Students spent most of the morning reading reports and have discussions. If I had to guess, everyone would receive a good mark. Mr Yuto must have known I did not complete the exercise because not once did he call upon me to read what I should have had. I bet he thinks he was doing me a favour.

Didn’t know if I should feel relief or irritated.

It surprised me that Mr Yuto didn’t harass me this morning. It was quite rare. Although I caught him glimpsing at me. It made me wonder what he was thinking.

Religious Education class followed History. My morning continued rather slowly, and matters that occupied my thoughts weren’t school-related in the least. My history teacher, Mr Brown, closed the door to the classroom with a bang and all eyes moved in his direction.

“Good morning, class.”

“Morning Teach.”

Mr Brown started off the class by taking attendance. Sitting around his desk, he called names one after the other. I zoned out after a few names were called. I sent Uta text messages before class, but since I forgot my cell phone inside my locker, I am sure if he replied or not. I needed an update on our vampire situation. I checked my watch. Forty-five minutes reaming in class. I couldn’t wait that long. I dug into my bag for my bathroom pass and held my hand up.

“Yes, Ji-Hye? I haven’t called your name yet.”

“Sir, I want to use the restroom.”

He lowered his glasses. “You just came in?”

“I have to go.”

“Let her, sir. You don’t want her creating a flood, do you?” Cece butt in. Most students believe Cece was popular because she was dating Witt. True was—she worked hard for her high status.

Mr Brown gave me a hard look then sent me off. I headed out of class and down the hall where lockers lined the walls. My boots clicked on the floor as I hurried. I twisted and turned my locker combination. The darn lock was difficult. Frustrated, I knocked the base hard and everything dropped to the floor. Swearing, I squatted to recover the junks I kept, including my Pandora bracelet given by Uta. Most of the charms fell off, leaving a single fang. I rose to my feet after retrieving the phone and deposited the rest of charms in my pocket.

Upon entering the restroom, I turned to close the door behind me, and that was when I detected a familiar scent. That rare scent, which was like a fishhook with bait, and I’m the fish who got caught each time. I smiled and turned around.

Our eyes met, and blood suffused my cheeks in a deep blush.

He grinned broadly. “To what do I owe this surprise?”

“Your blush is beautiful. Whenever your face turns into that frequent scarlet shade. Priceless!” Uta commented.

“You’re making it worse.” I giggled into my palms.

“That’s the idea.”

I peeked up at him. He was dressed in a white V-neck shirt, dark blue jacket, and a pair of low-rise pants. His hair fell over his forehead and he pushed it back.

“Don’t hide your face when I went through the entire day longing to see it.”

I looked at him. He held my gaze and made one step toward me. He grabbed my wrist in one hand and pinned me to the bathroom door. His movement caught me by surprise, knocking the breath out of me.

“We shouldn’t do this now.” His mouth lingered at my neck, his breath warm against my skin.

“Isn’t this what makes it exciting? Moments like this, spice by the fear of someone bursting through the door at any second.”

My lungs filled with a rich musk emanating from his skin. He sucked my neck, his teeth travelled across my skin, fingers snaked tantalisingly through my hair. I could feel the point of his fangs, like the tip of a sharp butcher’s knife, as they grazed my skin. He slid them up and down my neckline. I swallowed. With any slight additional pressure, they will pierce my skin, channelling my blood into his mouth.

He drew back, eyes searched my face. I gasped at hunger burning in them. The tip of his fingers traced my neck.

“Don’t be frightened.”

“I’m not.”

He pulled my face toward him and pressed his lips against mine, sending exciting shivers up and down my spine. I lost myself in his kiss.

His free hand twisted itself in my hair, and mine did a similar dance on top of his head. His body was warm through his t-shirt and I crushed myself to him eagerly. He tugged on my bottom lip with his and just when I thought I’m enfolded in his kiss; he pulled away, carefully dragging a little of my lip with him.

“Why are you here?” I asked, still trying to level my breathing.

“Can’t I come to see my favourite girl?”

“I’m glad you came. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“What were you thinking about?” He sucked on my neck again and moved his teeth against it.

“Just wonder how you’re coping.”

Uta didn’t comment. Instead, the pressure on my neck intensified, and I screamed low from the sudden, sharp pain. He stepped away from me, shocked. I growled under my breath and lifted my hand to my neck. There was warm liquid on my fingertips. I brought my hand to my face where I saw blood.

He bit me!

His eyes were no longer their normal marble brown. Red. The colour a vampire’s eyes become when their blood count was low. Uta quivered. Sweat coursed down his face, and he growled under his breath. Dread shot through me and I hurried to him.

“Uta! What’s wrong?”

He pushed me away with ease. I felt like a leaf moved by the wind. I stumbled backwards, trying to gain balance. Uta held one outstretched hand toward me, warning me not to get closer.

I didn’t obey.

“No! Stop.” I froze, but only for a second. Moving instinctively, I hurried to his side and held him around the waist, bearing him up. “I’m sorry.”

My neck hurt, but I dismissed the pain.

“I thought I could control it until I return home.”

“Control what? What’re you talking about?” I demanded.

“Yasu and I went to the Institute to check on things. We lost track of time and I didn’t get to feed. My last feed was yesterday morning.”

“You need blood.”

Well, that explained it!

Him sucking on my neck, the way he allowed his fangs to move oh so against my skin. He tasted my blood. Holy crap! Uta tasted my blood, but it wasn’t enough to give me what I wanted.