Chapter 25

As previously expected, Federica, Ethan, and Gessy were suspended for a full week, with assignments piling up. Even though Liam asked Mr. Adams, he didn't want to punish them because Ethan accidentally spilled it, but instead, he got a sharp look and said that Liam's hand could be worse and become disabled if he didn't get first aid. This incident reached the ears of the school principal, causing the three teenagers to be given a thorough lecture about the dangers of chemical liquids on the body.

"Even though the liquid didn't have any effect on Liam," Ethan hissed, not accepting that he was being blamed in the principal's office. "Unless he turns into Godzilla."

“Shut up!” Gessy grumbled.

After the lecture by Mr. Charlie and Mr. Adams, the three students left the principal's office; Federica left her two friends without a word. Ethan just snorted and didn't care about Federica. He felt that he was right.

"You don't want to follow her?" Gessy asked while they were still in front of the door.

"For what? Just leave it alone," snapped Ethan. "She chose Liam more than the two of us. She chose that stupid vampire, Gessy."

Gessy's narrow eyes narrowed even more until they looked like straight lines; she shook her head in disbelief at Ethan's words. "You're childish, Harrison. It's like this isn't you."

For a moment, the man with jet-black hair stared at Gessy. He didn't know what made him like this. It's just that he doesn't like that Federica prefers Liam in anything. Federica is a good friend, especially since she is a half-blood whose identity no one else should know. He just wanted to protect Federica in his way.

"I don't know, maybe I need some fresh air," said Ethan. "Let's go."

###

The long-eyed girl with pale, porcelain skin walked quickly toward the health room. Her breath became more rapid as her heart beat faster when she saw the health room sign. She stopped momentarily while rearranging her hair, which fell to her shoulders, and straightening her uniform. Then she smelled her scent, whether the vanilla perfume William bought her was still there.

"It still smells good," she muttered, smiling with flushed cheeks.

She slowed her steps and peeked at the figure of a red-eyed man covered in contact lenses lying on the bed. Federica entered while greeting a health worker, making the man turn to her.

They both smiled faintly with a slightly stiff atmosphere. Liam got up from his sleeping position and leaned against the head of the bed, waiting for the beautiful girl to sit in the chair on Liam's left side.

"Hi," said Federica in an awkward tone.

Liam raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. "That's such a stiff greeting, Fed."

"Oh, shit. Alright," said Federica, laughing as she pulled up a chair. "How are you?"

Liam was silent, his gaze fixed on the health officer writing a report. The man approached Federica's right ear and said,

"It's just a small wound that can heal itself. At least this is the advantage of being a vampire, um... I mean not being a pure human," Liam whispered, making Federica stifle a laugh. "You know, the wound healed an hour ago."

The girl's head nodded and looked at Liam's eyes from a very close distance. Even the man's breath could be detected by Federica's sense of smell. This time, there was no stinky aroma like a few times ago. Instead, there was a sweet aroma like chewing gum.

"Fed," Liam called. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or lie to you. But, I had nothing to do with Blake."

"So?"

"I just want you to believe what I said. Ethan wasn't wrong, considering the history between our clans. But what he accused me of wasn't true. Blake and I---"

"Never mind," interrupted Federica. "I'm... just scared, Liam."

"Why?"

"It doesn't matter."

Liam was silent, not daring to ask, even though one question was still in his mind. Why did Federica know about vampires and werewolves? Why was Blake so obsessed with this girl? Isn't Federica the same as the other girls, only she is so beautiful with her hair sparkling in the sun? He pulled away and leaned against the headboard while playing with the white blanket.

"Liam."

"Hmm..."

"If you ever live long in this country. Can you show me around?"

Liam laughed and then looked at Federica. "That seems like a good idea, considering you got a suspension, and I got a break."

They both laughed, causing the health worker to rebuke them. Federica felt something tickle her stomach with a feeling of happiness that was so overwhelming. If you remember, maybe this was the first time he laughed out loud with someone.

###

Without asking Ethan's permission because she was still annoyed by the man's childish attitude, Federica decided to visit the werewolf's house to meet Aaron. Even though she plans to go with Liam, the vampire attacks and servants may continue again.

While running past bushes and tree trunks that were covered with moss, now and then, the girl, with a big smile, looked back to make sure no one was following her. By sharpening all her senses, Federica's hands were ready with a gun and a silver knife, even though it would be difficult to use these two weapons simultaneously.

She stopped when she felt something moving behind the bushes ten meters from where he stood. Federica took a stance while slowly walking towards the object on her right side. There was a rotten aroma piercing his sharp nose with the sound of moans asking for help.

"Who is there?" shouted the girl while pointing a gun.

Federica hid for a moment behind the trunk of a towering redwood tree. Now, he was less than five meters away, close enough to kill or be killed. She looked down with the knife in her left hand while her right hand was ready to pull the trigger of her gun.

In a split second, Federica caught something behind the bush. At the same time, her eyebrows furrowed. A ferret was lying with blood soaking its body and an arrow stuck in its lower body.

Quick as lightning, Federica pulled the arrow and threw it carelessly. "Are you okay?"

The black-furred ferret with yellow stripes nodded weakly. "Can you understand my language?"

The girl scratched her head without itching. "Yeah, I'm the same as you. Let me take you to my friend's house; they'll take care of you, okay."

The ferret nodded as Federica carried his body. "Hang in there. How did you get attacked?"

"Some humans acted, but a group of vampires attacked them. I... don't know whether they died or became servants."

Federica cursed in her heart and regretted what happened to the poor ferret. He ran again, hoping the animal would survive until she reached Aaron's house.

Please hold on!