Bethany watched from the rooftop as the new students began to stream in. One at a time, stepping from cabs and limos. A larger group exited a city bus. Twins leaned in the window of a private car, kissing the driver and the front seat passenger goodbye. Bethany frowned. Something was wrong. She had been too taken up with meeting new people to put a finger on it but now she did. There was no smell of prey in this place. Her head swam and she gripped the brick wall. Groping in her pocket, she pulled out a vial of blood. Uncorking it, she tossed it back like a shot of whiskey.<br/><br/>"Tsk, Tsk," a male voice behind her chided. "No alcohol at old Worsham Academy. The Old One's frown on it."<br/><br/>Bethany whirled around, palming the now empty vial. The guy lounging against the door jamb was, in a word, beautiful. She found herself drawn to him, wanting to run her fingers through his sandy blond hair that lightly danced in the night breeze.<br/><br/>"Who. who .who are you?" she stammered, feeling awkward and adolescent.<br/><br/>"I'm Creede," he answered, walking toward her, his hand stretched toward her.<br/><br/>Bethany shuddered. She resisted the urge to throw herself into his arms, just barely resisted.<br/><br/>"Creede?" she countered," First or last name? Are you a student too?"<br/><br/>He just smiled, a hundred watt smile, and she was drawn like a moth to the flame to the brilliance of it.  Bethany licked her lips slowly.<br/><br/>"Just Creede. "came the answer. "I'm a senior."<br/><br/>He stopped short of touching her and once again Bethany resisted the urge to mold her body to his. A look of consternation crossed his face.<br/><br/>"What?" Bethany demanded, crossing her arms defensively.<br/><br/>"You have the advance of me, babe." He said, flashing that smile again. "I don't even know the name of the woman breaking my heart."<br/><br/>Bethany's heart rolled over and panted.<br/><br/>"Oh, I'm Bethany Rutlege. My first year here but Junior status. Nice to meet you." This time she held out her hand and he took it. Gently tugging her closer, into the inner sanctum of his body space. This time when he smiled, fangs gleamed in the starlight. She answered in kind. Something flickered behind his eyes.<br/><br/>"Well, I suppose you know my gift is compulsion. What's yours?" His eyes were dancing with a galaxy of stars.<br/><br/>Bethany breathed," I fly."