Principal Shepard was sitting behind his desk, papers scattered around, reports waiting to be read, documents requiring his signature-all the left over remains of the political fallout that followed the attack. A soft knock came from the door.
"Enter." His gruff voice called back.
The door opened and Gavin entered followed by Erza who shut the door behind her. "Hey grandpa," Gavin greeted.
"Gavin my boy, come in. Glad to see you up and about," Principal Shepard's warm, genuine greeting brought a smile to Gavin's face.
They walked over and stood in front of Principal Shepard's desk. Erza gave him a kind smile and a wave as Gavin pulled out the documents from his bag. "Found this last night while in the library," he said.
Principal Shepard took the documents and began to flip through them. "What is thi-" his words cut off as he saw the photo that Gavin found.
His eyes narrowed as he read through the article. "They were students here," he mused. "Xenon and Cedrion Deluge," he continued reading. "Interesting. All this time, and their names were right here, under my very nose."
He looked up and a wide grin spread across his features. "Thank you for this. This helps more than you know," he said.
There was a glint of excitement in his eyes as he went back to reading the documents. It appeared to Gavin as if Shepard was trying to memorize every inch of information and photo in those articles.
"What are you going to do?" Gavin asked.
Shepard looked up. "Formulate a plan, gather allies, and get revenge for our family from eighteen years ago," he replied simply. His eyes glowed a deep crimson as he looked at them both.
Gavin nodded, expecting this kind of answer. "I plan on going with you when the time comes."
Shepard shook his head. "No, Gavin. I'll not risk losing the only family I have left. This is my burden to bare."
Erza put her hand on Gavin's shoulder to steady him. "Now isn't the time to argue about this. Let's focus on what we came for, school, training, growing stronger."
Gavin reached up and covered her hand with his own. "Ever my voice of reason." He offered her a small smile.
He turned to look at his grandpa. "Fine, but this conversation isn't over yet. I want a piece of those bastards as much as you. They took my birth family from me; from Helena. Attacked this academy, nearly kidnapped our friends; I could go on," Gavin said, a low grow emanating from his throat.
Shepard's features softened. "I understand. They will suffer, and justice will be dealt. I promise you. But, I can not risk the future of the Lykos pack on this vengeance vendetta. Let me and my team handle this. But," Shepard held up one finger to stop Gavin's protest. "If I need you or your friends help, I will come to you with a plan that ensures we all come home."
Gavin closed his mouth. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. "Fine, arguing more won't do anybody any good right now." He opened his eyes to look at his grandpa. "I just don't want to lose one of the last family members I have left."
Shepard smiled softly. "I know, my boy. I feel the same. No matter what happens. I will come back."
Gavin and Erza said their farewells and left Shepard's office. As they were leaving the lobby, a strange woman dressed in furs who had a wild, intense look about her caught Gavin's attention.
She had long, wavy black hair with red highlights throughout her hair, that was pulled back from a tanned face by a simple bandana. Her eyes met his and a shiver ran down his spine.
Quick as the sensation came, it vanished as she entered the elevator and the doors closed.
Erza noticed his attention on the elevator and stopped. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing, I think," Gavin replied and before he could dwell on it any longer his stomach rumbled loudly.
"Come on, let's go get some grub," Erza said pulling him along.
They walked along the semi-crowded paths towards the housing wing, their stomachs rumbling.
Gavin walked in, mid conversation with Erza and a strange sensation washed over him. Familiar, yet foreign. The last time Gavin felt this sensation was when Astrid and Kara appeared outside his tent over the summer.
I recommend activating your Soul Sense, Gavin. I sense possible hostility nearby, Veronica chimed in.
Without hesitating Gavin followed her advice. He came to a stop beside Erza and activated his Soul Sense skill. Immediately his vision shifted; colors distorted and hues twisted. Every living person had a glowing aura flowing around their bodies. Unlike back then, his control of the skill had improved considerably.
Now, every person's aura could be split into one of six colors. Each one associated with one of the six Demi races. Gavin scanned through the crowed and as expected; all he saw were the familiar green hues that most shifters had. Gavin's attention was quickly drawn towards the back of the cafeteria. A pale student leaned against the wall with black hair, and a glowing red aura around their bodies.
Gavin's eyes narrowed as he ended the skill. "Vampire." Gavin's words were a hushed whisper to Erza. She followed his gaze and saw the student that leaned against the wall.
"You sure?" she asked.
He nodded. "Soul Sense. Has the same, unmistakable aura." Gavin replied. Why would a random Vampire be here now? Is this in response to what AJ told me, about the first trip through the dungeon? His thoughts ran circles around themselves as he stood frozen.
AJ, where are you? Gavin sent the mental thought.
What's going on? You sound worried.Her reply was almost instantly.
There's a vampire in the first floor cafeteria of our dorm. I don't recall seeing a vampire the first day before the attack, so maybe I'm being paranoid and it's nothing. But I have a strange feeling about it. Gavin responded.
I'll be there soon. Don't do anything particularly stupid until I arrive. I don't want another incident to have to report, AJ said.
Gavin tugged on Erza's hand, his gaze never leaving the Vampires'. "Come on. Let's get some food."
Erza followed along quietly, though her body was tense in Gavin's grip. "Did you already contact AJ?" she asked.
He nodded as they stood in line. "Yeah, she's on her way. I don't want to bother Jackson and Helena about this yet. Who knows, it might just turn out to be nothing," Gavin said wistfully.
They grabbed their food and found a quiet table and took their seats. Gavin made sure he could keep that strange Vampire in his sights while he ate. A chill ran down his spine.
"You think you're safe, hiding in these walls. But, nobody is safe from the council. Blood was spilt, and blood must be paid," a voice whispered right in Gavin's ear.