The morning after his visit to Selene's estate, Aiden was summoned to the Countess's private study. The room smelled faintly of old parchment and roses, lined with shelves of books and artifacts that pulsed faintly with hidden power.
Valeria Nightbane sat elegantly behind a desk, her crimson eyes fixed on Aiden as he entered. Unlike the previous evening, her expression was calmer, almost patient.
"Sit, boy," she said softly. "If you are to remain close to my daughter, then you must understand what it means to be a vampire. Not a weak imitation, but a true heir of the night."
Aiden obeyed, curiosity prickling through his unease.
Valeria rose gracefully and gestured to the window. Sunlight streamed against the enchanted glass, its brightness muted by layers of protective spells.
"Vampires are creatures of the night, yes," she began, "but our strength is not so simple. Our blood carries affinities. Some wield fire, others ice, lightning, or even shadows. We call them elemental veins — inherited strengths shaped by bloodline."
Her fingers flicked, and fire burst to life in her palm, twisting into a perfect flame that danced but did not burn her. With another gesture, the fire turned to crimson mist, then dissipated.
"We also master blood arts — spells carved from sacrifice, willpower, and hunger. But with every gift comes weakness."
Her voice grew sharper. "Our thirst for blood can become a curse. Our bodies are strong, but silver sears us, holy ground resists us, and the sun…" She trailed off, her eyes narrowing.
Aiden leaned forward. "The sun kills you?"
"For most," Valeria confirmed. "It burns us, weakens us, leaves us exposed. That is why the academy's dorms are enchanted — to shield our kind during the day. But there is one family untouched by the sun's curse."
"Victor's," Aiden whispered.
Valeria nodded. "The Allucards. The blood of the Night King flows purest through them. Sunlight does not harm them — a privilege, and a danger. That is why Victor is feared, and why his children walk freely even under the brightest day."
Her gaze lingered on Aiden then, as though measuring his reaction.
The lesson ended with practice; Valeria pushed him to summon his own affinity. Aiden focused, sweat beading on his brow, and for a brief second, sparks of blue lightning crackled across his fingers before fading. The Countess raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Later that afternoon, Aiden returned to the academy, his head filled with thoughts. He had learned more in one morning than in his years of wandering alone. But questions gnawed at him. Why had Valeria looked at him so strangely when she mentioned Victor's family?
The answer came unexpectedly.
The following day, he awoke in his dorm to find the curtains had been drawn back. Harsh morning sunlight poured directly over his bed. He jolted, expecting pain — expecting his skin to blister, his body to weaken.
But nothing happened.
He sat up slowly, staring at his hands, bathed in golden light. His heart pounded. The sun felt… warm. Inviting. Like it belonged to him as much as the night did.
Across the hall, Lucien was howling with laughter as someone shouted at him for sneaking food into the dorm. Aiden barely heard it. His secret was too heavy.
If he was immune to sunlight… then what did that mean about him?
Far from the academy, in the shadow of an ancient cathedral, the Church gathered. Men and women cloaked in white and silver knelt before a towering altar.
"The boy has awakened," the High Inquisitor intoned, his voice echoing across the chamber. "A monster in the making. Demon, vampire, witch, angel — an abomination of all. His existence threatens the world's balance. We must act before he grows stronger."
The candlelight flickered, illuminating crosses of steel and blades soaked in holy oil.
"For the sake of heaven," the Inquisitor whispered, raising his hand, "we hunt him."