Chapter 1

Tala Hill

My tears never stop flowing. My whole body was shaking with so much anger, so much fear. I didn't know I could feel this so much anger at the age of nine, in this small, fragile body of mine. I attempted to convince myself that all this chaos and mess was just a nightmare. That tomorrow, I will also wake up and realize that everything was just a dream. That all this bloodshed was not real.

But the sea of blood surrounding me was telling me otherwise. That everything was real, that it wasn't just a delusion of my mind. That the monster with red eyes walking towards me was not a figment of my imagination.

The monster's clothes were full of blood. But I knew that those bloods did not come from here. He was a killer, a bloodthirsty monster. I wanted to scream, to ask for help. But it was also insignificant because I knew that no one would come to help me. Because all of them were dead. And once again, my tears welled up.

The beast is still getting closer. I could not move. I wanted to run but my feet seemed to be nailed to the ground. I could not move my whole body. My mind is screaming for help but the words seems stuck inside my throat.

I was just so overcome by fear. When the monster got close, he wrapped his fingers around my neck. I was gradually raised to the air and I gasped due to the sudden lack of air. I was persistently gasping for air.

“Hello there, little mouse,” he said with a hint of accent that I could not identify.

“According to your servant, the first born child of James Kilfeather is a girl with red and golden hair. So you must be the younger one.” He smiled, showing a pair of sharp fangs. “Tell you what, I will let you live. Then you can tell your sister that one day, I will come for her.”

The monster unceremoniously dumped me. I choked in pain. I turned around and saw that the monster had suddenly disappeared. I looked at the ground where the monster had appeared and saw the pool of blood. I closed my eyes tightly, but I knew that I needed to see the source of the blood. I opened my eyes and gradually raised my face. I couldn't stop the tears from falling again.

Lying in front of me was my father, surrounded by his own blood. I slowly approached my father, shaking his whole body. I knelt down next to him and held his hand. I was surprised to feel that it was still warm. Suddenly, hope rose inside me.

“F-Father.”

He opened his eyes and looked at me. My father tried to smile but that only made him cough blood. "I-I'm sorry, Tala, that you have to witness all of this.” He coughed more blood.

I shook my head one after another. “Stop talking, you'll be fine.”

A sad smile appeared on my father's lips before gently shaking his head. As if telling me that this is the end. “Promise me . . . that you will protect your sister. I know you can, because you are s-strong.”

I bit my lower lip and frowned, “Y-Yes, Father,” I managed to answer in a trembling voice.

“T-then let me give you this last g-gift.” Even though it was difficult, my father slowly raised his hand and placed it on my chest. "I love you so much, Tala. Remember, no matter what. I will always be with you.” And for the last time, he smiled at me.

I opened my eyes while gasping for air. I quickly looked around. I was still in the school's main library and not in that nightmarish dream I just had. I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes tightly, trying to put the dream out of my mind. I could feel the rustling of the wind outside and I held tightly to the bracelet I am wearing.

“Just calm down, Tala. Just calm down."

I told myself over and over again until my heart rate slowly returned to normal and she could no longer hear the wind blowing outside.

I returned my gaze to the book I was reading. It was the historical account of the war that happened a hundred years ago. Before the world, as everyone knew it, ended. In 2100, the third largest war in human history took place. But that is not between two countries or groups of countries. It was between vampires and werewolves.

That was right, vampires and werewolves.

During a time when nobody believed in beings such as them, they suddenly appeared and changed the course of the world. After that, the types of witches, wizards, even fairies, and all demons appeared. Every being from myths and legends suddenly became real. I couldn't imagine how the people who lived then must have felt. They must have all been frightened to death, with beings from their worst nightmares suddenly coming to life. Slaughtering and killing them.

No one knows what really started it all. Why did these creatures decide to expose themselves to the eyes of humans, after a millennium of concealing themselves from humans? Others say it's because werewolves strike against vampires. Everyone knows that werewolves had been the vampires' slaves since the beginning of time. Maybe they were fed up with being slaves so they rebelled.

There had been many sightings of big wolves fighting against beings that had inhuman speed. Many used to say that it was a fabrication by die hard supernatural fanatics. But when news spread about it, people started asking questions. But what really sealed the deal was the legendary fight at Tower bridge in London, United Kingdom.

The people who were there probably thought it would be just an ordinary night, they couldn't have been more wrong. People started turning into big wolves attacking an army of immortal fanged beings. Many saw what happened, many also became casualties. It was even caught on film. People could no longer take for granted what they saw and witnessed. World leaders started talking among themselves, planning the best course of action. But nothing happened because they did not know how to let these creatures out.

The war between werewolves and vampires continues. And every time werewolves and vampires clashed, hundreds of human bodies were left in their wake. People tried to intervene in the ongoing conflict, the US government in particular was very enthusiastic in stopping the war between the two beings. But whenever they get into trouble, they all end up dead, or worse turned into vampires. What exactly can a battalion of soldiers do against giant werewolves and fast and powerful vampires?

When the people realized that what they were doing was useless, the world leaders decided to reach out to the vampires. Their wish was granted, seven purebloods from the seven noble vampire clans talked to them. A decision was reached. If the humans help exterminate the werewolves, the vampire's promise that humans will regain peace. So, the humans allied with the vampires.

But not everything ended there, because witches and wizards also joined the chaos. Many witches and wizards helped the werewolves. And just like how it started, no one knows how it all ended. The battle ended suddenly. All werewolves suddenly disappeared. But despite the end of the war, people's lives cannot be returned to normal. How could they, when they already knew of the existence of these supernatural beings?

It must have been really hard to live in that era. I stood up from my seat and picked up the book. I was reading it for my assignment in my History class. I sighed. I must have read too much so I suddenly had nightmares. I returned the book from the bookshelf it was taken from.

While walking out of the library, I couldn't help but go back to what I had read. After the war, some vampires started to kill humans. It was not enough for them to drink blood from people, they killed people indiscriminately. The world leaders complained, but the purebloods turned a blind eye to everything. So, in retaliation to that, the world leaders created the Hunters Association. It was a group of humans highly trained to kill supernatural beings.

It took years and years before peace was somewhat achieved. And that's because of the current head of the Vampire Parley, Vandross de Brava. He made a pact with the humans, saying that they could kill any vampire that just kills people for fun. They won't retaliate as long as they will let them feed from humans who would willingly give them their blood. A lot was arranged, a lot was agreed upon, until they reached a balance of power.

Every creature had some sort of government as their own. The vampires had their Vampire Parley, the witches and wizards had the House of Hecate, the Feys had their own Courts, even the demons had their own hierarchy. Every country also has a Supernaturals Council that deals with these creatures.

Surely that's what people who lived before the 21st century would think. I am sure that from the beginning, they can't imagine that the world will be like this. It Was good for them, because they didn't have the chance to live in this kind of world.

“BUON pomeriggio, Tala” the two students who I bumped into greeted me in Italian.

“Good afternoon too.” Both of the girls squealed when I greeted them back. I just continued walking, because such a reaction was not new to me. There was another student whom when I talked to her would just blush and squeal just like the two students I met.

Italian is the main language in Rome at St. Marco Academy. A boarding school for women. Most of the students there came from various wealthy families in Europe. Parents send their daughters to such schools for their safety. Because St. Marco had the most advanced defense against supernaturals, particularly vampires and demons.

The headmistress of the school is a high ranking member of the House of Hecate. That's why the whole school is covered with a magical barrier. For some reason, humans trust witches and wizards more than any other supernatural beings. Maybe because, aside from being immortal and having magical powers, they looked a lot like humans. The fact that they don't eat people or drink blood probably helped.

St. Marco Academy was divided into three main parts. The elementary department, where children from seven to twelve years of age study. The high school department, where thirteen to eighteen-year-olds study, I also belonged in the highschool department. And the dormitories, the cafeteria and other school amenities were settled. That's why the land covered by the academy is really vast. All that to meet all the needs of the students.

I went straight to the school garden. I could hear the sweet sound of a violin in the distance. I just smiled and continued walking. At the center of the garden was a gazebo and inside it was a girl with long golden red hair and golden brown eyes. This is where the beautiful sound of the violin that I hear comes from.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the music. Then the music abruptly stopped. I opened my eyes and saw that the girl playing the violin was looking at me

The girl smiled as if she just saw the most beautiful thing in the world. “Tala!” she called with a smile accompanied by a wave.

The girl's name was Mayari and she was my sister. The heart of my life, the most important person in my life, and the only reason why I continued on living.

“Maya,” I called her nickname.

Despite being sisters, we could never be more different. In appearance alone we are far from each other. My hair was black like that of a raven's feathers and, unlike my sister's golden brown eyes, mine were green. Maya was full of love and compassion for others. So it's also very easy for other people to love her. It is difficult for me to trust others. I always had my guard up, constantly being careful. Because that's the only thing I know how to protect Maya.

“Are you done doing your research?” Maya asked as I sat down inside the gazebo.

“Yes. I'm sorry if I took so long. I kind of fell asleep,” I answered. I sat next to her.

“Are you having trouble sleeping at night again?” she asked worriedly.

“No,” I immediately denied. “I just stayed up late last night because of some student council work, that's why,” I lied. I couldn't tell Maya that again, the nightmares of the past are bothering me. There is no reason for her to worry about me. “Is that the final song you will play for the music contest?” I just changed the conversation. Because Maya is participating in a music competition next week. It was an annual competition where

students from different schools in Rome compete against each other. It will be held in one of the most historic buildings in Rome. This year, Maya only had the courage to join in such a competition. It will be our last year in St. Marco. It's a shame if she won’t try to enter a music contest.

Maya watched me carefully as if reading my facial expression. Then she just smiled. “Yes. Do you think I could win?”

“I just don't think so. I know you will.”

“You're not just saying that because we're sisters?”

“Of course not. You are very talented, Maya.”

She leaned on my shoulder. “I wish I had your confidence, Tala.”

I'm not confident, in fact I'm always scared, I said in the back of my mind. I choose not to say those words. “Hey, I will be there to support you. If you feel nervous, just find me in the midst of the crowds and I will make funny faces to make you smile.”

She suddenly laughed. “Of course you wouldn't! No way! The perfect Tala Hill doing funny faces? No way! Your fans might throw you out if you do that.” She laughed again.

I squeezed Maya’s cheek. “I don't have fans. And I am not perfect.”

“Tell that to the younger students that put love letters in your locker every day,” she teased.

“They are hormone-crazed teenagers, Maya. They are just looking for something to turn their attention to because we are both girls here. And unfortunately, for some unknown reason, they chose to turn that attention to me,” I mumbled.

“The reason is not totally unknown, you know. They think of you as their prince. If you haven't noticed, you have this princely vibe that every teenage girl likes.” When I frowned at what she said, she laughed again. “I really love how you are so dense sometimes.” I only frowned even more at what she said. “Never mind.”

I stood up from my seat. “Let's just go back to the dorm. I think you're hungry. Nonsense words are coming out of your mouth.” I was about to walk when Maya suddenly held my hand. I turned to her in surprise. “Is there a problem?”

“Maya, you know that you can tell me anything, right? So, if something is bothering you, don't be afraid to tell me. I am just here, ready to listen to you.”

I was slightly surprised by what she said. It seems that she is still worried that I may not be able to sleep well at night. I just tried to smile. “Of course. I have no one else to talk to about my problem but you,” I just joked.

But despite me saying that, I knew that I could never tell Maya about the content of my nightmares. I could never put Maya in that kind of sadness. In that kind of pain.

The next day, I woke up early and washed my face. I looked at my own reflection in the mirror. The blackness under my eyes was obvious. I hardly had any sleep last night, or the last three nights for that matter. The nightmare keeps coming back. These past few days, her nightmares are getting more intense. It was as if I returned to that moment, that fateful moment that changed me and my sister's life forever.

“Miss Hill,” the director said when she saw me. “How may I help you?” she asked with a smile on her face.

"Miss Romanova, I was going to ask for permission to go out of the academy,” I said in a polite voice.

She put the book she was holding and looked at me intently. “May I know why you have to go out?” she asked, brows raised.

I was not surprised by Miss Romanova’s question. The academy had a strict policy on going outside the school premises. That is for the safety of the student because almost everyone who studies in St. Marco lives in the dormitory. The only immediate way to leave the academy during a nonschool day is to get permission from the director of the dormitory.

“I have to go to the hospital,” I answered. “I injured my left wrist and I'm not sure if it is sprained or fractured. I want it to be seen by a doctor right away,” I reluctantly lied.

“That's terrible!” she exclaimed. She approached me and was about to touch my left arm but I immediately avoided her hand. I winced.

“I would really appreciate it if you don't touch it, Ma'am,” I politely refused to be touched. “It's kind of painful,” I said, grimacing even more.

“Oh, I'm sorry. But I think it's better if we just request a potion from the Headmistress instead of going to the hospital. Your injury will definitely heal faster.”

I shook my head. “My parents were really religious, Ma'am. And the last thing they said before they died was to never let me and my sister be tainted with witchcraft. I just want to follow their last request. No offense meant to the Headmistress, of course,” I said.

I wanted to cringe inside, the longer it took, the more I got better from lying. What the school knows is that our parents died in a car accident. Which of course, was not true. It was more bloody than that.

“I understand. Then I'll just go with you to the hospital,” she volunteered.

“No, no!” I spoke immediately. I did not notice that my refusal was too forceful, but I also immediately cooled down. “I mean, I could not possibly impose on you.”

“Nonsense. I can’t let our top student leave alone. I know it’s your last year here at the academy, but until you graduate, you are still one of my babies,” she said while smiling. “Now, wait outside. I'll just get my coat.”

I just forced myself to smile. “Yes. Thank you.” Now this was a complication I did not expect. Ah, this is my karma for lying.