Chapter 15 – The Blood Hunter's Warning
The sky over the academy was pale and dull, mirroring the fog in Aria's mind. She sat through class that day with a strange stillness—Lucien had been quiet. Ever since that night… the kisses, his confession, the way he held her… it all felt too good, too raw, too real.
Her fingers brushed over the spot on her neck where he had bitten her. Not painfully… no, it was intimate. A bond.
But now… something gnawed at her.
After the final bell rang, students began filing out, laughing, chattering… Aria walked slowly, lost in thought. Her body still ached from last night's… closeness. Lucien had taken her like he owned her, and she let him—wanted him.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist, firm but not cruel. She gasped.
"Aria," Callum's deep voice whispered.
It was the new student—cold, silent, always watching. He pulled her gently into the shadows of the courtyard garden where no one could hear.
She tried to pull away. "What are you doing—?"
"I need to talk to you," he said sharply, his icy eyes locking onto hers. "Now."
The silence was thick between them. He leaned against the cold wall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Lucien isn't who you think he is," Callum said calmly.
She blinked. "What?"
"You think he's in love with you? That you're safe with him?" His voice was low and controlled, but there was a storm behind it. "Do you even know what his family did?"
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Callum looked away for a moment before speaking. "His father—Lucien's bloodline—they were the ones who started the massacre during the Vampire Civil War. Your family, Aria… your parents, your bloodline… they were one of the noble human families who resisted the rule of the vampires."
Her throat tightened.
"What…?" she whispered.
"They were betrayed, hunted, and slaughtered. By vampires. By his family."
"That's not true," she said, backing away.
Callum stepped forward, serious and intense. "Lucien might not be the monster his father was. But he's still a vampire. And he's bound to their legacy whether he wants to be or not."
"But…" Her voice trembled. "Lucien wouldn't hurt me…"
"You sure about that?" Callum said, his tone cutting like glass. "You think you're not just a pawn? You think he won't snap one night and lose control?"
"Lucien wouldn't," she said firmly… but her voice wasn't convincing even to herself.
"I can protect you." Callum's eyes softened just slightly. "I'm a blood hunter, Aria. It's my job to destroy vampires like them. But I won't hurt you. I swear. Just… think about it. If you ever want out, I'll be waiting."
And then—like thunder crashing through the air—his name roared out:
"ARIA!"
Her entire body tensed.
Lucien.
He stepped forward from the shadows, his crimson eyes glowing, fury burning in every breath. He looked like a god of war in black, fury leaking from every pore.
Callum didn't flinch.
Lucien didn't ask permission. He grabbed Aria's waist possessively and yanked her back toward him, glaring daggers at Callum.
"What. The. Hell. Are you doing with him?" Lucien growled.
She turned quickly, cheeks flushed. "Lucien, stop, he just—"
"I don't care," he snarled, pulling her even closer. "He doesn't get to touch you. Ever."
"Lucien, please," she whispered, pressing her hands against his chest to calm him.
But he was trembling… not in fear, in rage.
"You let him talk to you?" Lucien asked, voice dangerously low.
She leaned close, cupping his face. "Look at me. Look at me, not him."
His eyes softened—barely.
"He called me cute," she whispered with a teasing smile, hoping to lighten him.
Lucien blinked. "What…?"
"He said I was cute. You jealous?"
He scowled hard, but his grip on her waist loosened. "I should rip his throat out."
"You're not going to do that," she said gently, sliding her fingers into his hair.
He leaned into her touch, the storm fading a bit in his gaze.
They walked back to the dorm in silence, but her mind wasn't calm.
Lucien kept his arm around her tightly, his body like a shield. But her thoughts were spiraling.
In their room, he sat her down on the bed, still tense. "What did he tell you?"
She hesitated.
"Aria."
She didn't answer. She couldn't.
Lucien stepped back, breathing hard. "You're doubting me."
"No," she said quickly. "I'm confused."
"About what?" he snapped. "You think I'd hurt you?"
She shook her head. "No… I—Lucien, please… I need time."
He looked at her like his world had just cracked open.
She grabbed his hand. "I love you."
His eyes searched hers for the truth. "Then stay away from him."
"I will…" she whispered. "Just don't hide from me, okay?"
Lucien leaned down, forehead pressed to hers, voice broken. "I'm not like my family. I swear to you, Aria… I would never hurt you."
"I believe you…" she whispered, but deep in her heart, the echo of Callum's words haunted her