The night air felt wrong. Elara stood frozen in the courtyard, her heart pounding as the darkness seemed to move around her. She couldn't see them clearly—but she felt them. Watching! Waiting! Her eyes locked on Lucien. "How did you know I was here?" she whispered. He didn't turn. "I can hear your heartbeat from across the courtyard," he said quietly. A chill ran down her spine. "That's not possible…" Now he turned. Slowly.
His eyes met hers—and for a second, they didn't look human. "They're not supposed to see you," he added, his voice sharper now. "Who?" Elara asked, her voice shaking. The shadows behind him shifted. One step! Two!! Something was coming closer.
"Go back inside," Lucien said firmly. Elara shook her head. "Not until you tell me what's going on!" His jaw tightened. "You don't understand the danger you're in." "Then make me understand!" she snapped. For a moment, silence fell between them. Then a low laugh echoed from the darkness.
A figure stepped forward. Tall, pale, smiling. "Lucien… still protecting humans?" the stranger said. Elara's breath caught. The man's eyes glowed faintly in the dark. And when he smiled—She saw it. Fangs!!!
Lucien moved instantly, placing himself in front of Elara. "Leave," he said coldly. The stranger tilted his head. "Or what?" The air felt heavy, like something invisible was about to snap. Elara grabbed Lucien's arm without thinking. His skin was cold...too cold. Her voice trembled. "Lucien… what is he?" He didn't answer. Instead, he said something else. Something worse. "He's what I am." Silence. Elara slowly let go of his arm. Her mind raced. "No… no, that's not—" The stranger laughed again. "Oh, he didn't tell you?" he said, stepping closer. "That's disappointing." Lucien's voice dropped dangerously low. "Another step and I end you." The stranger smirked—but stopped. For now.
Lucien turned slightly toward Elara, his expression unreadable. "You need to go," he said. But this time… She didn't move. Her voice came out barely above a whisper: "Tell me the truth… what are you?" A long pause. Then Lucien looked straight at her. And said it. "I'm the reason you shouldn't be here."