Matteo's house was eerily quiet. His house was dark. The cuttings covered the windows, it was a bit empty in a way you could hear a pin drop. The house was cold.
He stood near the fireplace, his back stiff, and his mind was restless. His body was still with so much tension, his hunger, clawing at his insides like a beast desperate to break free.
Across from him, Adel leaned casually against the wall, opening her school bag, and holding out a drip bag with her fingers. The liquid inside glowed under the little light that rayed from the almost closed window deep. Matteo could smell it. He could smell Blood.
Matteo's throat tightened. His gaze was on the bag with a hunger he hated to acknowledge. His muscles, his fangs, his fingers, they were all at his sides.
"Go on," she murmured, holding it out to him. "Take it."
Matteo clenched his jaw. He didn't move.
Adel's golden eyes gleamed with amusement and pity. "You're starving, Matteo. Don't be foolish."
He swallowed hard, his hands were balled into fists. He hated that she told the truth. Every inch of his body screamed for the blood. His hunger was unbearable, it was taking over his sanity, and it was making him weak.
But taking it from her felt like defeat.
Adel sighed, rolling her eyes. "You can pretend to be strong all you want, but you and I both know what happens when you resist for too long."
Matteo exhaled sharply. With a swift motion, he grabbed the bag from her hand.
The second his fingers wrapped around it, he violently tore it, immediately, it ran through his body. The scent hit him first, rich, intoxicating, powerful.
He tore off the lid, bringing it close to his lips.
Adel watched with pity and satisfaction on her face.
But Matteo hesitated.
He had made a vow to himself.
His grip on the vial tightened as his breath came in ragged pulls.
No, Not like this.
Matteo was frustrated, he held the bag across the room.
It shattered against the wall, blood splattering in the dark, on the floor.
Adel sat on the chair tearing another bag for her little bag for herself "Dramatic."
Matteo turned on her, his expression hard. "Why are you here, Adel?"
There was something that looked like pity in her eyes, very slightly. "Centuries gone my boy, you've forgotten to call me mother" The room became quiet "You already know the answer."
He crossed his arms. "Say it."
Adel's gaze darkened, her posture straightening. "You can't keep playing human, pretending to be something you're not, you know it won't last. That girl saw you, what's her name again….. Nora. Now that she has seen you, what next?"
Matteo's stomach twisted.
Adel took a step forward. "You need to use the spell power on her."
Matteo stiffened. "No."
Adel tilted her head, surprised at how quickly he had refused. "She's a liability."
"She's not a liability."
"She is if she talks," Adel countered. "Do you think she won't? She ran from you like she was running from death itself."
Matteo's jaw clenched. He had seen the fear in Nora's eyes, the way she had fled without hesitation.
It had gutted him.
"She won't tell anyone," he insisted.
Adel scoffed. "You can't be that naïve."
"I won't take away her memories," Matteo growled. "I made a vow."
Adel studied him, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed. "That human girl… she matters to you, doesn't she?"
Matteo didn't answer.
Adel smirked. "That's adorable."
Matteo shot her a sharp look, his patience wearing thin. "Stay away from her, Adel."
Adel held up her hands mockingly. "Relax, Matteo. As long as she keeps her mouth shut, that is."
Matteo's stomach twisted with unease. He didn't trust Adel. Not for a second.
And as much as he wanted to believe that Nora wouldn't speak of what she had seen… doubt gnawed at him.
She was avoiding him.
That much was clear.
Nora had spent the entire day steering clear of him, keeping her distance as though his very presence burned her.
He had caught glimpses of her, across the hallway, in the cafeteria, outside the school gates.
Each time, she had turned away.
Each time, she ran.
But it wasn't just fear keeping her away.
She was haunted.
The way she held herself, the way her eyes went around like she expected something to jump out at her, it was as if she was reliving that moment over and over again. Nora was scared.
And Matteo hated it. He hated that his secret for so many decades was about to be exposed after so many centuries of living a peaceful life as a human. He hated that a human was suffering because of him.
He hated that she was afraid.
And more than anything…
He hated that he didn't know yet what to do.
Nora sat on the edge of her bed, her knees were drawn to her chest, her fingers gripping the sheets tightly.
She hadn't said a word since her encounter with Jaytee. She couldn't.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him.
Jaytee's eyes.
Red. Burning. Inhuman.
He had fangs.
Her breath hitched, and her heart was pounding all over again.
What was he?
Her mind screamed for answers, for some kind of explanation that made sense.
But there wasn't one.
Because the truth was simple.
He wasn't human. She had seen him with her own eyes.
A shiver ran down her spine.
She had known him for months. She had spent time with him, argued with him, seen him roll his eyes in annoyance, smirk when he was amused, lean against the lockers like he didn't care about anything.
He had never seemed like a monster.
Her fingers trembled as she ran them through her hair.
She had to do something.
Tell someone?
She didn't even know what to say, and on the contrary, who'd believe such a fantasy, she knew this wasn't something she could just talk about.
This was bigger than her.
Suddenly, a heavy knock sounded against her window.