INTEGRATION (Bonfire Academy Book Two) (Bonfire Chronicles) by Imogen Rose Page A

not like you guys. We don’t have any powers to explore. Vamps basically spend Initiation in isolation while you guys are being tested for powers. Then during Integration, we get to finally mix with the rest of you and learn how to live within the human world.”
    She sounded frustrated as she continued, “Except we already know, so it’s a bit of a waste of time. I mean, we were human. The only issue we have is the need for blood, and we have to learn to control that. But we do that during our Initiation year. So this year seems a waste. We should just be able to go home now.” She scowled. “But you know all that, right?”
    I nodded. “Yeah, but I can see your point. I think Integration is more than just adjusting to the human world. It’s also about learning how to adjust to the paranormal world around you. Unlike humans, you’ll be aware of other paranormals, even encounter them. So, you’ll need to learn how to deal with them,” I said in my best member-of-staff voice.
    Viola and Audrey yawned at my little bloviation.
    Viola looked over at Faustine. “Are you going to be staying here now? Martha sent us over.”
    “Yeah, just for a while.”
    “Oh, okay. We’re heading down to the dining hall. You coming?”
    “Food sounds great. Cordelia, do you wanna come?” Faustine asked.
    The last thing I wanted to do was go to dinner with the three of them, but I couldn’t let Faustine go without a chaperone. I didn’t know the first thing about the twins. I didn’t even know if they were just vamps or hybrids of some kind. “Faustine, if it’s okay with you, could we stay in?” I felt she knew me well enough that I didn’t have to explain.
    She nodded. “Sure. I’ll catch up with you guys later,” she told the twins. “I want to finish unpacking and stuff.”
    “No problem. See you later. Nice to meet you, Miss Hammer. Faustine told us all about you.”
    “Cordelia is fine.” I smiled.
    Once they left, I probed Faustine for information. “So, tell me more about them. New friends?”
    “Yes. I know, right? It seems strange that I’d be friends with vamps of all creatures. Initiation year was really lonely for me; I am part human, you know. I had almost forgotten that part of me. I had no one to share being human with. It’s been especially hard being away from Mom. I sort of felt a little bit of a connection with McKenzie, especially after I met little Harry. She still remembers what it is to be human. I love you and Quinn, but you’ve never been human.”
    “True. I hadn’t thought of it like that, but you’re right, it must be lonely. Even though we all appear human when we’re in that form, we’re far from it. And that’s important to remember. We don’t have any of the normal human emotions and attachments. Except the vamps, of course—they’re the only students here who have been human and may even remember what that was like. So, it’s not that strange that you’d feel connected to them on some level. But remember that they aren’t human anymore,” I warned.
    “I get that, which is why I’m here with you instead of down at the dining hall with them. I know I can trust you, but not them.”
    I needed to remind her about the Golden Rule again. However, as I let her chat on, I wondered why I found myself so attached to Faustine.
That
wasn’t normal for a demon! I really only had those feelings toward my blood family.
    Wait. Was there any way? No! My parents were synched! Mom couldn’t have…could she? I pushed the ridiculous thought aside.
    “The vamps are good fun though, so I’m going to hang out with them this year.”
    “What about Martha and Chun?”
    “They’re both busy with their boyfriends,” she mumbled. “But I’ll hang with them sometimes, too.”
    “You said you met Audrey and Viola at McKenzie’s house?”
    “Yes. Mac invited me over for lunch last week. I went over with Octavia.”
    “I wonder how they know each other?”
    “They didn’t say, and I