Chapter One

Vampires are real. 

Why does no one believes me? The bite mark on my neck should be enough proof but I'm the only one who is able to see it, apart from him.

My parents think I've gone crazy, they look at me with a hint of fear. Do they think I'm messed up? Maybe I am. 

But It's nothing compared to how messed up he is. 

"Aurora, why weren't you in class today?" It was Whitney, my childhood best friend. The only one who doesn't look at me weirdly, even though she doesn't believe me, she doesn't show it. 

She sat next to me, "You're going to fall" I pointed out to her, despite sitting on the same roof. 

"And you're not?" She chuckled as she opened a bag of chips. Little did she know it that I wouldn't, no matter how I try to die, he would show up last minute, freezing time and saving me from death with that sickly smile of his.

"You're not allowed to die without my permission Aurora"

A shiver ran down my spine but I brushed it away, "I was feeling kind of sick…I bet Rhodes was over the moon at my absence" 

"Actually…" She drawled out, "Maybe it's just me, he kept glancing at your desk every minute with a worried look on his face. He asked me why you didn't show up and stayed quiet throughout the class, immediately the bell rang, he was out in a flash" 

I turned to Whitney and she looked dead serious, which was rare. "That's strange…" She nodded in agreement and munched on another piece of chip. 

Classes was over for the day but I didn't want to go home. I had this feeling that he was waiting for me, seated on my couch, dressed in his victorian era attire. He'd probably have Salem sit on his long legs as he stroked his fur, his blood red eyes staring down at my soul. 

"The next time you come home late, don't blame me for what happens"

I jumped back to reality, Whitney was already looking at me weirdly. My gaze shifted to her hand placed on mine, she must've been calling me and I must've zoned out. 

"Are you okay Rory? You've been out of place lately"

"It's nothing" I got down from the edge, wiping my hands free of non existent debris. "I have to get going…my plants need watering" 

I didn't have plants, but she didn't need to know that. 

Nevertheless, I flashed her a smile and dashed for the door to the staircase. How could I possibly forget that I have a curfew given to me by a narcissistic vampire who has an obsession with me? 

I whizzed past the crowd of students and made it to the bus stop in less time required. I should really sign up for relay races hosted by the school, I bet I'd be top 3. 

I raised my hand to signal the incoming bus but another hand grabs mine in the air and twirls me around, only to come face to face with "Rhodes?" 

I watched the bus drive past with a dejected look on my face. It would take an hour for another bus to pass by. I was fucked. 

"What the hell dude? You can't just go grabbing people by their hands causing them to miss the bus!" 

"Where have you been?" 

I blinked, suddenly taken aback. Of all people, he was the one asking about my whereabouts? Whitney wasn't lying at all. 

The look on his face showed that he wasn't in the mood for jokes, he looked distressed, very distressed. "What's it with you?" I took one step backward and he took one step forward.

"Whitney marked your attendance for you, you weren't in class the entire day. I also stopped by your apartment but no one was around…"

"You did what?!" 

Since when has Rhodes been so caring about me? Did I perhaps happen to miss something? Why does he looks like he hasn't slept for days? 

"Are you hurt? Sick?" He places a hand on my forehead to feel my temperature and I couldn't help but shove him away, he was being too close for comfort considering he is the definition of arch enemies and the one who make my life in school hell on earth. 

What in the enemies to lovers book troupe is going on?!

"You are in no position to be bombarding me — do I look sick to you?" 

"…No" 

"Then I'm not. I have to get going, thanks to you I missed the bus. You will see me in class tomorrow and you can continue tormenting me as you wish" I didn't wait to hear his response because I didn't need one. 

I brushed past him and took to my heel, silently sending prayers to my ancestors that the freak of night wasn't at my house so soon. 

"Where are you running off to?!"

"TO WATER MY DAMN PLANTS!"

 ·········⋆༺𓆩❀𓆪༻⋆·········

The door beeped open and I made my way into my cozy apartment, shutting the door behind me. The lights were switched on automatically due to motion sensors and I took off my shoes, sprinting to my room to check on you know who. 

Nothing.

My room was empty, just as I had left it. Clothes and piles of books littered all over my bed, more pile of books on the desk, filled up trash bin and a wardrobe that looked like it was ransacked by thieves. 

He didn't show up, again. Today makes it one week since he last appeared in my room. Has he finally taken the hint that I didn't want him around and left me alone for good? 

A smile crept on my face at the thought, I didn't know when I burst into fits of joy, doing a little victorious dance which would be weird in front of someone else. 

But now I was finally left alone, I could be weird as much as I wanted and no one was going to stop me. 

"Hold on" My dancing came to a stop. I stood in front of the human sized mirror, checking out the bite mark on my collarbone. Sure enough it was still present and the fact that no one else but him and I were able to see the mark felt taunting to the bones. 

It was a reality check that shit was real, as real as the bite mark. 

A shuffling sound came from my wardrobe causing me to snap back to present as I approached it cautiously, a big ball of black stirred and a pair of bright green eyes stared at me, followed by a 'meow'. 

I let out a breath of relief, "It's just you Salem" I reached out for him and he complied, jumping into my arms as I snuggled him. 

"You seemed to take a liking on that vampire Salem, don't tell me you miss him" He let out a 'meow'. "I will take that as a no, of course you don't miss him. He wanted to skin you alive and feed you to his hellhounds — whatever that means" 

I glanced at the digital clock on my nightstand, the time was 6pm and I had the urge to do a spring cleaning for my room. As someone who loved doing things on impulse, I got to work. 

Within two hours, I was done cleaning my room and it has never looked better in a while. I also did the laundry and went out to buy groceries, currently on my way back to my apartment. Who knew you could do a lot when you don't have a stuck up vampire up in your ass all the time. 

I placed my key card on the door handle and it beeped green but I was frozen in place. A strange scent hit my nose almost immediately, it was similar to the scent of him. But it wasn't entirely him. Someone else had entered my apartment. 

There were no signs of anyone breaking in, everything was intact. If it weren't for the faint scent which was gone by now, I wouldn't even be aware. 

Maybe its just my mind playing games with me. Ever since he came into my life, I've always had this feeling of being watched everywhere I go. I had basically structured some high level of alertness and was always skeptical of what was and what wasn't. 

But now, I didn't need to do that anymore. He was gone for good. There's no need to always be on alert. My mind was definitely playing games with me. 

I set the bags of groceries on the table in the kitchen and started sorting them out one by one. Salem climbed onto the table, sniffing at the bags for food as he flicked his tail impatiently. "Alright, alright" I murmur, pouring the cat food into his bowl. He circles my feet, something he does to show gratitude and munches away. 

Then, I catch it — the sharp, acrid scent of something burning. I pause, glancing toward the stove. It's off. The oven, too. A frown tugs at my lips. Maybe a neighbor left something on?

A wisp of smoke curls past the doorway. My stomach did knots. That's not normal. I straighten, stepping toward the hallway. The air thickens, heat pressing in from beyond the door. Crackle. 

A distant sound, like wood splitting. The hairs on my arms rise. My fingers hover over the doorknob, but before I can touch it — 

BOOM!

The whole apartment shudders, a sharp burst of heat rushes under the door and the smell of smoke slams into me full force. Salem screeches, bolting under the table. Panic explodes in my chest. The fire isn't just close. It's here.

I need to run. Now. 

My pulse pounds in my ears as I stagger back from the door. Smoke is already creeping in, thick and suffocating, burning my throat with every breath. My mind races. The windows.

I whirl around, rushing toward the kitchen window, but the moment I grip the handle, heat licks at my fingers. I jerk my hand back with a hiss. The fire must be climbing from below.

Think, Rory. THINK.

Salem lets out a terrified yowl from under the table. I drop to my knees, reaching for him. He squirms, his tiny body trembling in my arms. "I've got you," I whisper, though I'm not sure if it's for him or myself.

The apartment groans — wood cracking, walls straining under the growing flames. A sharp bang comes from the hallway, followed by the rush of fire hungrily consuming everything in its path.

My exit is blocked. The front door is no longer an option.

I grip Salem tighter, my chest heaving. The balcony. It's the only way out. Holding my breath, I sprint toward the sliding glass door. Smoke stings my eyes, blurring my vision, but I fumble with the lock and shove it open. Cold air rushes in, a shocking contrast to the heat behind me.

I step out, gasping, peering over the railing. Five floors up. Too high to jump. With a desperate glance around, I spot my neighbor's balcony just a few feet away. If I can climb over…

A violent crash came from inside. The ceiling groans, then part of it collapses, sending chunks of plaster and burning debris tumbling into the kitchen. My apartment is falling apart.

I clutch Salem against my chest and brace myself. I have no choice. I have to jump.