The forest never truly felt safe anymore.
Even after the Night Feeder disappeared into the darkness, Ashra could still feel its gaze lingering in the shadows.
The clearing remained silent.
Rusof stood near her, watching the trees carefully. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the moonlight, every muscle in his body ready for another attack.
Lena brushed dirt from her coat and sighed.
"That thing shouldn't exist anymore."
Ashra hugged her arms tighter.
"What exactly is a Night Feeder?"
Varic stepped forward slowly.
"A predator older than most vampire clans."
Ashra swallowed nervously.
"Older than vampires?"
Varic nodded once.
"They hunt blood the way wolves hunt prey."
Rusof's gaze darkened.
"And apparently it wants her."
Ashra felt her stomach twist.
"I didn't do anything to attract it."
Lena crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Creatures like that don't need a reason. Sometimes they follow scent. Sometimes energy."
Ashra frowned slightly.
"Energy?"
Rusof interrupted.
"Speculation won't help. We need to know why it said her blood smelled different."
Varic looked at Ashra again.
His gaze was calm, but calculating.
"The creature was very interested in you."
Ashra shifted uncomfortably.
"That doesn't make me feel better."
Rusof turned toward Varic.
"What do you suggest?"
Varic thought for a moment.
"You keep the human close. We investigate the creature."
Lena raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Rusof looked unconvinced, but he nodded.
The wind moved softly through the trees.
Ashra glanced toward the darkness again.
For a brief moment she thought she saw something moving between the branches.
But when she looked again, nothing was there.
The next morning felt strangely normal.
Students filled the halls of Elaridge High School with laughter, locker doors slamming and voices echoing through the corridors.
Ashra walked beside Rusof, still feeling uneasy.
"It's weird pretending everything is normal."
Rusof leaned against the lockers casually.
"Normal keeps people alive."
Ashra glanced at him.
"You say that like you've been pretending for centuries."
Rusof smirked faintly.
"Close enough."
Ashra rolled her eyes.
"You're impossible sometimes."
"Yet you're still here."
She smiled slightly.
"Someone has to keep you from brooding all the time."
Rusof almost laughed.
But his expression quickly became serious again.
His gaze moved toward the windows.
The forest behind the school looked quiet.
Too quiet.
Ashra noticed his tension.
"You think it's still watching?"
"Yes."
"How can you tell?"
Rusof looked at the trees carefully.
"Predators don't give up after one attempt."
Ashra shivered slightly.
"That's comforting…"
The bell rang.
Students rushed toward their classrooms.
Ashra and Rusof entered their history class, sitting near the back like usual.
The teacher began explaining something about ancient civilizations, but Ashra couldn't focus.
Her mind kept drifting back to the creature's black eyes.
The way it looked at her.
Like she was food.
Or something worse.
She leaned slightly toward Rusof.
"Do you think it will attack during the day?"
"Probably not."
"Probably?"
Rusof shrugged.
"Ancient monsters don't follow rules."
Ashra sighed.
"Great."
The class continued quietly for another twenty minutes.
Then something strange happened.
Ashra felt a sudden cold sensation run through her body.
Not outside.
Inside.
She froze.
"Rusof…"
He glanced at her immediately.
"What is it?"
"I feel strange."
"Define strange."
Ashra pressed a hand lightly against her chest.
"Cold. Like something just walked over my grave."
Rusof's eyes narrowed.
He looked around the classroom carefully.
Nothing seemed out of place.
Students were still taking notes.
The teacher kept talking.
But Rusof trusted his instincts.
And Ashra's fear.
"Stay close to me after class."
"I wasn't planning to go anywhere."
The bell finally rang again.
Students began leaving the room.
Ashra and Rusof stepped into the hallway.
And the moment they did, Rusof felt it.
A presence.
Dark.
Hungry.
Watching.
He grabbed Ashra's wrist gently.
"Don't look toward the window."
Ashra immediately looked toward the window.
Her breath caught.
Across the football field near the forest line, a tall thin figure stood between the trees.
The Night Feeder.
Its black eyes were locked on her.
Ashra froze.
"It's here…"
Rusof cursed under his breath.
"That thing is bold."
The creature tilted its head slowly.
Then it smiled again.
Even from that distance Ashra could see those thin sharp teeth.
Students nearby kept walking.
None of them noticed it.
Ashra stepped slightly behind Rusof.
"Why can't anyone else see it?"
"Because it's hiding itself."
"That's unfair."
Rusof kept watching the creature carefully.
Then suddenly it vanished.
Ashra blinked.
"Where did it go?"
Rusof's expression darkened.
"Too close."
"What does that mean?"
"It means we move now."
He grabbed her hand and began walking quickly down the hallway.
Ashra followed nervously.
"Rusof, what's going on?"
"If it came this close during daylight, it isn't afraid anymore."
Ashra's heart started racing.
"That's bad, isn't it?"
"Very."
They reached the back exit of the school.
The forest stretched out beyond the field.
Rusof scanned the area carefully.
Then he froze.
Three familiar figures stepped out from behind a parked car.
Hunters.
The leader smiled.
"Good afternoon, Prince Noir."
Rusof sighed.
"You people never learn."
The hunter leader looked amused.
"We learn plenty."
His gaze moved to Ashra.
"Especially about her."
Ashra felt fear tighten her chest.
"What do you want?"
The hunter chuckled.
"Information."
Rusof stepped forward slightly.
"Leave."
"Not today."
The hunter raised a small silver dagger casually.
"Our monster friend seems very interested in your human companion."
Rusof's eyes flashed crimson.
"You were watching."
"Of course."
Ashra looked between them nervously.
"You knew about that creature?"
The hunter smiled again.
"We followed it."
Rusof went still.
"Explain."
"Simple. That monster isn't just hunting randomly."
He pointed at Ashra.
"It's tracking her."
Ashra felt cold.
"Why?"
The hunter shrugged.
"That's what we want to know."
Rusof's voice dropped dangerously low.
"You won't find out."
The hunter tilted his head.
"We'll see."
Suddenly the forest behind them rustled violently.
Everyone turned.
A long grey arm slowly wrapped around a tree trunk.
The Night Feeder stepped into view again.
Its black eyes moved between Ashra and the hunters.
Then it smiled wider than before.
"More blood…"
Ashra stepped back instinctively.
Rusof moved in front of her.
The hunters raised their weapons.
For the first time, predators and hunters stood facing the same enemy.
The Night Feeder sniffed the air slowly.
Then it pointed one long claw toward Ashra.
"Mine…"
Rusof bared his fangs.
"Try."
The creature crouched like an animal preparing to leap.
The hunter leader whispered quietly.
"Looks like we're all in danger now."
Rusof didn't take his eyes off the creature.
"Stay behind me."
Ashra nodded quickly.
The wind moved through the trees again.
The Night Feeder's smile widened.
Then it lunged.
And this time…
It was faster than before...