Zheira hid behind the thick bushes. It was fortunate they were surrounded by different plants and trees. She held her breath when the woman peered with raised brows. It didn’t take long before she shrugged and walked away.“It must have been a cat or something. Come on, finish that one. I really need to find some fun. It’s kinda boring.”“You can just leave me here, Eleanor. Your big mouth is getting on my nerves,” Louise snapped.Eleanor’s crimson orbs flickered. “How rude! If I’m not obligated to go with you, I’d never do so. You’re the most boring vampire I’ve ever met.” She rolled her protruding eyes.“If I hear one more word in that tongue of yours, I’m going to make sure it would be decapitated.” He tightened the rope to the girl who sobbed.“Feisty. You’re welcome to try, though. I wonder if you can even touch the hem of my dress.” She put her forefinger on her chin and shook her head, an insulting look plastered in her pale, round face.

Zheira was awoken by the throbbing pain in her body. It’s like she’d been trampled by an elephant or else something heavier. She was sore. Every move she managed gave birth to the pain she’d never imagined.As she sat upright, breathing heavily, her head started turning. For a split second, she thought she was drunk. Perhaps her parents enjoyed her eighteenth birthday too much that they’ve forgotten Zheira’s not into drinking alcohol.It’s not until she felt the brick-like surface of the bed did she realize something. They did not celebrate her birthday the way they used to. Her horrible soul took everything from her by the means of killing the man who treated Zheira like a real daughter.A wave of sadness surged through her heart. She could feel it shattering to pieces, and there’s nothing she could do to ease the weight pressing deep within her.She wrapped her knees with her arms and leaned her head to it; succumbing to the depth of her loneliness. She nev

Vladimir stared at Zheira’s serene features. He traced the few freckles at the upper region of her cheeks. A small smile curved his lips. Now he understood why she didn’t want eye contact. She could read memory. If she hones it to its maximum, it could be her greatest asset. All she needed was to learn to control it, so she wouldn’t be in pain when using it. He then came to realize that by saving her life, he had bestowed a gift like no other. When she stirred, he pretended to be asleep in her arms. It didn’t take long before he felt a gentle knock on the head. He took it as a cue to look up. He faked a yawn before asking her if there’s a problem.Zheira shook her head and smiled. “T-Thank you.” She cupped his cheeks with her shaking hands. Her soft palms sent sparks to his body.“For what?” He diverted his gaze from her as his ears reddened, his irises moving uncomfortably. “For saving me from the fire, for taking me away from the nurses, and

Zheira tied her faded golden hair in a messy bun, noting a lot of dead strands. Her eyes then landed on the two small horns at the top of her head. It had a lot of scratches, but compared to her cheeks and shoulders, it looked well-kept. Touching the white cloth covering the flesh of her right cheek, she imagined the creepy pinkish something underneath it. After her shoulder had been sliced, she thought she’s given high immunity to pain now. Though she couldn’t deny the throbbing of her body, she could easily pretend it to be something of no importance. A small smile curved her lips. Change seemed to be the only constant thing in her life. She grew an inch or two. Last time, she barely reached the height of the mirror, but now she’s towering over it. Her legs and biceps have grown muscles, too. It’s not that big, though. She sighed before going to the kitchen. It’s quite unlike anything she had seen. The wooden floor was neatly polished, the cabin

Volioirae was a busy town square. It was packed with vampires—wearing black cloak—who loved walking under the warmth of the scorching sun. Though surrounded by wide and tall mountains, a lot of tall towers still manage to occupy some of its space. At the main center, lay a tall fountain where a naked statue of a vampire was crouching. It looked alive with its dark-tinted eyes. From its hands, dark water serenely flowed to a large basin where it shifted from dark to a lighter shade of red, drowning a statue of silly men.Zheira, Vladimir, and Louise made their way to the crowd, comforted by the stretching silence. Their footsteps were barely audible due to the noises from the hoarding crowd, and yet, red eyes narrowed at them, scrutinizing every part of their body. Some of them even felt thirsty at the smell of Zheira’s blood, but what made her brows furrowed was the way they glared at Vladimir, as though he’s some kind of garbage that dared to stain their front law