An Attack in the Night

As the sound of crumbling rocks and shifting walls subsided, a young man, looking to be in his mid-teens, pushed and crawled his way out of the rubble, looking rather worn.

“Lucian!” He wiped some of the dirt from his face using his sleeve and stood amongst the rubble. “Where's Kyrie!” A tall, burly man grabbed Lucian by the shoulders and shook him, just at that time another young man ran up behind the them.

“Luthe! Calm down, we'll find her.”

“Shut up, Kayne. Lucian, look at me-where's Kyrie?”

The boy blinked and tried to focus, “I don't know, I lost her when the building began to collapse.”

“Dammit! I sent you with her to protect her!”

“I don't need protection.”

Luthe and Kayne turned around abruptly to face a young brunette, grasping her badly injured arm. “There you are!”

Kyrie stumbled, her eyes fluttered and she fell forward to land in Kayne's arms.

Four Years Later

“Kyrie!”

A young girl with shoulder length, brown hair and emerald green eyes quickly turned away from the book she had been reading to face the tall, masculine figure of Kayne.

“Kayne! You scared me...”

“What are you doing down here so late?”

Kyrie turned back to her text book, “Can't a girl study in peace?”

Kayne walked up next to her and peered over her shoulder, “It's after hours. All students are meant to be in their dorms.”

“The school's regimen is ridiculous. They gave us only two weeks to study for a test that counts as 50 of our grade for the semester...”

Kayne closed the book and rested his chin on Kyrie's shoulder, “Quit for now, and I'll help you study whenever you want-as long as it's during school hours.”

Kyrie sighed, “All right. I'm doomed to fail, anyway.”

“You should pay more attention to your studies, instead of filling your head with fantasies.”

“What are these fantasies of which you speak?”

Kayne turned his head to whisper in her ear, “Warm embraces, passionate kisses-”

Kyrie blushed and nudged Kayne off of her shoulder, “Cut it out Kayne, sheesh, I'll quit. You're creeping me out.” She picked up her books and turned to Kayne, “I can see why they made you class president. You're very persuasive.”

“Thank you.”

Kyrie smiled and handed him the books, “It wasn't meant as a compliment.”

As Kyrie entered her dormitory she heard the soft, even breathing of her sleeping roommate, she slowly moved through the room without turning the light on and managed to find the closet. Inside she pulled the string as the light flickered and illuminated the darkness. She slipped out of her school uniform and put on a white night gown. After turning out the light once more, she crept out of the closet and stumbled to her bed.

The next morning, Kyrie was nudged awake by her roommate, Morgan, “Kyrie! You're going to be late, you stayed up again didn't you?”

Morgan sighed as Kyrie mumbled and turned to face the wall, then jumped as a new presence entered the room, “Won't wake up? I'll handle it.”

“Um... All right, Kayne.”

Kayne knelt over Kyrie's bed and leaned closer to her and gently bit her ear. She woke up with a squeal and barely missed slapping Kayne across the face. “Kayne! Don't scare me like that! I thought you were a rapist!”

“Come, come now, Kyrie. If I was a rapist, that wouldn't have been the first thing I went after.”

Kyrie rubbed her face furiously, attempting to cease the blushing, only succeeding to worsen it, “Kyrie, stop! You're making it worse!” Morgan laughed, sat on the bed and pulled Kyrie's hand from her face. “You need to get up now, you have just enough time to take a shower and make it to class on time.”

Kyrie yawned and stood from the bed, “Thanks for waking me up, next time don't involve Kayne.” She stuck her tongue out and him and was about to walk into her closet when a voice sounded from the intercom.

Attention all students: All classes are hereby canceled for the day; all students are to report to the auditorium at 9:00 AM and remain in doors until further notice.

'”What's this about?” Kyrie looked at Kayne who seemed just as puzzled.

“I don't know, they didn't say anything to me about it.”

Kyrie thought for a moment then realized something, “Did you see Lucian, yesterday?” Kayne seemed to flinch at the question and shook his head, “What about you?” Kyrie said, referring to Morgan.

“No, I haven't seen Lucian in a couple days actually...”

Kyrie took a moment to think, “I thought he might have just skipped school yesterday, although it's unlike him, he has done it before... He usually stops by before class, though.”

“Maybe he hasn't gotten here yet?”

“No, are you kidding? He usually wakes YOU up... I hope this doesn't have anything to do with him.”

Kayne was silent for a moment, clearly in thought, before starting out of the dorm, “I'll go find out.”

“Wait for me!” Kyrie ran after him, ignoring Morgan's complaints towards her attire.

“Shouldn't you put clothes on?”

“I have clothes on, besides, you wouldn't have waited for me.”

“Is he really worth your dignity?”

Kyrie stopped abruptly at his statement and watched him walk swiftly towards the main office, What's that suppose to mean?

Kyrie caught up with Kayne just as he was walking into the office. “Headmaster Markus, what's this about?”

“Ah, Kayne. I was hoping you would stop by, you need to review this speech. As president of Class A, you have the most authority of the three presidents, therefore, you will state the situation and the effects caused by it. Hello, Miss Kyrie, of course you will aid him as president of Class B.”

Kyrie nodded gently, “Of course.”

“What's going on? Why wasn't I informed of this?”

The headmaster looked up from the papers on his desk and sighed before continuing, “You weren't informed of this because we received word of it only two days ago. We had yet to confirm some things and we didn't want to alert the students without knowing everything.”

“So it's serious?” The headmaster sighed and gave Kyrie a quizzical look.

“I don't believe that is in the dress code.”

Kyrie looked over her nightgown, “Well, we don't have classes today... So I...” Markus looked at her expectantly, “I was in a hurry, all right!?”

“Tell me what has happened!”

Markus sighed once more, “Some students have been attacked-”

“Lucian wasn't one of them?!” Kyrie suddenly shouted in shock, cutting the headmaster off and turning his, as well as Kayne's, attention to her.

“No. Their names were Michael Williams-Class A, 18 years old; Cherise Verity-Class B, 16 years old; and Jonathan Verity-Class C, 14 years old... Michael's head was severed-ripped from his body... Jonathan was unharmed...”

Kyrie grasped Kayne's arm tightly as Kayne spoke calmly, “Lycanthrope most likely... What about the girl?”

“Cherise, had been drained entirely of her blood.”

Shock was evident on the faces of Kyrie and Kayne as the words left Markus' lips, “Vampirism? Is it possible that the vampire ripped Michael's head from his body in a struggle?”

Markus shook his head solemnly, “We found traces of saliva on the body.”

Kyrie suddenly veered forward, covering her mouth, “I'm sorry... I can't-” she quickly ran out of the office, Kayne following closely behind.

Kyrie took one last drink from the water fountain and sat on the bench just outside the office. “I'm sorry, I just... I kept seeing it... It was too much... Cherise was in my homeroom...she...” Kyrie paused, took a deep breath and continued, “I overheard her talking with her friends... Michael had asked her out and she was griping about how she had to take her little brother with her... I...can't imagine how he must feel, having seen it all.”

“It'll be all right, Kyrie. We'll find who did this and do something about them...”

Kayne sat on the bench and laid his hand across Kyrie's tightly clenched fists, “Kayne... What was Markus implying?”

“I'm not sure myself... From the details of the attack, it sounds like there was a lycan as well as a vampire involved... Perhaps the three students accidentally stumbled into a fight between the two...”

“Possibly... But, the hatred between rogue vampires and lycans is well-known... One's distaste for the other is surely stronger than either one's dislike of humans. The students' natural instincts would be to run upon encountering a fight between the two, so why would a lycan and a vampire halt their battle to chase after them?”

“Unless the students didn't find them...” They looked at each other in distressful wonder.

“Which means they found the students. Very good, you two.”

Kyrie and Kayne turned to face Markus, who was standing in the office doorway, “Headmaster... Is it true?”

Markus brought his hand to his chin in thought, “That's what we've been investigating... Of course, lycans and vampires with an understanding of one another would be more likely to cooperate...”

“You're suggesting that students could be behind the attacks?” Kayne asked.

“I don't like to, but yes, that is indeed what I'm suggesting.”

“Each student's race is confidential, how will you question us without exposing our races?” Kyrie was now standing, showing her great concern in the matter.

“One at a time, and in complete privacy. It will commence immediately after the meeting. Speaking of which, you should probably dress soon, Miss Kyrie.”

Kyrie blushed and nodded, “Yes, of course.”

As Kyrie stepped out of the bathroom, into the hall of the students' quarters, Morgan looked up from her spot on the floor, opposite the bathroom, and away from her magazine.

“So, what is this all about?”

Kyrie looked to the floor, “I'd rather not talk about it... You can hear if from Kayne at the meeting, right?”

“Yes, but if something is really bothering you-you can talk to me.”

Kyrie nodded, smiling gratefully, “I know, thank you. We should be getting to the auditorium.”

As Kyrie and Morgan came to the auditorium, they split up; Morgan going ahead into the auditorium, Kyrie continuing down the hall to enter backstage.

Kyrie looked around, she found several other student government members there as well... However, something disturbed her: where was Lucian? As the head of the Students of Security(SoS), he should have been there. “Are you going to be all right?” Kayne had sneaked up behind her, causing her to jump in surprise.

Kyrie nodded, “Yes, I'll be fine, thank you Kayne.” She then heard Markus finish his speech and call for Kayne.

“That's our cue...” She then slowly followed Kayne through the curtains, as she was followed by the rest of the student government committee.

Outside the infirmary, students' were spread all throughout the hall, talking amongst themselves-waiting for their turn. Kyrie and Kayne were also waiting. For the first hour or so, several students had approached them, wanting more information about the situation, finally Kayne announced that they knew nothing more and the students, eventually, settled.

“Kayne...?”

“Yes, Kyrie?”

“Where do you think Lucian is?”

Kayne sighed and leaned against the wall, “I don't know... It is kind of strange-that all this happens and he disappears. “I hope he's not involved”...is that what you're thinking?”

Kyrie shifted so that she was leaning on Kayne, “No... I know he isn't... I just hope he's all right.” She closed her eyes and laid her head against Kayne's shoulder, he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair before closing his eyes as well.

“Ky-y-y-rie! Ka-a-a-yne!”

Kyrie opened her eyes at the sound of her name as well as giggling and whispers, “Morgan?”

“It's your turn... You two sure look comfortable!” They could clearly hear the teasing tone in Morgan's voice as she spoke.

Kyrie stood up from the floor and rubbed her neck, “Looks can be deceiving...” Kayne then stood up as well and dusted himself off. “Be back soon.” Kyrie walked away and Kayne turned to Morgan, who was staring at him intently.

“Yes?”

“Oh, nothing... It's just...I've never seen you look so...blissful.”

“I was sleeping, what you seen was unemotional simplemindedness.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

Morgan walked away, still giggling and Kayne sighed and sat on the ground once more.

“Ah, Miss Kyrie. Being a human, I don't need to do anything really, I trust that you do not know anything of the situation that I didn't inform you of?”

“No, I don't, Sir...but I do have a question.”

Markus was putting several test tubes, filled with a thick crimson liquid, in box as he spoke, “Yes, what is it?”

“Do you know where Lucian is?”

He stopped his fluid motion and turned to Kyrie, “He still hasn't shown up?” Kyrie shook her head, “Hm... That's a bit unusual, but nothing to worry about. I'm positive he is fine, he'll be back-do not worry.”

“Yes...but that did not answer my question-”

“Miss Kyrie, I would love to talk, but I still have hundreds of students to check. Now, if you will...”

Kyrie sighed and slid off the tall chair, “Yes, Headmaster.”

Back in her dormitory once more, Kyrie, clad in her swimsuit, opened her closet to grab a towel, “I'm going to do some laps.”

Morgan spoke from her seat at the desk in the corner, “All right, be careful Kyrie, make sure you come back before seven.”

“Yes, ma'am.” Morgan rolled her eyes and Kyrie left.

The water rippled, splashed and swirled as Kyrie swept through it elegantly. Her thoughts as she swam were roaming every which direction, always leading to one particular thought-Lucian: Where was he? Was he all right? Why was the headmaster trying so hard to avoid her question? And What reason would Markus have to hide Lucian's whereabouts from her?

Exhausted, and with her mind still in thought, she wrapped the towel around her and left the gymnasium.

As she walked down the dark, silent hallway she noticed there was no one around. I must have taken longer than I thought... The chilling air sent shivers throughout Kyrie's body, spooking her. She began to walk faster until she passed a hall and heard a growl. Trying to stay calm, she kept walking, staying at a steady pace when she heard the tapping of claws against the floor. Kyrie then stopped and slowly turned around, her heart racing; she came to face a very large wolf with dark brown, matted fur. Saliva dripped from it's fangs as it's face twisted into a snarl, Kyrie took a step back and it countered with a step forward. From the moonlight flooding through the window, Kyrie could see the wolf's muscles flex as it's legs bent and it's head lowered.

In one fluid motion Kyrie brought her arms up to shield her face and neck, while simultaneously tripping over her feet to fall to the ground. Bracing herself for the searing pain she expected, it caught her by surprise when she suddenly heard a sharp yip, the grunt of a person and the shuffling of bodies, she quickly dropped her arms to watch a tall figure stand up from the floor. As he lifted his head, the moonlight lit his face.

“Lucian!” Without thought, Kyrie leaped to her feet and ran to Lucian to take him in an embrace. “I was so worried about you!”

Lucian, not having taken his eyes off the recuperating wolf, gently pushed Kyrie behind him, “Stay back, it's on it's feet.”

Kyrie peaked around his shoulder to see the wolf standing eerily still, it's eyes were a bright piercing blue and set on Lucian... It's eyes suddenly shifted towards her, causing her breath to catch in her throat-Lucian, without missing a beat, quickly shifted in front of her.

“Who are you? What business do you have with our school?!” The wolf quickly sprinted down the hallway and, even before Lucian could attempt to chase after it, crashed through the window.

Kyrie stared in wonder at the shattered window. How could it manage to break through the glass uninjured? “Do you think he's alright?”

“What are you doing out at this hour?”

“I went to do some laps... I was lost in thought, I didn't realize how late it was... I'm sorry.”

Lucian sighed, “I'll take you back to your dorm, I suppose I better report this tonight...”

“I want to come too...”

Lucian took off his uniform's jacket and placed it around Kyrie, “Take this, it's cold.”

Kyrie smiled, “Let's go.”

Lucian and Kyrie began to walk toward the main office, but to their relief, Headmaster Markus came running around the corner, still dressed in his suit from earlier that day. “Working late, Markus?”

“Lucian! What made that crash?”

“A lycanthrope. It jumped out the window.” Markus ran to the window and stuck his head through the hole.

“Well, it's gone now... What did it look like?”

“Dark brown fir, bright blue eyes.”

Markus sighed and rubbed the back of his head, “Well, that's a little more information than we had originally. You two get back to your dorms... I'll take care of this...”

“I would like to talk to you, Markus... Tomorrow morning?”

“That's fine, keep this quiet will you? We have no need for the students to panic.”

Kyrie tightened the jacket around her, “The students have a right to know...”

Markus pulled a cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number, “Cleanup-first floor, gymnasium hallway,” He closed it and returned it to his pocket, “Believe me, Miss Kyrie, we will take every precaution needed for the students' safety.”

“People don't realize how serious this is-a tragedy, yes, but they think it was a chance occurrence... They have no idea that a vampire and lycan were involved, let alone that they were working together.”

Markus sighed, a habit as of late, “Miss Kyrie, with all due respect-I will handle this, we don't have enough information at the time to answer all the questions that would arise if the students knew. Now if you don't mind, there is work to be done and you two need your rest.”

“Everything will be fine, Kyrie-Let's go.”

Kyrie sighed gently and reluctantly followed Lucian down the hallway, “I don't want to go back to my room yet, I need to talk to you first.”

Lucian led Kyrie back to his room and flipped on the light, he opened his closet and grabbed two shirts and two pairs of sweatpants, “Take these, you need to get out of that wet suit. You can change in here.”

Kyrie grabbed the shirt and walked into the closet-a moment later she walked out and laid Lucian's jacket on his bed, “Where have you been Lucian?”

Lucian was pulling his shirt over his head as he spoke, “Luthe and I went to check the area around the attack.”

“Luthe!? When did he get back?”

Lucian sat on his bed and rubbed his eyes, “He didn't, he met me there...but he had to go back to the city.”

“Oh... Did you find anything? Neither of you are hurt are you?”

Lucian chuckled, “No, and no. There were ten to fifteen caves in the area, we checked each of them, but only so far... There could still be something in them.”

“So, you'll be going back then?”

“I don't know, Markus might not send me...”

Kyrie sat on the bed next to him, “Tell me if you go this time, all right? I was afraid something happened to you...”

“Markus didn't tell you?”

Lucian brought his leg up to rest on the bed as he turned toward her, “No, I asked him, but he kept avoiding the question. It was all very confusing... I'm just glad you're back, and with such an entrance!” Kyrie laughed for a moment then smiled at Lucian sincerely, “Thank you... I might have really been killed if it hadn't been for you.”

“Hey,” Lucian moved closer to Kyrie and held her close, “I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.”

Kyrie smiled and found herself relaxing her head on his shoulder, “Lucian... Can I stay with you tonight?”

“People would misunderstand, it would get us in trouble.”

“I'll sleep on the floor and sneak out in the morning... I'm just so tired...and I feel safe with you...”

Kyrie went to move off the bed, Lucian stopped her, “No, you sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the floor.”

“No, Lucian... I'm not taking your bed. How about I just sleep next to the wall-you can have the outside.”

Lucian laughed and laid back onto his bed, “That won't help the misunderstanding of the situation...”

Kyrie yawned and crawled up next to Lucian, “Eh, I'll just sneak out... Everything will be fine...” Kyrie snuggled into the pillow and sighed content, “Goodnight Lucian...”

Lucian pulled the cover up over the both of them and turned to watch Kyrie drift to sleep, “Goodnight... Kyrie.”