One Month Later
Edward and Alicia's relationship had begun to grow slowly, but with quiet certainty. Day by day they opened their hearts to each other a little more, until even their classmates started noticing the change. Some cheered for them in secret. Others envied Alicia for winning the heart of the school's most admired boy. And, inevitably, a few especially certain girls began to resent her more with every passing day.
That morning before class, the two of them sat together talking as they always did.
"Want to go somewhere together, Alice?" Edward suggested with a soft smile. "I feel like we've never really had time to just… be together."
"How about the lake?" he added.
Alicia froze.
She quickly shook her head.
"No, Trey… we can't go there. It's too dangerous. We might run into Tyler's people. I don't want to take that risk."
"They're around there?" he asked.
"Yes. And they're far too dangerous. You're still human. You're not their match… and honestly, neither am I."
Edward fell silent.
The faint smile on his face slowly faded as he met her eyes. He nodded in understanding, even though a storm of determination and old pain still burned inside him. He knew she spoke out of concern and he would never forgive himself if she were hurt because of him.
"You're that worried about me?" he asked lightly, forcing a reassuring smile.
Alicia held his gaze for a moment before nodding slowly. Her eyes trembled faintly.
"Of course I am… I want you to know that I care about you. A lot."She hesitated, her voice soft but urgent."Please don't go near Tyler, Edward. Please… trust me."
Her voice trembled slightly, as if she were struggling to hold back tears.
Edward looked at her quietly for a moment before stepping closer.
"I won't go," he said firmly. "I promise."
He looked deep into her eyes. There was something new in his gaze now something steady, sincere, and unshakable.
Alicia nodded, accepting his promise. After a moment of silence, she spoke again, her voice cautious.
"Then… what happened between you and Tyler? Why do you want to confront him so badly?"
The question struck Edward like a blow.
He pressed his lips together, the determination in his eyes giving way to a shadow of sorrow.
"Eight years ago… he broke into my house," Edward said quietly. "He destroyed everything I loved. My parents… they…"
His voice faltered.
For a moment he couldn't continue.
"They disappeared right in front of me," he whispered hoarsely. "There was nothing left. Not even bodies to bury."
The last words barely escaped his lips.
Alicia's eyes widened.
She stepped closer and gently placed a hand on his back, rubbing it softly in comfort.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I know what that feels like."
Her voice grew heavier with memory.
"My mother… she was killed by those demons too. Right in front of me."
Edward felt the warmth of her touch.
Slowly, almost unconsciously, he leaned his head against her arm—like someone who had carried a burden alone for far too long.
"Well… look at you," Alicia said with a soft laugh. "You're leaning on me like it's the most natural thing in the world."
Edward managed a faint smile, though his eyes were still red.
"I need some encouragement," he murmured, sounding almost like a child. "I'm sad, you know."
Alicia smiled, but the smile soon faded as a more serious thought crossed her mind.
Carefully, she asked,
"When will you… change into one of them?"
Her voice wavered.
She avoided his eyes.
"I don't want you to end up like my mother," she admitted softly. "I'm afraid that one day I'll have to watch you become something I can't stop."
Edward froze.
He looked up at her, pain flickering across his face.
"Alicia… I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to make you remember that."
She shook her head gently.
"It's not your fault. I just… don't want to lose anyone again. Not like that."
Her gaze dropped as if she were trying to contain the emotions threatening to spill over.
Edward didn't say another word.
Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if he could shield her from every painful memory.
"You're warm," Alicia murmured against his chest.
"You're warm too," Edward whispered back. "I wish we could stay like this a little longer."
But before the quiet moment could last
"Ahem. Young master… shouldn't you be heading to class?"
Henry's voice sounded from behind them.
Both of them jumped.
Alicia quickly stepped out of the embrace, clearly flustered, while Edward straightened awkwardly.
"You don't have to act so innocent," Henry said with a teasing grin. "I saw everything."
Edward looked as though he'd forgotten how to breathe.
Alicia's cheeks turned crimson.
"I I'm going to class first," she said quickly. "You'd better hurry before we're late."
She turned and hurried away before either of them could respond.
Edward watched her go, a faint smile touching his lips.
The pain inside him hadn't disappeared.
But now he had someone beside him.
And for the first time in a long while… that felt like enough.
As Alicia approached the school building, she turned a corner
Thud!
She collided hard with someone standing there.
A wave of unnatural cold radiated from the man's body, making her shiver instantly. His scent was strange icy, with a faint metallic tang she couldn't quite place.
Slowly, she looked up.
Her heart began pounding.
"Are you alright, little lady?" the man asked smoothly.
His voice was deep too smooth, almost rehearsed.
Sharp silver-gray eyes stared down at her without blinking.
Startled, Alicia stepped back, nearly losing her balance but the man caught her before she could fall.
"Th-thank you," she said quickly, pulling away from his touch.
The cold from his hand lingered on her back like frost.
"Are you afraid of me?" he asked calmly.
His eyes never left her face.
They were cold… yet strangely hungry.
"No… I should get to class," she said, avoiding his gaze.
Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she hurried away without looking back.
Tyler stood there, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared around the corner.
Slowly, his eyes began to glow faintly red.
"Such a pure scent…" he murmured.
"So tempting."
Only the wind heard his voice.
But his intention was clear.
He hadn't come here by chance.
He had come because he had found a new target.
This school… would become his hunting ground.
Just last night, he had murdered the former owner of the school without hesitation.
And today
He walked in through its gates as the new administrator, hiding his true nature behind a perfect mask.
Holler Mansion – Underground Council Chamber
The room was dim, illuminated only by the soft glow of an antique lamp hanging above a long oak table.
Uncle Alfred sat at the head of the table, gripping his cane thoughtfully.
Beside him was Father Hill, the caretaker of the old church.
Ethan, Henry, and Lone Wolf a tall young man with the sharp, predatory gaze of a wild beast sat nearby.
"He's searching for a new feeding ground," Alfred said gravely. "And that ground… is the children at this school."
"I'm worried about my sister," Lone Wolf said, clenching his fists.
"What should we do?" Alfred asked.
"We kill him," Lone Wolf replied without hesitation.
"If it were that easy, we'd have done it already," Ethan said sharply. "He's too cautious and he's not alone."
"Today he crossed paths with Miss Alice," Henry added. "The young master doesn't know yet. But Tyler let her go… as if he's waiting for the right moment."
"He's far too close to us now," Father Hill said grimly.
"They're still human," Alfred murmured. "I don't want Edward to become like me just yet. He's too young to carry that burden."
He looked toward Henry.
"How well can he control his power now?"
"Much better, sir. He trains every day. I keep a close watch on him."
"Good," Alfred said.
"Then have the children carry protective charms. At least it will buy them time if they run into Tyler unexpectedly."
Everyone around the table nodded.
"Henry," Alfred continued, "return to the young master. Send our people to secretly guard Miss Alice as well. But make sure the children never realize it. We must not frighten them."
"Yes, sir."
Henry bowed his head.
A faint shimmer of light surrounded him.
In the next instant, his body transformed into a black crow, which flew through the narrow opening above the chamber and vanished into the night wind.