Devil's Blood

The sharp scent of cologne—strong, rich, yet oddly refreshing...was all Aurora needed to recognize who had dragged her away.

The room was dark, shadows dancing across its corners. Aurora quickly flicked on her phone's torch. The soft light caught Mateo's face, watching her closely.

"Mat," she whispered, her voice laced with both relief and surprise.

"Why are you still awake?" he frowned, concern etching deep into his voice.

Aurora hesitated. She couldn't say she had been waiting for him, worrying about where he'd gone.

"I have insomnia," she said softly,it wasn't the full truth but it wasn't a full lie either.

Mateo stared at her for a moment longer before pulling her gently into his arms. His embrace was cold, yet comforting, and she melted into it without resistance.

They stood there for minutes, wrapped around each other, their problems and the world outside momentarily forgotten.

"Wish we could stay like this," Mateo murmured against her hair.

"Same," she whispered back.

He had already confessed his interest in her—unexpected, raw, and real. And now, her feelings for him were growing faster than she could make sense of.

"Where's Orson?" she asked, glancing around the dim room.

"He's at an inn," came the calm reply.

"Does he... know about me?" she added, softer this time.

Mateo nodded.

Aurora fell silent. Her grandfather—the most feared creature of the past...knew she existed, and yet hadn't asked to see her. Was she relieved... or disappointed?

Mateo studied her in the dark. With his vampire eyes, he saw her clearer than anyone ever could. She looked tired...tired but beautiful.

"You should get some sleep," he whispered.

She nodded just as a small yawn escaped her lips.

Mateo gave her a faint smile before watching her slip back out into the corridor.

⸻

The next morning, Aurora woke up to the hushed whispers of girls in the dorm room.

Her eyes blinked open slowly. Jennifer sat nearby, scrolling through a book with her headphones on.

"She's awake," one girl whispered.

The others turned toward her briefly, but walked away without a word.

Aurora frowned. She didn't understand their sudden coldness.

"You should care less about them," Jennifer muttered.

"Thanks for letting me stay," Aurora said, genuinely grateful.

Jennifer didn't respond, but Aurora stared at her, thinking about the history they shared...even unknowingly. The memories she had seen in her visions still echoed inside her.

"Your mother would be proud of you," Aurora whispered.

Jennifer's head tilted slightly. She had heard it...her vampire senses sharper than a hawk.

"You should go home now, youngster. Mateo's outside waiting for you," Jennifer added, flipping a page.

Aurora checked her phone and saw Mateo's message. She thanked Jennifer again, smiling, before hurrying out.

⸻

Outside, Mateo stood by his bike dressed in a black jacket and fitted leather pants, a dark pair of shiny shoes completing his look. A single ring shimmered on his pierced ear, and his dark hair danced with the morning wind.

He looked like someone out of a painting—dangerous, handsome, and untouchable.

Aurora paused, stunned, not by his looks but by the attention he was drawing. Students nearby stared openly.

He was a student, yes—but also the one who made the rules. The one who never followed them.

She walked up to him quietly, trying not to draw attention.

"Miss Ross!" someone called.

Aurora turned. It was Joshua.

"Good morning, Mr. Joshua," she greeted politely.

"You dropped something," he said, holding out a small earring.

Aurora blinked. She hadn't even realized it had fallen off.

"Thank you," she said.

Joshua's eyes slid to Mateo, who stared at him with clear disdain, chewing gum as if daring him to stay longer.

Joshua didn't seem intimidated, but he knew when to walk away. "No classes today?"

"I'm tutoring," Aurora answered quickly, subtly reminding him of her role.

Joshua nodded, gave her one last smile, and walked off.

Aurora turned back to Mateo.

"Shall we leave?" he asked, his voice dry and cool.

She gave a silent nod and climbed behind him on the bike, securing the helmet on her head. She could still feel eyes on them.

"Hold me tight," he added, and with that, they sped off.

⸻

North Morsvil had strict rules—no students were to leave campus unless permitted. But Mateo wasn't just any student. The rules didn't apply to him.

"Where are we going?" Aurora asked, the wind rushing past her.

"You're impatient, youngster," he teased, not answering.

Eventually, they stopped by a quiet road. Mateo tilted his head at her...an unspoken instruction to get off.

She stepped down, frowning. "Where are we going?"

"To meet Orson," he spoke.

Aurora froze.

Her heart fluttered with uncertainty. She was finally going to meet the man whose blood ran in her veins—the devil himself.

They walked through the trees, Aurora close beside him.

Soon, they arrived at a huge abandoned mansion tucked in the woods. It looked like a place frozen in time...its rusted elegance still undeniable.

"Does he know we're coming?" she whispered.

Mateo gave a simple hum, pushing the door open.

Inside, it was quiet, eerie, and almost too still. The furnishings were antique—old world. Velvet curtains, cracked marble floors, rusted candle stands.

Aurora's eyes swept over the massive staircase just as footsteps echoed above.

And then... he appeared.

Orson.

He looked no older than thirty. His face youthful, striking...almost too perfect. If she hadn't known, she would've thought he was just another vampire. But Aurora knew. This was the devil. This was her grandfather.

And he looked younger than her mother ever had.