SILAS

"So far, she's doing great. Lycanthropy is easily cured if you get the ingredients early on. If it were any later and the full moon had already passed, reverting her back to her old self would be a real challenge," the witch said, her name was Seraphina Blackthorn.

A healer and an impressive shapeshifter.

"Thank you. I'm relieved the girl is doing well," I replied, nodding at the child on the bed. Her arms and legs were restrained for precaution, but even so, it seemed unnecessary now.

"She is. You know how this works, don't you? You didn't have to come here to see for yourself; you could have sent your PA to handle this," Seraphina remarked, crossing her arms with a knowing smile.

"It's my fault she was turned. Of course I have to come," I countered, my voice steady despite the weight of my guilt.

Seraphina huffed a light laugh, giving me an amused look. "How thoughtful of you, Sir Gael."

Her teasing sparked a frown, though I couldn't help but smile back.

Just then, I heard the sharp click of heels approaching, followed by the door swinging open. "Silas, come. Your mother calls for you," Shira announced from the threshold.

I sighed, waving a hand at Seraphina, who nodded in understanding.

My mother, a professor at Zaudseth, was notorious for her strictness and brutal honesty. She didn't offer sweet words; instead, her comments could either crush your spirit or lift you up, depending on her mood.

 She teaches about Magical Creatures, which included beings like Sebastian—a fact that made her one of the first people I confided in about him.

But confiding in her didn't guarantee her approval. Vampires were enemies to all—mages and to all kinds of magical beings and creatures.

"Did she get my report about Sebastian?" I asked Shira as we walked side by side, her heels clicking rhythmically in the corridor. A few students glanced our way in surprise, and I waved to some of them.

"She did," she replied, her expression neutral.

We arrived at my mother's office. Shira knocked before we entered. "Come in," she called, her voice as familiar as the scent of parchment and ink that filled the space.

"Mother," I said, meeting her gaze as she turned her chair toward me, a paper clutched in her hand—it was my report on Sebastian.

Vivienne Gael.

Her hair, the same platinum shade as mine, cascaded down to her hips, framing a face that still looked impossibly youthful. Most female mages preferred early pregnancies, wanting to witness their children grow while they were still strong enough to guide them in magic.

"Silas, it's good to see you, son," she said, a smile breaking across her face as I approached for a hug. She pulled me close, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders, before placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.

I leaned back, forcing a smile while eyeing the report on her desk. "Have you read it?"

"I have. I admit, you've piqued my interest. Take a seat. Shira, leave us," she instructed, her tone shifting to one of authority.

Shira nodded at me before stepping out, leaving me alone in the plush red chair that faced my mother's desk. She picked up the report again, her brow furrowing as she read.

"A vampire who doesn't care for blood—no, a vampire able to control itself. Still holding on to its humanity after a year, yes?" she mused, looking up at me.

I nodded. "Not only that, but he also remains sane. Many studies show that some vampires often put on a facade of control, able to interact with humans without losing their minds because they consume blood frequently. Sebastian, however, doesn't actively seek it out. Even at the sight of blood, he doesn't lose control. In fact, he hasn't had a drop before I met him."

"I made sure to give him blood at least once a week to ensure he doesn't die. But before I came into the picture, he hadn't consumed any at all. Instead, he sleeps off his hunger, drawing energy from it," I continued, my voice steady despite the rising tension.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes, processing the information. "I see," she said, her expression unreadable.

I swallowed hard, knowing this conversation could determine Sebastian's fate. My mother possessed a wealth of knowledge about magical creatures, and if she deemed him unworthy, his life would hang by a thread.

"This is tricky. How do you know he's not lying to you?" she asked, skepticism lacing her words.

I bit my lip, my resolve wavering. "I trust him not to."

Her gaze narrowed further, slowly lowering the paper onto her desk. "Silas, you're still young. I understand that you often let your emotions cloud your judgment."

I bristled, a noise of offense escaping my throat. "Mother, I've provided a full report with evidence backing it up! I'm not letting my feelings dictate my reasoning. I genuinely believe Sebastian Gray is one of the first vampires capable of resisting the urge to kill."

I stood abruptly, slamming my hand on the desk in frustration. Defending him felt like a necessity. He had proven himself time and again. I recalled my initial suspicion during our first week together, where I'd tested his resolve by drawing blood from the palm of my hand.

 A mage's blood held unique properties—it could sustain a vampire for a month, yet it also heightened their instincts to attack a mage.

The fact that Sebastian had maintained his composure throughout that ordeal spoke volumes about his self-control and sanity.

He was one of a kind.

Somewhere deep down, I wished he were a mage like me. He would have thrived.

Vivienne sighed, pushing the paper back toward me. "If you bring him here and prove he truly is what you say, I can help you. If not—well, a Middle-Class Mage will definitely be sent to eliminate him."

Her heartlessness stung, a cold reminder of her unyielding nature.

"His connections to Minerva Marlowe also make him a dangerous individual, I trust you, Silas. But don't go too close to the sun, or you might lose your wings,"

As I exited the room, head lowered and spirits dampened, Shira's voice broke through my thoughts. "I assume she didn't agree?"

She studied my face, and when she saw my dejection, she gently patted my shoulder. "Don't worry too much. I doubt a Middle-Class Mage is after him right now. Only you, me, and your mother know of his existence, so thank him for staying low-key this whole time."

I sighed again. "I suppose, but I'm still disappointed. Is it so hard to believe a vampire could retain a semblance of sanity, even after being bitten?" I turned to Shira, noting the troubled look on her face.

"You know my answer to that, Silas. Vampires were once demons who ruled the earth. Now they're running rampant again, and many say Vladimir is planning to open a gateway to hell to free the demons from their cage." Her fist clenched, and I bit my lip, the weight of her words settling heavily in my chest.

Sebastian stood at the front of our house when we returned. Shira got busy cleaning the circle on the floor with a mop while I glanced out the window, spotting him in his usual attire: a black umbrella and layers of clothing that would surely suffocate him in the heat.

"Seb, you're here! Is something the matter?" I asked, pushing open the gate to let him in.

He chuckled awkwardly, avoiding my gaze. "Nothing much. It's Saturday, and I was hoping you'd want to go to the arcade with me."

"Oh, of course! Sure!" I replied, eager for the distraction.

Maybe this outing would help me unwind from my earlier conversation with my mother—and perhaps I could open up to Sebastian about it too.

His eyes brightened. "Great! Come on!"

We headed to the nearest mall housing an arcade, the place bustling with energy. Kids dashed around, while teens crowded the racing booths.

"Huh, there are more people here than I expected," Sebastian said, his nerves palpable.

I stifle a chuckle at that, Sebastian has his moments where he is just introverted I suppose.