"You don't need her. Imagine that she hears about all the lives you've taken, what do you think that she's going to say?" Mr. Rayner said as he caressed Asher's shoulders.
"Dad, that was in the past." Asher said.
Mr. Rayner chuckled. "It was in the past but nothing has changed. Those people haven't come back to life either."
"I'm your son! You can't threaten me with something like this." Asher said.
"You're my son and last hope, Asher. You're the only one that can accomplish this mission with ease." Mr. Rayner said.
"I have said it. I don't want to do it." He said.
"I'll give you time to think about it. Whatever you do, have it at the back of your mind that she would never accept a vampire. She might even end up loving her guardian." Mr. Rayner said and Asher's heart thumped.
He stood for a while before walking out. He met Mia and a guy at the door but didn't bother to say anything. They weren't his problem right now.
Mr. Rayner sat down with a displeased look on his face. He wasn't going to just fold his arms and watch Asher back out of this. Even though vampires are immortals, their powers are not always that trustworthy, and his is failing him already. He needs Cassie to re activate his energy and gain more power by taking over the throne.
He has trained Asher for as long as he could remember. Of course he was Asher's father and it is good for Asher to do whatever he wants. How can a little girl come out of nowhere and ruin everything?
His thoughts were interrupted by the screeching of the door. He looked up and saw someone whom he recognized as Mia but the person beside her... he had no idea who that one is.
"Good day, Principal Rayner." Mia greeted in a mocking way.
"What are you doing in my office?" He asked.
"You wouldn't answer my greetings?" She asked but he ignored her. She sighed and answered his question, "I brought my brother here. He wants to be enrolled here."
Mr. Rayner looked at Ian closely. Obviously he isn't the only one who is after Cassie. There are others as well, and if the demons know then the witches know as well. He would have to act fast.
"He has no qualifications." Mr. Rayner commented.
Mia laughed. "Since when do you care about qualifications, Rayner?" Mia asked. "I've known you for centuries, and I can tell that you're purposely doing this. Why?" She asked, even though she knew why he refused.
"What's your problem? Stop bugging me. Take your brother and take his elsewhere. I am giving no one admissions." He said.
Mia chuckled. "Well, I guess he would still school here. Besides, we don't need qualifications because we aren't bonafide students of this school. We all are here for the same reason." She smirked and left with Ian.
Mr. Rayner knew what she meant and that angered him more. He wasn't going to let anyone take over the throne of pure magic! It would be his and no one else's.
***

THE CAFETERIA
Cassie sat down on the table with Kash. She was eating while Kash played with his food.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Hmmm?" He looked up.
"You're not eating." She said and dropped her spoon.
Kash cleared his throat. "I'm not hungry." He said and she glared at him.
"You're not hungry?" She asked and he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Then, I am not hungry too." She pushed her food aside.
"No, you can't." He said.
"Why?" She asked with her hands folded.
"Because, watching you makes me full. I am satisfied just by watching you eat." He said and smiled.
"I'm not gonna buy that lie. If you aren't going to eat, how will you get the strength to train and guard me, huh?" She scolded.
"I'm always full of energy." He said.
"Don't be too confident," She poked his forehead and he pouted even though it didn't hurt him a bit. "I'm going to feed you then." She said and his eyes widened.
"You're... not going to do that. You're joking right?" He asked.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" She frowned and he almost burst into laughter but suppressed it.
"No." He said.
"Now, open up." She said.
"Don't worry, I'll eat now." He smiled nervously but she wasn't buying it.
"I said, open up." She lifted the spoon to put food in his mouth but he held her hand and their eyes met.
He quickly let go of her hand. "Umm... You don't have to stress yourself. If there is anyone who should feed another, I should be the one feeding you. I am here to serve you and not the other way round." He said and she smiled.
"Well, since you don't want me to feed you, I'll have to compel you then. You know, you have to stop acting like you're my servant. I don't see you as one at all. I see you as a friend." She said and tapped his nose.
Kash was shocked and became nervous. Did she just tap his nose? Is he her child now? He could feel his cheeks burn and he looked away.
"Okay but you don't need to compel me. I'll eat, I promise." He said.
"I want to see you eating." She said and rested her jaw on her hands.
"You can eat too." He said. He didn't want her to watch him eat, it would make him nervous.
"Nah! I want to watch you eat." She said.
He facepalmed and exhaled. Okay, now he is witnessing her stubborn side.
He was about eating when Mia and Ian came to meet them.
"Hey, Cassie. Long time, no see." Mia said stealing glances at Kash who dropped his spoon and watched her.
"Hello, Mia. Where have you been?" Cassie asked, smiling.
"I've been around. Just went to take care of some stuff. How about you?" She asked.
"I'm good." Cassie replied.
"Meet Ian, my brother." She said.
"Good day. Mia has told me a lot about you." Ian said. He wanted to shake hands with Cassie but the glare Kash gave him, made him to change his mind.
"Mia only knew me for one day. How come she has told you a lot already?" Cassie asked.
Mia and Ian exchanged glances. "Yes! You're... you're right. We only met once and got to know each other. Those were the things I told him." Mia said.
"Okay?" Cassie said.
"So, Cassie, how about we go somewhere and talk." Mia requested.
"Can't it wait till I am done eating?" She asked.
"I'm afraid not. Remember what I told you last time?" She asked.
"Yeah." Cassie nodded.
"I missed out a detail and need to tell you what it is." Mia said.
Cassie looked at Kash and he shook his head. She got the message immediately and faced Mia. "I'm sorry, Mia. Maybe next time." She said and started eating the food she left.
Mia looked at Kash and he smirked then winked at her. She glared at him but that didn't move him, it only made his grin wider.
"Um... Okay, Cassie. See you later." She said and waited for Cassie's reply. Cassie only nodded and Mia left with Ian.
After they left, Kash asked, "Who is she and how did you know her?"
Cassie explained how she met Mia to him. "I haven't seen her since then, though." Cassie said.
"Do you know that she is a demon?" Kash asked and Cassie gasped.
"A demon?"
"Yeah, which brings us to your first training. Detecting the bad guys." He smirked and she faced him with a confused expression.
"How am I supposed to know how to do that?" She asked.
"You have me." He answered and she smiled.
"So, what's the first step?" She asked.
"Body language."
***
After Asher left his father's office, he went to a corner and sat there all alone, thinking about his past life and shut his eyes when these words played in his head.
"I am disappointed in you! I never knew you were such a monster. And to think I took you as a friend! You're a murderer! I hate you!"
He opened his eyes and sighed. Those are the words she would probably say when she finds out all he had done in the past. He is terrified and never want to hear those words from her, ever!
"What is Mr. Cutie doing here all alone?" Lily asked as she sat beside him.
"Just go away." Asher said calmly.
"I can't go away when the almighty Asher is sulking in a corner. You don't need to tell me what happened, I understand how parents can be." She said and he looked at her.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"I had same issues with my mother this morning," She sighed. "I always come here to shed my tears whenever it happens and now that you're here, I don't think that I can shed the tears anymore." She said.
Asher sighed. "Everything is just complicated." He said.
"True. That's why I drink in times like this. You should have one, it'll calm you down a bit," She said, handing a bottle. Asher looked at her and she nudged him, "Go on, take it."
"Thanks." He collected it and started drinking.
A devilish smirk appeared on her lips. "Let me see how you will have a change of mind after this."