Under the Moonlight
Chapter 6: The Cafeteria Game
The academy cafeteria looked more like a cathedral than a lunch hall. Black marble floors. Vaulted ceilings with floating candles. And rows of long tables carved from dark wood—each claimed by a different vampire faction.
Aria stood by the doorway, clutching the folded note Ezra had given her. "Sit with me at lunch. Don't let them win."
But he was nowhere in sight.
Her stomach growled.
Vampires didn't eat food. At least not normal food. Most sipped blood from elegant glasses like wine. A few had blood fruits—twisted-looking pomegranates that smelled like copper.
She stepped forward.
That's when it began.
"Hey human, come sit on the floor where you belong."
"Don't bleed on the tiles. They're hard to clean."
"She should be leashed. Why's Lucien letting her roam?"
Aria flinched at each voice. Every step felt heavier.
A glass flew past her shoulder and shattered on the wall.
She froze.
Then a hand touched her back. Firm. Cold.
Ezra.
"I told you to sit with me."
She looked up. "Where were you?"
"Watching," he said plainly. "You handled it well."
"what..?! I almost cried."
"You didn't. That counts."
He led her to a table in the far corner, away from the elite circles. Only two students sat there. Both quiet. One girl with short white hair reading a book. Another boy staring out the stained-glass window.
Ezra sat. Aria hesitated.
"You're safe here," he said. "Relatively."
She sat down.
"I don't any have food here," she whispered.
"You want me to get something?"
"No! I mean… no, it's fine. I'm not hungry."
Liar
He tilted his head. "You're lying badly."
"I just don't want to owe you more."
He chuckled. "That's smart."
Aria clenched her fists. "Really..!? Do you enjoy being this confusing?"
"I don't enjoy much of anything, really."
"Typical vampire answer."
"I try to live up to the stereotype."
She looked around. Everyone was still watching. One of the girls from a nearby table stood up.
Tall, sleek, beautiful, and terrifying.
She strutted toward them, lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Ezra," she cooed. "You're babysitting now?"
Ezra didn't move. "Go away, Elise."
"Oh, come on. We're all just curious. I mean, is she a pet? Or a snack? Or maybe…" She leaned down toward Aria, her voice dropping to a whisper. "A toy?"
Aria turned her face away.
"Don't touch her," Ezra said quietly.
"Ooooh," Elise grinned. "Someone's protective. Or possessive?"
Ezra stood up. The entire table fell silent.
"I said. Go. Away."
His voice wasn't loud. But it carried. Deep. Commanding.
Elise backed off, laughing. "Fine. Keep your little blood bunny. But she won't last the week."
She left with a sway of her hips.
Aria exhaled shakily. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me. She'll come back."
"I figured."
"Then why are you still here?"
"Because I don't want to run. Not again."
Ezra looked at her for a long moment. "You're stronger than you look."
"No. I'm just really stubborn."
That made him smile. Barely. But it was there.
From the far end of the cafeteria, Lucien sat in his usual seat—alone. He didn't speak. Didn't move. But his crimson eyes were locked onto Aria.
He watched her talk. Watched her laugh, just a little.
His jaw was tight. His fingers tapped against the polished wood of the table.
He said nothing to anyone.
But his aura was sharp. Unforgiving. And deadly.
Several vampires glanced at him cautiously, sensing the dark storm behind those still eyes.
Aria didn't see him.
Ezra leaned over the table. "You know, for a cold, dead guy… you're not the worst company."
"Don't get used to it," he replied. "I might disappear tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because Lucien's watching. And he doesn't like to share.