I cast my gaze downward at Iravan, who was attempting to nestle against my neck, seeking solace in a comfortable position. My fingers brushed against his damp, raven-black hair as I gently nudged him, guiding him toward the comfort he craved.
A faint smile tugged at my lips; there was something endearingly childlike in his actions.
Once he ceased his wriggling, having found his resting place, Jonathan and I managed to navigate our way out of the shadowy woods. On the opposite side of the road, a sleek, obsidian vehicle awaited us, its elegance stark against the dim surroundings.
As I trailed behind Jonathan toward the car, he paused, casting a glance at Iravan before turning to me. "Should we restrain him? What if he awakens and panics while I'm driving?" I met his gaze, a flicker of incredulity crossing my mind. "Even if you bound Iravan, he would easily break free; his strength is beyond the ordinary. The sirens' power remains a mystery to me. We must hasten to the school. And I need to return home before my mother discovers my absence."
He sighed, shaking his head, and opened the rear door. With careful hands, I lifted Iravan and settled him into the back seat, the task proving more challenging than anticipated due to his size.
I studied his youthful visage, perhaps no older than sixteen, a mirror to my own age. I tucked his arms close to his sides, ensuring he lay flat against the seat. Questions swirled in my mind—what had drawn him so far from home? Did he have a family waiting for him? Quietly, I closed the door and slid into the front seat.
As I settled in, two crows soared overhead, their dark forms cutting through the twilight. Tapping into my supernatural senses, I strained to catch their conversation.
Jonathan spoke, "I'll meet you both at the school. Inform Lucas that I require the nurse's office for special guests and have the other nurses relocate their belongings."
Raven replied, "Understood. We'll see you at the school. The entire place will be abuzz with news of a dhampir and a siren. I can hardly contain my excitement for the days to come."
Jonathan smiled enigmatically, shaking his head as he observed the crows darting away with an urgency that seemed to echo the mysteries of the night.
He approached the car, the door creaking open like a whisper in the dark. "Are you ready?" he inquired, his voice low and inviting. I nodded, casting a glance back at the slumbering Iravan, a figure wrapped in shadows.
As Jonathan ignited the engine, a low rumble filled the air, and he turned to me, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Dawn, we're strangers in this vast night. Would you like to exchange questions as I drive? We can keep it light; no need to delve into the depths if it feels too personal."
I pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement. "What's the name of the boarding school?" I ventured, intrigued. "Ah, a fine inquiry. It's called 'The Boarding School for the Elites,'" he replied, a hint of mischief in his tone.
My eyebrows arched in surprise at the name. I had heard whispers of this institution, a place rumored to select only those with exceptional intellect, granting them access to unparalleled education. "So, it's that renowned school for the supernatural? I thought it was merely for the gifted," I remarked, a sense of wonder creeping into my voice.
He chuckled softly, "That's merely the façade presented to the world. In truth, it serves a different purpose altogether." Then, with a glint of curiosity, he posed a question, "What led you to wander into the woods at such an hour? Shouldn't you be nestled in your bed?" I met his gaze, the memory vivid in my mind. "A scream pierced the night, awakening me. I followed it, drawn into the woods, where I discovered Iravan. I believe that was when he transformed into a human."
Jonathan's eyes flickered with intrigue as he focused on the road ahead. "How did you hear the screams? Is that one of your dhampir abilities? Legends say that dhampirs unlock their powers through blood." I nodded, the truth resonating within me. "Indeed, that's true. Strangely, I've acquired some abilities without partaking in blood.
I can't quite fathom why I was able to hear the siren's call from such a distance while I was lost in slumber." His gaze lingered on me, a mixture of fascination.
I inquired, "What were you and the crows up to in the woods?"
Jonathan's demeanor shifted, a shadow crossing his face as he glanced at Iravan before facing forward. "A friend of mine, a police officer, reached out about a disturbing incident involving a school bus. The driver was besieged by a swarm of frenzied birds.
I felt compelled to investigate the scene, to uncover what could provoke such chaos and lead to the demise of those birds upon impact. I hoped it was merely a natural occurrence, but alas, I was mistaken."
I nodded slowly, my gaze drifting back to the slumbering Iravan before returning to the path ahead.
Jonathan then probed, "Does your mother know what you truly are?" I shook my head, replying, "No, she remains unaware of my nature."
His eyes widened in astonishment as he pressed further, "She has no inkling? That makes sense; your powers typically awaken in your teenage years. How old are you, by the way?"
I met his gaze, stating, "I'm 16." Yet, despite the age of this body, my mind carried the weight of countless lifetimes, memories swirling like mist in the recesses of my consciousness.
I pondered the enigma of my past, a strange sensation enveloping me. Some memories felt distant, shrouded in a fog that thickened the more I sought clarity. Fragments of my childhood and adolescence flickered in my mind, but the tapestry of my youth and adulthood remained obscured, including the circumstances of my demise.
I rubbed my forehead, a dull ache blossoming with each attempt to delve deeper into the shadows of my memory.
The inability to recall was unsettling, a gnawing dread that something vital eluded me, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty.