Initiation Read Online Free Page B

them intermittently glancing over at us. The vamps would be the most difficult for Faustine. Luckily, the ones at the cafeteria had been at the Academy for a while and were in control of themselves. However, even they seemed twitchy. The other group–two girls and three boys, all shifter-hybrids–was loud and rambunctious.
    “Do you think it would be okay for me to go get another plate?” Faustine inquired.
    I tried not to show my amusement. I liked that she had a good appetite; nothing worse than a demon with an eating problem. The better fed she was, the more likely she would be able to concentrate on other activities. “Sure! Just help yourself. You know where to go.”
    “Can I come down here any time?”
    “Um. No. This dining hall is reserved for the students who have gone through initiation. The initiation class has their own dining hall. I’ll show you later. However, I suggest you don’t use it.”
    “Why?”
    “Get your steak, and I’ll explain.”
    While I waited, I checked my cell phone–over a hundred text messages. I’d have to find some time to go through them. I scanned them for a moment, noticing a few from Jagger, but Faustine returned before I could read them.
    “So, why shouldn’t I use the other dining hall?” she asked, sitting down and taking a bite of her meal.
    “Well, like Quinn said, you’re the first human hybrid we’ve had on campus. We don’t have any idea how the others will react to you, especially the Initiates, who aren’t trained.”
    “You mean you’re concerned that the vamps will snack on me?”
    “That’s a concern, but not as far as the Initiates’ dining hall goes. None of the new vamps are allowed in there. They’re way too out of control for the others to handle, so they have their own area in the basement. All their Initiate classes are down there, too. They only get to merge with the others after they graduate from their basic camp.”
    “How long does that take?”
    “The standard curriculum for all students is set for one year. However, it varies a lot, depending on the individual. The hybrids tend to take longer.”
    “Why?”
    “They usually have a lot more combined powers, some that they aren’t even aware of. Sometimes hybrid powers morph into new powers. Do you know what yours are?” I was totally overstepping again. I had no business asking her about her powers. I had to get a handle on my nosy gene.
    Faustine shook her head. “No, not really. So if there are no vamp Initi– What was that word?”
    “Initiates.”
    “Initiates. Then why can’t I use the other dining hall? I’ve got to be able to go somewhere to eat.”
    “It’s not that you can’t. I’d just rather you didn’t, not at first, anyway. Not until we figure out how your fellow Initiates respond to you. I’ve got no idea who’s in the incoming class. For all I know, they may have included vamp hybrids. They’re particularly difficult to place.” I sighed. I knew that there could even be some vamps from last year’s intake because the fire had really messed up the schedule. I really didn’t have a clue who would be in this year’s class.
    “So, if I’m not supposed to be in here, and you don’t want me to eat with the other initiates, what am I supposed to do?”
    I understood her concern. Feeding was of prime importance to all of us.
    “You can use this place as long as you’re with someone who’s been through initiation, any Integrate or someone from the Enrichment program. It doesn’t have to be me or another mentor. A lot of the students who have gone through Integration stay for an additional period to complete their sport and other activity programs. Once they can sign on as part of the mentoring program, most all of them do. So there are quite a few of us. I’ll introduce you to the ones I like.”
    “But what if I just can’t find anyone and I have to feed?” Faustine persisted.
    “I’ve been thinking about that. It’s bound to happen. The