Chapter 12: The New Student
The sun spilled lazily through the academy windows, its warm rays doing little to brighten the otherwise gloomy halls of Crescent Moon Academy. That morning began like any other—but the atmosphere felt different. There was a tension in the air, something unspoken. A scent of mystery.
A boy walked through the academy gates.
He didn't wear the usual black and silver uniform properly; the blazer was draped over one shoulder, and his tie was missing entirely. He was human—no scent of bloodlust or supernatural aura clung to him. Yet the aura he carried was sharp, dangerous, and cold. He was lean but muscular, with eyes the color of smoke and hair as dark as midnight. His name was yet unknown to the students whispering behind their hands as he passed.
Some vampire students snickered and moved to block his path.
"Lost, little human?" one of them sneered, baring fangs playfully.
He didn't even flinch.
Another vampire moved in. "This isn't the place for your kind. Maybe the infirmary would suit you better—after we break a bone or two."
The human boy said nothing. Then, without warning, he moved. Lightning-quick. In one clean motion, he dodged the first attacker and slammed his elbow into the vampire's gut. The second one lunged—and found himself flipped over the boy's shoulder, landing with a loud thud.
Gasps echoed through the courtyard. The other vampires backed away.
He dusted off his hands calmly and walked forward without sparing them a second glance.
---
Meanwhile, Aria sat in her class, chin resting in her palm, staring blankly at the blackboard as the professor droned on about vampire history. She blinked slowly, trying not to yawn.
"...and in the year 1672, the Vampire Council declared—"
She stifled a groan.
Beside her, Ezra scribbled something on her notebook and slid it over.
"If I die from boredom, tell Lucien I loved his jawline."
She snorted softly.
"If I die, bury me with garlic so I don't come back here." she scribbled back.
Ezra smirked but quickly returned to looking innocent when the teacher glanced their way.
Time dragged.
Finally, the bell rang.
Aria practically flew out of the class, her bag slung over her shoulder. The hallway was crowded and buzzing with noise. She waved goodbye to Ezra, who was heading the other direction.
As she descended the grand staircase, her foot caught the edge of a step.
"Oh—!"
She slipped, arms flailing—
—but strong arms caught her by the waist before she could fall. Her eyes widened as she looked up.
It was him.
The human boy.
Up close, his face was striking. Cold eyes, a firm jaw, and a strange quiet that settled around him like a storm waiting to break. His touch was firm, yet gentle. For a heartbeat, they stared at each other.
"You should be more careful," he said, voice deep and emotionless.
"I—I'm sorry, I wasn't—thank you," she stammered, cheeks turning pink.
He helped her steady herself, but his hand lingered just a second too long on her waist.
Then—
"ARIA!"
Her heart skipped.
Lucien's voice rang through the hall, loud and sharp. He was standing near the base of the staircase, eyes glowing with something fierce. Rage? Jealousy?
He stormed forward, jaw clenched, eyes darting between Aria and the new boy.
Aria quickly stepped back from the human, clutching her bag tightly. "Lucien, it's not what it looks like—"
Lucien didn't respond to her. His eyes were locked onto the new boy.
"Who the hell are you?" he asked coldly.
The boy didn't flinch. "A student."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "Stay away from her."
"Noted." The boy's tone was bored. He turned and walked away without another word.
Lucien's eyes stayed on him until he disappeared down the hallway. Then he turned to Aria.
"You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?" he muttered, voice lower now, but still tense.
"He helped me, I slipped—"
"I saw. I saw where his hands were," Lucien growled, stepping closer. "I don't like it."
"You're being ridiculous," she said, trying not to blush again.
Lucien stepped even closer. "Am I? Should I just let every strange guy wrap their arms around you?"
"It was an accident!" she snapped.
He stared at her for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, he sighed.
"Come on," he said. "You're not walking alone anymore."
He grabbed her hand—gently, but possessively—and started walking with her.
She was quiet for a moment before asking, "Lucien... are you jealous?"
He scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
But his grip tightened just slightly.
She smiled to herself.
Even with all his coldness... Lucien wasn't so unreadable after all.
---
That night, Aria sat on her bed replaying the moment in her head. The new student. His strength. His mystery. And Lucien's reaction.
Things were changing at Crescent Moon Academy. And something told her—this was just the beginning.