One year later, Serina finally graduated from 10th grade and as usual, she was the top of her class. It was worth celebrating but Serina didn't want to because she was busy with her preparation to leave for Europe.
Nicholas could not stop her and has no plan of stopping her. Going to Europe was one of her dreams and he wanted to support her in achieving that.
And since she has to leave soon, she wasn't able to celebrate her 17th birthday with her family and friends.
On the day of her flight, Nicholas was held up with some company matters, too. He wasn't able to send her off at the airport.
'You'll see her in two years. Don't worry.' Kiro told Nicholas who was slouching on his chair with grumpy expression.
'I miss her already.'
Kiro growled deeply and didn't say anything.
France, in Western Europe, encompasses medieval cities, alpine villages and Mediterranean beaches. Paris, its capital, is famed for its fashion houses, classical art museums including the Louvre and monuments like the Eiffel Tower. The country is also renowned for its wines and sophisticated cuisine. Lascaux's ancient cave drawings, Lyon's Roman theater and the vast Palace of Versailles attest to its rich history. And Notre-Dame International High School in Verneuil-sur-Seine, a residential area west of Paris, France, is a private bilingual international school and is part of École Notre-Dame les Oiseaux. Notre-Dame Les Oiseaux school was established in 1929 on the site of the 16th century Château de Verneuil.
All students must report to school one month prior to the school opening. However, Serina wanted to familiarize herself with the place and at the same time, learn first-hand information when it comes to their culture. Her father already made a hotel-reservation for her where she can stay for one whole month.
"I guess I'll have to get used being alone here." Serina muttered as she went out of the airport and waited for a taxi to bring her to the hotel.
'You cannot use your power here but I have created a barrier already for us to communicate without worrying about other beings prying on us.'
'By the way, when will you tell me about the Blue Moon Pack?'
'Time will tell. No hurry. Just make sure to continue learning as much as you can. And also, I didn't stop you from coming here because this is your dream but please be very careful. Don't go out at night as well.'
'Why?'
'Because Europe has many vampires. Three royal clans are dwelling here and even if I am stronger than them, you are still outnumbered. Be careful of the people you make friends with.'
'Okay.' Serina agreed and stopped thinking about it since she found an available taxi. 'Let's talk once we're at the hotel.'
The two of them just talked about being careful and being wary of people who might be from the vampire clan but they weren't aware that the taxi driver was one of those beings. He was one of those vampires who not fear the sun but he wasn't powerful enough to know about the sweet and strong life force flowing in Serina's veins.
If Serina was a normal tourist, she'd definitely become a victim to this vampire but she has the necklace that Nicholas gave her. To some people, it was just a normal necklace but to the vampires, it was something that they should be wary of. The necklace has a scent of a strong werewolf. Either she's the werewolf or she's a mate to a werewolf, no lesser or normal vampire would mess with her. She'd only be in danger if she meets a pure-blooded vampire or someone higher than this rank.
The driver kept looking at Serina but he didn't make any comment.
"Nous sommes ici," the driver said as he parked the taxi in front of the hotel where Serina's father made reservation for her.
"Merci." Serina handed her payment for the fare and went out of the cab to get her belongings.
After checking in, she sent a message to her parents and took some sleep to ease her jet lag. She woke up around seven in the evening and had an early dinner at the restaurant of the hotel. Since it's obvious that she's not from a western country, many people looked at her but Serina moved at ease and in respectful manner.
The other customers were talking in French and in hush voices but it was still loud enough for Serina to hear them and she could even understand them.
"I heard that there's another victim last week."
"The victim was identified as a foreign student."
"Thankfully, they don't harm us because we are from the same country."
"We can never be too confident. They might betray our kind."
"If they will betray us, where would they get their source of blood?"
"I feel sorry for the foreign students and tourists."
"Me, too."
Serina pretended as if she wasn't listening but she was already making mental notes to check on her classmates. She didn't want them to be in danger while they're in Europe.
After finishing her food, she stood up and was planning to get back to her room when one of the customers stopped her. "You, careful and no out the night. Get em? I…get me?" The middle-aged man who seemed not to know English that much tried his best to convey his message to Serina.
Serina looked at the man and woman who looked earnestly at her, anticipating her response if she understood them. "Yes, I understand. Thank you for your concern."
The woman smiled faintly and nodded her head. Serina finally passed by them and went back to her hotel room. 'I don't want to think that it's a mistake to come here so, please take care of me.'
'I'll always be on the look out but please be observant as well. It's been hundred of years since I have encountered a vampire face to face. I don't know what other tricks they have up on their sleeves.'
'I know what to do now.' Serina said and without any warning, she conjured up a fireball in her hands. 'If I fall victim to vampires, I'll just burn them.'
'That works, too.' Brittislava answered.
As soon as they came back to her room, Serina contacted her four other classmates. 'Thankfully, they haven't left the country and come here.' Serina thought to herself.
In the first two days, Serina stayed in the hotel and read the map of the place, getting herself familiar of every nook and cranny in town. After two days, she finally went out to look around the place.
Other vampires whom she met without her knowledge just thought that she has strong werewolf presence in her, and avoided her. However, she didn't expect to see someone familiar there.
Damon was sitting outside one of the cafés in town. He was taking a sip of his frappe while looking at the people passing to and fro when he caught a whiff of a very familiar scent. He stood up and looked around, only to find Serina standing under the Cretan maple tree.