Betrayal means death

Jonathan offered to assist me with the siren, but I declined, asserting my supernatural strength. Though I appeared as a delicate teenage girl, Jonathan was well aware of my true nature—a dhampir.

Gently, I laid the frigid Iravan on the ground beside me, then turned to Jonathan, requesting his brown jacket. He hesitated, glancing between his jacket and the siren, before finally removing it and handing it to me.

I hoisted Iravan onto my shoulder, draping the jacket over him and zipping it up. I wished to shield him from the chill and his exposed skin; after all, he was accustomed to the icy depths of the water.

As I cradled the siren, I noticed his long, drenched black hair cascading against my arms, a soft and silken touch that reached down to his shoulder blades. I took a ponytail holder from my own hair, allowing my pink locks to tumble free, and secured his beautiful hair into a loose tie.

Turning to Jonathan, I inquired, "What shall we do with Iravan? Do you have a safe place for him? He cannot remain among humans; he acts like a wild creature. We must uncover the reason for his presence on land." Jonathan nodded thoughtfully, urging me to follow him. As we navigated through the underbrush, he spoke, "Indeed, it's far too perilous. His behavior suggests intelligence, yet he remains untamed. I'm uncertain how to handle him upon awakening. Remember the school I mentioned?

There's something I haven't revealed—I'm the principal there. It's a sanctuary for all supernatural beings, including sirens and dhampirs. Though they've been absent for centuries, they are still welcome at the boarding school.

We have an extra nurse's office; I can ensure everyone stays away. We can keep him there until we determine our next steps."

I absorbed his words, a sense of inevitability settling within me. Trusting him felt like stepping into a shadowy abyss, yet solitude was a heavier burden.

The risk loomed large, but I could not traverse this path alone. Should Jonathan weave a web of treachery, the price would be steep—his life would hang in the balance.

In fleeting moments, I act out of kindness, a spark igniting within. Aiding the siren was one such impulse, though a flicker of selfishness danced in the depths of my heart. His enigmatic nature draws me in, compelling my assistance.

Forgiveness is a luxury few can afford in my realm; it opens the door to future harm. I possess the capacity for compassion, yet the thirst for vengeance simmers just beneath the surface, ready to strike against those who dare to wound me.

The dagger of betrayal, the most lethal of instruments, is often wielded not by foes, but by those we hold dear. To me, betrayal is a fate more dreadful than death itself.

As I trail Jonathan through the moonlit woods, my eyes gleam with a crimson hue, a reflection of the darkness that stirs within.