Eira POV
I sat alone in the college canteen, absentmindedly stirring my coffee.
It had been ten days since I returned from Silverpine.
The dreams were becoming more frequent.
And stranger.
Every night felt the same.
Silver forests stretching endlessly beneath a pale moon.
Ancient ruins covered in symbols I somehow recognized but couldn't understand.
Whispers drifting through the darkness.
Calling me.
Following me.
Refusing to leave even after I woke up.
The worst part wasn't how strange the dreams were.
It was how real they felt.
As though they weren't dreams at all.
As though they were memories.
Memories of a life I couldn't remember.
Ever since Silverpine, the feeling had only gotten stronger.
And no matter how hard I tried—
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Eira?"
I blinked and looked up.
Jake and Tessy stood beside my table.
Tessy immediately sat down across from me while Jake took the chair beside her.
Tessy turned toward Jake.
"How's your father?"
Jake's expression softened.
"Better."
Relief flickered across his face.
"The doctors say he's recovering well."
"I'm glad."
"Me too."
For a moment, he looked lighter than usual.
Less burdened.
Then the bell rang.
Students immediately began gathering their things.
"Time to suffer through another lecture," Tessy announced dramatically.
Jake laughed.
I shook my head and stood.
Together, we headed toward class.
The lecture hall was already half full when we entered.
Students chatted loudly while waiting for the professor.
I followed Jake and Tessy toward our seats.
Then my steps slowed.
Adrian sat alone in the last row.
His gaze lifted.
And immediately found me.
Not Jake.
Not Tessy.
Me.
For a brief second, neither of us looked away.
Then his expression returned to its usual cold indifference.
A strange feeling settled in my chest.
I looked away first.
Why did he always look at me like that?
Before I could think more about it, the professor entered.
The lecture began.
Then suddenly, the professor smiled.
"Attention, everyone."
The class looked up.
"As most of you know, Halloween is only ten days away."
"And this year, the college will be hosting a Halloween celebration party."
Cheers erupted instantly.
Several students clapped.
The professor raised a hand for silence.
"And this year, everyone will attend in pairs."
The classroom exploded.
Everyone immediately began talking about partners and costumes.
Everyone except two people.
Jake.
And Adrian.
The change was subtle.
So subtle that no one else seemed to notice.
Jake's smile faded slightly.
Across the room, Adrian had gone completely still.
Neither looked at the other.
Neither needed to.
Because unlike everyone else—
They knew exactly what date Halloween fell on this year.
The Red Moon.
A night buried within ancient prophecies.
A night spoken about in whispers.
A night when everything hidden would be dragged into the light.
When secrets would no longer remain secrets.
When masks would fall.
The old stories spoke of a girl.
And the Sylanthyx.
Something that could not remain hidden beneath the Red Moon.
Because they both knew the same thing.
The Red Moon wasn't just another night.
It was a countdown.
And when it arrived—
Nothing would ever be the same again.
The tension disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Jake leaned back in his chair.
"What are you planning to wear?"
"I don't know."
His face immediately fell.
"That's boring."
I rolled my eyes.
"We're talking about a costume, not world peace."
"Exactly."
He pointed dramatically.
"This is serious."
Tessy burst out laughing.
I couldn't help smiling.
Jake leaned closer.
"We should go shopping."
"For a costume?"
"Obviously."
"That's unnecessary."
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is."
"No."
"Jake."
"Eira."
Jake pointed accusingly at her.
"You're coming too."
The smile immediately disappeared from her face.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"My family is attending my cousin's wedding next week."
"Oh."
Jake nodded.
Before Jake could answer, Tessy smirked.
"Now it'll be just the two of you."
Victoria suddenly turned around in her seat.
Her blonde hair fell over one shoulder as she smiled brightly.
"What about you, Adrian?"
The room quieted slightly.
"What costume will you wear?"
For a moment, Adrian didn't answer.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
He lifted his gaze.
His eyes settled directly on Jake.
A faint smile appeared.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Maybe a hunter."
"Hunters are cool," Victoria said.
Adrian's smirked.
But he wasn't looking at Victoria.
He was still looking at Jake.
"Animals seem to be increasing lately."
Everyone thought it was a joke.
Everyone except Jake.
The smile disappeared from his face instantly.
His jaw tightened.
Adrian stood.
Collected his bag.
And headed toward the door.
Without another word.
Because just before disappearing through the doorway—
His eyes flickered toward me.
Only for a second.
Then he was gone.
I stared after him.
Confused.
Frustrated.
Curious.
What did he mean by that?
t.
Jake POV
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of my black jacket.
Today was special.
For the first time, it would be just Eira and me.
Only the two of us.
Somehow, she made me forget everything.
The hatred.
The revenge.
The endless hunt.
Whenever she was around, the weight on my shoulders felt lighter.
Her smile made me smile.
Her eyes made me feel like I was still worth living for.
A knock sounded on my bedroom door.
Without waiting for an answer, Lila walked in.
Her eyes fell on the car keys in my hand.
"You're going somewhere?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"Shopping."
"With who?"
"Eira."
A smile spread across her face.
"I'm happy."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"Because, for once, you're thinking about something other than hunting vampires."
"And killing them."
Her smile softened.
"You've carried so much hatred for so long, Jake."
"I just want to see you happy again."
The smile faded from my face.
"Lila."
My voice turned quiet.
"Stay out of this."
"People like Adrian don't deserve sympathy."
"They destroy lives."
She looked at me sadly.
"Not everyone is the same."
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"That's exactly what monsters want people to believe."
Silence filled the room.
I picked up my keys.
Today wasn't about vampires.
It wasn't about Adrian.
Today...
Was about Eira.
A few minutes later, I parked outside the girls' hostel.
Students walked past, laughing with their friends.
And then I saw her.
Standing near the gate.
Waiting.
The breeze played with her hair.
For a second...
I simply stood there.
Beautiful.
She looked beautiful.
A smile found its way onto my face before I could stop it.
Completely lost in looking at her, I didn't notice the black luxury car speeding toward the puddle.
SPLASH!
Cold muddy water drenched me from head to toe.
My clothes.
My shoes.
Even my face.
The conversations around us stopped.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
The driver's window rolled down.
Adrian.
Completely expressionless.
As though nothing had happened.
My hands curled into fists.
The wolf inside me growled.
Every instinct screamed at me to drag him out of that car.
Then I saw Eira.
I forced the anger back down.
"What the hell was that?" I asked through clenched teeth.
His eyes drifted lazily over me.
"It happens."
His voice was flat.
Almost bored.
My jaw tightened.
The driver's door opened.
Adrian stepped out.
Calm.
Elegant.
Unbothered.
"At least apologize," Eira said.
For the first time—
His eyes left me.
And settled on her.
Something twisted inside my chest.
Why was he looking at her like that?
Before either of us could speak again, the hostel guard hurried over.
"Oh dear, Jake! Come inside before you catch a cold."
I didn't move.
My eyes never left Adrian.
He stared back as though daring me to lose control.
God...
I wanted to.
But not here.
Not in front of Eira.
"I'll be back," I told her quietly.
Then I followed the guard inside, leaving her alone with the one person I trusted the least.
Eira POV
The moment Jake disappeared inside the hostel, I turned toward Adrian.
"What is your problem?"
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
His expression didn't change.
"I believe this road belongs to everyone."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
I frowned.
"You just ruined Jake's clothes."
"It was an accident."
"It didn't look like one."
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"You're very concerned about him."
I blinked.
"What?"
"You spend a lot of time with him."
His tone remained indifferent, yet something about it felt... sharp.
"He's my friend."
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Friends can be dangerous."
"You don't even know him."
His gaze didn't leave mine.
"You don't know him either."
I stared at him.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
He ignored my question.
As always.
Instead, he took a slow step toward me.
Then another.
Without realizing it, I stepped back.
There was something overwhelming about Adrian.
Not frightening.
Just...
Intense.
He stopped only when barely an arm's length separated us.
"Stay away from him."
"What?"
"You don't get to tell me who I can or can't be friends with."
His eyes darkened.
"I'm telling you because you don't know what you're walking into."
"And you do?"
He didn't answer.
Of course he didn't.
"You tell me to stay away from you."
My voice grew quieter.
"Now you're telling me to stay away from Jake."
I shook my head.
"What exactly do you want from me?"
Instead of answering, Adrian slowly turned away.
His back was now facing me.
As though walking away was easier than answering a single question.
Something inside me finally broke.
"If I annoy you so much..."
My voice cracked.
"...then why can't you just leave me alone?"
His shoulders stiffened.
His hands slowly curled into fists.
The only sign that he'd heard me.
A tear slipped down my cheek.
I wiped it away angrily.
"You hate me, don't you?"
He froze.
Completely.
For one brief second, every muscle in his body went still.
Slowly...
He turned his head.
Not enough to face me.
Just enough for me to see the tension in his jaw.
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"I knew it."
Another tear followed.
"If you hate me..."
I swallowed hard.
"...then stop pretending you care."
"Stop showing up every time something happens."
"Stop acting like what happens to me matters."
He never turned around.
His back remained toward me.
My voice trembled.
"You wanted me to stay away from you."
"Fine."
"I did."
"So why do you keep coming back?"
I lowered my gaze.
"You don't have to care."
"I won't bother you anymore."
"So..."
I took a shaky breath.
"...just leave me alone."
For the first time, Adrian closed his eyes.
Only for a second.
When he opened them again...
He took one step forward.
Ready to leave.
The wind suddenly howled through the street.
A sharp metallic creak echoed overhead.
Neither of us noticed.
A bolt snapped.
Then another.
Adrian's head jerked upward.
For the first time since I'd met him—
Fear crossed his face.
"Eira."
The way he said my name made my heart stop.
Sharp.
Urgent.
Terrified.
I looked up.
Too late.
The massive light fixture was already falling.
Everything happened in a blur.
One moment Adrian was several feet away.
The next—
He was in front of me.
His arm wrapped tightly around my waist.
He pulled me against him with such force that my feet left the ground.
CRASH!
The light fixture slammed into the pavement where I had been standing.
Glass shattered across the street.
The sound echoed through the campus.
For several long seconds...
Neither of us moved.
His arm remained firmly around my waist.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
Slowly, I looked up.
His eyes were already on me.
Searching.
Checking.
Making sure I wasn't hurt.
What are you, Adrian?
One moment you push me away...
The next, you risk yourself to save me.
Why?
The moment stretched.
Long enough for the rest of the world to disappear.
Then he blinked.
And walked away without looking back.
Leaving me standing among shattered glass...
Unable to move.
Unable to think.
My heart was still racing.
I looked at the place where the broken light fixture had crashed.
Then back at Adrian's retreating figure.
How...?
Just a second ago...
He had been several feet away.
I hadn't seen him run.
I hadn't even seen him move.
One moment he was there.
The next...
He was holding me.
It was impossible.
Had everything happened too fast for my eyes to follow?
Only moments ago, he had been telling me to stay away from him.
Pushing me out of his life.
Keeping me at a distance.
And yet...
When death reached for me—
He was the one who pulled me toward him...
Before it could touch me.
Nothing about him made sense.
The more I tried to understand Adrian...
The more impossible he became.