Page 84 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

“No,” I say, too quickly.

The last thing I need is Susie intervening on my behalf.

“Are you sure?” Susie presses. “I don’t want you to have to risk getting in trouble.”

“I’d take her up on that offer, if I were you,” Harvey says. “Else Marmala might go and give you detention with Zott.”

“She wouldn’t!” Clara cries, mortified.

“She might,” he says. “She’s done it to me before.”

“That doesn’t count. You requested him. To try and weasel extra credit out of him.”

“Well, Marmala approved it,” Harvey says, nodding with satisfaction before adding slyly, “And extra credit I did get.”

Clara scowls. “Only you could get extra credit at detention.”

“Nonsense, anyone could.” He spoons up more porridge, entirely too pleased with himself. “Well. Depends how far you’re willing to go.” He winks at me.

I’m left curious as to what extra credit with Zott had involved—and then decide, immediately, that I don’t want to know.

“I’d be happy to chat with Marmala now, if you like,” Susie says softly, glancing towards the staff table.

I don’t follow her gaze. I haven’t let myself look in that direction once this morning. The thought of seeing Nathaniel—of accidentally meeting his gaze—is unbearable. I don’t know how I’d react. Whether I’d feel angry, or shake, or tear up, or…simply freeze.

Yes. Probably that.

I need to sort my head out before our paths cross again. And I need a proper plan.

“Kira?” Susie prompts.

I jump slightly.

“No, I’ll be fine,” I say, busying myself with my scrambled eggs.

Susie watches me closely.

“Are you alright?” she asks, her voice so low I doubt the others hear us over the chatter in the room.

“Fine.”

“Are you sure? You seem…out of sorts. Compared to yesterday.” She pauses, as if choosing her words carefully. “Has something happened?”

“I just didn’t sleep well,” I say, then add, “but the blankets and pyjamas helped. Thank you for that.”

She smiles. “Of course. Hopefully you’ll sleep better tonight.” A pause. “You know, I know it must be difficult. This place can be a lot to take in, even for students who are excited to come. If you ever need to talk about anything—if you’re feeling upset or homesick…” I don’t answer. “Or…if something has happened…?”

My pulse kicks hard. So. She already knows about my little venture into the assembly hall last night. Which means she has conferred with either Nathaniel or the headmaster—or both. Is she spying on me? And why lie about it in the first place? It’s locked. Nothing in there but an empty hall. Her own words, said so easily.

“I’m fine,” I say, forcing the biggest, fakest smile. “I’ll make sure I get an early night.”

By the end of a double period of Etiquette, my brain has turned to the same consistency as Harvey’s porridge. It’s not tiredness, exactly, but a fog that sits behind my eyes. It makes it difficult to concentrate, my mind still trapped somewhere in the redlit assembly hall, perpetually staring up at those dead bodies.

Recess isn’t much better. Becky tries to make me write something for Marmala, but all I manage is my name at the top of the parchment before excusing myself to the bathroom. I spend the next few minutes locked in a cubicle, sitting on the closed toilet lid with my knees drawn up, waiting for the bell to ring.

What’s wrong with me? Everyone seems to be asking, even the voice in my head.

But it isn’t me. It’s this place.