Count Dracula's Teenage Daughter (Transylvanica High Series): Transylvanica High, #1

By R. Barri Flowers

From R. Barri Flowers, the bestselling author of young adult novels Ghost Girl in Shadow Bay and Danger in Time, comes the first book in an exciting new teen vampire series, COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER.

Sixteen-year-old Kula Lockhart has been living in the town of Harbor Heights, Michigan, for two months now, after moving there with her adopted mom from Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attends Transylvanica High School--one of several integrated pilot schools across the country where human and vampire students peacefully coexist.

Kula has no problem with the human-vampire bonding because she has always believed in equality among the living and the living dead.

But she is caught completely off guard upon learning that she is the half human daughter of Count Dracula, leader of the oldest and most powerful vampire clan.

She soon discovers that there are some sworn to protect her and others out to get her.

Someone is killing vampires and Kula fears she may be on the hit list. Staying alive becomes a priority as she adjusts to her birthright.

She also has a hot human boyfriend named Eriq. Will he accept her for who she is?

Fans of popular teen vampire and paranormal fiction series such as Twilight, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, and Vampire Kisses will love COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. Barri Flowers
• Release date: Dec 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301715220

R. Barri Flowers

R. Barri Flowers is the award winning, bestselling author of mystery and thriller novels, true crime books, relationship fiction, young adult mysteries, and children's books. Follow R. Barri Flowers on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Goodreads, LibraryThing, and YouTube. Learn more about the author on Wikipedia and www.rbarriflowers.com.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

They stood on Lookout Hill overlooking the valley. It was quaint and peaceful. Most of the people living there were generally happy and went about their business like any other day. No reason that should change, even though changes were coming. How it would affect the landscape was anyone's guess.

She'll be here soon, the tall, dark-haired teenage male said confidently.

I know, the petite, red-haired female teen responded.

You think she has a clue about who she is? he asked.

I doubt it, she said. There's no reason for her to suspect. And the changes haven't begun to take effect yet.

I guess you're right, he said. It's our job to help her get comfortable with her legacy—and her future as one of us.

Not to mention keep her out of harm's way, she reminded him.

Yeah, that too.

In the meantime, there's no reason we can't have fun as part of this community, she said.

What did you have in mind? he asked.

She looked at him. This...

He watched as her eyes turned red and her mouth opened to sprout fangs. Then she turned into a bat, flapping her wings. Smiling, he concentrated on bringing out his own fangs before changing into his bat form too. They flew over the landscape, enjoying the scenery and the freedom afforded them when they were cut loose from their human forms.

* * *

She watched from the hilltop as the two bats took flight as if they didn't have a care in the world. Little did they know they had plenty to be concerned about. She would personally see to it that they and others of their kind were eliminated from the face of the earth for all time. Only then could humans be at true peace from their inhuman enemies.

Once she lost sight of the hideous bats, she sucked in a deep breath to control her hatred and walked away.

CHAPTER ONE

Kula Lockhart was admittedly a bit nervous as she sat in the passenger seat of her mom's Subaru Legacy. Yeah, she would have been nervous even under the best of circumstances. After all, this was her first day at a new school, Transylvanica High, in the town of Harbor Heights, Michigan. They had relocated there from Wyoming when her mom got a new job in the admissions office at the local university.

But this wasn't just an ordinary school. It was one of several integrated pilot schools across the country where humans and teenage vampires peacefully coexisted. The theory was that attacking one another over the centuries was counterproductive and a new order was necessary for all parties concerned.

For her part, Kula was cool with the human-vampire bonding because she had always believed in equality among the living, and the living dead for that matter. She'd known a couple of vampires at her last school in Cheyenne, though they had done a pretty good job of hiding their identities from school administrators.

From what she understood, the vampires had given up their blood sucking ways for powdered human blood mixed with water and blood drives to satisfy their cravings. And they no longer had to sleep during the day due to special contact lenses that protected their sensitive eyes from the sun's powerful rays.

It would be a whole new experience for her at Transylvanica High and in Harbor Heights, where everyone could be anyone. She just wanted to fit in, be herself, live and let live, and anything else that would help her make a smooth transition to her new surroundings.

You'll be fine, Mary Lockhart said as though reading Kula's mind.

I know. Still, the words were reassuring to her coming from the only mother she'd ever known. She was adopted as an infant and was grateful someone had wanted her when her real parents obviously had not. Kula brushed a lock of her long brunette hair from her face. I'm just a little worried that because I'm starting almost two weeks later than everyone else, I'll be hopelessly behind.

You're an honor student, Kula. It won't take you long to catch up and excel.

Easy for you to say, she thought. I guess. Seriously, she was confident she would be able to keep her grades up. But she wasn't as confident about making new friends, both human and vampire. She was friendly enough, though some had described her as aloof. Just two months shy of her sixteenth birthday, Kula welcomed the opportunity for a new beginning and whatever that brought with it.

Her mother pulled up to the school. It looked pretty much like any modern day high school, a series of buildings with one central structure. Of course, Kula knew that what made it different was its student body.

Enjoy your first day, Mary said.

I'll try. Kula gave her a quick peck on the cheek, a longtime habit she was trying to break, while hoping no one was watching. She grabbed her backpack from the back seat and got out. See you later.

She watched her mom drive off before heading toward the main building. She had a few butterflies, but attributed them more to first day jitters anywhere rather than here in particular.

You must be new, said the voice from behind her.

Turning, Kula saw a girl her height with wavy, short dark hair. How did you guess? she wondered.

I didn't recognize you, she said simply. I can usually pick out the new faces from the old ones.

Kula smiled. Same here, except when I'm the new one.

The girl giggled. I'm Heidi Stewart.

Kula Lockhart.

Nice to meet you, she said.

You, too. Kula wondered if this girl was going to be her first friend. If so, was she human or...

I'm not a vamp, in case you were curious, Heidi said.

Neither am I, Kula said, somehow feeling it made her seem like she had something against vampires, which she did not.

It's kind of weird that we humans can't tell if someone's human or vampire by appearance alone, Heidi remarked.

Kula hadn't given that much thought, but was glad that vampires didn't look dead. That would be way too weird. It's probably better that way, she said. No reason for anyone to stand out, unless they wanted to for some reason.

Heidi nodded. That's true.

By the way, it wouldn't have mattered to me if you were a vamp, Kula told her. After all, isn't that the purpose of this school—to come together?

Yeah, Heidi said. In fact, I'm dating a vamp. And he's sooooo cute.

Kula smiled. Cool.

I can show you how to get to the office, Heidi offered.

They went inside.

Immediately, Kula felt as if all eyes were on her. Or was she just imagining it?

She pretended not to notice, including the tall hot guy with short black hair and stunning dark eyes.

Then they passed by a group of gorgeous, shapely girls. The one in the middle had long black hair and incredible green eyes. She peered intently at Kula, forcing her to turn away.

Heidi noticed. That's Jacquelyn Brossard, she said lowly. She and her friends are cheerleader vamps. And she's like the Queen V here. I'd stay out of her way, if I were you.

I'll try to remember that, Kula said, not interested in getting on her bad side or anyone's bad side, for that matter. Certainly not on the first day, she thought.

They reached the office.

Maybe we'll be in some of the same classes, Heidi suggested.

That would be nice, Kula said.

Later, Heidi said and walked off as Kula went into the office.

* * *

After orientation and assignment of her classes, Kula found her locker and then made her way to her first period world history class. The teacher was Ms. Oxford. She was in her twenties and slender with short blonde hair in a blunt cut and blue eyes.

Kula had hoped to just sit down and not draw attention to herself, but the teacher had other ideas.

Why don't you tell us a little about yourself, Kula, the teacher requested.

Oh great, she thought.

Facing the other students, some who seemed curious about the new girl, Kula was determined to keep this as brief as possible. I'm from Cheyenne. I moved here because my mom lost her last job and was able to find a new one in Harbor Heights. I miss my old friends, but we text so...

She decided to quit while she was ahead.

Well, welcome to our community, Ms. Oxford said with a brief smile. You can have a seat now.

Kula slipped into the first empty chair she saw. It happened to be next to the tall guy she had seen earlier with the appealing dark eyes. He smiled at her and she smiled back. She tried to read into that, wondering if it was just a friendly smile or if he might be attracted to her. Why not? she thought. She didn't consider herself beautiful on the scale of some girls, though she'd been told often enough that she was attractive. But she certainly thought she was pretty enough to appeal to boys, unless they were looking for particular features that she didn't possess.

Her attention was diverted when the teacher began talking and reminded her that she had fallen behind and would need to make up for it. Kula knew she'd have to do extra homework for a while, but didn't think it would be too difficult.

After class, she filed out with everyone else. Kula was studying her class schedule when she heard her name called.

Hey, he said.

It was the guy with dark eyes whose name she still didn't know. Guess he must be interested at least a little, she thought.

Hi, she said back.

What's your next class?

Foundation art.

Do you know how to get there?

Not really, she said.

I can show you a short cut, he said.

Okay. She was happy to keep the conversation going a little longer, even if en route to class.

By the way, my name's Eriq Pratt.

Kula smiled. I like the sound of his name, she thought. Nice meeting you, Eriq.

Same here, he said.

They started to walk and she found herself wondering if he was a vamp, mainly because of his piercing eyes.

Eriq looked at her. So you're from Cheyenne, huh?

Yep. How about you? Were you born here?

Nope, he said. I'm from Denver. Moved here with my dad and stepmom three years ago.

She grinned. So we were basically neighbors.

He flashed straight, white teeth. Yeah, I guess we were.

Kula could imagine that they might have even seen each other during one of the times she had visited Denver. They rounded a corner and arrived at the classroom.

Thanks, she said and asked, What's your next class?

English.

That's my third period, she told him.

Maybe we can study together sometime, Eriq said.

Kula interpreted that as meaning he liked her and wanted to hang out. Sure, I'd like that.

Cool, he said. Bye.

Bye, she told him and immediately wondered if he had a girlfriend: Or had he been waiting for a new girl to arrive in town? Someone like me? she mused.

* * *

Eriq Pratt glanced back as Kula entered the classroom. She was stunning with beautiful hair, brown eyes, and a nice figure. She had that girl-next-door appeal. There was nothing to suggest she was a vamp and he suspected that, like him, she was human.

He had never dated a vampire before, but would not object to it, especially if she looked like Kula. Right now, he wasn't looking too far ahead, since he had only recently broken up with his last girlfriend who had cheated on him.

Besides, for all he knew Kula had a boyfriend back in Cheyenne. In fact, it was hard to imagine that she wouldn't have one. So he had probably already struck out there.

But that didn't mean they couldn't be study partners. Or something more.

He headed to class, trying to think positive even while turning his attention to the English test he hadn't spent much time studying for. It was one of his bad habits, believing he could ace anything he put his mind to.

The same confidence applied to getting girls to like him. Or at least those he was attracted to. Like Kula. But pulling her away from another guy she was in love with might be challenging even for Eriq. He was up for the challenge, though. Just as he was up for the challenge of attending a school where vampires coexisted. Whether or not it could work without blood being spilled was still undecided.

So far, so good, he thought. Meaning there was less need to focus on human-vampire hostilities and more time to devote to getting along with his parents.

And seeing if there was something there he could build on with Kula.

* * *

After fourth period math, Kula went to her locker. She had her work cut out for her to get up to speed. At least they hadn't made the move a month into the school year.

With her thoughts occupied with schoolwork and Eriq, she ended up fumbling with a notepad and it fell to the floor. Before she could pick it up, another hand grabbed the notepad.

She looked into the face of a male student with dark hair parted to the side and gray eyes.

Sorry, didn't mean to catch you off guard, he said.

It's fine, she said as they both stood upright. She noted that he was even taller than Eriq. Next to him was a girl who was slightly shorter than she was, with blue eyes and shoulder length red hair.

He handed Kula the notepad. Here you are.

Thanks, she said.

I'm Ivan and this is Amelia.

Kula, she introduced herself.

Haven't seen you around, he said.

It's my first day.

He grinned. That explains it.

We've only been in town a few weeks, Amelia said. We're siblings.

Oh. Kula grinned awkwardly.

It's okay, Amelia said. I know we don't exactly look like brother and sister and it throws most people off.

Admittedly, Kula never would have guessed they were siblings. Being an only child, as far as she knew, she wished she had a sister or brother to share things with, even if they looked as different as night and day.

So how's it been so far? Ivan asked her.

Good, Kula responded. I'm just trying to get my bearings and my classes together.

Well, if you need any help getting around or want someone to hang out with, let us know, he said.

Thanks, Kula said. I will. Right now, I have to get to fifth period.

Same with us, Amelia said. But different classes. See you around.

Yeah, seconded Ivan.

Bye, Kula told them and headed off in the opposite direction. She hadn't known what to expect at her new school, but so far it seemed like most people—or vamps—were friendly. She wondered which category Ivan and Amelia belonged to. Was there even such a thing as sibling vampires?

* * *

Ivan Livingston looked over his shoulder at Kula as she walked away. Then he turned to Amelia. Though she wasn't really his sister, they were like blood relatives since they belonged to the same powerful Dracula clan of vampires.

As did Kula, though she didn't know it yet.

Must we wait to tell her? Amelia asked, raising her eyes to meet his.

We have to, Ivan told her. Aside from giving her time to get acclimated to her new surroundings, it's our duty to do as we're told and wait for the right moment to spring on her that she's half vampire.

You're right, Amelia said. Something tells me that the sooner she can be herself, the safer she'll be.

Ivan nodded. I agree. In the meantime, keep an eye on her.

Amelia cocked a brow. What about you?

I'll do the same, he assured her, knowing it was their assignment and they would both do well to remember that. But it didn't mean they were forbidden from pursuing their own interests while they were students at Transylvanica High, which pleased him, considering his attraction to the rival clan vamp beauty, Jacquelyn Brossard. He was happy that the feelings were reciprocated in kind, and had been off and on for some time.

CHAPTER TWO

During dinner, Kula compared notes with her mom on their respective days at school and work. For her part, Kula had no real complaints about her first day at a new school. She already made friends, had a potential boyfriend, and learned how to get around school without falling on her face. As far as she could determine, there seemed to be no friction to speak of between humans and vamps. But wasn't that the whole point, changing the old wars between them?

I'm happy to hear that things went well, her mom said.

It's only been one day, Mom, Kula warned before sinking her teeth into a slice of pizza. Not that she was looking at the glass half empty. Anything but. Still, that didn't mean she expected there would be no bumps along the road. After all, there had been a few when they lived in Cheyenne.

Very true. Mary used a napkin to remove a string of cheese across her chin. The important thing is that we both try really hard to make this work.

I understand, Kula said, and we will. She was determined to do her part, feeling grateful that after some hard times her mom got a break in finding employment. Hopefully, they could call this home, at least till she graduated and went to college.

Toward that end, she crammed on her studies till she felt she had a handle on most things and then went to bed.

* * *

The next day at school, Kula spotted Heidi with some other girls and decided to go over and say hello.

Hi, Heidi said spiritedly, then