Chapter 11
I couldn't breathe when I saw him.
John.
For a moment, my body froze, every muscle locked between shock and the sudden rush of anger burning in my chest. I didn't even realize Stephanie was calling my name until her voice snapped me back.
"Luna? Luna, are you even listening?" she asked, waving a hand in front of my face.
I blinked, forcing myself to focus, but my gaze drifted back toward him—toward Damien.
Stephanie followed my stare, and then her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Oh, I get it now."
I frowned. "Get what?"
She grinned wider. "Luna, are you guys… dating?"
My mouth dropped. "Wait—what? No way that's never going to happen."
Stephanie tilted her head, confused. "But wasn't Damien your crush?"
"Was," I muttered, slamming my locker shut harder than I meant to. "And please, Steph, don't tell anyone. I don't need any rumors flying around."
Before she could reply, I turned away. "I'll see you after class."
---
Class was the same as always—buzzing with noise, laughter, and the endless chatter about Damien. He was the center of every conversation, the boy everyone adored. And me? I was still invisible.
But what truly made my stomach twist was the fact that I knew he had died. I saw him—cold, lifeless, with a knife on his skull. So how was he still alive, breathing, smiling?
The door creaked open, and Raphael, our history teacher, walked in. His deep voice cut through the noise. "Alright, everyone, settle down."
We scrambled to our seats.
"Hope everyone read their research book on African Arts," he said, scanning the class.
A chorus of 'yes, sir' filled the air—everyone except me.
His eyes landed on me. "Luna. Did you read yours?"
I swallowed hard. "No, sir, but—"
He didn't let me finish. "No excuses. I expect every student to complete my assignments. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," I murmured.
"Good. Now, I'll be forming research teams. Each pair will study the ancient artifacts of California."
My heart pounded. I hated group work. I always ended up paired with people who pretended I didn't exist.
"John and Jacob," he said, scanning his list. "Next… Luna and Damien."
My breath caught. "No, no, sir—can I please change partners?"
Raphael barely looked up. "No. Sit down."
I sank back into my seat, fists clenched beneath the desk.
---
When the bell finally rang, I was the first to stand. I stuffed my books into my bag, desperate to escape before Damien could—
"Hey," his voice came, deep and casual. "When do you want to start our project?"
I didn't even look at him. I just walked away.
"Luna?" Stephanie called, trying to catch up.
"Not now, Steph," I said sharply and stormed out of the school gates.
She frowned, confused "But Luna, school isn't over yet!"
I didn't reply. I just kept walking, pretending I couldn't hear her.
---
That night, I wasn't so lucky.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Isaac's voice boomed through the living room as soon as I stepped inside. "Your principal called. You've been skipping again!"
"I don't care," I muttered, tossing my bag on the couch.
He slammed his hand on the table. "You should care, Luna! You know how dangerous it is for us to draw attention. If the wrong kind of humans discover what you are—what we are—they'll hunt you."
I snapped. "I'm not some helpless kid, Dad! I can take care of myself. I had to when you and Tom left me to die in that forest!"
Tom shot up from the couch, eyes blazing. "You've got to be kidding me. You told me to run!"
"I didn't expect you to actually run!" I shouted back.
He laughed bitterly. "So I was supposed to stay and die with you? That's insane."
"Enough!" Isaac barked. "Tom, sit down!"
Tom clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "You always take her side," he muttered. "Always."
His voice trembled with something I hadn't noticed before—pain.
"I awakened my bloodline," he said, his tone breaking. "I thought maybe you'd finally be proud of me. But no, it's always Luna. Luna the special one. Luna the favorite."
My heart twisted. I didn't know he felt that way.
He turned away. "If you need me, I'll be in my room." Then, under his breath, I heard him whisper, "Just wait. One day, I'll be strong enough that you'll have to see me."
The air felt heavy after he left, thick with silence and resentment.
I stared at the floor, my anger fading into guilt.
Isaac's shoulders slumped as he whispered, almost to himself, "So this is how she's felt all along… what did she really go through in that forest?"
Before I could speak, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Isaac said, walking over. He opened it—and froze.
Standing on our porch was Damien.
"Who are you?" Isaac asked warily.
Damien smiled politely. "Good evening, sir. I'm Damien, Luna's classmate. We were assigned a project together, and I came to see if she was home."
"Oh, of course," Isaac replied. "She's around—come in."
"Thank you, sir."
He stepped inside, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Luna!" Isaac called out. "Someone's here for you!"
I came down the stairs, expecting anyone but him.
And there he was—leaning against the wall with that same smirk. The same one he wore before he died.
My heart hammered.
How did he find this place? Why now?
I felt my breath catch as a terrifying thought crept in—
Does he know about my parents?
Is he here for revenge?
His eyes met mine, sharp and knowing, and a chill ran down my spine.
Whatever this was… he wasn't just here for a school project .