Chapter 5
The sun was bright that afternoon, the kind that made the old school building glow at the edges. Students moved lazily across the courtyard mostly in two's, chatting in clusters, oblivious to the unknown danger flowing through Blackville.
Adrian leaned against a stone railing near an old fountain, arms folded, eyes fixed on Selene. She stood a few feet away, the sunlight draping over her pale skin like silk. It still felt strange, seeing her like this—a vampire standing comfortably under the sun.
"So," Adrian began slowly, "if you're really a vampire, why doesn't the sunlight affect you? I've heard stories… the whole bursting-into-flames thing."
Selene gave a small,but knowing smile. "That's true—for most vampires. The sun weakens us, burns us if we're exposed too long. But royal blood is… different. My tribe has ancient magic woven into our lineage. We can walk under the sun without harm, though it still drains us if we stay too long."
"So basically, you're like… a limited-edition vampire," Adrian muttered, half impressed, half trying to process it all.
She chuckled softly. "Something like that."
The sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment.
"Selene," a smooth voice called.
Both turned to see a tall boy strolling toward them with the effortless grace of someone who knew exactly how good he looked. His golden eyes glimmered like a predator's in the light.
"Hi, Selene," he said, smiling in a way that was both charming and calculated.
Adrian straightened. There was something off about the newcomer's presence—too perfect, too composed.
"Who's he?" Adrian asked, turning to Selene.
"He's..." she started, but the boy raised a hand to cut her off, his smile widening.
"Lucian," he said smoothly. "No need for introductions."
—
General POV
Lucian was no ordinary vampire. Born into the Noble Tribe, one of the oldest and most cunning clans, he was 182 years old in vampire years, though he wore the face of a nineteen-year-old. His special ability was illusion weaving—he could bend reality to his will, making people see, hear, or feel whatever he wished for brief moments.
Unlike royal vampires, Lucian couldn't walk under the sun naturally. But a golden ring, engraved with ancient carvings crafted from the blood of an ancient royal vampire ,allowed him to withstand daylight as long as he wore it.
Lucian had been Selene's friend in the vampire world for decades, but behind that friendship simmered something more—a quiet, possessive longing. So when his golden eyes fell on Adrian, a stranger standing close to her, a flicker of jealousy burned beneath his practiced smile.
—
Lucian's smile lingered like a blade hidden behind silk. He stepped closer, hands casually in his pockets, gaze moving between Adrian and Selene.
"So, you're the one everyone's whispering about," Lucian said smoothly. "The human who seems to attract a lot of attention."
Adrian frowned. "Whispers? About me?"
Lucian tilted his head slightly, like a predator circling prey. "Blackville has been quiet for a long time. Then you return… and suddenly, the tribes are restless. Interesting timing, don't you think?"
The comment hung in the air, heavier than his casual tone suggested.
Selene stepped in quickly. "Lucian, stop."
He ignored her. "Tell me, Adrian, do you have any idea what you've walked into?"
Adrian straightened, refusing to show discomfort. "I didn't walk into anything. I came home..."
Lucian's grin widened, sharp as glass. "Home," he echoed softly. "How charming."
Selene moved between them, her voice cutting through the tension. "Lucian."
He sighed dramatically and leaned back. "Relax, princess. I'm just curious. He's… fascinating."
General POV
Lucian's golden eyes never left Adrian. He wasn't merely curious—he was testing him, pushing boundaries, watching how he reacted. Jealousy thrummed beneath his smooth exterior, twisting every word into a quiet challenge.
Adrian felt it too. He didn't fully understand the world he'd stepped into, but he knew one thing: Lucian wasn't someone to underestimate.
Selene broke the moment with a deliberately calm voice. "Lucian, we were in the middle of something."
Lucian glanced at her, then stepped back with a smirk. "Of course. I wouldn't want to interrupt your… conversation."
He gave Adrian one last lingering look—half smile, half threat—before turning on his heel and walking away, sunlight catching on his golden ring as he disappeared into the crowd.
Adrian exhaled slowly. "Who exactly was that?"
Selene's expression hardened. "a friend" but now he looks like Trouble, she said quietly. "In the most complicated form."
The courtyard seemed quieter now, but beneath that silence, a new tension had rooted itself—a dangerous one neither of them could ignore.