Free Oxford Blood by Georgiana Derwent Page A

chance they’re one of us. Or if not, and their talents and charm
are just a quirk of nature, there’s a good chance we’re planning on making them
one.”
    “I’ve heard enough,” Harriet said as firmly as she could
manage. “I think I liked you better when you were outright blanking me. Go back
to your stupid party and tell your posh friends your funny little story.”
    “I suppose there’s no point in trying to argue with you
about this right now. You’ve lost blood and you’ve had a shock. You need to
sleep. Just promise me you’ll meet me in the bar tomorrow night and discuss
this with me calmly.”
    “There’s nothing to discuss,” Harriet said flatly. “If I
happen to be in the bar, maybe we can have a quick chat. Maybe you’ll have
sobered up by then and be ready to apologise and talk some sense.”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow then. After dark though. Sadly that
part of the legends is true.”
    “You’re not going to let this drop are you? Shall I just
play along? Wear a crucifix and bring a stake?” Harriet snapped.
    Tom laughed. “Forget the crucifix. Just never be stupid
enough to take your mother’s necklace off again. As far as I can tell, you have
some resistance to telepathy and mind control naturally, but wear that and
you’re completely protected. “
    “This makes even less sense than the rest of your story. Why
on earth would my mother give me anti-vampire jewellery?”
    Tom smiled. “I thought we agreed no more discussion tonight.
It’s also true that vampires can’t come in unless invited. In Oxford, that
seems to work on the level of colleges, staircases and individual rooms. So be
careful who you go letting in.”
    “Well you’ve undermined your own argument there. You came
into my room uninvited just now,” Harriet said triumphantly. She was feeling
dizzy from shock and blood loss but she was sure of that at least.
    “Because I’m a member of this college I can go anywhere
within its walls. But I promise you are absolutely safe from me. Now, I need to
get back to my party and you need to get some sleep.”
     
    ***
     
    Harriet was woken by the sound of a brief knock followed by
her scout walking into her room.
    “Oh, sorry to disturb you dear. Do you want your room
cleaning or are you going back to sleep?” the middle-aged woman asked.
    Harriet still hadn’t quite got to grips with the idea of
having someone who cleaned her room or the invasion of privacy it entailed.
Trying to be polite however, she sat up.
    “What time is it?” she asked.
    “Half twelve. Late night was it?”
    Harriet realised that she should get out of bed, but felt
completely exhausted and a little dizzy. “Something like that,” she replied.
“You can leave the room for this week. Sorry about this, I’m feeling absolutely
awful.”
    “In that case, I’ll just empty your bin and leave you to it.
I hope you’re feeling better soon. Make sure you go to the doctors if you’re
not.”
    Harriet was grateful for the friendly advice, but as she
sank back into her pillow, and memories of the night before flashed through her
aching brain, she wondered what a doctor would have to say about her injury.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
    Her phone beeped. It was Caroline, suggesting they meet for
lunch in the bar. The thought of leaving her room and being exposed to the gaze
of the rest of the college made her feel dizzy all over again.
    She texted back: Too fragile for the bar. Loads to tell
you about last night. Bring some sandwiches from the shop. I’ll pay and give
you all the gossip. Don’t bring anyone else .
    A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Standing
to answer it reminded Harriet just how much the blood loss had affected her.
Before she reached the door, Caroline, never one for privacy, had let herself
in. She deposited the mouth-watering hot sandwiches on Harriet’s desk and sat
down on the bed.
    “God you look terrible. Have you had any sleep? What the
hell