Julie stared at the place where Natalie had stood earlier, where now there was no trace of her.

  "What happened?" questioned Roman, and Julie opened her mouth, who was still in a little shock.

  "I, I think I sent her somewhere," whispered Julie in shock. "I am not sure if it is to the past or present, but…… I think to Willow Creek."

  Roman's eyebrows furrowed, and he made his way to where Julie stood. He brought his hand forward to check if he could sense something, but whatever had opened earlier was long gone. He then asked her, "Is this what you were earlier talking about the mirror?"

  "Yes, but that time when I touched the mirror, it wasn't hard to use the ability. But now," Julie moved her hands in front of her…… She didn't know what just happened now was a good or a bad thing.

  "Mirrors act like passages, same as a portal to a time that has passed," commented Roman.

  Julie's eyes shifted to look at Keith, whose body was in the process of disintegration. Walking to where he was, she watched the boy's face slowly fall off in fragments of dust.

  "You okay?" asked Roman, and Julie nodded her head.

  "I think I saw too many deaths this week," murmured Julie. But technically, everyone in Veteris saw the dead, thanks to the vampire's presence.

  For one second, she questioned herself if she was a bad person because she should have stopped Natalie from turning Keith into a vampire. But at the same time, she wondered if Keith also wanted to be with Natalie because despite Natalie's doings, he had always stood by her ex-best friend.

  As if sensing Julie's emotions, Roman said, "If it makes you feel any better, I think he wanted to be a vampire." Julie nodded her head and then turned to look at him.

  "Is this how it was in Veteris when the humans were being turned?" asked Julie with mild curiosity. To think that the Elder vampire had turned Roman, knowing full well that Roman could turn into dust if the transformation wouldn't go as expected, she could only gauge what kind of person the Elder vampire was.

  Roman responded, "Ten times worse. This is just a glimpse of it."

  "Do you think the Elders are going to initiate a massacre? To gather more vampires to their side?" questioned Julie. Her eyes moved from the white dust on the ground and looked at the other vampire, whose body hadn't turned into ash. "He didn't change."

  "The bullets weren't made out of silver and were ordinary bullets, which is why his body still exists the way it is," clarified Roman. He looked around for wood and found it on the ground.

  Breaking it into two halves, he walked to where the vampire laid. When he raised his hand, Julie scrunched her face, and she saw the wooden stake pierce through the man's chest before piercing his heart. The vampire's body slowly started to turn paler with every passing second before starting to turn into dust.

  While they made their way out of the barn, Julie asked, "Why is it important to pierce the wood through the heart when the heart isn't even beating in a vampire's body?"

  "Just because the heart isn't beating doesn't mean it isn't important. The heart is still vital in a vampire," explained Roman, as they started to walk away from the barn towards the town. "When a human turns into a vampire, it creates a core inside the heart. It is similar to a battery. New vampires learn about it in the vampire's textbooks in Veteris."

  So those classes were just about teaching them to protect themselves from the hunters and control their thirst.

  "And though it looks like a stone, it is soft in texture," Roman continued explaining it to her. "When you pierce a wood into a vampire's body, the particles in the vampire's blood and in the wood combine to create a chemical reaction that is equal to setting a vampire on fire. So you can guess what happens when you run the wood through the heart. There are cases when the vampire's heart stresses in severe conditions and the liquid in the core starts to ooze out. Throwing up black blood, hollow eyes that pushes a vampire to the verge of turning into the worst kind of vampire."

  Both Roman and Julie made their way towards the motel Rose Veil. While they were ready to leave, they caught up with Mr. Nottingham, who had just returned after buying things for the motel.

  "It was good to have you both in here, even though it's only for a short visit," Emerson offered them a smile. Julie noticed even though the vampire looked younger than them, the smile on his face said otherwise, giving away the time he had spent here. "Please visit us again."

  "Thank you for helping me earlier, Mr. Nottingham," Julie offered a small bow.

  "It was a pleasure to host Roman's interest. It was also a mistake on our side. He never brings people in here so it was a surprise. I hope your stay was eventful here," said Mr. Nottingham. His eyes then turned to look at Roman, and he said, "Keep in touch, Rome."

  Roman gave a slight nod and said, "Later, Emerson."

  They walked to where the motorcycle was parked, and Julie wore the helmet before sitting behind Roman. She placed her feet on the footrests and circled her hands around his waist. Roman kick-started the vehicle, and soon they hit the road, heading towards Veteris University.

  By the time they reached Veteris, the blue sky had turned pink and orange. The sun had started to set itself.

  When they reached the main gates of Veteris, which was closed, Julie, who had been enjoying the cold air on her eyes, quickly pushed the tinted face shield. The guardsman, who guarded the front of Veteris, came to check the visitors who had arrived.

  "Good evening, Mr. Moltenore."

  "Evening, Moses," Roman's words were curt.

  The watchman's eyes shifted to look at the human, who sat behind the vampire. He then raised his hand, indicating another vampire to open the gates that had dried creepers curled around it. The gate opened.

  "Welcome back to Veteris."

  Roman and Julie entered Veteris, riding inside and later parked the motorcycle at the side. She passed the helmet to him, and he locked it in the motorcycle.

  Julie looked around the place, where trees surrounded them. Out of nervousness about what might happen, she wrung her hands. As much as she had put her faith in Roman, the faith she had in this place and the Elders was not even zero, but in negative values.

  Julie wondered what was the worst thing that could happen? She dying at the hands of the Elder, or maybe she fainting and waking up to find she was in Heaven? Which was again after being killed.

  Julie felt Roman place his hand on her shoulder, "The more you think about being caught, the more apparent it's going to show up on your face. Believe that no one will catch you."

  She released the breath that she didn't know she had been holding until now. Breathe, Julie, breathe, she told herself.

  "What time are we meeting him?" asked Julie. Unclenching her hands, she rubbed them against the sides of her pants.

  "Now."

  Leaving the motorcycle behind, they walked towards the main building. When they stepped inside, they met Mr. Borrell, who was at the front office, questioning the woman, Mrs. Hill, about something. Sensing Roman, the teacher turned and said,

  "Ms. Dante isn't in the office. She's gone out of Veteris with the Elders."

  "Do you know when they will be returning?" questioned Roman.

  "I wasn't told how long it would take," replied Mr. Borrell. His gaze fell on the human girl, who had caused a slight tension since the last two days. The vampire teacher wondered if Donovan had tricked Roman into bringing the human just to kill her. Azazel Donovan was an unpredictable person, and one could never fathom what actually went in that old, cunning brain of his. "It will probably be best for you to meet the headmistress tomorrow morning."

  Roman gave a slight nod.

  He and Julie turned around when Julie's fingers dug into her palms on seeing the creepy counsellor of the university coming from the entrance of the building.

  "Mr. Moltenore and Ms. Winters. What a pleasant surprise to have you back in the university," Mr. Evans greeted them with an evergreen smile stretched on his lips. He walked towards them with his hands in his beige coat.

  The counsellor stared at her, and Julie put up a small smile before greeting him, "Good evening, Mr. Evans."

  "Unfortunately the last time we didn't get to chitchat. I guess your visit to your family was a good one?" questioned Mr. Evans, his intelligent hazel eyes opening a little wider.

  Julie nodded her head, "It was. I am thankful to Ms. Dante who gave me the permission to go visit them on such short notice."

  "Well, what can I say, Ms. Dante has a heart of gold," a small chuckle escaped from his lips. "Don't forget that my office is always open for you. If you ever need someone to listen to your troubles or if you have a fight with your boyfriend," Mr. Evans' eyes then shifted to look at Roman, who looked at him with narrowed eyes.

  "My girlfriend and I don't want to bother you with such silly things, when I am sure there are other people who need your attention and help," Roman stepped forward, where Julie was left behind, and he spoke to Mr. Evans in a low voice. "Find something else to keep your bored life busy."

  "How rude. I was only offering my help," smiled the counsellor and his eyes sparkled in mischief. "I can help you both. You can stay in Veteris and she can go back home as if she never knew you at all, which solves all the problems. That was Dante's initial plan too. I wonder what you told her that she agreed to, Roman. After all, with the human's fragile self, how long do you think she is going to live? Eighty? Considering all the pollution and the horrible food one consumes."

  "Who knows, maybe you will be the one reaching that point before her," deadpanned Roman, having no interest to take part in the crazy counsellor's discussion.

  Dante had appointed Mr. Evans in Veteris to deal with the vampire students, where some were a handful, by getting into trouble. Not to mention, his sweet personality in front of the humans garnered him to be their favourite compared to the more sane Mr. Borrell.

  "That is an interesting thought, hmm," hummed Mr. Evans, and he then slightly leaned to look at Julie, "Did you bring anything from home to eat?"

  Was he asking for souvenirs?

  Julie gave the counsellor an apologetic look, and she shook her head, "I will bring some for you, Mr. Evans."

  She had bought souvenirs that couldn't be eaten. Her souvenirs were the memories, some that were sweet and some slightly bitter that would fade in time.

  "Excuse me, I need to submit these," Mr. Evans raised his hand that had papers in it, and he continued to walk straight in the corridor.

  Roman said to Julie, "I have something to check. Will you be alright to go to your dorm by yourself?"

  Julie nodded her head, "It's been a few months since I have been here in Veteris, I will be fine," she offered him a smile.

  "I will see you in the lunchroom."

  She made her way out of the main building and looked around the place. Even though vampires were living here, it still felt like home to her. As she made her way towards the girl's Dormitorium, she sensed some of the vampires looking at her with a frown on their face. As if they were shocked on seeing her, wondering what she was doing alive when she was rumoured to be dead.

  While Julie was on her way, someone called her name from the direction of the library. Turning, she saw Dennis jogging and coming to where she was.

  "Hey," Julie greeted him with a smile on her face.

  "Hey. Conner told me that you went to visit your family the day before yesterday," said Dennis, looking at her with questioning eyes. "Is everything alright?" he asked her with a concerned look.

  Julie nodded her head, "Yeah, everything is okay. Did something happen?" she asked him back.

  Dennis took a moment before he lightly laughed, "I was worried if there was some sort of emergency, and that is why you had to go home. Especially knowing how strict the rules are here."

  "My aunt was admitted in the hospital," Julie made up a quick story.

  "What happened to her? Is she alright now?" Dennis had a small frown on his face.

  At first, Julie was going to tell that it was her uncle who was admitted, but she loved her uncle. While her aunt less because of the way she was treated.

  "Ah, she broke her knee. She slipped in the bathroom. But she's going to be alright in a few days of time," said Julie, nodding her head.

  "I see," murmured Dennis before adding, "Good to know that it wasn't more than that. If you are going to your dorm, let me walk you there."

  "That's fine," said Julie, thankful for Dennis' gesture, but she didn't want him to think that he still had a chance with her. That was if it was still on his mind. "Dennis—" she began.

  "I am not asking for you to return my feelings, Julie. Just a walk to the Dormitorium," Dennis offered his help.

  Seeing Dennis being firm with his offer, Julie pursed her lips. She politely said to him, "I don't mean to be harsh or rude, but it is the little things that will make it difficult for you to let go of how you feel."

  Dennis looked away from her, looking ten degrees away from her right while staring into space, and he then said, "I know it is hard for you to understand, and I know you might not listen to me, but he's not right for you. I mean his background is not right."

  Hearing Dennis' words, Julie frowned.

  Did he know something he was not supposed to know? She had heard Dennis's displeasure over Roman time and time again, but this was the first time he had phrased something like this.

  "What do you mean?" She tested him.

  Dennis' lips set themself in a thin line as if he couldn't say it to her. He shook his head before saying, "I am just…… worried for you. There is something I want to tell you."

  Julie nodded her head for him to continue.

  "This month's weekend, once I go back home, I won't be returning," confessed Dennis, and Julie furrowed her eyebrows.

  "What about completing graduation?" asked Julie. "Did something happen?"

  Dennis shook his head, "No, it's just that I think I am better suited for another stream."

  "But you are one of the top students with the highest grades," said Julie, and Dennis smiled.

  "I wish you could come along with me," said Dennis, the look in his eyes turning serious. "Is there any way where I can convince you?? There are better colleges out there, and you have decent grades."

  Julie blinked while staring at Dennis. Was he really asking her to leave Veteris? She turned awkward.

  "I don't think so," said Julie, giving him an apologetic smile with a small frown on her face. "You know, it isn't too late to switch streams in Veteris. I am sure Ms. Dante would be more than willing to help you with it than look for another university outside. Why do you want to leave Veteris?"

  For a few seconds, Dennis was quiet, and he later said, "Staying in the dorms is a little difficult." Julie nodded her head, and he then said, "Can I walk you to your Dormitorium? I won't be here forever."

  "Okay."

  On their way, Julie said, "I thought you were going to compete with Roman for the first position."

  A bitter expression appeared on Dennis' face thinking about it. He commented, "You have already picked him to be first. I don't think I have a chance for it."

  "One day you will find someone you like, who will reciprocate your feelings," Julie tried to encourage him. "Doesn't it bother you that you have to start everything afresh?"

  Dennis smiled, "It is often like that, isn't it? We work hard to achieve something and when it doesn't work out, we start from the beginning."

  "I guess," replied Julie and added, "I don't think I would ever be able to do that." Studying one time was already a lot. Doing it again was nothing less to torture in her mind. She looked at Dennis, who was looking at her, and he smiled. Maybe he was the masochist type. That could be it, thought Julie in her mind.

  Together, they walked to the front of her Dormitorium, and Julie said, "Thank you for walking me here."

  When she was ready to get inside, Dennis looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.

  "I will see you around then," said Julie, and she walked inside the Girl's Dormitorium.

  Julie made her way through the corridor, reaching the front of the dorm. When she took out the key from her pocket, ready to unlock it, something flashed her mind, and her eyes widened. She quickly ran back towards the front of the Dormitorium's entrance, but Dennis had already left.

  It couldn't be, could it? Asked Julie.

  Roman had said that there was someone in Veteris, who wasn't Griffin, who had contaminated the water. From what Dennis said, he was leaving on their holiday, there was still time for it. Maybe it was best to let Roman know about what she heard from Dennis.

  Getting back to the front of her dorm, she unlocked and stepped inside the room before locking it. When she turned around, Julie's head hit the back of the door, and she squinted her eyes.

  "I told you not to sneak up on me," said Julie, while looking at the Corvin, who had appeared in her room.

  'Sorry. I have been waiting for you.'

  "When did you get here?" asked Julie, walking to her table and picking up the bottle to drink water.

  'An hour ago,' said the Corvin.

  Julie finished gulping down the water, and when she pulled it away from her mouth, she said, "That was very fast. Did you find the box?" Her eyes fell on the Corvin's hands, where it had folded its hands against its stomach.

  'Found nothing in there. No box with magic,' informed the Corvin. Julie took a deep breath, and she said,

  "My mother must have hidden it somewhere safe, unless my father has already found it and has taken it with him."

  Julie wondered if there was a place that her mother visited when she was still alive.

  With the Corvin, who didn't move its hands, and staring at her, she asked, "What is it?" The creature stretched its hands towards her and said, 'Yours.'

  Julie took hold of the picture from the Corvin, seeing it was of her and her mother in it. Months had passed, but her mother's memories were still fresh in her memory. I promise to visit you soon, mother, said Julie in her mind.

  Looking up at the creature, she said, "Thank you for bringing this to me." She took the photograph and placed it between the pages of her books. "Thank you for going to my place and looking for the box. Why hasn't your body stabilized even after such a long time?" she questioned it.

  The creature raised its hand forward, taking a look at it and said, 'Born like this.'

  "I found something strange today," said Julie, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. She looked at the Corvin and said, "I think there's someone apart from me, who probably knows or doubts that there are vampires in this university."

  'People eventually find out,' came the Corvin's dull response.

  Julie's lips set themselves in a thin line. She said, "If you don't have any other plans, can you check what this person named Dennis Mcoy is up to? You will find him in the boy's Dormitorium. He wears glasses and combs his hair this way," she showed using her hands.

  When the creature didn't respond, Julie wondered if it was tired with all the travelling it had done. She then said,

  "If not, you can rest. I will let you know if something comes up," but the creature didn't make an effort to leave, and it continued to stand in its place. "Is there something you would want to talk about?"

  'Cannot pass through,' the creature seemed slightly distressed when it revealed it to her.

  "What do you mean can't pass through?"

  The creature moved its wooden hand along with its stick fingers to touch the wall. It then tapped on it, and Julie finally realized what it meant. She said, "You are not able to walk through the walls. How about apparating like you usually do?"

  'Trying since an hour ago when I didn't find you here,' the Corvin replied.

  "Did your powers disappear again?" Julie's eyebrows knit together in concern.? This was not good. It was like she suddenly brought a pet to her dorm, which was quite large and was half a bird.

  If its ability had disappeared, would it mean people could see it? She couldn't lead the Corvin through the door as apart from her being caught, it would lead to people receiving heart attacks by the sight of it.

  "It's okay. You can stay here with me tonight and let us figure this out together. I don't have many visitors except for Rome—"

  Someone knocked on her dorm's door, interrupting her words.

  "Did I jinx?" murmured Julie under her breath, while wondering who it could be.

  "Julie, are you in there?" came Melanie's voice from the other side of the door.

  Julie quickly looked around her room before she opened the cupboard and looked at the creature. The Corvin stared back at her, and though she couldn't see its expression, she could tell it wasn't happy with her suggestion.

  She whispered, "If you aren't able to apparate or walk through the walls,I think people can see you. Let's not take the risk. In you go."

  When the creature still didn't move, Julie pushed the clothes that were hanging in the hanger, quickly making space and thankful that there was no compartment on this side. She pushed the Corvin to get it inside the cupboard. Once she was done with it, she said, "Now don't make any noise. Especially, don't sneeze," and she closed the cupboard.

  Julie then went to the door. Opening it, she found Melanie standing outside her dorm.

  "I am so glad you are back," Melanie seemed genuinely happy, as if she wasn't here for a week when it was only two days. "Is everything alright back home?"

  "Everything is okay. How are you? How is Conner?" inquired Julie. She took a quick look at the cupboard before looking at Melanie.

  The last time she was here, she had heard Conner had been compelled, and Melanie had been compelled right in front of her. Considering how Melanie wasn't questioning why she jumped out of the window, she could only guess that one of the teachers had erased her memory of it.

  "I am okay. Conner is still recovering from Reese's loss," replied Melanie, and she looked a little tired. "It feels terrible seeing him like this, so heartbroken. Though he tells me he's trying to pull through, I see sadness in his eyes."

  Julie put her hands around Melanie's shoulders, bringing her to sit on the bed, and she said, "Everyone has their own time to grieve, let's give him the space he needs. I know it's hard to see him like this, but it'll be just for some time. Where's Conner now?"

  "Not in his dorm," replied Melanie. "He didn't attend class yesterday and skipped today too. I found him in the library, buried under books. I guess it's good that he's doing something at least right?"

  "Yeah," agreed Julie, "It's better than staying in the dorm."

  Julie could tell that Melanie wanted to help Conner, but after Reese had come to the scene, she had drawn a gap between them.

  "How are things at your uncle's place?" asked Melanie, changing the subject.

  "It's okay," replied Julie, "At least for now."

  After chatting with each other for close to an hour, Melanie finally stood up and said, "I will let you change your clothes and be in my room. When you want to head to the lunchroom, let me know."

  Julie nodded her head, "I will be quick." Offering her a smile, she saw Melanie to the door before closing it.

  There, thought Julie to herself. Thankfully the Corvin had stayed quiet all the time without stumbling out of the cupboard.

  It would probably be a good idea to sneak outside the Dormitorium today if the Corvin wouldn't be able to apparate even tomorrow. But what if someone caught it, that would be troublesome. When she turned, she heard another knock, and she opened it.

  Julie's grip on the handle of her door tightened on seeing Elder Azazel Donovan in front of her dorm.

  She asked herself if it was alright to close the door and jump out of the window now.

  But then there was the Corvin hiding in her cupboard.