Arlo’s POV

"Come in," Serene called out as we heard a knock on the door. A young guy entered carrying a silver tray with a black marble jug and crystal glass. He had a slight smile on his face.

"Place it on the table," Serene ordered him. The young lad obeyed and after bowing slightly left the room. Serene pranced toward the jug as if intended to pour me a drink.

"Don’t, I will do it myself." I didn’t want her to do such a disgusting job for me. She wasn’t meant to see me drink blood. I had always hated the fact that I was born a vampire and of all the delicacies of this world, it was blood that kept me sated. I had to take a life to prolong my own, although it was always animals or monsters that I hunted, deep down I craved other blood too. No matter how much control I exerted on myself, I still couldn’t help thinking about how her blood would taste. Not that I will ever try to hurt her but in the back of my mind that thought always made me hate myself even more.

I sauntered over to the table and poured myself half a glass, and turned away from her to drink it. I could feel her presence behind me, her steady and rhythmic heartbeat was like music to my ears as I gulped down and emptied the glass and turned to face her.

"I am sorry, you had to witness this," Her beautiful violet eyes bore into mine. "It’s your food, you don’t have to apologise for it. I am not that sensitive to care for such trivialities."

I took a step toward her and extended my hand to stroke her cheek. She didn’t step back or stopped me. "But, I do. This is the last time I am letting you do something like that for me. Not again." I said firmly.

"Why do you treat me like I am something easily breakable?" She sounded a bit hurt.

"Because you are too sensitive. Tell me what happened that day in the dining hall after I left. Tell me you didn’t cry your eyes out because of me?" She was taken aback by my answer as if contemplating how I knew.

She placed her hand on top of mine: "No matter what I do or try I end up hurting people and it seems like I am going to hurt a lot more in future. I believe I am cursed Arlo. But I can’t deny the fact that I care about you and that aches my heart to think I can’t show it without afflicting pain on you and Zeph. There are so many swirling emotions bottled up upside me. I don’t even know what to do and with my life hanging in balance, I think I am going crazy. My heart is a mess and I can’t calm it down." Her face showed an array of emotions, ranging from fear to pain.

I placed my other hand on her back and pulled her closer to me. She didn’t resist. Then I took her in my embrace, stroking her hair trying to calm her down. I hated the fact that such a huge burden was placed on her tiny shoulders. She held on to me tightly, her hands clutching the front of my shirt as she buried her face in my chest. Her heartbeat was going crazy in my ears.

I kissed her head lightly: "Calm down Serene and throw away this absurd notion that you are cursed. Give all your pains to me, I can handle them and if you think I will let them take you then you need to think again. I will die before I let any harm come to you."

"That’s exactly not what I want. I don’t want anyone dying because of me." She whispered slowly.

"Serene, you need to realize this is not a fairytale. People are going to die and sacrifices will be made to keep our world safe. We should prepare ourselves for it. You won’t be able to save everyone. This is the reality and the sooner you accept it, the less will be your suffering. It won’t be easy but at least you will be prepared for what is to come. And don’t push people away, especially those who care for you, Zeph included. I know you love him the way you don’t love me. I don’t mind as long as you are not miserable in that relationship." Saying these last words felt like driving a stake through my heart but I would bear anything and everything when it came down to her happiness. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"How are you able to talk so maturely? How can you mask all your pain and say everything so casually? She asked in bewilderment looking up at me.

"Because I am older than you." I gave her a small smile. "How old?"

"I am 22, so approximately 4 years older," I replied calmly. "But how are we in the same class?" She looked so confused.

"It’s because the age limit to get admission in the institute range from 18-23 years. Anyone falling into this limit is eligible to get admission. Silly girl." I tried to explain to her how the age thing worked.

"Oh! I thought 18 was the minimum and maximum range of age. So, does that mean all of our class fellows are of different ages?" She asked excitedly.

"Most of them are 18 years old because they wait for the minimum range criteria to be met to seek admission but some are older too. I don’t know everyone’s age though."

We heard another knock on the door and she let go of me and distanced herself before answering. "Come in," and Zian opened the door and entered with a huge grin. His aura was even brighter than Serene’s and his heart seemed so pure as if there was no malice in it.

"Ahh, here you are. We have been waiting for you guys at the dining table." He informed us.

"Oh! damn, I forgot all about lunch. Arlo, would you like to join us and eat a little bit?" Serene asked me.

"Yes, of course." Zian took the lead and we followed behind him. The castle was exquisitely designed in shades of purple and gold. Most of the walls seemed to be covered with gold vines with purple background. Flowers and plants were abundantly used to beautify it even further. I had never seen such a breathtaking castle before and seemed like the people in it were even more beautiful.