sees humans as a food source. No different than a human sees
livestock. There’s no right or wrong to it. Katia, on the other
hand, sees a symbiotic relationship that can prosper in
harmony.”

Why am I not surprised? He’s making fun of my
argument, belittling it in front of the entire class. I should’ve
just kept my damn mouth shut. I sit there fuming. I swear if looks
could kill, he’d be a goner.

I feel the stares of several of my classmates
on me as I wait out the remainder of the class, a stony look
plastered on my face. As soon as we’re dismissed, I bolt from my
desk. Just being in the same room with these people is making me
claustrophobic, and I need to get some fresh air.

Nikolai catches up with me in the hall, but I
don’t slow down. I have no interest in talking to him.

“Moral imperative, huh?”

“What do you want?” I return acidly.

“Well, I thought perhaps you might be
interested in continuing the discussion from Sociology. I found
your point… intriguing,” he says devilishly. He flashes me what
I’ve come to think of as ‘the smile’ and pushes his wild black hair
out of his eyes.

“Go to hell,” I return.

“I’m serious.” He ducks his head trying to
look as repentant as possible. It doesn’t work. Everything from his
black leather boots to his low slung jeans and fitted black V-neck
scream bad boy. I force myself to meet his eyes and ignore the way
the hard lines of his body press against the soft cotton of his
clothing. “I didn’t mean to upset you back there. I was just trying
to smooth things over a little bit. It was getting kind of intense,
and Blaine isn’t one to forgive and forget quickly.”

“News flash: I don’t care what you or any of
your friends think.” I turn and point back toward the classroom
just in time to see Jade closing in on us.

“Nikolai, Nikolai, Nikolai,” she sings
musically from perfectly glossed lips. “Collecting strays again?
When will you learn?” Once again it looks like she’s dressed from
her little sister’s closet in overly snug designer jeans and a red
blouse with buttons that look as though they might burst if she
were to take a deep breath.

“Kind of busy now, Jade.”

“Too busy for me?” she pouts, putting one
hand on her slender hip and forcing out her chest as if to remind
Nikolai of what he’s turning away.

“Right now? Yeah.” His irritation is obvious,
and it’s not well received by Jade. Her too small blouse shows
plenty of skin and enough cleavage to melt the resolve of pretty
much every guy I’ve ever known. Nikolai, however, is not so easily
swayed. Maybe he’s seen it all before. It’s only there for a
second, but I don’t miss the hostility that briefly distorts her
pretty face.

“I’ll remember that,” she returns icily
before storming off, blonde hair tossing in her wake. I turn and do
the same, leaving Nikolai standing alone in the hall.

**********

I inhale deeply allowing the scents of the
stable – hay, manure, horses – to fill my lungs. Maybe I’ll learn
to ride. I’ll bet Keegan could teach me. How hard can it be? I
decide to check the corral to see if he’s around.

“Foiled again,” I murmur turning the corner
to discover that while Keegan is in the corral, Shaye is here once
again. Why couldn’t Aldo send me to a larger school? I keep running
into the same people everywhere I go. Shaye turned up earlier this
week in my Anatomy class. So much for being invisible.

“Hey,” she calls cheerily tipping her chin at
the late afternoon sun. She’s wearing an oversized plaid shirt
that’s belted at the waist like a dress and a bright red cowgirl
hat which keeps her face and neck shaded. She must come out here a
lot. She’s certainly better prepared than I am, but I don’t
anticipate the late afternoon sun will be an issue. I’ve brought my
sunglasses, and, if I start to burn, I’ll return to the protection
of the stables.

I step up to the rail and climb to the top,
straddling the upper berth next to Shaye.

“Aren’t they beautiful?” she asks.

“I don’t know much about horses,” I admit.
“But they certainly are impressive. I was thinking Keegan might
teach me to ride.”

“Like I told you before, he’s a great
instructor. Very patient. Keegan taught me to ride a few years ago.
Before him I was practically a lost cause.”

“Good to know,” I reply, studying his
movements. Keegan moves fluidly. He moves in concert with the
animal, each anticipating the others’ moves before they’re made. I
have no idea what breed he’s riding, but I can’t help but stare in
awe. She’s got a shiny black coat and large hooves that could
easily crush a human skull if provoked.

“With his coaching I’ve ridden every breed in
the stable from the Quarters to the Arabians. If you’re serious,
Keegan will teach you whatever you want: racing, jumping, hunting.
Most of the students here don’t bother to learn,” Shaye continues.
“The horses are just another resource. Here for the bleeding.
Keegan’s just another servant to them.” The bitterness that creeps
into her voice catches me off guard.

“Something tells me Keegan doesn’t serve
anyone but those animals,” I reply lightly. Perhaps it’s not the
horses that keep Shaye coming back. I hadn’t given Keegan much
thought during my last visit, but her comments make me uneasy.

Keegan must be of mixed-blood. I should have
realized sooner. I’d been so wrapped up in myself this week that I
haven’t stopped to think much about those around me. The school
doesn’t run itself. We are surrounded by support staff. Most of who
are likely transfigured vampires performing jobs no respectable
pureblood would ever consider. The protection offered by the school
combined with the constant blood flow would likely present an
attractive and comfortable lifestyle to those without a coven or a
strong sire.

“So, how’d the first week go?” she asks, a
bright note returning to her voice. “Feel like you’re getting the
swing of things?”

“So far, so good.”

“Liar,” Shaye returns, laughing as a gentle
breeze tugs at her hair. If possible, she looks even more innocent
and juvenile.

“That’s a bold statement.”

“But I’m not wrong.” She shrugs confidently
and swings her feet over the side of the corral.

“How can you be so sure?” I ask slightly
annoyed. It could be going well. I will not give Shaye the
satisfaction of admitting she’s right even though we both know she
is.

“I have a sense about these things. Sorry. I
should have told you. I always know a lie when I hear it. And I
haven’t been wrong yet,” she finishes pointedly. “Not that I’d need
to be psychic in this case. I do have two perfectly good eyes, you
know. Besides, you’re an outcast by choice, so I won’t make the
mistake of feeling sorry for you. With such a powerful uncle, you
could rule this school if you wanted to.”

“If only.” I roll my eyes. “This place isn’t
really my scene. I’m here to learn because that’s what my uncle
wants. I’m not here to climb the social ladder and play politics.
It’s never been my strong suit. Aldo says I’m too headstrong for my
own good.”

Just thinking of Aldo brings a smile to my
lips. Already I miss him more than I would have thought
possible.

“Better to be headstrong and independent,”
Shaye says thoughtfully.

She doesn’t have to finish the sentence. I
know what she means. Better to be headstrong and independent than
to be one of them. I study her as we sit in silence. Once you get
past her bizarre sense of fashion, we’ve got a lot in common. It
would appear we view the world in the same cynical shades of gray.
I wonder what’s made her like this and quickly chase the thought
from my mind. I know why I’m this damaged, and that’s enough for
one soul to bear.

“It’s difficult to lose one you love,” she
whispers to the empty corral. “Death isn’t exactly common in our
world.”

I wonder if she’s talking to me or to herself
when I realize that Keegan has vanished. Yes. We’re more alike than
I’m comfortable admitting. Neither of us quite fits the Crossroads
mold. I suddenly have the urge to escape. To be free of this
connection that Shaye has thrust upon me. Feeling unsettled, I
absently rub the gold cuffs on my wrists. I can’t bring myself to
leave without offering Shaye something in return.

“I see the life-force of the donor when I
drink. Flashes of life. Memories. It’s not nearly as much fun as a
lie detector and not nearly as useful, but it’s mine.”

There. Now she knows one of my secrets. Now
we’re even.

**********

Saturday morning I finally get a break from
Crossroads. I wake up early and drink until my stomach is full to
the brim. When I’m satisfied that not one more drop will fit, I
know I’m ready to go. It’s important that I manage my hunger today
since I’ll be away from the campus and won’t have ready access to
fresh blood.

I feel better than I’ve felt all week.
Stronger. Charged. I can hardly contain my excitement when I get to
the garage and see my car again. Well, Aldo’s car. I know that I
can’t really open her up until I get outside the gates, but I still
get a rush sliding in behind the wheel.

After easing the car across campus and out
onto Route 7, I head north, jamming the accelerator to the floor.
It’s early, and the roads are clear. I can safely test the Audi’s
limits and my reflexes, without worrying about giving some
unsuspecting senior citizen a coronary. The car handles like a
dream, hugging the winding roads and hurtling me toward
civilization.