Vorden came down and returned the spider to Logan. Lana was sitting there just listening, she heard the words of those around her but she was focusing on something else. Vorden confirmed what she already knew which she knew he would. She felt like an outsider with this group but knew she was here for a reason.
Cia asked what the plan was and Lana wanted to slap her across the face. The plan was already decided and orders already provided by the party leader. Why is she questioning him? She was already feeling frustrated. She wanted Sil but knew she couldn't have him right now. The mention was made by Logan of Quinn and the potential of him exiting the mountain.
"Quinn has an exit near him, on the other side of the mountain," she said in a dreamy voice. Trying to take in information while providing it was exhausting. She didn't know how Logan did it. The trees here had created her an overlay and she was trying to analyze where they had come out and where the exits were as well as where Quinn fell. She had to backtrack in her mind to see where all that happened in relation to the exits. She wanted sleep more than anything right now.
Lana took out a bottle of water and washed the blood off her and Vorden from when they climbed out of the hole in the ceiling. The others were thrown up by Quinn so only their feet had blood which had long since worn off.
Vorden got her to an alcove that was big enough to fit three. Lana had her own bedroll for two but the others didn't. She even had a small two-person tent but didn't use it here. Logan had to provide a bedroll for the others so they could sleep. They took turns sleeping so there could be someone to look out for danger.
Lana was not chosen to do watch and permitted to sleep the whole time. Lana told Vorden he could lay down with her since the amount of bedrolls was limited. Hers was big enough for two so he got some sleep as well. Lana provided some snacks and Logan had a food pill for everyone as well.
When everyone was rested, they set out. Logan had once more demonstrated using the vampire scent spray and everyone was refreshed before heading into the forest. As soon as they entered the forest Caser saw something that looked tasty so she removed its head with her whip and fed him. He even ate the beast crystal inside it. Lana thought that was interesting but also important. She needed to fully understand his needs to ensure he was happy.
"You know, we should probably test that our masks work here," Lana stated.
Logan stopped while everyone kept walking and tested it. Lana put hers to her face and heard Logan and she responded. Logan then caught up with them. It wasn't hard, they were walking at a leisurely pace. It was still dark so it was best with human eyes to be safe.
Lana had turned off her light crystal the minute they saw the exit coming out of the tunnel. She didn't want unwanted attention. She suggested the mask check because Logan once again explained why they have them before entering the forest. Layla said it was a jinx.
Lana was more relaxed in the forest than the others. Lana was enjoying the new plant species they were seeing. The people around her were still talking about themselves as if they were not vampires and they were trying to pretend they were. She decided it was best just to keep listening.
Cia asked what would happen to them if the vampires found out they were not vampires. With the level of stupidity coming out of this girl Lana really questioned the intelligence of bringing her along. Vorden needed her ability, but she had no clue this girl was this much of an idiot. Logan answered her pretty succinctly and Layla didn't like him doing so because of how the answer affected Cia. Vorden suggested we stop asking questions we don't want answers to.
"Here, here," Lana responded.
"Are you okay, Lana? You are not talking much," Vorden asked.
She nodded. "Just listening. If they ask, we are part of the 10th family. They are … strange. It will explain why we don't know anything."
"Have you gotten anything else about the vampires?"
"I suggest you quit excluding us and referring to us as other than vampire. Fex and Peter are locked up somewhere is all I have gotten in that regard," Lana responded.
Vorden looked shocked, "You've been listening all this time and that's all you got?"
Lana chuckled. "You never did understand my ability. The trees don't know much about the vampires, for one. Apparently the majority stay in the city. They hear rumors here and there. In fact, what they heard about Peter and Fex is just rumor. They didn't witness anything. I hesitated to even share that. Now, if you'd like me to share the stories of the beasts the trees are witnessing, I'll be happy to share."
"There is a funny story of a chickadee-like bird who told his mate he was going out for a worm-type food and went to visit another female bird instead…" Lana chuckled. "I, in fact, need this information because Caser needs to eat. If he runs out of the food I brought for him, I need to know where to get it. I also need to know if there are any beast areas I need to stay clear of while hunting."
Vorden had a look of sudden realization on his face and seemed to button his lips. "Keep listening please."
Lana smirked and did so. It wasn't long and they heard leaves rustling. "Vampires heading to school." She said it so softly only Vorden heard it. She heard two vampires talking about being late approaching the group. She heard something about them thinking their group wasn't moving fast enough, going to be late.
Two figures suddenly dropped from the trees in front of them. They were both male, one had dark skin named Fred. He had a crew cut and Snow had long wavy hair that split down the middle, shoulder length.
Fred informed them they were going to be late. Logan stated "late" rather than using a questioning inflection. It seemed he wanted to appear as if he was trying to recall what he was late for. He was the group's impromptu spokesperson.
Snow shouted, "Yes, late, they'll kill you if you're late!
Fred responded, "Yeah, the teachers will kill us. It's the first day of school after all."
They all decided to travel together quickly but in silence and along the ground instead of in the trees. Lana was a bit sad about that. The trees here seemed to enjoy the interaction. Vorden didn't feel he looked like a kid but the others he was traveling with did. Especially Logan with his short stature. So he understood them being mistaken as students.
The group noticed they were not going to the city but off to the side. Fred was getting impatient, calling them slowpokes and something about him being nice and showing them a faster way to get there. There were four separate buildings and a few hundred students entering the school.
Most students were going to the main building. The other three buildings appeared older. Fewer students were heading that way. Snow stated something about getting them there and not blaming them for being late.
The group was debating the merit of going to the school versus the settlement. Cia wanted to leave, then started freaking out when she saw a girl with wings and a tail. Vorden was sensible and said if the rules state kids their age should be in school, going to the city could get them in trouble. Layla mentioned the school won't know about them. Logan said he would handle that. He also stated this may be a great opportunity to learn about Fex and vampires.
Before going in, he reminded them of the spray once more. Though the spray may cover their human scent, it does not cover the scent of the inside, such as blood. Cia had trouble stealing her nerves but with Layla there, she managed to move forward. As they got to the middle of the field, they heard screams and the girl with wings and a tail as well as others started running toward them. The five girls all looked a little odd. They looked more demonic than vampiric. Tails, red skin, different variations.
Layla was then pointed at by the blond girl with a tail, large breasts, and a single horn on her head. Vorden quickly looked away from her. It was obvious to Lana that Raten said something inappropriate and made Vorden uncomfortable. She smirked at Vorden's discomfort. The blond girl then got close to Vorden because she noticed his reaction and had her tail trace up his leg until he told her to stop. She pouted about it.
The girls then crowded Cia out and surrounded Layla. One touched her horns declaring them real. They seemed starstruck and asked if she was a hannya. Layla replied in the affirmative shyly. She was not used to attention and thought her horns made her look ugly. Here were a bunch of girls stating how beautiful she was. The blond linked arms with Layla and took her off. Cia tried to stop them but Logan stopped her.
Logan had noticed the different types of people going into different buildings. It was explained to Layla vampires went to the main building, category A went to a different building, B in another but they were C so they were in yet another building. The blond promised to look after her.
Cia now felt alone. She was never really part of the group. She had been assigned just like Duff. The difference was Cia had come out of left-field to Quinn's group. She was Layla's other roommate but they never talked. Duff was Lana's classmate. In a class that small talking was inevitable. Cia's personality never meshed with the group either, especially with how she treated Vorden as a piece of meat. She had no memory of any of that but the group all remembered.
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