I felt my feet wobble the moment I shut the door. My hand stayed at the knob and the other tightly held the letter. My forehead automatically fell flat on the wooden hard surface of it. There, I closed my eyes tight and contemplates my life. Everleigh put down a familiar piece of paper from her pocket. I wonder how she hid it by the dress she’s wearing but that doesn’t matter right now. I eyed the paper that is now on the table and my eyes widened when I finally recognized what is it. “He still visits every day and I didn’t know how it happened but no one seems to feel his presence around the castle.” My eyes stayed glued to the piece of creamy white paper but I’m still all ears for what Everleigh is saying. I slowly reached for it and she took this chance to hold my hand. She looked at me again intently and I felt her grip tighten. “Luna, I want to be honest with you.” “Everleigh…” To be honest, I never knew this day will ever come. I’ll trust Everleigh with my life, I lit
THEY SAID IN a vampire's lifetime, love and romance are crucial things. Unlike humans, they are only capable of being in love with one vampire for their whole life. The moment you found yours, it's impossible to set your eyes on another one. Together, you will have each other forever. It's both a curse and a gift. That's why vampires value marriage more than anything. It is more than a tradition, or bloodline ties, something deep like love bounds to keep two vampires together eternally. I must admit, love is not something you can easily find if you are a vampire. When I watched my parents get married, I am not aware that that is all for convenience only. Any memory of their said "love" or "intimacy" was still a blur for me. However, my mother is good at keeping everything together and she's also capable of making me feel that her love only is enough. At that time, she was the only that mattered to me, and I am for her. When she died, I feel like a part of me died along with her. It
THIS IS PROBABLY the longest ride I have ever had in my whole life. "Are we lost?" I finally had the courage to voice out my thoughts. We have been wandering the woods for like half an hour. Of course, we would. I don't know if he is doing it on purpose, but he's not even riding Romulus properly. He's just lazily gripping the reins, completely letting the horse lead the way. It's like we are casually just taking a morning walk. It was also the first word I uttered after what he said a while ago. It's a good thing he's just behind, there will be nothing left for me if ever he saw my reaction too. I was so shocked, of course. But there is some weird feeling inside me that even I can not figure out. Or maybe I already did. It's just that I can't just admit it to myself directly. He didn't answer but I heard him cough a bit. My eyes squinted and looked at him over my shoulders. "We're lost, are we?" He lazily laid his eyes on me and I want to hit myself for panicking a bit. For
HOW DOES it feels to be able to control time? I never expected I would say this my entire life, but it must have been fun being a witch. Time is something that never fails to entice me. You can never see it, you can never hold it... but it's all over you. It's all over us. Before you can even notice, it's already controlling you when you should be the one doing so. In some way, it can tell people when to do what they do, and basically the only thing people can agree upon. The power it holds over people is just... insane. No matter how hard you try, it will never stop and it will never move the way you wanted it to. It's really cruel, how it just continues to progress and leave behind those who cannot keep up anymore. [I/N: A witch is a creature of Romania that has the ability to control time. However, they are considered a menace to society. They are believed to hunt little children and maidens in the community and they are treated as the lowest rank of society. Contrary to how p
A FEW WEEKS AGO IN AERITH, BEFORE THE GRAND BALL “Come on, follow me.” The four of us fitted ourselves in a steep and narrow path toward wherever it is Thaddaeus is taking us. Minutes ago, I was just enjoying the peace of the night on the balcony when he dragged me, along with Giovanni and Everleigh to go somewhere amazing. His words, not mine. “Just tell me, Thaddaeus,” I asked impatiently while I let him drag me quietly out of the Octavian Palace. Obviously, they wouldn't let us wander around Aerith again by ourselves after that encounter with the filthy vampires in the forest. “Ssh, Luna. The palace guards will hear you.” ”Forget it. I'm not coming if you're not going to tell me where you're taking me.” I took back my hands from his hold and crossed them to my chest. He keeps insisting on not telling because he wants it to be a little surprise. The last time we got to hang out was a disaster, and I have to be the bigger person among us. This guy does not know how much I am tr
"If you want to wish for something, say it out loud while on the verge of a cliff." His voice was like a touch of mellow music to my ears. The view is as beautiful as ever, but I wish l I can just stare at his face instead. A perfect image I will forever hold in my memory. "Is that the reason why you brought me here?" He's near. And we are looking at the same view. I realized that is more than enough. "Words are powerful... but wishes are magical." I smiled and I wished he knows how much I admire his mind. Where do I stand in that vast faculty of your thoughts? Can I ask for just a little place in your memory, instead? "I wish I can stop time." As if on cue, the wind blows gently on our faces. The trees swayed and the glazing sun hid behind the clouds. I closed my eyes and let my mind be blank... be of peace. "Why?" Giovanni. We are still here, enjoying the view from the cliff. His grip circled on me from behind, and me leaning on him. I have always been the kind of someone
Where and when does it exactly start? "They can not be trusted." Is it the moment when Arturo and Dominic told me? "Luna, they can not be trusted." Or when Everleigh did? All my life, in all the dark phases and light, I am surrounded by this family, by these very friends. And to think that I have been sheltered with lies for all that time is one of my greatest driving forces in making this happen. One thing is for sure, I have had enough. If running away from them would lead me towards everything that I want to know, then it would make every regret worth it. I only have myself now. And I have to trust no one. I woke up with a very bad disposition. That dream... was so weird. Or if it was really a dream to start with? There was no single image and I can only hear voices. And it all came from me. From my mind. It's as if hearing my mind talk. "You are finally awake." That voice was enough to completely wake my senses up. It sounded exactly like the voices in my dreams but I
“ARE YOU sure you want to do it alone?”Amadeo’s voice echoed from behind. I sighed quietly and grimaced. This is going to be a long conversation.This got to be one of the most quiet I have ever seen Oakcross. You can hear even the slightest sound crickets make. The wind whispers so silently as if it does not want to wake anyone. There is no single star in the skies, and the moon shines brightest above all.Which I found hilarious and odd at the same time. What is about to happen tonight is far from being peaceful.“I can handle myself, Amadeo.” I coldly answered as I continued combing my hair in front of the mirror. I purposely made my voice sound dismissive in the hope that he can already feel there is no changing my mind anymore and that he can stop. But to my surprise, he even leaned himself on the door jamb and crossed his arms as he continued staring at my reflection with a smirk on his lips. I rolled my eyes and shook my head in disbelief.“You should get ready by now, don’t yo
Then suddenly, a series of spine-chilling roars echoed through the hall. It was still very dark, adding tension to everything that was happening. Nero and the others were not the only ones here. Packs and packs of wolves came and from the looks of it, they came to infiltrate the event. If this is not a declaration of war, then I don't know what it is. Prometheus' rage was palpable, his eyes burning with a dangerous intensity. I backed away, my heart pounding in my chest. The wolves, once a symbol of protection, now seemed like a menacing force, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.Giovanni stood tall, his face a mask of determination. He moved with a grace that belied his strength, his eyes never leaving Prometheus. The tension in the air was thick, and heavy with the promise of violence.Suddenly, the wolves lunged. Solaris, the alpha, led the charge, his body a blur of motion. Prometheus raised his arms, his body taut with anticipation. A clash of bodies and a symphony of g
"Don't ask questions," Giovanni hissed, his voice barely audible over the orchestrated chaos. Terror seized my throat. His lips moved silently, a silent plea for trust. "In my signal, run." He slowly instructed as he placed a ring on my finger. The cold metal felt like a shackle, making my fingers trembled. I wanted to open my mouth, but the watchful eyes of Prometheus made it impossible to do so. "Run east. As fast as you can, Luna," he instructed, his voice low and urgent.Then he looked straight into my eyes. His eyes mirrored the steely glint of my gaze. Time seemed to slow down with those seconds of stare. But it took me back in an instant when he spoke. "I'll meet you at the Scopulus," he added with finality. Not allowing me to respond to anything."Giovanni—"Before I could even move a muscle. A piercing howl shattered through the solemnity of it all. The once-festive hall was plunged into darkness as the candles were extinguished. The howling grew louder, closer, more prima
“It was so unfortunate what happened to your friends…” He knows. The words hung in the air, heavy with malice. A cold dread seeped into my bones. How could I have been so blind? He knew. He knew everything. Prometheus’ whispers were like of a snake. “One of them… dead.” The slow walk to the center felt like a dance of death. And I was dancing with the death himself. And like a slave to its master, my body followed his rhythm. In the middle of the ceremony and in the eyes of all, I felt like a hostage. What is chilling is that it seemed that no soul was suspicious of the tension between Prometheus and me. “And the other one… trying its best to escape death. He is now… currently crawling his body with the other one’s body. Oh, how sweet.” My widened eyes stayed locked at the front. A wave of nausea washed over me as I imagined the scene. He is talking about Everleigh and Thaddaeus who were both left in my room. Shivers sent down my spine upon realizing he was seeing everyth
Everything happened so fast. One moment, Everleigh was a blur of motion, fighting for her life. The next, she was still, a crimson stain blooming on the pristine white carpet. The world seemed to slow down, focusing on the horrifying image of my friend, lifeless. I couldn’t move. My mind refused to comprehend the brutality of it all. I could not even move my mouth to speak her name out loud. Or walk towards her to help her… even though I know it's too late. “This must have shocked you, Luna,” Arturo's voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with cruel satisfaction. His playful facade had vanished, replaced by a predatory glint in his eyes. “But the show is just starting.” “E-Everleigh…” I did not mind what he was saying. My widened gaze stayed at Everleigh’s dead body. Tears, silent and endless, streamed down my face. I felt as if I were drowning in a sea of despair, my mind a chaotic whirlpool. Dominic, now free from my attack, pulled me to my feet. My body obeyed, but m
I accepted a long time ago that in this lifetime, and in this realm, love between you and I could not possibly happen. It was the day of the wedding day. “Luna, you have to come with me.” Lost, I looked at her dumbfounded. The weight of her words slammed into me, chilling me despite the clothing I had. “You have to get out of here. Now.” I did not even get the chance to speak when she gripped my hand. She looked alert, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. This is probably the first time I have seen Everleigh lose her composure. She looked at the large window, and even though she didn’t say it. I know what she is thinking. “Everl—” “Luna, this wedding can not happen!” My mouth went agape. “What… What are you saying…” A pang hit my chest. If anything, Everleigh would be the happiest for Giovanni and me to get married. For her to say that, it finally hit me that there was something wrong going on. “Tell me what is happening.” My voice was a mere whisper. Her gaze met mine,
If there is another world where I am me, and you are you, I wish things happened differently for them. I accepted a long time ago that in this lifetime, and in this realm, love between you and I could not possibly happen. We… were meant to be enemies. “So long, amor meus.” (my love) A rhythm of hate and vengeance clouded my voice. Before me stood Giovanni, the man who had stolen my heart and shattered my world. Once etched with love and longing, his face now held an impassive mask. Like a challenge… a silent dare. “Don’t be like that. Didn’t you miss me?” The way he is looking at me, it is as if he will not fight back with the clear sarcasm and hatred I am showing him. I lunged, my movements a blur of fury. My nails, sharp and deadly, aimed for his throat, but he was faster. With a flick of his wrist, he deflected my attack, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt a surge of frustration. He wasn't fighting back. It was as if he was just letting me, indulging my rage.“Fight. back.”
“ARE YOU sure you want to do this alone?”Amadeo’s voice echoed from behind. I sighed quietly and grimaced. This is going to be a long conversation.This got to be one of the most quiet I have ever seen Oakcross. You can hear even the slightest sound crickets make. The wind whispers so silently as if it does not want to wake anyone. There is no single star in the skies, and the moon shines brightest above all.Which I found hilarious and odd at the same time. What is about to happen tonight is far from being peaceful.“I can handle myself, Amadeo.” I coldly answered as I continued combing my hair in front of the mirror. I purposely made my voice sound dismissive in the hope that he could already feel there was no changing my mind anymore and that he could stop. But to my surprise, he even leaned himself on the door jamb and crossed his arms as he continued staring at my reflection with a smirk on his lips. I rolled my eyes and shook my head in disbelief.“You should get ready by now, d
“Luna…” I felt Deva’s grip once again in my arms. I squeezed my eyelids shut, the familiar mantra from meditation thrumming in my head. Calm down, Luna. Control every thought. This exact situation is the reason why I go through meditation trainings... for moments like these. I couldn’t afford to lose control… again. Taking a shuddering breath, I shoved the demons threatening to consume me down deep where they couldn’t find me. I faced Deva. Her face etched with worry calmed me even more. “I must go there, Deva.” I rasped, my voice thick with desperation. “The light, the explosion… it was him. He was after me, and now he’s after the others.” She looked at me with a certain coldness in her eyes. Like nothing I say right now would mean anything to her. Deva may be soft, but like the other Elders, she possesses undeniable authority in her aura. Her gaze enough makes you convinced that her words are the law. And you have no choice but to obey. “Your safety… is top priority.” There
It was Nero. Not wasting any second, Artem and I rushed to the barn where Nero was heading. He was already talking to Deva, worry and confusion evident on her face. “Nero,” Artem called.Nero spun around, he looked shocked to see him. “Artem,” and me. “Luna…” His usually slicked-back hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat, and a certain paleness in his whole face made me shudder. Not until a flicker of something flashed in Nero’s face like he was hiding the fear I just saw from him a while ago. “Why were you such in a hurry, son?” Deva and Nero exchanged suspicious glances. Like they were transmitting secret messages through their gazes. Before Deva could even speak, Nero took steps forward and materialized in front of us. “Luna, I need to talk to Deva and Artem about an important matter.” No one spoke but I felt Deva’s defiance. My brows furrowed in both confusion and growing impatience. “What is something so important I am not supposed to know?” Nero avoided my hea