The morning after her strange run-in with Lucien, Evelyn woke with a strange tightness in her chest. She sat up, her heart still pounding as if she had been running. The memory of his words haunted her:
"Before they remember you."
What did that even mean?
She tried to shake off the feeling. Maybe he was just a messed-up guy who thought being cryptic made him mysterious. Still, she couldn't deny how he disappeared into the woods like smoke. It wasn't natural.
She got ready for school, keeping her head down as she entered the hallway. Whispers followed her again—same as the day before. Only this time, they weren't just about her.
"Did you see Lucien yesterday?"
"He was talking to her."
"No one talks to Lucien. No one survives him."
Survives?
Evelyn rolled her eyes and kept walking, but her thoughts were a storm. Was she imagining it all, or was there something wrong with this town—and with Lucien?
By the time she entered her literature class, her patience was thin. She slipped into her seat and pulled out her book. But just before the bell rang, someone slid into the seat beside her.
Lucien.
"What do you want?" she asked without looking at him.
"Answering questions with more questions," he said calmly, "is an annoying habit."
She turned to glare at him. "So is stalking people in the woods."
He tilted his head slightly, as if amused. "You weren't supposed to see me."
"Well, I did. And guess what? I'm still here."
"You shouldn't be."
Evelyn slammed her book shut. "Stop saying weird things. If you have something to say, just say it."
Lucien studied her, as if weighing the truth. Then he leaned in a little closer. "There are things in this town that watch from the shadows. Things that smell blood like perfume. And you..." He trailed off, eyes flicking down to her wrist.
Evelyn instinctively pulled her sleeve over the small scar there. "What about me?"
"You shine in the dark. That makes you a target."
"Okay, that's it," she said, grabbing her backpack. "You're crazy."
Before she could leave, the teacher walked in. "Miss Rayne, take your seat. Mr. Virel, good to see you in class for once."
Lucien didn't move. He stared at Evelyn like she was a puzzle he couldn't solve. She sat down reluctantly, keeping her distance.
Halfway through class, a loud thud echoed from the hallway. Everyone turned.
Then the lights flickered—and died.
The room dropped into sudden darkness. A few students gasped. The teacher called out, "Stay calm! I'll check the fuse box."
Evelyn's instincts screamed. Something wasn't right.
Lucien was already standing. "Evelyn," he said lowly, "get away from the door."
But it was too late.
The door burst open, splinters flying as a figure stormed in—tall, cloaked, and wrong. Its eyes glowed red. Fangs glinted in the dim emergency lights. It moved with inhuman speed.
Screams erupted.
The creature lunged straight at Evelyn.
She froze.
Time slowed.
A blur of black blocked her view—Lucien.
He caught the creature mid-air and slammed it against the wall with supernatural force.
The class fell silent, too shocked to scream again. No one moved.
Lucien turned to Evelyn, his voice cold and commanding. "Run."
But she couldn't. Her legs were rooted in place. Her eyes were locked on Lucien, and what she saw chilled her more than the vampire attacking her:
Lucien's eyes.
They glowed.
And his teeth... were sharp.
Just like the monster's.
"No..." she whispered.
Lucien didn't deny it. "Go. Now."
The creature recovered and charged again. This time Lucien didn't hold back. With a roar, he punched through the attacker's chest. The vampire screamed and disintegrated into ash before it hit the ground.
Silence.
Everyone stared at Lucien in horror.
He stood over the ashes, breathing hard. His hands were shaking.
Then he turned to Evelyn. "You weren't supposed to see this."
She backed away slowly. "You're one of them."
"I'm not like that," he said, but his voice was full of conflict. "I didn't choose this."
The other students fled the room in a panic. The teacher was gone. Only Evelyn and Lucien remained.
"You killed it."
"It was going to kill you."
"Why? What did it want?"
Lucien hesitated. "Your blood. There's something... unusual about you. The others can sense it."
"The others? How many are there?"
He didn't answer.
Evelyn's mind spun. None of this made sense. Vampires? Glowing eyes? Her blood? What the hell had she walked into?
"You need to leave this town," he said quietly. "You're not safe here."
"I'm not going anywhere until I get answers."
Lucien gave her a long, searching look. "Then you're braver than I thought."
"Or stupider."
He almost smiled.
Before either of them could say more, the intercom crackled overhead.
"All students return to your classrooms immediately. The lockdown is over."
Lucien tensed. "This isn't over. They'll come again."
Evelyn stood, trying to calm her breathing. "Then teach me how to fight."
He blinked. "What?"
"You said I'm a target. If I run, they'll follow. If I stay, they'll attack. So I'm done running. Either help me or get out of my way."
Lucien stared at her like she had grown fangs herself. "You're insane."
"Maybe," she said. "But at least I'm not afraid of the dark."
Lucien exhaled, something unreadable in his expression. "Fine. After school. The woods."
"The same woods you told me to avoid?"
He smirked. "They're safer when I'm with you."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "That better not be a vampire pickup line."
He gave a dry laugh. "Trust me. If I wanted to feed on you... I would've done it already."
She stared at him in silence.
"I'm joking," he said, then added, "Mostly."