The Things That Shouldn't Be Real

Aurora felt nervous. She was still embarrassed by how she'd ended up here...out in the woods, in the middle of the night, chasing a noise... all because of a nightmare she couldn't shake.

Explaining that felt impossible.

"The world is dangerous. If I hadn't been here, you would've been dead," Mateo said, his voice tinged with worry.

Her heart clenched hearing those words.

At least he had been here.

"So, my dreams were true... vampires are real." She let out a breath, her eyes heavy with disbelief.

Was coming to Morsvil a mistake?

She had wanted peace. A new start. Not creatures of the night lurking in the shadows.

"Are you scared of me?" Mateo asked gently—almost like he already knew the answer.

Aurora shook her head.

"No."

And she meant it.

She wasn't scared of him. If anything, she was curious. Deeply.

"I want to learn more about vampires," she added, surprising even herself.

Mateo chuckled. "You're funny, you know that? Someone almost killed you, and now you want to study their species?"

She rolled her eyes, embarrassed, but it was true.

"Let me take you home first," he said, bending forward.

It took her a second to understand.

He wanted her to climb on his back.

Her cheeks flushed, seeing his broad back waiting. Still, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs locking around his waist.

Mateo held her tight, and a jolt ran through him at the feel of her bare legs. Her nightwear was short—too short...and she had no idea what she was doing to him.

In a blur of motion, they were gone.

The speed was like a rush of air, faster than any car or storm. Within seconds, they were at her house. The front door was still slightly open, and without a sound, Mateo sped her up to her room like a shadow in the dark.

They were ghosts in motion...only the flicker of their shadows visible in the hall.

Aurora sat on her bed, her eyes never leaving him. She was full of questions.

"What other powers do you have? Are all your friends vampires? Do you—"

"Calm down, youngster," Mateo interrupted, smirking. "You're going to wake the whole mansion."

"The book!" she gasped suddenly.

Everything started piecing together in her mind.

The nightmares. The strange encounters. The feeling that she didn't belong. Was she really that blind to ignore the signs?

She knelt and reached under her bed, pulling out the old book...the one she'd dismissed so easily before.

"Vampires... They can compel humans. They have super strength, heightened senses, and incredible speed," she read. "They were created by the devil...?"

Mateo leaned closer, eyeing the book in her hands.

"Was it the same woman...the one who knew your mother—who gave you that?" he asked.

Aurora nodded.

There was a moment of silence.

"Go to bed, youngster," Mateo said softly. "Tomorrow's a new day. We'll focus on learning more about your kind."

Your kind.

Those words echoed in her head.

She had once agreed to stop digging. But how could she? Destiny wasn't done with her. And if her mother had ties to this world... then what did that make her?

Were her parents human at all?

"I don't want to sleep alone," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.

She turned to Mateo, eyes uncertain.

"Will you stay the night?"

He nodded. "Sure."

Aurora let out a small breath of relief.

Mateo slipped off his shoes and laid beside her on the other side of the bed. She turned away, curling herself into the blanket. Even with her back to him, she felt his presence. Safe. Quiet.

"Thank you," she murmured.

He heard her.

He didn't respond—but he stared at her back for a long time.

⸻

Aurora woke up to sunlight streaming through the window.

Her heart dropped a little when she turned and saw the space beside her empty.

Mateo was gone.

She sighed, already missing the strange comfort his presence brought. Sitting up, her eyes landed on a note tucked beneath her lamp.

She picked it up.

'Sorry I had to leave. I have a few things to take care of. Love you — Mateo.'

She blushed.

Love you?

He was getting bolder. Sweeter. Softer.

He had a dark side...she had seen that now...but he had never been ruthless to her. That alone brought her comfort.

Her eyes fell on the book again.

She reached for it, the weight of it feeling different now.

What if her mom was one of them? A vampire? Or maybe a witch?

Did her dad know?

Did she even know?

The week had finally ended. No classes today, and Aurora was more than grateful not to face any drama or detention.

She got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.

As she reached the dining room, she saw Peter already seated, offering her a small smile.

She returned it, remembering everything she knew about him now.

It still felt surreal...accepting her cousin was a vampire...but if she could accept Mateo, she could accept Peter too.

"Rora dear," Aunt Sarah smiled, waving her over.

Vivian, as always, ignored her completely.

"So it's true?" Vivian's voice cut in.

Aurora frowned. "What's true?"

"Heard you've been tutoring Mateo," Vivian said, eyes narrowing.

Tutoring?

Aurora blinked, unsure of what she meant.

"Yes—or why else would he have protected you the other day?" Vivian added sharply.

"What happened the other day?" Aunt Sarah asked, her brows raising.

Peter quickly turned to his mom, trying to steer her away. "It was just some misunderstanding, Mom."

Aunt Sarah didn't look convinced. Her gaze turned to Aurora.

"It's true," Aurora said softly. "Just a little mix-up."

Aunt Sarah let it go with a nod.

"It's good Mateo's helping you," she smiled. "I like that kid."

Aurora nodded.

She wasn't sure where this was heading—but for now, she was safe.

And that was enough.