Fangs of Desire (BWWM)

06 'Vampire'

2:03 am

Dryden University

Sleep eludes me yet again, as it has for so many restless nights. The relentless tick of the clock reminds me of the hours slipping away, leaving me tossing and turning in my bed. So, with a sigh and a restless spirit, I decide to take a late-night walk down the wooden path that leads to the school garden.

Dryden is a relatively safe town, but I'm not foolish enough to venture out without any form of protection. Before I step out of my dorm room, I reach into my coat pocket, my fingers closing around the wooden stake I've hidden there. It's comforting to have something solid and potentially defensive, even if it's just a precaution.

The path leading to the school garden is illuminated only by the soft, silvery glow of the moon, casting long shadows that dance beneath the trees. I step onto the wooden boards, and they creak softly beneath my weight as I make my way through the garden.

The night air feels crisp and cool against my skin, like a series of gentle kisses from the moon above. It's serene out here, away from the buzzing energy of the dormitory. The fragrance of blooming flowers wafts through the air, their delicate scent mingling with the earthy aroma of the garden.

The garden is a sanctuary of calm, a place where I can collect my thoughts and forget about the worries that have kept me awake. With every step, I feel the tension in my body slowly ebbing away. The world is still and silent, as if time itself has frozen to grant me this brief respite.

I walk on, taking in the beauty of the night, each step bringing me closer to a moment of peace that has eluded me for far too long. The wooden stake in my pocket remains a reassuring presence, just in case.

It's a small price to pay for a walk beneath the moonlight's cool caress. As I stroll through the school garden, I eventually come across the small, tranquil pond nestled in its heart. The moonlight shimmers on the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of ripples and reflections. It's a serene and peaceful spot.

The truth about my mother's death weighs heavily on my heart. Learning that she was a vampire slayer, has unraveled the image I had of her as a simple and loving mother. What I can't fathom is why my dad kept this crucial truth from me.

Even more puzzling is whether my aunt, my mother's own sister, knows the truth about her. Have they both kept this secret from me, even as I grew up in blissful ignorance? I'm filled with a sense of urgency to confront my aunt about my family's past, but I don't know how to bring it up. She might call me crazy like she always does when I tell her I see people that she can't see.

But there's another pressing matter that keeps me awake – the gift, or perhaps curse, that has been bestowed upon me. The ability to see vampires for what they are is a double-edged sword. It has made me aware of the supernatural world that lurks in the shadows, and it has also made me a target for those creatures who would rather remain concealed.

My gift has become a curse now that vampires may see me as a target, thinking I'm a skilled vampire slayer. I sit by the tranquil pond, my gaze fixed on the moon's reflection shimmering in the water. The night is silent, broken only by the gentle sounds of the garden. Lost in my thoughts, I fail to notice the crackling of leaves behind me. I turn my head abruptly but find no one there. The eerie sensation of being watched sends a shiver down my spine.

Frowning, I shift my attention back to the pond, feeling an uneasy tension in the air. That's when I hear it – a faint but distinct rustling of footsteps behind me. My heart leaps to my throat as I whirl around, and there he stands, a man just an arm's reach away, staring at me.

I shot him a suspicious look. "What are you doing here?"

Riven's expression seems to register surprise at my reaction. "What do you mean? I'm just going for a walk."