You'd think after being bitten by a vampire, almost possessed in a tomb, and threatened by his terrifying ex, things would slow down.
Yeah… no.
At Nightshade Academy, romantic progress apparently triggers apocalyptic warnings.
Like the moon going full eclipse-black.
Or the creepy oracle fountain whispering in Latin.
Or the literal runes burning themselves onto my skin.
Casual.
The Prophecy (Because Of Course There's One)
We were still by the fountain when the glowing script wrapped around my wrist like a magical tattoo. It read:
"When the crimson bond is sealed,
The shadow awakens.
Only her mirror self can break or bind the curse."
Yeonjun stared at it like it had slapped him.
"Amelia… do you know what that means?"
"I mean, I hope it's not just really dramatic poetry."
He shook his head. "It means your doppelgänger — your dark half — is waking up. And if she fully rises…"
He didn't finish.
I did. "She'll kill me. And maybe burn the school to the ground."
"Or worse," he murmured. "She might replace you."
Great.
Enter the Doppelb*tch
Later that night, I caught a glimpse of her.
It was like seeing my own reflection — but warped.
Eyes too bright. Smile too sharp. And shadows clinging to her like perfume.
She didn't speak.
She just stood across the courtyard in the moonlight, watching me.
Mocking me.
And when I blinked — she was gone.
The Library Scene (Because All Cursed Info Lives in Libraries)
We snuck into the Restricted Vaults — aka Hogwarts vibes, minus the safety protocols.
Books flapped like birds. Some hissed. One straight-up bit Yeonjun's finger (I laughed; he sulked).
Finally, we found an ancient tome bound in vampire skin (yes, ew) that confirmed our worst fear:
"A Crimson Bond awakens not just connection —
but reflection.
The linked one will manifest the twin self.
A doppelgänger forged of suppressed power, rage, and fear."
Yeonjun looked at me. "What are you afraid of?"
I shrugged. "Being weak. Being alone. Losing people I care about."
He leaned closer. "You're not weak. You're not alone. And as long as I'm breathing—well, undead—I won't let you lose me."
My brain: error, error, too much romantic tension
The Kiss (Yes, Finally)
It happened in the quiet between revelations.
There was no music. No dramatic moonbeam spotlight.
Just me, leaning against a bookshelf, trying not to have a magical panic attack, and Yeonjun — looking at me like I was both his ruin and his reason.
And then… he kissed me.
It was gentle at first. Soft. Hesitant.
But then, it was like fire meeting gasoline.
All fangs and want and something dangerous that felt real.
And when he finally pulled back, lips red, breath ragged, he whispered:
"That kiss… it wasn't safe.
It sealed the bond deeper.
She's going to wake faster now."
"Oh."
"Still worth it?"
I smirked. "I mean, you didn't even chip a fang. So yeah."
The Final Scene: Mirrors Don't Lie
The next morning, I stared into the mirror in my dorm…
And I didn't blink.
But my reflection did.
Then it grinned — wide and dark and wicked.
And whispered:
"Hello, me.
Ready to break the rules?"