Under the moonlight
Chapter 5: The Kind Vampire
Aria stood in front of the massive black double doors of the academy's main building, her stomach still sore, her steps unsure. Lucien had disappeared after leaving that note. No goodbye. No instructions. Just the demand:
"Don't embarrass me."
Her heart raced as she reached for the cold brass handle. The moment she stepped inside, all eyes turned.
Whispers. Smirks. Glares.
She was the only human in a school of monsters.
"She reeks of iron," someone whispered.
"Look at her. So fragile. How is she still alive?"
"Lucien's toy, they say. slut. Blood slave."
Slut?
Her nails dug into her palms. She kept walking.
She entered her first class—Ancient Vampire History. The room was enormous, gothic, lined with dusty books and candlelit chandeliers that floated in the air.
Every desk was already filled, except for the one at the very front… and the one in the far back.
The front seat was empty for a reason.
Aria moved toward the back.
Someone stepped in front of her.
A tall girl with long black hair, skin pale like porcelain and lips blood-red. Her eyes sparkled with cruel amusement.
"You're in my seat, pet."
"I wasn't even sitting yet," Aria mumbled.
The girl leaned closer. "Don't test me, bloodbag. Or I'll drain you dry in front of the class and blame it on 'hormones.'"
Laughter. Snickers.
Aria backed away, swallowing her fear.
She turned—and bumped into a boy.
He was tall, dressed in a gray uniform with a loosely tied red scarf. His hair was a mess of curls, his fangs barely visible. His face was calm, almost distant—but there was something different in his eyes. Not softness. Not warmth. But... restraint.
"You okay?" he asked, voice smooth and cool.
Aria blinked. "Y-Yeah… I just—"
"You shouldn't wander without watching where you're going. This place isn't forgiving."
He stepped aside slightly, just enough for her to pass.
"You can sit beside me. If you don't mind silence."
His tone wasn't warm. But it wasn't cruel either.
"Thank you," she said cautiously.
They sat down at the back.
"I'm Ezra," he said without looking at her. His fingers drummed on the desk.
"Aria."
"I know."
She turned to him. "You do?"
"You're the only human here. Of course I know who you are."
She felt small under his gaze—even though he wasn't even looking directly at her.
"I thought you might… mock me," she whispered.
"Why would I waste my energy on that?"
"Because everyone else is."
Ezra shrugged. "They're predictable. And cruel. I prefer not to be either."
That made her smile slightly. "So… you're telling me that you're nice?"
He gave a sharp, dry laugh. "No. Not nice. Just not interested in tormenting someone who's already dying slowly."
Her smile vanished.
Ezra sighed and finally looked at her. His eyes were cold—but clear. "Sorry. That was… unnecessary."
She throws her hand dramatically "You don't talk like the others," Aria muttered.
"Maybe because I think too much."
She tilted her head. "That's a dangerous trait here."
"So is bleeding in the middle of class."
Her face flushed crimson. "I—I didn't…"
"Relax. I'm not going to tell anyone. Vampires can smell everything. But most of us pretend not to notice. Makes it easier to control the hunger."
"Do you feel it now?"
Ezra was silent for a moment.
"Yes."
She stiffened.
"But I'm not going to touch you. I don't need to prove anything."
"You're totally strange."
"I get that a lot."
Before she could say anything more, the teacher walked in. A tall, silver-haired vampire in a black suit with gloves that shimmered like silk.
"Welcome to Ancient Vampire History. For those who are new—" his gaze briefly fell on Aria "—try to keep up. I won't be slowing down just because you bleed."
More laughter.
She Already hate this day.
Ezra didn't laugh. He passed her a folded piece of paper.
She opened it.
"Sit with me at lunch. Don't let them win."
She looked at him. He wasn't smiling. He was already writing notes, detached and distant. But… something about him made her feel less alone.
Not safe.
But not entirely doomed.