SOPHIE STAYED OUTSIDE for a few moments longer. The gentle wind felt good against her skin. When she felt the need to leave, she made her way back toward the main hallway. She reluctantly watched as the stone door clicked shut behind her. She reached out and scratched a small line into the stone with her nail. Once it was marked, she made her way back toward her bedroom.

She needed to tell Aubrey about the path.

Her bedroom was vacant. Sophie looked around and noticed a small post-it note on the desk. It read: 'Went to eat –Aubrey'.

It took her a moment to realize what Aubrey meant. Neither of them had eaten since Sophie moved to her new bedroom. Sophie quickly changed into a nicer, flowy shirt. She walked to the bathroom and made sure that her hair looked alright. Then she followed the sound of chatter.

Her ears lead her out the door, down the hall, and to the right. The entrance to the dining hall loomed ahead of her.

She gently pushed the massive door open and stepped inside. Her gaze skirted around the room –it was filled with students, both vampire and human alike. The human hearts pounded like humming birds. Their skin was flushed with blood, and Sophie swallowed against the pain that started to burn at the back of her throat. The smell of rust and something flowery filled her head.

"Sophie!"

Her name was whisper, but it carried above the chaotic chatter. She turned toward the voice and was relieved to find Aubrey. The blond vampire sat on top of the platform, surrounded by tables of Night Class students. Their gazes locked. Sophie stared toward the steps and walked across the platform. She pulled out an empty chair beside Aubrey and sat down.

Immediately, a server approached. A silver glass was placed in front of Sophie, and the human guy seemed flustered as he asked for her order. Sophie shook her head. She wasn't interested in food right now.

"You came just in time," Aubrey whispered when the server disappeared. "The Headmaster was just about to make an important announcement."

Sophie let her gaze move around the room again. "I have some news. I'll tell you later, back in my room," she whispered back. Aubrey nodded. She reached out and picked up her own silver glass. She lifted it to her lips and drank.

As the liquid shifted around inside the glass, its smell wafted toward Sophie. She sniffed and her throat screamed with pain. Her hand shot out and grasped her own silver glass, lifting it to her face. Deep red blood sloshed around inside. Sophie's stomach twisted with disgust. But before she could comprehend what was happening, she drained the glass.

Another was set down before her. Sophie lowered the glass and looked up. The server smiled at her, almost nervous. He was either so enraptured by her appearance that he was clueless about the bloody drink or he knew and was completely terrified of her. She couldn't tell which.

He took the glass from her and vanished. Sophie lifted the new glass and nursed it, taking small sips of the thick liquid. The scorching sensation inside her throat dulled with each swallow.

The sound of someone clearing their throat echoed throughout the room. The whispers died down, and attentions swiveled toward the platform. Sophie immediately located the source. The Headmaster stood in the center of the platform, only several tables away from her own. His gaze locked with hers and his expression twisted with a grim smile.

"I apologize for interrupting your dinner," he said, his voice carrying across the room. He looked around, and his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. "I have an announcement to make."

Sophie pursed her lips and looked at Aubrey, who wore a wary expression. She continued to sip on her drink and listened to the Headmaster.

"As you are all aware, we have already lost two students so far this year. I believe they were targeted by someone outside of the school," the Headmaster continued. He paused, took a breath, and then continued. "There has been another attack."

Several shocked gasps rang out. Human students leaned closer to each other and started to murmur. Each word said was like a shout in Sophie's ears. It wasn't hard to pick each voice apart. Her gaze darted toward the right, toward a small table at the edge of the room. Familiar mahogany curls bounced as Tabatha leaned back in her seat. Her expression was grim. The redheaded twins shook their heads and grimaced. Kitty had sunk low in her chair, her expression impossible for Sophie to see.

Sophie watched them interact. She was almost overwhelmed by the amount of longing she felt. She missed hanging out with them, especially Tabatha.

"As of tonight, I have decided to create a curfew," the Headmaster's voice silenced the light chatter. "No one in either class shall be permitted outside of their dorm rooms after eight o'clock. I apologize for any inconveniences. The faculty has been advised to punish anybody who doesn't abide by curfew. When I am able to put an end to the attacks, I will personally announce that the curfew will be lifted. Am I clear?"

Heads bobbled up and down. Sophie glanced at Aubrey, lips twisting around a frown. Aubrey shared her look and then returned her attention to the Headmaster.

The Headmaster nodded in approval and then dismissed them. After he wished them a great night, the old vampire disappeared from the dining hall. The moment that he left, the chatter started. Sophie listened to it half-heartedly. There was a bunch of speculation about the newest attack. Most wanted to know who the victim was. There were a few who seemed to protest the new rule as well.

To her right, Aubrey drowned the rest of her drink. Then she set the glass back down on the table and turned toward Sophie. "Let's go back to your room," she murmured. "We can talk there."

Sophie nodded. She devoured the rest of her drink and then followed Aubrey toward the door. When she reached the massive wooden obstacle, Sophie paused. She felt a heavy weight on her back –it felt like laser vision burning into her skin. Her head turned, and she looked back over her shoulder. Immediately, she found the table that held Tabatha and the others.

All four of them watched her leave with stoic expressions on their faces.

fun fact: this chapter marks the weekend that my old roommates and I got into a car accident. This huge deer darted out in front of us. We were alright, but my roommate's car was not. And, to be honest, both me and her entire family believe that car is cursed. They have practically had to replace everything on that car --from accidents that were not her fault-- in a span of three years! It's insane.