They were having their lunch the following day when Mari shared some disturbing news with Lira, Yumi and Ian. In a hushed tone she said, "I was in the building of the Slayer Division, when I heard something awful happened last night."

"What were you doing there by the way?" Lira asked suspiciously.

"I wasn't there to see Matt if that's what you're thinking. Miss Amara asked me to help her with some boxes of papers to bring there. She is, after all, the head of the Training Department. So I was on my way out when I heard something alarming that I couldn't help but to eavesdrop a little." They huddled closer. "You know last night, after the raid? They found a dead body a few yards away from that old shack. I heard the victim's neck looked as if it was bitten by a wild animal, and the victim's blood was totally sucked out dry. But they don't know if it was a vampire attack or something else, 'cause they said vampire marks were not like what they found last night."

"That's awful," Yumi said with a grimace.

"And the worst part is? She was our upperclassmen," Mari said gravely.

The three sucked in their breath, fully surprised that an incident like that happened to one of the students in the academy.

"Do the other students know about this?" Lira asked.

"No. The school decided to keep things hush-hush for now," Mari answered. "They said it wasn't the first time someone has been killed. But this one spooked everyone out with the way the girl was brutally killed. So they crossed out the possibility that it was a vampire attack."

"I guess it means we need to be extra careful from now on," Ian said, then looked at the girls seriously. "That means no more nightly strolls at creepy old buildings and unknown places."

"Yes sir!" the three joked in unison.

Later that evening, Lira was seated on one of the settee in the great hall. Yumi and Mari were sitting on the floor on one corner, wearing serious looking faces as they scribbled something on a piece of paper. She was absent-mindedly staring at the fire on the hearth when Lavinia and her cronies stood before her. Lira lifted her head to look at them. "Yes?"

"You're not even pretty," one girl remarked, eyeing her face. "Don't you need a license to be that ugly?"

Another girl tugged a fistful of Lira's hair, causing her to grimace with pain. "Your hair hasn't even met a hair iron in its entire life."

"And you always wear those rags," a third girl remarked, assessing Lira's moss green long skirt.

"So why on earth would Nicholas Imperial even spare you his precious time?" Lavinia asked scathingly. She made a step forward towards Lira and leaned closer. "What did you do? Whored yourself and bartered your blood for a little attention?"

Lira remained seated, looking stunned. What was Lavinia's problem now?

Clara appeared beside Lavinia and lightly tugged her arm. "That's enough Lavinia. You shouldn't even be saying those things," Clara said softly.

Lavinia jerked her arm away from Clara's grasp. "Oh, stop being Miss Goody two shoes, Clarisse. Why do you even take her side?"

"Hey! Why are you harassing our friend?" Lira heard Mari said. She caught a glimpse of Lavinia's group blocking Mari and Yumi from approaching her.

Lavinia glanced at Mari then back at Lira. "Oh good. What a fitting friendship: a whore and a slut." She looked at Yumi and sneered. "And the town harlot. You really do fit in with the two."

"Now, where did that awful foul—? Oh, sorry Lavinia, I didn't realize you opened your mouth," Yumi said with a sneer and coughed "Foul-mouthed bitch" underneath her breathe.

"Oh, shut it Mayumi. Don't you have some cleaning and washing to do? Like my laundry perhaps?"

"Hey! Don't you go ordering Yumi around," Mari said angrily. "You're not the boss of her."

Lavinia turned and faced Mari. "Of course I have every right to do so."

"Lavinia..." Yumi said almost sounding pleadingly.

"What?" Lavinia asked, feigning innocence. "Oh Mayumi, you sly girl. Don't tell me you haven't told them? My, my. Keeping secrets from your friends are we?"

Mari gave Lavina a confused look. "What are you talking about?"

Lavinia sneered. "Embarrassed are we, Mayumi? Imagine, never even telling your friends that you serve me for the rest of your pitiful life. Afraid your friends will not like you because you're from the lowest caste? That you are my muchacha? What are you, masquerading as someone you're not?"

Tears were pooling around Yumi's eyes. Sensing that Yumi was about to cry, Lira stood, looked at Lavinia levelly and asked, "Why are you being so mean to us? We haven't done anything to you. Why are you doing this?"

"Because I can," Lavinia answered haughtily.

"You know what? I pity you. You're just this lonely, insecure, pampered princess who bosses everyone around because she seeks attention. I bet your friends aren't even your friends at all. You just ordered them to be your friends. Well, let me tell you this: it doesn't work that way. You can't dictate someone to make friends with you. You can't buy someone's respect or affection with money. You can't bully us just because it makes you feel good. And Yumi? She's the sweetest, kindest girl I have ever met. No matter how you degrade her in front of us, she's still our friend and always will."

Lavinia rolled her eyes. "Oh, how touching."

"Is there any problem here?" Someone said. It was Matt, who approached them, breaking up the tension.

Lavinia smiled and batted her eyes innocently. "Nothing Matteo. We're just having some girl talk. But we're done now. Come on girls."

Thankfully, Lavinia and her group went on their way. The moment Lavinia left, Yumi sprinted towards the exit with Mari running after her. Lira moved to go after them when Matt grabbed her wrist. "I need to see how Yumi is, Matt," she told him.

"Just for a second. I need to speak with you," Matt said.

Lira looked at the direction her friends went before giving Matt a nod. "What is it?"

He motioned for Lira to sit. She sat at the settee and Matt beside her.

"I know you were with Mari last night. I just want to know how you were," Matt started.

Lira blinked several times, fully astounded at Matt's concern towards her. "I'm fine Matt. It was a mistake for us to be there. We realized it the moment we understood what kind of place it was. We were about to leave the place when your group came."

"Mari explained that much as well. I just wanted to be sure."

"Well, like what I said. I'm fine," Lira reassured him. And with a smile she added, "Never knew you were that concerned over me considering how much you hated me."

"I don't hate you Lira," Matt answered rather seriously.

"Hey don't sound so serious," she said, slapping Matt's shoulder playfully. "I was just kidding you."

"No, Lira. Listen, I never did hate you." He sighed then ran his fingers over his hair looking rather frustrated. "Look, just don't go places like that again, okay?"

Lira nodded. "I've been warned." Twice, actually. A sudden thought occurred Lira. She hesitated for a moment but deciding on speaking what was on her mind. "Matt, I know that you might have noticed Mari giving you particular attention."

Matt raised a questioning brow.

"Okay, I'll be blunt. Mari likes you. A lot. And she already informed us of your conversation the other day," Lira started. "The thing is I don't like seeing my friend get hurt. And, well, I'd appreciate it if you'll try not to be too harsh on her. She's a nice girl, really, if you'll just get to know her better."

He looked as if he was struggling to tell Lira something. But after a few moments, he nodded curtly and left Lira alone.

Lira went to her room after Matt left and she found Yumi lying on her bed, the blanket entirely covering her. The next day, Yumi wouldn't sit with them during lunch and dinner. She hadn't even spoke to them during their entire class together. The following day, Lira, Mari and Ian were huddled around a small table just outside the school building corridor. Lira was absent-mindedly gazing at the three boys smiling sheepishly at Miss Amara, who caught them smoking, as the head mistress tapped her foot, her arms akimbo.

Mari snapped her fingers in front of Lira. "Are you with us Lira?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm listening," Lira said. "So where are we going to hold the party?"

They were planning a surprise birthday party for Yumi this coming weekend. Up until now, Yumi was still avoiding her friends. They were immersed in setting up plans and throwing ideas, jotting down list of food to prepare when they spotted Yumi walking towards them. Lira hastily hid the list of plans for the party in her bag. Yumi waved playfully at Miss Amara, who eyed her purple hair and pink jogging pants underneath her skirt disapprovingly.

Yumi reached their table and she greeted them, surprisingly, in a cheerful mood. "Greetings fellow hoodlums." Then to Ian, she placed her right fist across her chest over her heart, slightly bowed and said, "Brother of the earth." Ian, who looked baffled like the rest of them, returned the gesture. Yumi pulled an empty chair and sat down. "I have decided to venture out here to join my party organizers, and to give them warning to move the party at an earlier date for I will be otherwise indispose on the actual date of my birthday."

The remaining three exchanged surprised looks before exploding with laughter.

"I promise to look and act surprise, though," Yumi added, crossing her heart.

"Yumi, you really had us worried!" Mari said. "With you not talking to us."

Lira threw her arms around Yumi's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're back."

"Yeah well, I just needed some time alone. Oooh! Chocolates! Can I have some?"

***

The large area which served as the vampire mansion's sitting room, now housed forty incredibly bored young vampires. It was an hour past midnight, and usually they were out and about doing their own businesses. However, tonight, all windows were shut closed. The glass sliding door leading to the balcony was locked, completely sealing them inside. Nicholas tried to use the doorway but was stopped by sentries barricading his way out. Nicholas looked upwards in exasperation. He strolled back to the settee and sat, pinching the bridge of his nose, feeling extremely annoyed at being imprisoned within the four walls of the sitting room. Earlier, they were ordered by Philip to be confined in the living room. Nicholas, who never bothered to listen to any orders, had ignored Philip and was about to step outside when the sentries began lining outside and barricading all exits of the mansion. Nicholas raised a brow for Philip's benefit that clearly implied "Do you really think they can keep me locked in?"

"I'm ordering you to stay inside Nicholas, so the others will follow your lead, or so help me Nicholas I will eviscerate you and hang you upside down with your intestine if you defy me," Philip commanded with a threatening look.

Nicholas raised his hands in a mock surrender. "Oh alright, brother, since you asked so nicely."

So there they were now, rotting inside the room and dying from boredom. Nicholas surveyed the others around him. They were equally bored to death as he was. Some were restlessly pacing about the room. Others were looking longingly outside the window. Steph was cracking lame jokes with the others at one corner. Sev was sitting on the couch a book on one hand, with Elisabeth seated near him, sneaking wistful glances at Sev. Poor Lisa. She was still harboring delusions of unrequited feelings over his brother. Just like that little mortal.

He felt Stephan standing beside him, pulling him out of his thoughts. "How long do we have to stay here?" Stephan asked.

"Until after the council meeting finishes," he answered.

"Huh. I wonder why they need to lock us up inside just because of that," he heard Stephan say before he left.

Nicholas wondered that as well. What could have possibly made their elders decide to lock them in? Was it because of the other night when they were almost caught by the Elite Guards breaking the treaty? But of course, the humans went there and willingly offered themselves to them. They weren't breaking the treaty at all! Nicholas had already begun to notice the tension sprouting within the council. And Philip wouldn't even share him some inside news.

It was almost dawn when they were allowed to go to their rooms. Nicholas was about to leave the room as well when Philip told him to follow him in his study.

Philip took a seat behind his desk; Nicholas remained standing. "The elders said they sensed Lazarus is to awake soon," he said gravely. Philip observed Nicholas for any flicker of emotion. There was none. "You're not alarmed by this news?"

"It's an inevitable situation, Philip," Nicholas stated nonchalantly. "No matter where I hide, Lazarus will find me. And I never hide nor cower. Let him face me."

"I applaud both your courage and arrogance, Nicholas. But you do realize the implications once he has risen?" Philip asked wearily.

Nicholas looked at Philip with determination in his gray eyes. "I will be ready by then. I will not allow him to rule over me."

For a moment, Philip actually believed Nicholas might be able to accomplish what he said.