"Selene, you should taste this wine. It's spectacular," Elijah said with a smirk, swirling the goblet in his hand before taking a leisurely sip.
Selene frowned at him, her silverware clinking against her plate. "You and Father are the biggest alcoholics I know. You're not even over a hundred, yet you drink wine like it's juice."
Elijah chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "I can't help myself. Humans create the best things when given time."
Selene sighed, her movements graceful as she ate with practiced manners. "You know, you were much better when you couldn't think for yourself."
Elijah's grin widened, his sharp features lit with amusement. "But then you wouldn't love me as much as you do now, would you?" he teased, taking another sip.
Selene's frown deepened. "Actually, I would love you way more. You used to be so much more charming. Now all you do is cause me to clean up after you. I'm not your maid, Elijah."
"Of course not," Elijah replied smoothly, setting down his goblet and flashing a mischievous smile. "You're one of my wives."
The audacity of his words made Selene flush slightly, her composure faltering for a moment. Elijah had a glib tongue, one that could disarm her even when she was frustrated.
"Dear, how was school? Did you learn anything new today?" Selena's mother asked gently as they sat around the dinner table.
Selena forced a smile. "Not today. Just another regular day."
Her father scoffed, his face already flushed from the alcohol he'd been drinking. "I told you we should've sent her to a normal school. All she does is waste our money at that academy for talented witches. But she's not talented."
Selena and her mother exchanged brief glances but said nothing. They were used to this—his drunken tirades, his bitterness. He was a man who cheated on his wife openly, yet her mother was too kind, or too afraid, to stand up to him.
"Give her time," Selena's mother said softly, trying to defuse the tension. "I'm sure she'll become an astounding witch."
Her father slammed his cup down. "Oh, please! Every day, she comes home and says the same thing. 'Just another regular day.' What do you even learn at that school, girl? You have no talent!"
Selena felt her anger bubbling under the surface, threatening to spill over. But she bit it back. She loved her parents—her mother, at least—and she wouldn't lash out. She had learned to keep calm during these moments.
"I'll study harder," she said, her voice measured.
Her father sneered. "Studying isn't enough. You need talent to be worth anything. Honestly, just become a whore—you'd have more value to this household."
"That's enough!" Selena's mother shouted, her voice trembling. "My daughter will do no such thing!"
Her father stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor as his anger boiled over. "Maybe you should join her. All you two do is use my money and give me a headache. I come home every day to this useless excuse of a family that gives me nothing in return!"
Selena's mother stood as well, her voice shaking but defiant. "Then go! Go back to one of your other women! You're the problem here, not us!"
Her father's face twisted with rage as he stepped closer to her. "What did you just say to me?"
Her mother hesitated, fear flashing in her eyes, but she stood her ground. "You heard me."
The slap came hard and fast, ringing through the room. Selena's mother stumbled back, holding her cheek as tears welled in her eyes.
"I pay all the bills!" her father bellowed. "I pay for the food you cook, and you can't even do that right. You two are stains on my life—mistakes I never should've made!"
Selena stood abruptly, her chair falling over as she walked to her mother's side. Her voice was low, calm, and terrifying. "Mother, go upstairs. Please."
Her mother hesitated, confusion and fear mingling on her face. Something about Selena was different—her eyes glowed red, a crimson hue that seemed to pulse with her fury.
"Mother," Selena said again, more firmly, "go upstairs. Everything will be fine."
A strange force compelled her mother to move, despite her terror. She tried to resist but found herself climbing the stairs, unable to stop.
Selena turned to face her father, who was watching her with a mixture of confusion and defiance.
"What are you going to do, girl?" he spat. "Hit me with one of your useless spells? Go ahead and try."
Selena stepped forward slowly, her rage simmering just beneath her skin. She felt strange—this wasn't the same father who had rescued her from that noble when she was a child. He had changed, and not for the better. Over the years, he had only grown worse, colder, and more callous.
Something about this moment felt foreign, as if she weren't entirely herself. But she couldn't stop now. He was beyond saving, beyond redemption. He had gone too far this time.
Her thoughts sharpened into a single, burning clarity: This man had done nothing but shift blame onto her and inflict pain. He had hurt her mother physically and scarred her emotionally.
It was time to return the favor.
Her father raised a hand to slap her, but Selena caught it mid-swing. Her grip tightened, and he let out a scream as his bones cracked under her strength.
"What the hell are you?" he shrieked, his face red with agony.
Selena said nothing. She crushed his hand further, his screams echoing through the house. When he swung with his other hand, she caught that one too, breaking it effortlessly.
Her father fell to his knees, trembling. "Let go of me, you monster!"
Selena's mind grew hazy, but one thought remained clear: He deserves to suffer.
Grabbing his head, she forced it to the side, exposing his neck. The scent of his blood filled her senses, intoxicating and irresistible.
"What are you—" he began, but his words turned into a scream as her fangs sank into his flesh.
Selena drank greedily, the taste of his blood fueling her fury. He thrashed and screamed, but she didn't stop. She didn't want to.
By the time he fell silent, her mind was clearer—but her hunger remained.
Three figures stood outside Selena's house. Cassandra had texted the address to Elijah and Selene, having it on file as a courtesy since she was Selena's teacher. Elijah, however, had no phone. He disliked them, finding them fragile and unnecessary, preferring to rely on his enhanced hearing. He often broke phones accidentally, a habit born of carelessness and his inhuman strength.
"Do you two smell that?" Elijah said with a smile, sniffing the air.
Selene frowned. "Elijah, are you sure you didn't pick a psychopath? Do you think she's killed her family?"
Cassandra sighed. "Well, we can't exactly barge in uninvited. You know the rules."
Elijah grinned. "I'll take care of it."
He walked up to the door and knocked rhythmically. After the third knock, the door flew off its hinges, crashing into the house with a thunderous bang.
"Anyone home?" Elijah called out cheerfully, leaning over the splintered doorframe.
Selena, blood still smeared across her face, emerged from the shadows, her eyes meeting theirs.
Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Well, dear, can you invite us in? We'd like to speak with your parents—if you still have any," he added, his gaze shifting to the blood on her face.
Selena blinked at him, confused. "Can't you just walk in?"
Elijah shook his head. "This is someone's private property. Vampires cannot invade another's home without permission—it's uncivilized. We're respectful, well-mannered creatures, after all."
Selena sighed. "Fine. Come in."
The three of them stepped inside, Cassandra taking in the scene while Selene led them toward the dining room. Her father's lifeless body lay on the floor, his blood pooling around him.
Cassandra frowned. "Well, it seems we might not need to have a conversation after all."
Before anyone could say more, a voice called out from upstairs, trembling with fear. Selena's mother, still under the effects of the compulsion, cried out, "Selena, dear, are you okay? Did something happen? Gerald, please don't hurt her!"
Selena's face softened. "Mother, I'm fine. I took care of the problem."
Her mother's voice was laced with confusion and terror. "Took care of…? What's going on? Why can't I come downstairs?"
Elijah broke the tension, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to Selena. "Hmm, don't leave us in suspense, darling. What happened here?"
Selena accepted the handkerchief, wiping the blood from her face. She glanced at her father's corpse, bitterness filling her voice. "I really am a monster now, aren't I?"
Her mother called down again, frustration and desperation rising in her voice. "Honey, is someone else there? What's happening? Why can't I come downstairs?"
Cassandra sighed and crossed her arms. "Just explain. Did you lose control?"
Selena hesitated but finally spoke. Cassandra's presence was firm but not harsh, which helped. "I came home like usual. My father, in one of his drunken fits, got into an argument with my mother. Then he…he hit her." Her fists clenched as she recalled the scene. "I told her to go upstairs—I must've used that strange thing you used on me," she said, glancing at Elijah. "Then…I guess I lost control. I was so angry. I broke his hands…and I drank his blood."
There was a moment of silence as the three processed her words.
Cassandra broke it first, raising an eyebrow at Elijah. "Well, I suppose you've chosen a good one. Compulsion on her second day as a vampire? Even Bella can't do that yet. She certainly has talent for this."
Elijah smirked, leaning against the doorway. "I told you she was special."
Selena stared at the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. "Special…or a monster?"
Elijah knelt beside her, looking her in the eyes. "A little of both, darling. But that's what makes you perfect."
Selene crossed her arms, still feeling some sympathy for the girl despite the situation. "Cassandra and I will go talk to your mother and assure her everything's fine. Elijah, you stay here and—well, don't do anything stupid."
Elijah smirked. "When have I ever done anything stupid?"
Selene and Cassandra gave him a long, skeptical look before continuing up the stairs. Elijah sighed, muttering under his breath, "Fun isn't stupid…"
Turning his attention back to Selena, Elijah studied her closely. The girl had just killed her father, and while she seemed composed on the surface, he could sense the turmoil beneath. Deciding to console her, he walked closer.
"Well, in all honesty, it sounds like he deserved it. So, I won't tell you what you did was wrong," Elijah said with surprising sincerity. "But what I will say is this—you saved someone you cared about. Your mother is safe because of you. That's more than a lot of people can say." He paused, leaning against the wall. "Besides, you've got more guts than me. I couldn't have done the same to my own father."
Selena glanced at him, her expression a mix of exhaustion and bitterness. "You suck at making people feel better."
Elijah laughed. "Fair enough. But at least I got you to talk."
He studied her again, noticing the faint tremble in her hands. "Still hungry?" he asked.
She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
Without another word, Elijah raised his wrist to his mouth and bit down, the faint tang of blood filling the air. He held out his wrist to her, and after a moment of hesitation, Selena accepted. This time, she drank slower, more controlled than before.
As she fed, Elijah watched her with quiet understanding. "Take your time," he said softly. "You've had a long day."
After Selena finished feeding, she wiped her face again with the handkerchief Elijah had given her. He murmured softly, and the bite on his wrist healed almost instantly.
Selena glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her tired eyes. "How come I can drink your blood and it tastes so much better compared to his?" she asked, her voice steady but tinged with disbelief.
Elijah smiled knowingly. "Well, mates can drink each other's blood to satiate their thirst. It's more… fulfilling. But if you were to drink from another vampire, someone other than me, it would taste like filth—like rotting meat. Their blood is undead, after all."
Selena nodded, slowly processing the explanation.
Elijah turned his attention to the remains of her father's body. "Well, now let's get rid of this mess."
She looked at him, puzzled. "How are we going to clean this up?"
Before she could say anything more, Elijah muttered a spell under his breath. Her father's body burst into flames, reducing itself to ash in seconds. Another flick of his fingers, and the bloodstains vanished, leaving the room spotless.
Selena stared at him, wide-eyed. "How did you do that? Aren't we in the same class?" she asked skeptically.
Elijah's grin widened. "You'll learn eventually."
Astrid, Selena's mother, was sitting in her room, trembling in confusion and fear. As Selene and Cassandra entered, she immediately recognized one of them.
"Wait," Astrid said, her voice shaky, "aren't you my daughter's teacher? From the Velmont family? I-I'm so sorry if my daughter has done anything to upset you, or if my husband said something rude—"
Selene chuckled softly, amused by the woman's nervous rambling. At least she had some sense. "You need not worry about your husband. He won't be saying anything for a long while. Your daughter made sure of that."
Astrid blinked in confusion, her fear intensifying. "What do you mean?"
Cassandra stepped forward, her tone calm and measured. "Miss Astrid," she began, but the woman interrupted her quickly.
"Please, just Astrid," she said nervously, unable to let someone from the Velmont family address her so casually.
"Very well, Astrid," Cassandra said, offering a polite smile. "Your daughter needs to come with us."
Astrid's face paled. "Has she done something wrong? Please, take me instead. She's just a girl—"
Cassandra shook her head, her smile softening. "No, your daughter is in good hands. She hasn't done anything wrong. In fact, we're here to ensure her safety. Tonight, something irreversible happened. To protect her and prevent another incident, we need to take her with us."
Astrid's confusion deepened, her voice trembling. "Something like tonight? What exactly happened? Is she hurt?"
Selene stepped in, her tone steady but firm. "The truth is, our brother has turned your daughter into a creature of the night—a vampire. Please, don't be alarmed. We have no reason to harm you or your daughter, but you must keep this information to yourself. If word gets out, we won't hesitate to act accordingly."
Astrid's mind reeled. Vampires? They were real? Her daughter—her little girl—was one? She struggled to comprehend it all, but one thing was clear: her husband was dead. While part of her once loved him, those feelings had long since faded. Her focus was now on her daughter's safety.
"Where are you taking her?" Astrid asked, her voice breaking. "Will she be safe? Will she be cared for?"
Cassandra placed a comforting hand on Astrid's shoulder. "You have my word. She will be well cared for, and no harm will come to her. In fact, my brother has taken a liking to her. If anyone dared to harm her, they'd face his wrath—and trust me, no one would survive that."
Astrid exhaled shakily. "If it means she'll be safe… I'll trust you."
Cassandra nodded. "You're making the right choice."
Downstairs, Elijah turned to Selena with a grin. "You have a very well-mannered mother. It seems the talk went smoothly."
Selena tilted her head curiously. "You could hear them?"
Elijah blinked, slightly confused. "Well, you can't?"
Selena hesitated before explaining, "Sometimes, if I focus on my ears, I hear too much. It's overwhelming, so I've had to learn to filter it out since I woke up." She glanced at him thoughtfully. "I was going to ask—how does it not overwhelm you at school, with all your senses dialed up like that?"
Elijah chuckled, impressed. "I've had a lot of time to get used to it. You will too, eventually. But don't let anyone tell you that you don't have talent—learning to filter your senses so soon after awakening is a feat. You're growing fast as a vampire."
Her cheeks flushed at the unexpected compliment. It was the first time someone had praised her like that. Elijah noticed her reaction and couldn't help but grin, his ego inflating slightly. She's stunning, he thought, his pride swelling. I really do have an eye for the best.
Before he could say more, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs drew their attention. Cassandra, Selene, and Astrid emerged, all wearing calm smiles.
The moment Astrid saw Selena, she rushed over and pulled her into a tight hug. Relief washed over her, though her eyes darted around the room, searching for her husband's body.
Elijah, noticing her gaze, stepped forward. "Ah, don't worry. I've already taken care of it."
Astrid looked at him, surprised. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. "You're taller than in the picture… and wasn't your hair black?"
Elijah laughed softly. "Ah, that's my brother you're thinking of."
Realization dawned on Astrid, and her face flushed with embarrassment. "I-I'm so sorry for the mistake!"
Elijah shook his head, his smile warm. "No need to apologize. You're not in the wrong—we're twins, after all."
Astrid relaxed but still felt a tinge of awkwardness. "I see. Then… thank you for taking care of my daughter and protecting her."
Elijah's smile widened. "It's no trouble, ma'am," he said, but Astrid held up her hand to stop him.
"Please, call me Astrid," she insisted.
Elijah chuckled but shook his head lightly. "I can't allow myself to call my mother-in-law by her given name. That would be disrespectful."
Astrid blinked at his choice of words, unsure whether to feel flustered or amused.
Elijah, however, stepped forward smoothly and took her hand, pressing a gentlemanly kiss to it. "I must say, though, your daughter clearly inherited her beauty from you."
Astrid's cheeks turned scarlet at the unexpected gesture, her composure momentarily faltering.
Selene, standing nearby, glared at Elijah with narrowed eyes. "You're enjoying this too much," she muttered under her breath, but he only winked at her in response.