THE CLASSROOM BUZZES WITH EXCITEMENT, and I can feel everyone’s eyes glued to me—the star of the show. Sarah, our class president, kicks things off. “Guys, this is Casper, aka Snow White, our new kid on the block. Let's give him a warm welcome!” I give the class a smirk and nod, acknowledging my adoring classmates. Suddenly, whispers start flying like a game of telephone, a whirlwind of rumours and speculations taking over the room. A girl up front leans in close to her friend. “Damn, he's a total hottie. Wonder where he's from.” Her buddy is all ears. “I heard he's from some obscure town up north.” Honestly, I hate doing the whole “Hi, I'm Casper” song and dance, so I came up with a plan to skip the small talk. I hand-picked a few students and used my mind-control mojo to plant fake details about my life. Before you know it, the gossip mill was churning, and those juicy tidbits were all over the school. Just like that, I became the talk of the town, without having to go throug
FOOTSTEPS BEGIN PADDING TOWARD us, and I can't help but scrunch up my face in anticipation. I recognize that voice; there's something smug and familiar about it that sends a shiver down my spine. Just as I try to dismiss the thought, the owner of the voice appears in the doorway. Damn it, I curse internally. It's him – that little brat – and as he turns to look my way, his face breaks into a Cheshire cat-like grin that always manages to piss the life out of me. "Hello, brother," he says, his voice dripping with self-satisfaction. I let out a resigned sigh, acknowledging that my night is about to become more complicated than I could have imagined. Turning his gaze back to the girl who's on the verge of exposing my secret, Vivaldi speaks in a calm, collected voice. "Honey, why are you keeping your friends standing outside like that?" The girl fidgets nervously for a moment before replying, her voice trembling with fear and confusion. "He's the one I told you about – the one with a fac
AS VIVALDI BOLDLY ANNOUNCES HIS claim, disbelief spreads across the faces of everyone present. Chloe's face heats up, taking on a vivid crimson hue, while Winter's eyes bounce between the two, full of curiosity, like a ping-pong ball. "Your gorgeous Chloe, you say?" Winter blurts out, her eyebrows raised high, resembling a trapeze artist. With a Cheshire cat grin, Vivaldi proudly proclaims, "You heard it here first. Chloe is my girlfriend." All mouths gape in bewilderment, except for mine. I know Vivaldi must have Chloe under his Vampiric mind control. The room falls silent; everyone freezes, bug-eyed. You could've heard a pin drop. Suddenly, Scarlett bursts out laughing, her amusement shattering the silence. "Oh, come on!" she cries out, voice laden with disbelief. "That's got to be the most absurd thing to ever leave your mouth!" Vivaldi, cool as a cucumber, smirks triumphantly and arches an eyebrow, savoring the skepticism hanging in the air like a fog. "Oh, you don't believe me,
SCARLETT GASPS, "OH MY GOSH!" AS she stumbles back, staring at me like she's seen a ghost. "Your face!" she cries, her voice trembling. Winter and Chloe appear, clearly confused. "What's going on, Scarlett? We heard you scream," Winter asks, not understanding the situation. Scarlett repeats, "His face!" her finger shaking as she points at me. Winter and Chloe step closer, examining my face with curiosity. "There's nothing wrong with his face," Winter says with a shrug. I sigh in relief as I realize my face has returned to its normal appearance. "But it was pale and ghostly, his eyes were red, and… and…" Scarlett stutters, struggling to find the right words. "You're just spooked from Chloe's story and teasing," Winter dismisses with a wave of her hand. Intrigued, I chime in, "What did Chloe say, anyway?" Winter takes a deep breath and glances between us, preparing to explain the strange situation. "Alright, here's the deal," she starts, sounding like a seasoned storyteller. "Chlo
AS WE HEAD TO THE CAFETERIA, I can't help but hear the whispers of our classmates. My super hearing allows me to catch bits and pieces of what they're saying. "Are they dating now?" "So Scarlett's the one, huh?" "They look pretty cute together." "They don't really match… I'd be a better fit." Even though people have mixed feelings, I can't deny that having Scarlett by my side feels reassuring. Scarlett and I find a table in the busy cafeteria, and she sets down her massive red lunch box on the round plastic surface. The lunch box looks like a hybrid between a plastic backpack and a mini-fridge, with countless pockets and zippers. She unzips the main compartment and starts pulling out a bunch of stuff: disposable spoons, cups, plates, a water bottle, a thermos, a couple of Fanta cans, and containers filled with chicken strips, corn, and a pile of French fries. I'm amazed by the feast she's managed to pack into that lunch box. "What the…!" I blurt out, not bothering to hide my su
SO, I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF MY DOOR with this goofy grin plastered on my face, thinking about the awesome time I had with Scarlett and Winter today. I get this weird tingly feeling when I remember the way Scarlett's eyes sparkled, and how soft her hands felt on my cheeks when she called me her hero. I'm just relieved that my little vampire incident at Chloe's place didn't totally screw up our friendship—if anything, it brought us closer together. But then, outta nowhere, I start thinking about Kylian, and his beef with Scarlett. Did she really dump his brother? I wanna know, but I don't wanna pry into her personal life, you know? It's none of my business. That's when I realize I'm still standing there like an idiot, clutching the doorknob. I shake my head, take a deep breath, and finally open the door. And that's when I hear it—this beautiful, amazing melody that just fills the room. It's the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem in D minor, and it's like pure bliss for my ears. The vocal
ALRIGHT, SNOW BOY, LEND ME YOUR ears for I am about to begin the tragic tale that is my life! And this tale revolves around the most unlikely pairing: Cassius and Dante—a vampire and a werewolf who broke all the rules and became best friends. Vampires and werewolves usually don't mix, but these two? They were practically brothers. Now, Cassius wasn't just any old vampire. He was a First Blood—the crème de la crème of the vampire world. This guy had charm and danger oozing from every pore, with eyes that could look right through you and skin that shone like moonlight. There was something magnetic about him—he radiated power like a heatwave, and people just couldn't resist him. As for Dante, well, he was the Alpha of the Silver Moon Werewolf pack. This dude was a force to be reckoned with. He had these intense, glowing red eyes that seemed to burn in the dark like hot coals. People looked up to him—he had the strength and leadership that just demanded respect. You're probably thinking
SO THERE I WAS, STANDING IN THE middle of the woods, my heart pounding like a drum. Part of me was screaming to turn tail and run as fast as I could. Whatever had done this might still be around, and who’s to say it wouldn’t come after me next? But just as I started to turn, something stopped me. I wasn’t gonna be a coward. This was why I’d been training so hard—to be brave like my father. Now, I wasn’t quite as fearless as him yet, but I knew I’d never get there if I didn’t even try. So with my heart threatening to pound right out of my chest, I pushed down my fear and started towards the figure lying on the ground. As I got closer, my eyes widened, and a gasp escaped my lips. It was the alpha—the guy who was supposed to be invincible, for crying out loud—but he was in bad shape. Like, really bad. Dagger wounds covered his body, and blood was seeping out of each one. His strong frame was crumpled on the ground like a discarded rag doll, and the smell of blood was so strong that it
~Casper's POV~I'M SITTING HERE, PRETENDING TO BE OBLIVIOUS, nodding along like a bobblehead, and forcing out silly fake laughs. Meanwhile, my mind is a jumbled mess of emotions, a war zone of worries, and a circus of crazy thoughts.Scarlett and Chloe are yapping away, completely clueless about the turmoil brewing inside me. They're discussing the “super cops” – aka WVH – and the destructive windstorm that ripped through town like a bad haircut. I'm showing sympathy, making supportive noises, and sipping my tea, all while my brain is preoccupied with Winter. Those piercing blue eyes of hers have me twisted in knots – the fear that flickers in her eyes whenever she looks at me. It's like a punch to the gut, and a slap in the face all rolled into one.Will she ever look at me the same way again? Or will she expose me to Scarlett, ruining the one friendship that's kept me sane since my release from the mansion? The thought alone is enough to drive me crazy, to push me over the edge, and
I'M SITTING IN MY DESK, HALFWAY through a physics lesson, when I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I twist around to see a beautiful girl, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll's. She's got captivating emerald eyes, framed by impossibly long, dark lashes, and a button nose that suits her heart-shaped face perfectly. Her golden locks cascade over her shoulders like a silken waterfall. Her soft pink lips part slightly as she leans in, a hint of rose-scented perfume teasing my senses. In a hushed, musical voice, she whispers, "I'm sorry to disturb you, but your girlfriend wanted me to give you this note." Her voice is so low I have to strain to catch every word, but her crystal-clear tone reminds me of a tinkling bell. My brows crease in confusion at the mention of a girlfriend. As far as I know, I don't have one! But I set aside that mystery for now and nod a silent thanks to the girl, turning my attention back to the droning teacher. Her slender fingers brush mine, soft as v
WHEN I AWOKE, AN EERIE SILENCE filled the room. I cautiously surveyed my surroundings, taking in the horrific scene before me. Agatha's lifeless body sprawled across the floor, and DeAndre lay nearby, his heart torn from his chest. Ignoring the grotesque dead vampires and Werewolves, I rushed to the ornate window where Cassius would often gaze out. My heart sank as I took in the sight of hundreds of lifeless bodies scattered across the grounds. Tears stung my eyes, and I fell to my knees, sobbing at the realization that my master lay among them. "No!" I cried, unwilling to accept the truth before me. Desperate for a closer look, I bolted for the front door, only to find myself teleported back to the living room. Confused and distraught, I tried every possible exit—doors, windows, any opening I could find—but each attempt only brought me back to the same spot. Defeated and devastated, I slumped to the floor, my cries echoing through the mansion. Suddenly, a cold hand grasped my l
"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU KNEW caspian and Dante, like, in the flesh?" Vivaldi's voice trembles with disbelief. "Yes, I knew them like the back of my hand," I confirm, watching his reaction carefully. "Oh my god!" Vivaldi exclaims, ruffling his hair frantically as if trying to rid himself of an infestation. His laughter rings with a manic edge, and before I can process his erratic behavior, he backhands me across the face. The force of the blow nearly knocks me off my stool, and I growl through clenched teeth, my pain and anger burning in my eyes. "I'm sorry," he apologizes hastily, seeing the rage in my expression. "But where the hell have you been my whole fucking life? All this time, everyone kept telling me that Caspian died without passing on the power of the First Blood. But my desperation for a cure made me hold onto hope, even when there seemed to be none." Vivaldi's eyes bore into mine, demanding answers. "No more secrets, right? So tell me, where did you go after Caspian's
IN THE BAR, GLASSES CLINK, AND echoes with lively chatter. Casper and I raise our glasses, toasting amidst the boisterous voices."How can I lift your spirit, Mr. Vivaldi?" Casper asks, eyes fixed on my troubled gaze. Tipping my scotch glass, I savor the smoky scent before downing it in one fiery gulp. The burn rushes down my throat as I set the glass back on the counter with a gentle clink.Casper follows suit, his face twisting in pain, gasping for air. Hand pressed against his chest, he tries to douse the flames within. I lean in, worry etched on my brow."You okay, man?" I ask, concern ringing in my voice.Raising a shaky hand to halt me, Caspers wheezes, "Do I look okay?" His voice strained from the effort.I shrug, humor sparkling in my gaze. "Casper, how can you not handle something so devilishly smooth?" I joke, eyeing the half-empty bottle's amber liquid.He gives me an incredulous look, chest heaving. "How do you drink that without your insides burning to a crisp?"I can't h
BARRINGTON TAKES A DEEP BREATH, his gaze fixed on the phone number displayed on the screen before dialing it. He fidgets with his pen, anxiety building as the line rings. When the call connects, he smiles as he hears the voice on the other end."Hello and good afternoon! Am I speaking with Mr. Flynt?""Yes, who is this and how may I help you?"Barrington clears his throat, trying to sound as official as possible. "Ahem... This is Barrington Jackson, calling from Shadowvale's police department.""Barrington, as in the chief of police?"Barrington can't help but puff up a bit with pride. "Yes, that's right.""Oh, wow! For real? Long time, man..."Barrington grins. "Yeah, it's been a while. How have you been?""I'm good, I'm good. And you? Still keeping the streets of Shadowvale safe, huh?"They chat for a while, catching up on old times. But Barrington knows he has a purpose for this call, so he eventually steers the conversation towards it."Listen, I hope you don't mind me asking, but
I’M SLOWLY WAKING UP, RUBBING the sleep from my eyes, when I notice a small, mysterious figure sitting on an armchair across from me. Their tiny legs are crossed, and they're holding this huge book that covers their entire face. I can’t make out their features, but I know exactly who it is.I manage to croak out, "What are you doing in my room?", my voice still heavy with sleep as I struggle to sit up.There’s a moment of silence, but then, BAM! The book snaps shut with a thunderous sound, revealing none other than Vivaldi. His bright, curious eyes peer out at me from behind these round, wire-rimmed glasses I've never seen him wearing before. His raven black hair is all ruffled, like he’d just rolled out of bed.With an excited pitch in his voice, Vivaldi exclaims, "You're awake, Snow Boy!" His enthusiasm is unmistakable, as he questions, "How was Dreamland?"All I can do in response is roll my eyes, not feeling up to dealing with Vivaldi's eccentricities.So, Vivaldi's expression tur
CHIEF OFFICER BARRINGTON STEPS into his father's home, his boots announcing his arrival with each squeak against the tiles. He finds Norman, his father, in his favorite armchair, a cup of Earl Grey tea steaming at his side.Norman raises his gaze, his eyes crinkling with warmth as a smile etches itself upon his weathered face. "Well, look who it is—my favorite son," he quips, rising from his chair with a soft groan.A chuckle escapes Barrington as he wraps his father in a warm embrace. "I'm your only son, Dad," he reminds him with a grin.Norman steps back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That's exactly why you're my favorite."The two men sit on the couch, and Norman asks the maid to bring an extra cup so they can share tea. Barrington thanks his father, takes a sip of the tea, and feels its warmth radiate through his chest as he relishes the comforting taste of home."Dad, you truly make the best tea in all of Shadowvale and beyond," Barrington compliments, his appreciation eviden
A PERSISTENT RAPPING ON THE DOOR slices through the silence, echoing in the quiet house. After a moment’s pause, the door groans open, and soft footsteps make their way to Winter’s bedside."Winter, honey," her mother calls gently, her hand landing on Winter's shoulder in a featherlight touch. Winter grimaces in her sleep, squirming and mumbling, her brow furrowing like a worried accountant’s."Winter!" Her mother's voice rises an octave, and her taps on Winter's shoulder intensify. Winter wakes with a gasp, her chest heaving like a marathon runner's. Her mother quickly envelops her in a tight embrace, her hand tracing soothing circles on Winter's back."Another bad dream, sweetie?" her mother whispers, her voice a salve to Winter's troubled spirit.Winter nods, her eyes wide as saucers. Her mother presses a hand to Winter's forehead. "You're burning up. Are you feeling okay?"Winter shakes her head vehemently as she recalls the paranormal events that transpired yesterday. She isn’t f