The sharply handsome face still wouldn't look away from me, his eyes slowly shifting in a way that made my heart tremble strangely.
His body was just as I had imagined it—imposing, powerful, and perfectly matched with that chiseled face.
He looked far too commanding to be just a vampire.
"Playing pretend… like you're one of us?"
He quirked a brow as he took a step closer.
"Stay back. Don't even take another step!"
"You'd better put your hands down."
"Stay awa—"
Whoosh!
His large hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and then pinning both of mine effortlessly with just one of his. Before I could resist, he yanked me forward, pulling my body into his.
"Let go!!"
He swiftly wrapped a strong arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. His face dipped close to mine again.
"You're quite the stubborn one…"
He whispered hoarsely against my ear. The sound of his breathing echoed, hot and heavy, sending a chill down my spine.
It had been a long time since I felt fear this deep—
Not since my last life, right before they killed me.
And now, in this life…
"G-get your filthy hands off me, you disgusting demon!"
I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but he froze the moment those words left my mouth. Then he chuckled—low and sharp.
I looked up, only to find him staring back down at me.
His eyes gleamed with scorn.
"New girl… if you knew who I really am, you'd be honored"
"I don't care! Let me go—now!"
"They all say that at first. But eventually… they all surrender willingly."
"Are you done rambling? I said LET GO!"
His eyes reflected my own panicked expression as they dropped to my lips.
No way…
He dove forward too fast for me to react.
I ducked, and his chin slammed right into the top of my head.
"Heh…"
What the hell was he laughing at?
Just as I prepared to struggle again, his hand slid up my back… stopping at the nape of my neck.
"You really don't know who I am, do you?"
"…"
"I'm Zero. A pureblood demon.
Son of the Demon King."
The son of WHO?
"Wha—!"
But my words were cut off.
Before I could fully meet his eyes, he leaned down and crushed his lips onto mine.
His hand at my nape held me still as he kissed me firmly, refusing to let me escape.
But I bit his lip—hard.
He jerked back, blood trickling from his mouth.
He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them—his irises now a vivid, glowing red.
He stared at me with something I couldn't quite define.
"You dare…"
He really was the Demon King's son.
Even though I was shaking with fear, the rage I'd carried through lifetimes surged forward.
I'd never bow to the likes of him.
"And you dare call yourself superior? A soulless demon like you… you're lower than any of us could ever be."
Whoosh!
He stepped away sharply, hand raised like he was about to strike me.
But our eyes met—and he didn't.
He just stood there, arm trembling in the air, before finally lowering it with a frustrated sigh, clenching his fist.
"Then let's make a bet…
Let's see if I can make you come to me willingly."
"Never."
My reply was firm, unwavering.
He raised one brow again.
"Is that so…?"
His eyes returned to normal.
Then a smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
"Until we meet again."
Whoosh—
He vanished in the blink of an eye.
I collapsed to the floor, hands clenched tight together to stop the shaking. But they wouldn't stop.
I never expected the Demon King's son to actually let me go.
And those eyes—right before he disappeared…
Maybe it would've been better if he hadn't.
•
"Why do you still look like crap?"
Don asked the moment he stepped into the room, spotting the tall figure leaning against the wall.
"Didn't get fresh blood or what?"
"…"
Zero didn't answer. He just let out a sigh and lifted one of his large hands, something small resting in his palm.
"Want me to send someone out to find you a new prey? We've still got time,"
Don offered, noting how drained Zero looked, even if he was pretending otherwise.
"Yeah… might be a good idea,"
Zero replied, his voice low as his thoughts drifted back to that sweet little face glaring up at him earlier.
Like a kitten…
He mused silently, before slipping the object back into his pocket and tilting his head to stare at the ceiling.
He'd touched her. Tasted her.
But felt absolutely no energy.
Why?
•
"How is that even possible?"
Darin's voice was laced with disbelief after I finished telling her everything.
Classes were over now, but we weren't heading back to the dorm yet. Instead, we'd gathered under the Ethimelia tree to kill time—and I finally got the chance to tell them what happened earlier at noon.
"Can you use your powers now?"
Gina asked. I raised my hand, and flames flared up from my palm like normal.
"Maybe it's because he's the Demon King's son…"
Darin muttered thoughtfully.
"If we run into him again, I'll try using my power on him,"
I nodded slowly in response, then sighed, unable to stop myself from thinking about his face again.
Zero…
"Good thing he let you go,"
Charlis chimed in after staying quiet for a while.
"And in one piece, too."
"That's exactly why I'm telling you all this.
If he ever finds out we're siblings, he might try something underhanded."
"But… shouldn't we try to befriend them instead?"
Charlis asked.
"We should avoid using our powers on them. On any demons, really—unless they attack first."
"I agree," Darin nodded. "But that's easier said than done. Took me almost a year just to get the werewolves to talk to me—and that's just talk, not be friends."
I sighed again and reached up to touch the necklace I always wore.
But… it was gone.
"Oh no!"
I quickly searched my neck with both hands, but the sacred necklace—the one gifted by God—wasn't there. I'd worn it since the moment I got it.
Everyone immediately understood what was wrong, even though I said nothing.
"I saw you touching it earlier today… maybe…"
Gina trailed off, her voice dying mid-sentence. But I already knew what she was thinking.
'Then let's make a bet…
Let's see if I can make you offer yourself to me willingly.
"That arrogant, idiotic demon!!"
I shot to my feet. But before I could storm off, Darin reached out and grabbed my wrist.
"Wait. How are you even going to find him?"
"I'll go back to the place where I saw him—or to his building. I'm sure he's waiting."
Yeah. Because he planned this. He wants me to come after him.
"Then I'm coming with you."
Darin stood up beside me, and we both rushed off.
We were halfway to where I'd met that demon earlier when Darin, who was slightly ahead, suddenly stopped and yanked me behind the corner of a building.
"Arghhh!"
A scream rang out the second we ducked behind cover. I peeked out to see what was happening—and spotted a guy writhing in pain on the ground.
A human. Definitely.
I scanned the area quickly and saw three men standing around him.
Vampires.