The night smelled like blood before the first scream even began.
Aarya felt it.
Something was wrong.
The air had gone still—too still. Even the wind refused to move, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Then came the scream.
Sharp. Sudden. Cut short.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as she turned toward the village square. Flames were already rising, swallowing the darkness with a violent glow. Shadows moved inside them—but they weren't human.
They were faster.Too fast.
Aarya ran.
Her feet barely touched the ground as panic took over, her breath coming in sharp gasps. People were screaming, running, dying—
And something was hunting them.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't.
Because deep down… she already knew.
This was not an attack....this was a massacre.
A cold presence wrapped around her before she could take another step.
Not touch.
Not sound.
Just… presence.
Ancient. Heavy. Watching.
Aarya froze.
Slowly—too slowly—she turned.
He stood there.
Not moving.
Not breathing.
Not human.
His eyes found hers instantly.
And everything inside her went silent.Red.
His eyes were glowing red in the firelight—calm, unreadable… and terrifyingly focused.
Not on the chaos.
Not on the blood.
On her.
Aarya tried to step back.
Her body didn't listen.
Something about him felt wrong.
No—
Not wrong.
Dangerous.
"Run," her mind screamed.But she didn't.
Because he was already in front of her.
She hadn't even seen him move.
His hand came up—slow, deliberate—tilting her chin upward.
Aarya's breath caught.
His touch was cold.
Too cold.
But his gaze…
His gaze burned.
"Interesting," he murmured softly.
His voice was quiet. Controlled.
But something dark moved beneath it.Something dangerous.
"What are you?"
Aarya swallowed hard.
"H-human…"
His lips curved slightly.
Not a smile.
Something worse.
"No," he said.
His fingers tightened just enough to make her breath hitch.
"You're not."
And before she could react—
He leaned down.
His lips brushed against her throat.
Aarya's entire body froze.
One second.
Two.
Then—
Pain.
Sharp. Sudden. Consuming.
Her breath broke into a gasp as his fangs pierced her skin.
But something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Because instead of pulling away—Impossible…"
His voice dropped into something darker.
Something possessive.
"You…"
His hand tightened around her wrist.
Not enough to hurt.
Enough to claim.
"You're coming with me."
Aarya's heart pounded.
"No—"
But it was already too late.
Because this was not a request.It was a decision.