Chapter 1

SERA

"Please give me another glass of syrup," I said to the bartender.

I sat on the tall stool right at the bar counter, my fingers tapping lightly against the wooden surface. On both sides, my friends were lost in their own little worlds. They had come in pairs, shamelessly kissing one another. Lips pressed against lips, wandering hands touching without a care for who might be watching. I could only manage an awkward smile, glancing for a moment before quickly turning my face away.

Not long after, the bartender handed me a red syrup garnished with a small slice of orange. I stirred it slowly, staring at the liquid while my mind wandered.

It was my very first time setting foot in a bar. I was already old enough to be called an adult, but all this time Daddy, Gabriel Draven Bloodfang had always forbidden me. His prohibition had been firm, absolute.

And yet somehow, tonight I had let myself be swayed by my friends' insistence. They said I was too boring, too pure, too obedient for a nineteen-year-old girl. So here I was, trying to taste the world Daddy had always kept tightly shut from me.

I exhaled deeply, sipping a little of the syrup that had begun to dilute from the ice cubes. Its sweetness coated my tongue, but honestly, I couldn't enjoy it wholeheartedly.

That was when a stranger approached me. He was tall with broad shoulders, his white shirt unbuttoned at the top two buttons, revealing his tanned skin glistening under the lights. His face wore a confident smile, as if he knew he was catching the attention of many women.

"Hey, sweet thing. All alone?"

I flinched but quickly shook my head. "No. I'm here with my friends."

He glanced briefly at my friends, who were still busy with their partners, then looked back at me with a small grin. "Looks like they're occupied. Why don't you have some fun too?"

I swallowed, lifting my syrup glass slightly. "I already have my drink, and I'm not here to mess around with men."

"Relax. I just want to get to know you. Not every guy here is a jerk," he said with a small chuckle.

"Sorry. I really am just here to keep my friends company, nothing more," I told him.

His expression shifted into disappointment, his brows knitting together. "You don't appreciate my effort, do you? I only wanted to buy you a drink as a way of introduction. That's all."

I fell silent. A pang of guilt struck me. He didn't look dangerous only a little offended. I sighed and finally gave him a small nod.

"All right, just one drink."

His smile returned. He signaled to the bartender, and soon a glass filled with golden liquid was set in front of me. I eyed it warily.

"Go on. Think of it as our introduction," he said.

I wrapped my fingers around the glass. The sharp scent of alcohol stung my nose, making me swallow nervously, but not wanting to offend him, I took a small sip.

The taste was strange bitter, hot, leaving a sharp burn down my throat. I nearly coughed but forced myself to hold it in so I wouldn't look foolish.

"Good, you just need a little time to get used to it," he said.

I forced a faint smile and set the glass back on the counter. But as time passed, my head began to feel light. The music, which had only sounded loud before, now echoed strangely. Neon lights swirled, blurring my vision.

I propped my head on my hand, trying to steady myself. Yet oddly, my body only grew hotter, my heart pounded too fast, and my palms turned clammy. I glanced sideways at the man. His gaze was different now, like he knew exactly what was happening to me.

My head grew heavier, my breath uneven. My eyes burned, as if watery, and when I touched my face, I realized my eyelids were flushing red. My lips felt dry, slightly parted without me realizing it.

The man beside me leaned closer, his fingers sliding onto my thigh exposed by the mini skirt I had worn tonight. I slapped his hand away instantly, my body tensing in reflex.

"Don't touch me!"

He only chuckled low, as if he didn't take my rejection seriously. I pushed myself off the barstool, walking away quickly, desperate to escape. But before I could get far, a group of other men grabbed my arm.

"Come on, join us on the dance floor!" one of them shouted with a loud laugh.

I struggled to break free, but my body felt weightless and unsteady. In an instant, I was already in the middle of their circle. The music pounded, and their bodies swayed around me.

I wanted to run. I wanted to resist. But strangely, my body responded differently my hips moved to the rhythm, my steps carried into a dance I didn't understand.

I bit my lip, feeling control slip away. What was happening to me?

My hair fell loose, covering part of my face. I knew this wasn't me, but my body refused to stop. Cheers erupted around me. Some men clapped, whistled, and moved in closer, circling me on the dance floor.

"Seraphina!" I heard a familiar voice.

I began laughing with my friends, feeling happy, free, and exhilarated. So this was the adult world they always talked about? It felt intoxicatingly thrilling.

"Sera, your father's here," one of my friends said in panic, tapping my shoulder.

I didn't care and kept swaying to the EDM beat.

"Sera, that's your father!" she repeated.

I turned and saw those piercing blue eyes locked on me. I knew he was furious. I knew I had broken his greatest rule.

He stepped forward, and people instinctively cleared a path for him. He walked straight toward me, each stride making me want to vanish.

"Daddy?"

Suddenly my arm was seized in a firm grip. My body jolted, and now I stood face to face with him.

"What are you doing here?"