The curfew bell still echoed faintly in my ears as I hurried through the dimly lit corridors of the academy. My hands trembled, and my fingertips were cold — not from the chill, but from the memory of how close Lys's lips had come to my neck.
I wanted to forget the garden, the roses, the heat of their stares.
But every step I took seemed to replay the moment over and over.
The hall was empty except for the soft sound of my shoes on the polished floor… until I heard it.
Tap… tap… tap…
I froze. Those weren't my footsteps.
Slowly, I turned. A shadow stretched along the wall — tall, slender, and moving toward me.
From the darkness emerged Tsukiko, her black hair flowing like ink under the moonlight streaming through the tall windows. She didn't smile, but her eyes held an odd softness.
"You're walking alone at night again, Airi. You really do invite trouble."
"I… I wasn't trying to," I stammered, clutching my skirt. "I just—"
Her hand lifted, silencing me.
"I'm not here to scold you. I came to warn you."
The weight of her gaze felt heavier than the Blood Moon.
"Tonight wasn't just a coincidence. The Blood Moon reacts to certain kinds of… blood. Yours is one of them."
My chest tightened. "Because I'm… human?"
Tsukiko's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Not just human. There's something inside you… sleeping. We call it an awakening. If it happens too soon, you won't survive it."
My voice caught. "Awakening into… what?"
She hesitated. For the first time, Tsukiko looked almost unsure.
"I don't know yet. But others… might. Which is why you mustn't let anyone drink from you. Not Lys. Not Rena. Not even me."
Her words carried a dangerous sincerity, but before I could ask more, a sudden sound cut through the silence — the faint metallic clash of weapons.
Tsukiko's head snapped toward the end of the hallway.
"Stay here."
Before I could protest, she was gone in a blur of movement, her footsteps barely audible.
My instincts screamed to obey… but my curiosity was louder.
I followed, keeping my steps quiet, until I reached a half-open courtyard door. Moonlight spilled across the stone floor, and beyond it, two figures were locked in a duel.
Lys and Rena.
Their blades clashed with a sharp, ringing sound, sparks flying in the cold night air. Neither of them looked like they were holding back.
"You think you can claim her just because you got to her first?" Rena snarled, swinging her crimson-edged blade.
Lys blocked it effortlessly, her golden hair whipping behind her.
"I'm not claiming her. I'm protecting her. Something you clearly don't understand."
Rena's laugh was sharp.
"Protecting? You were about to bite her in the garden. Don't play the saint with me."
I pressed a hand over my mouth, heart pounding. They were fighting… over me.
A glimmer of movement to my side caught my eye — Celene was leaning against a pillar, watching the duel with a smirk. She noticed me immediately.
"My, my… you just can't stay away from trouble, can you?" she whispered, stepping close enough that her breath brushed my ear. "Careful, little lamb. Wolves fight hardest over the sweetest prey."
My cheeks burned, but before I could pull away, Tsukiko's voice thundered from across the courtyard.
"Enough!"
In an instant, she was between them, her sword drawn but pointed at neither.
"The Headmistress won't tolerate a Blood Moon duel. Stand down, both of you."
Lys sheathed her weapon without argument, but Rena only smirked, tossing her blade over her shoulder.
"Fine. But this isn't over"
As the others began to leave, Celene lingered long enough to brush her fingers over my wrist.
"One day, Airi, you'll have to choose… or be devoured by all of us."
When I was finally alone again, I leaned against the cold wall, my pulse still racing.
They were all circling me like predators… but Tsukiko's warning replayed in my head.
If my "awakening" truly was coming…
I wasn't sure if I feared it more than I secretly wanted it.