In our dorm room, we watch as Logan busies himself with setting up the computer and monitors.
I could have easily done it myself, given that my uncles in America run a high-tech computer company and my mom is a computer whiz. But Logan is the new guy on the team, still finding his footing on this mission, so I let him take the lead.
After about an hour, everything is up and running. Logan has also installed motion detectors in the garages and some alleyways around the building where Professor Albescu teaches. This is a precautionary measure, just in case the professor works late and is left unguarded.
Suddenly, a knock on our door has Jenna springing up to answer it. It is Victor, bearing the gift of coffee. After distributing the cups, he hands me a slip of paper.
“That’s the professor’s address. It’s a small, two-story house just off campus. There are some trees and bushes around the property, but none close to the house itself. The roof is steep, so it can’t be used as a hiding spot. There’s a garage in the back alley and a small backyard. I’ve already scoped everything out and took some pictures with my phone.”
He hands me his phone, and I scroll through the photos. The house is a typical middle-class home. Nothing extravagant, but rather a charming little house.
I hand him back his phone. “Did you get any information from the others? They’ve been here for a week. Have they noticed any activity or figured out his schedule when he’s not on campus? Is he dating or does he have visitors?”
Victor shrugs. “They say he gets deliveries from the blood bank twice a week. Not many visitors, just a couple of men from the university. Fellow professors. They have card nights, but they rotate houses. As far as they could tell, he hasn’t been seeing anyone.”
“All right then!” I stand up. “Rueben, you’re on first shift. If he leaves for any reason, follow him. I’ll relieve you once I’m done at the library. I have a paper due on Friday!”
The boys leave, and Jenna stretches out on her bed.
“I’ll relieve you. What time?” She yawns and covers her mouth.
“I’ll text you. Make sure your phone is charged!” I warn her. She has a tendency to forget to do that. I could mind-link her, but when she’s asleep, she’s really hard to reach. Even her wolf sleeps deeply.
I watch as she plugs in her phone and settles back down. She gives me a smirk and closes her eyes. I grab my backpack and head for the door.
“Happy studying!”
“Smart ass!” I mutter as I walk out the door.
“I heard that!” she yells just as the door closes.
As I walk across campus, I notice a couple of the extras standing watch. They nod as I pass by. At the library, I pick up the reference books I need and find a table to start working.
Before I know it, five hours have passed with my nose buried in the books. I close the last book, pack my notebook into my bag, and stand up to stretch my back. It is time to head back to the dorm and get ready for my shift.
When I walk in, Jenna is still snoring. That girl could sleep through anything! I quickly change into my leather jeans and a long-sleeved leather top. I strap on my belt, load up my knives and a wooden stake, and tuck the holy water into a small compartment.
I slip more knives into my boots, pull my hair up into a high ponytail, and strap my sword to my back. All this, and Jenna still sleeps through it. Unbelievable! I step out into the dorm hallway and head for the fire escape. I slide down the handrail, landing softly on my feet, and then disappear into the night with my super speed. Being a wolf shifter definitely has its perks!
I find Rueben easily and tap him on the shoulder. Squatting in the bush beside him, I whisper, “Any action?”
“Nothing. He got home around seven. The lights came on, and it looks like the TV, but it’s been quiet. No movement inside that I could hear. Trust me, I was straining to catch anything! Did you finish your studying?”
“For tonight. I took a ton of notes. Wouldn’t it be something if I actually passed his class!” I giggle.
“Why not? You’re super smart. Alpha Boris is a genius! It makes sense that you are too,” he grins.
“That’s still to be determined.” I chuckle. “Go! I’ve got this for a while. Do me a favor, start texting Jenna around five. The girl was still out when I went back to change.”
He starts backing out of the bushes we are hiding in. “Will do, boss. See you tomorrow.” Then he disappears. Part of our training is to come and go quietly and quickly. To be as undetectable as possible. My team is good. The best of the best. I am proud of them.
I hunker down, preparing myself for a potentially boring night. I don’t have class tomorrow as I am only in two of his, but I do want to scope out more of the university.
I sit there until almost midnight. Then I notice movement toward the back of the house. It isn’t someone going in, but rather the professor coming out. He is on foot, dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt with a light jacket. I watch as he unlatches his back gate, steps into the alley, and heads out.
Staying in the shadows and several feet behind him, I follow him toward campus. He has his hands shoved into his pockets and seems to be just out for a midnight stroll. Not really headed anywhere in particular. I follow quietly, observing him. He isn’t in a hurry, just walking along.
Soon, we are back on campus. He walks past the fountain and tosses a coin in. Then he turns up a sidewalk and walks past the library. There are a few people around, heading back to their dorms. I hear laughter and spot a group of students, obviously drunk, stumbling down the sidewalk in front of the professor.
They greet him as they pass, the girls giggling and giddy. He acknowledges them briefly but continues on his way.
He circles around the campus and stops again by the fountain. By this time, I find it easier to follow him from the rooftops of the buildings. I have climbed up and am watching from above.
He sits down on the low wall and trails his hand in the water, seemingly lost in thought. I notice a shadow move. It is several yards behind him.
If I hadn’t been hyper-vigilant, I might have missed it. I maneuver myself to another building and get behind him. I watch the moving shadow carefully.
The area around the fountain is lit, but not well. The shadow turns out to be a man. I have a gut feeling it is a vampire.
Then I notice two more, working to trap him between them. I slip over the side of the building and creep silently up behind.
Without warning, the first creature lunges at Andrei. Andrei’s movements are so swift, it is nearly impossible to keep up with him.
The other two join the attack, and I intercept one with my sword. I decapitate him in one swift stroke!
Andrei has the other one suspended in mid-air by the throat. The first one makes another attempt at Andrei, but I am suddenly there, my fist lodged in his chest.
He looks at me, his eyes wide as I yank his heart out and toss it aside, watching as he disintegrates into dust.
I turn my attention back to Andrei. He is looking at me, an eyebrow raised in surprise. His eyes are glowing a brilliant white.
The remaining vampire is still hanging in the air, held aloft by Andrei’s iron grip.
“Good evening, Aspen. Isn’t it a beautiful night?” he says, a smirk playing on his lips.
I can’t help but return his smirk.
