Michele_Bazzani

My name is Ren Volkom, and I’m… a vampire! Or at least that’s what I thought until the night that completely upended my life. The truth? It’s even more shocking. A unique crystal, embedded in my heart since birth, grants me incredible power and extraordinary strength—but at a steep cost.

I’m not the only one born with this crystal. Others share this trait, and the secret services call us ‘Crystalbringers’—they’re certainly not brimming with creativity, are they?

But life as a Crystalbringer is no fairy tale. Ruthless criminal organizations and global military forces are desperate to claim our power—and they’ll stop at nothing to get it.

Overnight, I’m plunged into a world of brutal survival and, honestly, some wildly steamy situations—maybe too many? There’s also room for deeper, more introspective moments and the usual struggles of being a teenager—like getting rejected by your crush, which, let’s face it, stings more than a near-death experience.

Crystalbringer

I still can't wrap my head around it, but Eirik and I are somehow still alive. Even more surprising, Elaine hasn't told anyone. Luckily, her roommate was in the shower and didn't notice a thing.

In return, I made that traitor Eirik endure the worst night of his life! I swear, I didn't let him sleep a wink, even if it meant staying up myself. After all, I'm used to pulling all-nighters by now.

But today, there's no time to relax. Tonight will be the moment of reckoning—the night I'll kill Anastasia Orlova. Or at least, I hope so…

To prepare myself properly, I decided—with the professors' approval—to spend the day at the art gallery where the fashion show will take place. When I told my professor, she placed her hand on my forehead to check for a fever.

«Ren, you? At an art gallery? Are you sure you're feeling okay? Maybe you should visit a hospital instead.»

13 - Mending fences