“Aido! What the hell are you doing?!” I heard the angry roar in the background, but it didn’t really register over the sucking noise echoing in my ears. It was only when I felt Aido being flung away that I finally relaxed, but I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes. “Cassie, Cassie, are you alright?” I felt Akatsuki’s muscular arms around my shoulders and fell against him weakly. “Akatsuki, I’m sorry,” I mumbled quietly, but he shook his head and rocked me gently for a minute. “Are you okay?” I nodded, and stumbled unsurely to my feet, opening my eyes.

Aido was huddled across a tree, clutching his knees. His eyes were back to their customary blue, but were sparkling slightly. “I’m so sorry, Cassie,” he whispered, raising one trembling hand to shove his blonde hair back. He shook his head. “I am so sorry…” he repeated. I took a few unsteady steps over (Akatsuki was constantly hovering nearby, his hand by my elbow in case he needed to catch me) and rested my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Aido. I’m fine, so don’t worry.” He didn’t look convinced – unsurprisingly, considering how weak my voice was.

“I think you should go now, Aido. Leave us alone. Either get to class or go to the dorm; just get away from me and stay away from Cassie.” Akatsuki’s voice was harsh and commanding, and Aido was quick to comply. He scrambled up and ran away without so much as one backwards glance. Akatsuki watched him disappear into the gloom of the night before turning to me. “I didn’t know that he would…I’m sorry. I should have warned you earlier.”

“Is this your something?” I asked quietly, watching carefully as Akatsuki nodded carefully. “So what, you’re…what? What are you? Is everyone in the Night Class like it?” Akatsuki sighed and sat on the bench again, playing mindlessly with my fingers. “I’m a monster, I know. Yes, everyone in the Night Class is a beast in human form. We’re vampires. We prey on the weak and suck their blood.” I sat down next to him. “You actually suck people’s blood?” He shook his head, his eyes wide with pleading. “No, no, we don’t; we don’t. Most vampires do, but…well, our class did a research project and came up with these blood tablets that try to…satiate the thirst. But obviously, it can’t suppress it completely. As you’ve just found out. You know…you can go if you want. I wouldn’t blame you.”