"P-Pardon…?" I blinked, completely confused.
The vampire took a step toward me, a wide grin spreading across his pale face. Then—he bowed.
"What... are you doing?"
He looked up, eyes shining like a kid meeting his favorite idol.
"Master!! I've been looking everywhere for you! You're... You're the infamous Black Hood!!"
'Did he mistake me because of my robe?'
My heartbeat pounded in my ears. Refusing him might end badly. So I gave a slow, awkward nod.
"Uh… What's that to you?"
His grin widened.
Before I could back away, he grabbed my hand—his bloody hand—and shook it like I was a celebrity.
"I… I'm a huge fan! I've always dreamed of becoming a powerful criminal like you! Can I—"
I yanked my hand away with a flick and a glare.
"I'm leaving. Forget this ever happened. Pretend we never met."
I turned and walked away—fast—despite the pounding in my head. I can't let the real Black Hood hear about this…
But footsteps followed. I glanced back. He was still behind me, trailing along like a loyal puppy.
'What does he want now?'
"Didn't I tell you—"
Before I could finish, a red orb shot toward me. The vampire lunged and shoved me aside.
I hit the ground hard. Dazed.
A cloaked man stepped into view, his fingers still glowing with magic.
He grinned.
"A vampire and the Black Hood? Now this is a rare treat."
I'm not the Black Hood! I screamed internally—but my body wouldn't move. Legs frozen in place.
The vampire bared his fangs, tense.
The man sneered. "Don't look so feisty, little bloodsucker. I'll make it painless. Kekeke…"
Another orb flew. It hit the vampire squarely, sending him crashing to the ground.
I should've run—but the throbbing in my skull grew worse. My vision blurred. My body refused to move.
Blood pooled at the vampire's feet.
The thug turned his grin toward me.
And then—
The vampire stood up.
Slowly.
Blood dripped down his chin. He licked it clean, his eyes glowing.
"You're... agitating."
His voice was cold. Like broken glass.
The thug froze. "No… It can't be. You… you're the Blood-Thirsty Monster! The vampire who feeds off the sight of blood!"
The vampire let out a low, sinister laugh. He tilted his head. Fangs bared. Red eyes shining with hunger.
In a blink, he lunged.
Fangs met flesh. Claws tore deep.
A second later, he plunged his hand into the thug's chest—ripping out a still-beating heart.
He bit into it with a satisfied sigh.
Then—
he looked up.
I had already passed out.
With a frown, he tossed the heart aside and knelt beside me, poking my side gently.
I jolted awake.
"Ah—! What are you doing?!"
He blinked. "You must've dozed off from boredom. I should've made it more exciting!"
"…Wait—no, I'm—"
I opened my mouth to confess. But stopped.
'Did he seriously just say that?'
He beamed. "It's okay, Master! No need to pretend. I promise—I'll do better next time!"
'Is he joking?'
I gave a slow, unsure nod.
"Um... sure. You do that. I'm going home now."
Just as I turned, he grabbed my hands—tight.
"W-wait! I haven't even told you my name yet!"
I frowned.
'I really don't care.'
"Hurry up."
"I'm Ciel Vaelthorne! I'll train every day to become your perfect assistant!"
I yanked my hand away with a sigh.
"Good for you. I'm leaving."
I fixed my robe and walked off. A few steps later, I stopped.
Without turning back, I said—
"Don't follow me."
And kept walking.
─
The cold night wrapped around me like fog. My head spun—too many things, too fast. I stumbled. Everything went dark.
…Or maybe someone caught me?
When I opened my eyes, I saw warm light—and two familiar figures.
Flora.
And her son.
I sat up with a groan. "How did I get here?"
The boy scowled. "You fell on me while I was tending to my flowers! They're all smashed!"
'Oh.'
"Luckily," Flora said with a soft chuckle, "you collapsed right in front of my door. Any farther and… well, monsters tend to prowl the alleys."
She smiled, but the warning wasn't lost on me.
She sat beside me. "You came to ask about the nightmares, right?"
"…How did you—?"
"I've been waiting." She stood, offering her hand. "Come."
─
Her workspace was dim. Lit only by a flickering lantern and a faintly glowing orb. She pointed to the orb. Images danced within it.
I saw fire.
Screams.
The man with golden hair.
"This is—"
"A vision of the future," she interrupted gently.
"And for someone with no psychic blood to dream of this chaos… it means only one thing."
She stepped closer. Her finger touched my chest.
"You are involved."
My breath caught.
"That pull inside you. The feeling of déjà vu. It's not a coincidence. Remember it."
A boy flashed in my mind—blond, grinning.
"So you're Everie ?!&@! I'm—"
"Urgh—" I winced, rubbing my temples. The memory cut off. What was that?!
Flora gently touched my shoulder.
I was shaking.
"…I'm sorry," I whispered. "I still can't remember."
She gave a small sigh. Then smiled.
"It's alright. Go home, Everie. Rest. Come back when you're ready."