“My eyes are quite common around here,” Nia said, smiling. Acutely aware of the warmth of the boy’s hand, Nia marvelled at how warm it was compared to her own. [i]Despite all the clamour and fear around him, he’s still closer to a human than me,[/i] she thought wryly. The cold seldom bothered her, and although she was still warmer than the ice-like strigoi, Nia knew her normal body temperature was lower than that of most living things. 

Her eyes watched, transfixed, as the boy’s eyes shifted from scarlet hues and ravens to greys and reds, wondering what the colours meant. [i]Are they perhaps indications of hunger, just as in Moroi,[/i] she thought. Her thoughts, however, were interrupted by the opening of the cell door.

[hr]
Dolorante’s pace was brisk as she made her way down the steps and into the dungeon. Allowing a Night Stalker to roam the campus was an unheard of action in the history of the academy, but the Chancellor was willing to take the challenge there. [i]That nervous boy is hardly the most dangerous thing on campus,[/i] she thought as she rounded the final bend. Still, precautions were to be taken — Dolorante knew that much.

Rounding the final bend, Dolorante spotted the guard moving to open the door. She nodded at Desmond as she arrived at the scene, following him into the cell after the rune-covered door was unlocked. Inside, the Conta princess was in immediate proximity of the Night Stalker, a sight that greatly surprised Dolorante.

[i]Is she more foolish than I thought,[/i] the other female Moroi thought, frowning, [i]or…[/i]

Seeing the two older Moroi enter, Nia straightened up in her spot and put on a small smile. The Moroi official’s words, however, changed her polite mask to one of surprise. [i]But—[/i] Nia thought, recovering herself fast enough to take the card when it was offered. A glance at the Chancellor told the princess that Orion’s attendance was rightly sanctioned — most likely by some higher-up in the food chain that was the Moroi court. [i]I wonder who it is that wants to see a Night Stalker amongst Moroi,[/i] she thought, pocketing the card.

“Well then, Orion. Let’s be on our way?” she asked, turning to the boy in question.

[hr]
[@TheMinorFall]