ADRAIN POV
I was so furious when I saw that bruise on her hand that I came straight home from college. I sat on the bed, fists clenched, my anger boiling. Why didn't she tell me who did this? Why is she hiding it from me? Whoever hurt her… I swear I'll kill him. Whoever it was—he won't live long.
Then Mike walked into the room, holding a card in his hand.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, his face full of concern.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Do you need something?" I replied flatly, not even looking at him as I pulled clothes from the wardrobe.
"I may not be your real father, Adrain," he said slowly, "but I know you. And I know when you're hiding something."
"There's nothing," I muttered. "Why are you here?"
"Mr. Dawn invited us to his house for a family get-together. His son has fallen in love, and he wants to introduce the girl to everyone."
"I'm not interested in going."
"This isn't about your interest, Adrain," he snapped. "Mr. Dawn is an important professional ally. We have to go."
I sighed. "Fine. When?"
"Next week. Monday evening."
I nodded stiffly. As Mike reached the door, he paused. "If you ever need to talk… remember, I'm here."
I only nodded again.
When he left, I lay back on the bed, my thoughts drowning in Eira. Her face. Her silence. Her bruise. Rage burned inside me, but along with it came something I couldn't explain.
Oh, God—I almost forgot about Andy. After the accident, she had been so broken. To cheer her up, I took her on a picnic. We ran through the forest together, we hunted, we laughed—it felt like old times again.
I rose from the bed and walked toward Andy's room. Her door was slightly open. She was packing her bags.
"You're not going anywhere," I said coldly, slamming the door wide open as I stepped inside.
She turned to me calmly, placed her hand on my shoulder, and guided me to sit on her bed. She knelt in front of me, her eyes soft but firm.
"Adrain," she whispered, "I know you care about me. I know you're scared something will happen again."
"Andy," my voice shook with anger, "last time you left, you know what happened. How can I risk that again?"
"I understand," she said gently, "but I want to be independent. If I stay here, I'll never be free. I need to find my own happiness. I need time alone."
"Andy, try to under—"
"Please, Adrain. Please!" Her pleading eyes cut me down.
I sighed and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Fine. You can go. But promise me this: if you're ever in trouble, you'll answer my call. If you don't… I'll come for you, and I'll bring you back myself."
"Okay, Daddy!" she teased, laughing, trying to soften the tension.
We talked and laughed for a while, then I dropped her off at her hostel.
Later, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. What is she doing to me? Why can't I stay away?
I need to see her.
In a flash, I leapt out the window, racing through the forest at vampire speed until I reached the girls' hostel.
Slipping silently into Eira's room through her window, I froze.
She was sleeping.
The room was messy—chaotic, just like her. A smile tugged at my lips. Her face looked so peaceful, so pure… like a child sleeping without fear.
My hand twitched. I wanted to touch her forehead. To brush her hair away. But I couldn't. I shouldn't.
Then I saw it.
Her wrist. That damned bruise.
Rage flared inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't wake her.
I sank down on one knee beside her bed. Her hand was dangling loosely over the edge. Gently, I lifted it.
And I pressed my lips to her bruise. A long, lingering kiss.
When I looked up—her eyes were open. She was watching me.
And then, softly, she closed them again.
I froze, my chest tight, then fled through the window at vampire speed.
EIRA POV
Something cold. Something soft.
It brushed against my bruise.
My eyes fluttered open—
It was Adrain.
He was kissing my wrist.
I blinked, stunned, and closed my eyes again in disbelief. Wait… Adrain?? What? What did I just see??
My eyes flew open again, and I switched on the light—fast.
The room was empty.
No one.
I jumped up, checking the bathroom. Empty.
I sat back on the bed, heart racing, my mind spinning.
What was that? Did I dream it? Was it my imagination?
But… it felt so real. Too real.
I touched my wrist carefully. The pain was gone.
Frowning, I turned on the light again and stared at my hand. My breath caught.
The bruise—was gone.
Completely. As if it had never been there.
How? Ice couldn't heal something like that overnight.
What's happening to me? Was it a dream?
And if it was… why did I dream of Adrain?
Why does it feel like he was really here?
I must be going insane…