The sharp sting came first.
Two needle-like points piercing into the side of Charlie's neck, sinking past skin and muscle with a precision that made him flinch. Pain rippled outward, a hot, burning sensation that should have made him push her away.
But then… the pain dulled.
A strange warmth spread through his veins. The pounding in his head eased, the tightness in his chest loosened, and the restless tension he'd been carrying for days melted away like frost under sunlight.
It was… wrong. It was terrifying and yet, it felt good.
Charlie's body betrayed him, the fear in his mind colliding with the bizarre calm flooding his senses. He knew it…. he'd felt this sensation before. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a door rattled, trying to open.
But the memory wouldn't come.
Maybe this was because of her, this girl, this monster pinning him down.
Her lips lingered for a moment longer before she finally drew back. The bite throbbed faintly, and he felt the warm trickle of blood running from the spot.
She didn't let it go to waste.
With an almost lazy grace, she tilted her head and let her tongue trace the last drop escaping his skin, catching it before it fell.
Charlie's face burned. The act wasn't just intimate, it was invasive, a reminder that she'd just stolen something vital from him.
She sat back, her cold grip finally leaving his wrists. Standing, she reached up and tied her silver hair back into a loose ponytail, as though she'd simply finished a casual meal.
Charlie stayed on the floor for a moment, his breath uneven. His eyes turned toward the balcony window, searching.
The reflection was clear, the moonlight spilling over the floor, his own pale face… but not on the girl.
So he hadn't imagined it before.
She really had no reflection.
Turning his gaze back to her, he almost forgot to breathe. Her silver hair shimmered, her emerald pupils gleamed faintly against the light, giving her the beauty of a painting brought to life.
But no matter how breathtaking she looked, it didn't change the fact — she was a blood-sucking monster.
His hand went to the bite mark on his neck. "Who are you?"
She turned at the sound of his voice, meeting his gaze. Then, with a goofy, almost sheepish smile, she said, "Oh right… I haven't introduced myself, have I?"
Charlie blinked. For a second, he honestly wondered if she was stupid.
With a small grin, she added, "I'm Luna… And I'm sorry, I was just way too hungry…"
Charlie narrowed his eyes. "What are you? A mosquito?"
Her smile froze. Then her expression twisted into something between outrage and disbelief.
"What did you just say?!" Her voice shot up in pitch, almost yelling. "Do I look like a mosquito to you?!"
Charlie winced at the volume but didn't back down. "You're the one drinking my blood like a mosquito. What else am I supposed to compare you to?"
She stared at him for a beat, clearly insulted. Finally, she exhaled sharply through her nose.
"…I am Luna. A vampire."
The word hit him like a brick to the face. Vampire. He'd read about them in novels, heard them in folktales … but seeing one? Being bitten by one? That was something else entirely.
A more chilling thought crept into his mind.
"…Wait. You just drank my blood. Does that mean I'm gonna—"
"—turn into a vampire? No." She smirked faintly. "Not unless I want you to."
He was about to ask what that meant when she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
The effect was immediate.
A flood of images burst into his mind — the flickering streetlamp, the silver-haired girl under it, the cold touch against his face, her whisper: "Can I have your blood?" The night three days ago, when she'd erased it all.
Charlie's breath caught. "You… you…"
"Sorry about taking away your memory," she said, almost casually.
Reality slammed back down on him like a lead weight.
He wasn't just dealing with a dangerous creature , he was dealing with one who could wipe away his thoughts at will. Against her, he was utterly helpless.
His voice was shaky. "…What do you want from me?"
Luna tilted her head, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"So impatient…"
He tightened his grip on the floor. "Just answer."
"Fine." She straightened, her tone suddenly clearer.
"I want you to be my offspring."
Charlie choked.
"Your— what?!"
She coughed lightly, as if to reset the conversation. "It's not what you're thinking in human terms. I want you to become a vampire… from my blood."
His brows knit. "That doesn't even make sense."
She stepped closer, kneeling so their eyes were level. "It's simple. A human doesn't turn into a vampire just by being bitten. You only change if you drink a vampire's blood… and both of them have to agree to it. That's the rule."
He swallowed, still trying to process it. "So… the first time we met—"
"When I drank your blood, I formed a connection," she said, tapping her temple. "A thread between us. It lets me track you, no matter where you are. That's why you've been feeling uneasy these past nights."
It clicked, cold and unpleasant in his gut. "So that's why…"
He could only manage a quiet, "Why me?"
Her smile softened, though her eyes didn't lose their strange glow. "Because you're perfect. I think you'd make an excellent vampire under me."
Charlie had no idea what to say to that. His lips pressed into a tight line.
"Relax," she added, standing again. "You don't have to decide now. I won't erase your memory this time either. When you feel ready… you can find me here."
He nodded faintly, still reeling.
"One last thing." Her tone sharpened just slightly. "You are forbidden to speak of this to anyone. If you do…" She leaned in, her voice lowering. "…I'll have to erase your memory again."
He nodded quickly. "Got it."
Charlie pushed himself up and walked toward the door. His hand was on the handle when he felt her grip on his shoulder again.
Her other hand brushed lightly against his neck, and before he could react, her tongue flicked against the bite mark, slow and deliberate.
His breath hitched.
"Think about the offer," she whispered, her words a cool breeze against his ear. "I'll be waiting…"
Charlie didn't answer. The moment her hand left him, he yanked the door open and hurried into the hallway.
The flickering lights followed him to the elevator. Inside, he could see his own pale face reflected in the steel walls, eyes wide and trembling.
A vampire, a real one.
Even if he told someone, they'd laugh. They'd think he was insane. Maybe Luna knew that. Maybe that's why she didn't care if he talked about it with others, because it would always be futile.
But the question burned in his mind all the way down to the ground floor.. "Why me?"
The elevator doors opened.
He ran out of the building, to his bicycle, fumbling with the lock before jumping on and pedaling hard into the night. The air felt colder now, sharper against his skin.
He kept his collar pulled high, hiding the mark. The last thing he wanted was for his parents to see it and ask questions.
Right now, he didn't want to think. He just wanted to get home.
And forget everything, even though he knew he couldn't.