Free Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1) by J.J. Bonds Page A

learn,” Shaye continues.
“The horses are just another resource. Here for the bleeding.
Keegan’s just another servant to them.” The bitterness that creeps
into her voice catches me off guard.
    “Something tells me Keegan doesn’t serve
anyone but those animals,” I reply lightly. Perhaps it’s not the
horses that keep Shaye coming back. I hadn’t given Keegan much
thought during my last visit, but her comments make me uneasy.
    Keegan must be of mixed-blood. I should have
realized sooner. I’d been so wrapped up in myself this week that I
haven’t stopped to think much about those around me. The school
doesn’t run itself. We are surrounded by support staff. Most of who
are likely transfigured vampires performing jobs no respectable
pureblood would ever consider. The protection offered by the school
combined with the constant blood flow would likely present an
attractive and comfortable lifestyle to those without a coven or a
strong sire.
    “So, how’d the first week go?” she asks, a
bright note returning to her voice. “Feel like you’re getting the
swing of things?”
    “So far, so good.”
    “Liar,” Shaye returns, laughing as a gentle
breeze tugs at her hair. If possible, she looks even more innocent
and juvenile.
    “That’s a bold statement.”
    “But I’m not wrong.” She shrugs confidently
and swings her feet over the side of the corral.
    “How can you be so sure?” I ask slightly
annoyed. It could be going well. I will not give Shaye the
satisfaction of admitting she’s right even though we both know she
is.
    “I have a sense about these things. Sorry. I
should have told you. I always know a lie when I hear it. And I
haven’t been wrong yet,” she finishes pointedly. “Not that I’d need
to be psychic in this case. I do have two perfectly good eyes, you
know. Besides, you’re an outcast by choice, so I won’t make the
mistake of feeling sorry for you. With such a powerful uncle, you
could rule this school if you wanted to.”
    “If only.” I roll my eyes. “This place isn’t
really my scene. I’m here to learn because that’s what my uncle
wants. I’m not here to climb the social ladder and play politics.
It’s never been my strong suit. Aldo says I’m too headstrong for my
own good.”
    Just thinking of Aldo brings a smile to my
lips. Already I miss him more than I would have thought
possible.
    “Better to be headstrong and independent,”
Shaye says thoughtfully.
    She doesn’t have to finish the sentence. I
know what she means. Better to be headstrong and independent than
to be one of them. I study her as we sit in silence. Once you get
past her bizarre sense of fashion, we’ve got a lot in common. It
would appear we view the world in the same cynical shades of gray.
I wonder what’s made her like this and quickly chase the thought
from my mind. I know why I’m this damaged, and that’s enough for
one soul to bear.
    “It’s difficult to lose one you love,” she
whispers to the empty corral. “Death isn’t exactly common in our
world.”
    I wonder if she’s talking to me or to herself
when I realize that Keegan has vanished. Yes. We’re more alike than
I’m comfortable admitting. Neither of us quite fits the Crossroads
mold. I suddenly have the urge to escape. To be free of this
connection that Shaye has thrust upon me. Feeling unsettled, I
absently rub the gold cuffs on my wrists. I can’t bring myself to
leave without offering Shaye something in return.
    “I see the life-force of the donor when I
drink. Flashes of life. Memories. It’s not nearly as much fun as a
lie detector and not nearly as useful, but it’s mine.”
    There. Now she knows one of my secrets. Now
we’re even.
    **********
    Saturday morning I finally get a break from
Crossroads. I wake up early and drink until my stomach is full to
the brim. When I’m satisfied that not one more drop will fit, I
know I’m ready to go. It’s important that I manage my hunger today
since I’ll be